While the Razor HD 27-60X85 has been around for a while now, it has maintained its spot as one of the best high-end spotting scopes on the market. I have a lot of time out in the field with this optic and look forward to deep-diving into it with y’all. From great edge-to-edge sharpness, and excellent clarity, to an integrated Arca-Swiss mount, this Vortex Razor HD has a lot going for it.
Vortex Razor HD 27-60X85 Specifications:
Magnification: 27-60x
Objective Lens Diameter: 85 mm
Linear Field of View: 117-68 ft/1000 yds
Angular Field of View: 2.2-1.3 degrees
Eye Relief: 16.7-17 mm
Length: 15.5 inches
Weight: 65.6 oz
Close Focus: 16.4 feet
Out of the Box
From the factory, Vortex includes eyepiece caps, an objective lens cover, a user manual, and a custom-fitted neoprene sleeve with the Razor HD. The lens covers fit snugly which helps give me peace of mind when transporting this spotting scope.
Glass
When it comes to optics, everyone wants to know how clear the glass is. Well, when it comes to good glass there is a surprisingly wide range of factors that play into a great optic. Vortes utilizes Index-matched lenses to correct color across the entire visual spectrum. The lenses then feature an ultra-hard ArmorTek® scratch-resistant coating to protect from dirt, oil, and scratches. The HD lenses are also XR™ Plus Fully Multi-Coated. The Razor HD is also Argon purged to improve waterproofing and mitigate fogging.
Eyepiece On The Razor HD
The eyepiece that comes with the Razor HD is effective and simple. Clarity is great, and the magnification adjustment is well-labeled and firm to keep from slipping around. It also has adjustments for the eye-cups to fit comfortably when used with glasses or without.
A feature I appreciate is that the whole eyepiece is removable. This allows for swapping out with other options if desired. While the eyepiece that comes with the Razor HD is just clear, Vortex offers eyepieces in both MOA and MRAD configurations with reticle subtension markings to help with calling shots or measuring objects. I have used other spotting scopes with reticles and I am a big fan when it comes to distance shooting.
Housing
Like most of Vortex’s binoculars or other spotting scopes, the Razor HD has a durable rubber armor that provides a secure and non-slip grip. The has held up well throughout my time with this optic and feels like it lasts forever. I have always been a fan of the robust rubber armor Vortex utilizes in its optics.
The Razor HD also has an integrated sunshade. Simply pull forward on the housing to extend it, or push it in to keep the whole setup nice and compact.
Focus
Featuring a firm non-slip focus ring, fine adjustments are easily made. Since this focus ring wraps around the entire body of the spotting scope, it is easy to make ultra-fine adjustments when focusing on objects at varying distances.
Mount
Vortex has been following industry trends and utilizes an Arca-Swiss compatible foot on the Razor HD. I have exclusively run this spotting scope on various Arca-Swiss compatible tripods without issue. This foot also can rotate about the housing to allow for quick leveling when mounted to a tripod that is not on level ground. There is a small set screw which can be used to adjust the retention on this. I kept it snug so I could always make some movements if desired, but tight enough to where it wouldn’t slip when hiking around.
Razor HD Clarity
So how clear is the Razor HD 27-60X85 spotting scope? Well sometimes these things are hard to describe with words alone, but it is impressive. Light transmission is impressive, and it allowed me to spot and watch bucks where they couldn’t yet be seen by other high-end optics. It provides sharp images with vibrant colors and an impressive 117-68 ft field of view at 1000 yards.
Shown below are some pictures I took at various distances. Keep in mind that all pictures were taken with a phone held up to the eyepiece, and the clarity in person is better.
Packability
This is a large spotting scope well-suited for range use, and hunting when you need to see at extended distances. It weighs in at 65.6 ounces but needs to be used in conjunction with a tripod of some sort adding to the overall useable weight. I spent a week backpack hunting in Colorado using the Razor HD and a shooting tripod. While it was a bit hefty, it allowed me to glass things at vast distances. It fits without a problem in the side pocket of my Eberlestock Team Elk V2 pack. However, the area I was hunting was more wooded than open so a smaller spotting scope with a lower magnification range would have been a better fit.
READ MORE: Leupold Carbon Fiber Tripods
For those who want to record videos or take pictures through this spotting scope, Phone Skope makes handy adapters. Simply mount their case to your phone, and pop it onto the spotting scope. Then you can easily video yourself shooting, or steadily record a buddy.
I also spent time glassing waterfalls and glaciers in Iceland, shooting long-range, competing in a PRS match, as well as hunting for whitetail, pronghorn, and elk with the Razor HD. I have never seen bullet traces as clearly as I have with this spotting scope and the video below shows this effect:
Summary of the Vortex Razor HD
From the mountains of Iceland and Colorado to the plains of Texas, New Mexico, and Oklahoma, the Vortex Razor HD 27-60X85 has never let me down. The glass clarity is remarkable, the housing is built tough, and the integrated Arca-Swiss foot allows me to use it with the most common tripods. It has held up through freezing rain, and dusty 100+ degree days out under the sun. The MSRP for the Razor HD is $2,399, but it can be readily found for around $1,700. I have no hesitation in recommending the Razor HD to anyone in the market for a premium spotting scope at a competitive price.
