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Old 02-05-2017, 02:14 PM
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Default This looks interesting...

...well to me anyhow. Vortex Optics presented their new Razor AMG UH-1 holographic sight at the SHOT show last month.

They don't seem to be available for purchase just yet and the price is bit all over the board. Vortex site says $699, Optics Planet has them for pre order at $499.

From what I've read, they wil start getting into circulation in a couple months. Will be watching for some hands on reviews.

Being made in USA makes it attractive. Not a game changer at the higher price point, but good to see another choice out there in holographic sights.

Comes with the capability of USB charging of the battery. I don't know about that one, seems kind of gimmicky and potentially troublesome. Guess time will tell.

Your impressions?

**First Look** Vortex Optics RAZOR AMG UH-1 Holographic Sight | AR15NEWS.COM - Your AR-15 news source!

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Old 02-05-2017, 03:08 PM
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agree... interesting...
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Old 02-05-2017, 03:11 PM
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Looks like Vortex is thinking they can capitalize on the recent issues with EOTech by offering a similar substitute.
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Old 02-05-2017, 03:27 PM
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Looks like Vortex is thinking they can capitalize on the recent issues with EOTech by offering a similar substitute.
I agree, looks that way to me too. IF this is done right, they might well do it too.
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Old 02-05-2017, 03:47 PM
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Brownells shows them at $499 so it should be in the $450 -$475 range IMHO considering how often Brownells is running coupons these days. It is interesting. People who like the Eotech reticle really have not had a true combat ready option that has not admitted to cheating the govt and consumers putting soliders at risk. Will have to see what kind of abuse it can really take. They do not give any real specs on its waterproof specs or battery life. They state long life for the battery which is sort of meaningless.



Vortex Optics - Razor AMG UH-1

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Old 02-05-2017, 05:20 PM
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Compact unit for length, but Vortex should have put the controls on the side. Having controls on the rear takes up rail space for finger clearance.

The reticle is too "busy". At least it is for me. Hopefully other reticle options will be coming. Vortex has been very good about this with scope reticles, so hopefully they will eventually offer reticle options.

Quality and ruggedness remains to be seen. I'm assuming it is covered by their unlimited lifetime warranty.

Hopefully they will have mounts or a version for 1/3 cowitness.

Have a gun project that I'm considering an EOTech XPS2-1 for. This is their compact CR123 powered sight with a single 1 MOA red dot and no 65 MOA ring. Very simple, clean reticle. MSRP is $539, retail in the $475 to $499 range, so retail pricing is similar. I kinda doubt Vortex will have out any other reticle options before I'm ready to purchase.
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Old 02-05-2017, 06:26 PM
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There isn't much in the way of measurable tech specs on it. In the Q&A section Vortex says it's submersible to 33 feet for 5 minutes. Curiously, 33 feet is exactly what EOTech claims.

Like the EOTech, battery life appears to be the Achilles heel. It incorporates a USB charger, auto-off, auto-off cancelation button press for 5 seconds, reticle flashes between brightness settings non-stop when battery is getting low unless you manually cycle through brightness settings to disable the flashing. A lot of things revolving around battery life...
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Old 02-05-2017, 07:01 PM
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Originally Posted by okiegtrider View Post
Being made in USA makes it attractive.
Are you sure about that? Everything else by Vortex is made in China. I have nothing against Vortex and indeed, I think they are a great company. I just don't see this on their site and I'm sure it would be plastered with "Made in the USA" if it were.

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Originally Posted by WVSig View Post
People who like the Eotech reticle really have not had a true combat ready option.
Um, what? The EOTech has been in the field for over 20 years and is still one of the toughest sights on the market.


I like Vortex, but this particular optic doesn't excite me at all. If I wanted an optic like this, I think this is a better choice:
Hartman - Main Advantages | MH1 | Military Accessories | MIL-STD



Not cheap, but what quality optic is? Col Hartman is the real deal when it comes to combat. This guy has been there and done that and wrote the book. Seriously, he wrote the entire tactical shooting doctrine of the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF). So, when he speaks about what a combat optic should have, I listen.

The Razor® AMG™ UH-1 looks good, but for just a tad more, I'd lean toward the MH-1.
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Old 02-05-2017, 07:30 PM
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Are you sure about that?
In the Vortex Q&A section on the AMG UH-1, Mike at Vortex says...

Yes, it is made in the USA and all of the parts except for one piece used for the reticle are coming from the USA.
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Old 02-05-2017, 08:07 PM
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Originally Posted by Brian in Oregon View Post

Hopefully they will have mounts or a version for 1/3 cowitness.
The stuff I read about this sight says it is right height in the mount that it comes in for a lower third co-witness.
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Old 02-05-2017, 09:11 PM
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I'm intrigued by it, the price would be right for me after their LE discount program

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Old 02-05-2017, 09:12 PM
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If it lives up to the quality/value for the price of the scopes I have from them it should be a winner.
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Old 02-05-2017, 10:46 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ChattanoogaPhil View Post
There isn't much in the way of measurable tech specs on it. In the Q&A section Vortex says it's submersible to 33 feet for 5 minutes. Curiously, 33 feet is exactly what EOTech claims.

Like the EOTech, battery life appears to be the Achilles heel. It incorporates a USB charger, auto-off, auto-off cancelation button press for 5 seconds, reticle flashes between brightness settings non-stop when battery is getting low unless you manually cycle through brightness settings to disable the flashing. A lot of things revolving around battery life...
33 feet happens to be almost exactly 10 meters, so that's why the odd measurement. Vortex says a five minute limit. I don't recall any time limitation on the EOTech models that claimed they were submersible.

Battery life. I have an EOTech 552, which uses AA batteries. EOTech advises this for battery life:

Lithium: 1,000 continuous hours at nominal setting 12 at room temp.

AA alkaline: 600 continuous hours at nominal setting 12 at room temp.


There are 20 daylight steps (plus 10 more night vision steps) on the 552. So step 12 is just over halfway. I just checked my 552 and since there are 8 steps above the default power up step, it is starting at step 12.

So, I noticed when I was hunting over in the high desert at the peak of the day, I had to crank the power way up, at or near the max brightness. I'd get about a day of service from Duracell AA batteries, having to replace them shortly after using them sometime the next morning. In practical terms this was about 10 hours the first day plus maybe two or so hours the next morning, total around 12 hours. Note that my 552 has the F marking for enhanced electronics for longer battery life. The very early ones really ate up batteries.

AA cells are cheap, and I was loathe to go to a sight that used the more expensive 123 batteries. I hoped Eotech would come out with a AA optic like the 512 but with a 1 MOA dot only, and no 65 MOA ring. The only dot only model is the XPS2-1, which uses 123 batteries. These range from about a buck and a half for cheapies to five bucks apiece for high quality. I never bought cheapies because of worries of them leaking in a camera, but if they were removed from the EOTech after hunting, no worries.
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Old 02-05-2017, 10:51 PM
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Um, what? The EOTech has been in the field for over 20 years and is still one of the toughest sights on the market.
They also knowingly sold defective optics to the DOD putting soldiers at risk. They admitted fault and paid 25 million and have been replacing commercial optics for free.

EOTech Breaks Silence over Defective Sights | Military.com

I personally will never buy one of their products again. I am not a fan of the busy sight picture but I understand that other people do but when you cheat the Govt putting soldiers at risk you are dead to me.
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Old 02-05-2017, 11:04 PM
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The folks over at Vortex seem nice.
























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Old 02-06-2017, 12:36 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ChattanoogaPhil View Post
There isn't much in the way of measurable tech specs on it. In the Q&A section Vortex says it's submersible to 33 feet for 5 minutes. Curiously, 33 feet is exactly what EOTech claims.
33' is .97 atmospheres. Most dive watches are rated to 10atm.

MIL-STD-810G method 512.5 states that it will be immersed to a depth of 1M for about 30 minutes. I have no idea why either company chose 33ft.
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Old 02-06-2017, 12:45 AM
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Originally Posted by ChattanoogaPhil View Post
In the Vortex Q&A section on the AMG UH-1, Mike at Vortex says...

Yes, it is made in the USA and all of the parts except for one piece used for the reticle are coming from the USA.
Yep, it sure enough is there. So, why aren't they mentioning that on the front page? That alone is a huge selling point. I know plenty who'll pay $100 more just because of that.
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Old 02-06-2017, 01:00 AM
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...putting soldiers at risk.
We could debate that, but I see you've edited your post and this is really off topic anyway. Suffice it to say that I agree with you that they intentionally tried to cover up a potential problem.
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Old 02-06-2017, 01:03 AM
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Originally Posted by okiegtrider View Post
The folks over at Vortex seem nice.
I don't know why you feel you need to hide from this comment. The people at Vortex are indeed nice and easy to talk to. When I had a question about one of their optics, they put one of their engineers on the line and we talked about it. He was extremely knowledgeable and was able to answer my questions without trying to BS me.

I think they're a great company and make great products. I own a few. I will own more. I wish them well with this one. It's not my cup-o-tea, but I'm sure lots will like it.
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Old 02-06-2017, 10:01 AM
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33' is .97 atmospheres. Most dive watches are rated to 10atm.

MIL-STD-810G method 512.5 states that it will be immersed to a depth of 1M for about 30 minutes. I have no idea why either company chose 33ft.
Trijicon MRO 100ft
Aimpoint T2 83ft
EOTech 33ft
Vortex 33ft
Hartman 20ft

I looked at the Hartman. A reflex design requiring a rechargeable battery and a CR123 backup battery? That thing is techno-heavy... "Infra-red" remote control for brightness setting and activation, user programable sleep control modes, adjustable setting for auto-off, dual 30 degree motion sensors auto-on, USB charge port, low battery flashing reticle.... geeeesh.

I think I'll stick with my Aimpoint Micro. Install a small 2032 battery and leave it on for a few years.

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Old 02-06-2017, 10:16 AM
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I don't know why you feel you need to hide from this comment. The people at Vortex are indeed nice and easy to talk to. When I had a question about one of their optics, they put one of their engineers on the line and we talked about it. He was extremely knowledgeable and was able to answer my questions without trying to BS me.

I think they're a great company and make great products. I own a few. I will own more. I wish them well with this one. It's not my cup-o-tea, but I'm sure lots will like it.
Just poking a little fun at the off topic rant.
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Old 02-06-2017, 10:42 AM
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Just poking a little fun at the off topic rant.
Doesn't take long... at least some of the posts contained the name Vortex.
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