Vortex Razor 8×42 HD

Specifications:

Objective diameter:  42 mm
Magnification:  8 x
Exit pupil: 5.25 mm
Eye relief (acc. to spec): 17.5 mm
Usable eye relief (measured from rim of eyecup): 14 mm
IPD:  55 – 75 mm
RFOV:  7.4  degrees = 130 m
AFOV (measured, rounded): 53.5 degrees
Minimum focus distance (measured): 1.65 m
Focus type: CF (direction of rotation from close to infinity: < anticlockwise)
Degrees of rotation of focus wheel from 3m to infinity (measured): 260 degrees
Range of diopter adjustment (estimate): +/- 3 dpt*
Excess travel of focus wheel beyond infinity position (estimate): 4 dpt*
Prism system:  Schmidt-Pechan
Waterproof: yes
Weight (measured, with eyepiece cover and strap): 756 g
Made in: China
*range of diopter adjustment not affected by position of focus wheel

Remarks:

The Razor HD – with models in sizes 8×42, 10×42, 10×50 and 12×50 – used to be Vortex’ top binocular line, competing in the upper class with the likes of Leica’s Trinovid or Zeiss’ Conquest HD and carrying a similar price tag (in 2019, Vortex topped the Razor series by adding a considerably more expensive “Razor UHD” range of models). Reviews of the 8×42 and 10×42 Razor HD, e.g. by binomania or allbinos, have been positive, and for a reason: the Razor HD is a very good instrument. BINOCULARS TODAY rates the optical and mechanical performance of the Razor HD at least comparable to the much lauded Hawke Frontier (see separate post, https://binocular.ch/hawke-frontier-ed-x-8×42/ ) and Hawke Sapphire (see separate post, https://binocular.ch/hawke-sapphire-8×43-ed/) and ahead of the well-made Bushnell Forge (see separate post https://binocular.ch/bushnell-forge-8×42/), to name just a few of today’s very good China-made binoculars. The only “flaw” that comes to mind: the size of the FOV is only average.

Ratings: