Today I purchased a Vortex Razor AMG UH-1 Holographic sight (although I did not yet get a chance to use it at the range) for my Sig MPX PCC. I had previously been using the Vortex Crossfire, which is a nice, no-frills, entry-level red dot sight.
Why Did I Want the Vortex Razor UH-1?
There are 2 primary reasons why I wanted to upgrade to a Vortex Razor UH-1.
- I wanted a larger field of view that would enable me to more easily and comfortably shoot with both eyes open.
- I wanted both a 1 MOA dot reticle with a 65 MOA circle reticle (EBR-CQB holographic reticle) for faster target acquisition.
With a budget of up to $500, there were a few options available to me, the most obvious of which was the EOTECH EXPS2. There were also less expensive “reflex” sights that looked similar in design to the EOTECH, such as the Holosun HS510C and the Sightmark Ultra Shot A-Spec Reflex Sight. However, I just felt that I’d rather spend a little more to get a true holographic sight rather than something that looked like one. I also wanted to buy a sight that was made in the U.S.A. Thus, it came down to either the Vortex Razor UH-1 or the EOTECH EXPS2.
The Vortex Razor UH-1 is an excellent quality, holographic sight with many well-thought-out features in a rugged, modern design.
EOTECH has a long-standing reputation as a leader in holographic weapon sights for the military, police and civilian market (although they recently had an issue with thermal drifting).
Vortex Optics is a well-respected, premium maker of hunting, recreational sports and law enforcement optics and accessories.
Both EOTECH and Vortex Optics are American companies, and although some of Vortex Optic’s products are made overseas, their Razor UH-1 is made right here in the U.S.A.
So, after some research, I ultimately decided to get the Vortex Razor UH-1.
Why Did I Choose the Vortex Razor UH-1 Over the EOTECH EXPS2?
- Field of View. After handling both the EOTECH EXPS2 and the Vortex Razor UH-1, I prefer the field of view from the Vortex UH-1 (more square than rectangular) and like that it DOES NOT have a second hood (like on the EOTECH), which makes the Vortex UH-1 sight picture feel a little more open.
- Battery Life. The Vortex Razor UH-1 is said to have a battery life of up to 1500 hours at medium brightness, whereas the EOTECH EXPS2 should have a battery life of up to 600 hours at medium brightness. Both use a standard CR-123A battery (although the UH-1 enables you to use a rechargeable LFP-123A battery which gives you up to 600 hours of battery life).
- Design. I prefer the cleaner (no second hood), more modern design of the Vortex UH-1.
- Price. The Vortex UH-1 was about $100 less than the EXPS2, so with comparable quality and a few more features, why not get the Vortex UH-1, save $100 and call it a day?
- Warranty. Talk about standing behind your product…Vortex Optics has a “no questions asked” UNLIMITED LIFETIME WARRANTY whereas Eotech only offers a 10-year LIMITED warranty for sights manufactured 2017 or after, and just a 2-year warranty for sights manufactured before 2017.
Vortex Razor UH-1 Features
- EBR-CQB RETICLE
- Fully Multi-Coated Glass
- 15 Brightness Level Settings
- Unlimited Eye Relief
- Parallax Free
- Shockproof
- Automatic shut off after 14 hours if no button is pressed
- ArmorTek ® Ultra-hard, scratch-resistant coating protects exterior lenses from scratches, oil and dirt.
- Rear facing controls
- FHQ™ Technology virtually eliminating stray light emissions for stealth-shooter-signature in low light and prevents eyepiece glare common to other holographic sights.
- Integrated Mount
- Micro USB Port enables use of LFP123A rechargeable battery.
- Powered by a CR123A battery
Vortex Razor UH-1 Specs
- Mount Type Picatinny
- Magnification 1x
- Dot Color Bright Red
- Dot Size 1 MOA
- Adjustment Graduation 1/2 MOA
- Travel Per Rotation 16.5 MOA
- Max Elevation Adjustment 100 MOA
- Max Windage Adjustment 100 MOA
- Length 3.6″
- Weight 11.8 oz.
Price of the Vortex Razor UH-1
MSRP is $649.99, but the street price is about $400. This is roughly $100 cheaper than the EOTECH EXPS2. Here’s a link to Vortex Optics’ website.
Why Buy From an Authorized Vortex Optics Dealer?
Of course, I wanted to get the best deal on my Vortex Razor UH-1, but when my local gun store sells it for $400 and a third party seller has it online for $20-$30 cheaper, guess what? I’m buying the Vortex Razor UH-1 from my local gun store who I know is a Vortex Optics AUTHORIZED DEALER (you can verify this on the dealer store locator page of Vortex Optic’s website). For me, it’s just not worth the potential risk of throwing away all that money on what may turn out to be a fake, used or damaged product because I originally thought that it might save me a couple bucks.
You may want to read this article that discusses how to avoid buying fake products online and to better understand what may be occurring in some of these instances.
Final Thoughts About the Vortex Razor UH-1
The Vortex Razor UH-1 is an excellent quality, holographic sight with many well-thought-out features in a rugged, modern design, making it an excellent alternative to the EOTECH EXPS2. I’m always interested in finding the best equipment I can afford to help improve my shooting skills. I believe my new Vortex Razor UH-1 will do just.
Why Does the Reticle Look Distorted/Fuzzy?
When using a red dot sight, if the reticle looks like a distorted/fuzzy blob, it could be due to astigmatism and/or poor vision (it’s also possible to have relatively good vision yet still have mild astigmatism). Your vision should be as close to 20/20 as possible in order to see the reticle more clearly. Therefore, it may be worth getting an updated prescription for your corrective lenses (i.e. eyeglasses, contact lens). Generally speaking, a holographic sight is supposed to be better for those who have astigmatism.
