Earlier this year I was able to get my hands on Vortex’s Razor HD 4000 rangefinder. Prior to using the Razor, I was using one of their competitor’s rangefinders and to say the Razor blow it away is an understatement! Below I will discuss my experience with the Razor and how well it performed in hunting situations.
First Impressions
Three major things stuck out to me when I first put my hands on the HD 4000.
- The rangefinder fits extremely well in my hand, which lends its self to quick and easy use will in the field.
- Overall clarity of the Razor’s glass is amazing especially when you consider it is wrapped in such a small package. This clarity made the transition from binoculars to rangefinder a breeze and made acquiring targets easier.
- The illuminated display allowed me to range targets in the early morning and late in the evening, which is crucial in hunting situations.
Features and Functions
The Razor HD comes with quite a few features, below I will list some of what the rangefinder has to offer.
- Magnification: 7x
- Objective Lens Diameter: 25 mm
- Linear Field of View: 341.25 ft @ 1,000 yds
- Angular Field of View: 6.5 degrees
- Eye Relief: 16-19 mm
- Range Reflective (yards): 4000
- Range Tree (yards): 2500
- Range Deer (yards): 2200
- Max Angle Reading + / – 70 degrees
- Width: 1.7 inches
- Length: 4.4 inches
- Weight: 9.9 oz
- M.S.R.P: $ 729.99
Also, the Razor’s primary mode is HCD or Horizontal Component Distance. This gives hunters angle compensated range information at the push of a but. This basically means that instead of having to do the math due to the angle of the shot the rangefinder does the math for you and gives you a range to hold for. Likewise, the rangefinder comes with Normal Mode, First Mode, Last Mode, and Extended Laser Range Mode. This provides hunters with a wide array of modes for any environment.
Practical Use in the Field
I used the Razor during my two most recent hunts. The first one was a rifle deer hunt in Utah. On that hunt, I was looking for an older age class buck. During the hunt, I saw a few smaller bucks but was never able to turn up a shooter. However, I used the rangefinder several times every day. As I stalked into positions to look at deer herds I would use the rangefinder to scout potential stands of cover and their distance in relation to the deer’s location. Unsurprisingly, the Razor functioned well and provided me with accurate ranges time and again.
My second hunt of the year was a 3rd season rifle deer hunt in Colorado. On this hunt, three friends and I tackled a DIY hunt in a unit we had never stepped into before. We learned on the fly and were able to take a few bucks. Once again the rangefinder proved vital. We used it several times along with OnXmaps to determine where a private property line was that wasn’t clearly marked. Likewise, I was able to range my cousin’s buck before he took the shot. Sometimes high sage can throw off our internal rangefinders and without the Razor, our guesswork could have led to us missing our chance at this buck.
Long Range Rangefinder
We also used the rangefinder several times to determine if a shot was something we felt comfortable with. On one occasion I determined one 4×4 buck was just a little too far for me to feel comfortable. As stated above we also used the rangefinder to check the distances between the cover and feeding deer as we still hunted and stalked the deer.
Likewise, we spent some of our downtimes guessing ranges and seeing how far we could get the Razor to go. I was able to get the rangefinder to pick up ranges on deer twice at around 2300 yards away. I also got it to pick up on trees and rock formations at 3100 yards.
Overall Rating of the Razor HD 4000
Below I will list the overall rating and feeling of the rangefinder. If you are looking for a rangefinder with an illuminated display, that can range long distances accurately and has very clear glass, then the Razor HD 4000 is for you.
Pros
- The illuminated display is a game-changer in low-light conditions.
- The overall size of the rangefinder fits well in your hand for quick usage.
- Like all Vortex products, the Razor is covered by the company with its VIP Warranty.
- The HCD mode takes the math and guesswork out of shot angles.
- The glass of the rangefinder is very sharp and clear providing an easy transition from binoculars and rangefinder.
- The CR2 battery can be changed quickly without the use of tools.
Cons
- I only have one con with the Razor and its minor. After using the rangefinder extensively on two of the hunts the rubber eyepiece cover started to become loose and move slightly around the eyepiece. This could be fixed a home with a few small dabs of superglue, or you could always send the rangefinder back to Vortex under its VIP Warranty.
Overall I enjoyed hunting with and using the Razor HD 4000. It has become a must-have for me and look forward to using it to hunt in the future. If you’d like to check out Vortex you can do so by clicking here. If you speak with them be sure to tell them that Ehuntr sent you. Likewise, you can check out more of our Ehuntr reviews by clicking here.
What are your thoughts on this review? Have you ever used the Razor HD 4000? Let us know in the comments!
