Managing Editor
The Advanced Manufacturing Group of Vortex Optics is essentially the Skunk Works of the optics world. Deep in their secret laboratory (pronounced La Bore Atory) they are constantly working to create the newest cutting-edge glass. Their latest offering is the Razor AMG UH-1. With a parallax free 1 MOA red dot encircled by a 65 MOA outer circle with 81.5 MOA subtension marks, the reticle on the Razor AMG UH-1 is, in itself, a breakthrough in rapid target acquisition technology. With no adjustment to the optic, the shooter can rapidly measure and engage in targets at multiple ranges.
The case that holds the glass and delicate electronics is rock solid, without the need for an outer shielding ring. The heavy-duty aluminum protects the innards without adding much in the way of weight. The entire sight comes in at just 11.8 ounces with the battery installed. Inside, the housing is purged with argon gas to prevent thermal shock and keep out condensation. A quick detach mount lets you remove the optic and replace it without losing zero.The lenses are coated with ArmorTek to provide protection against scratching and also to repel fog, dust, and gunk. FHQ Technology gives the sight a stealthy light profile, preventing light from the reticle, that can give away the shooter’s position, from escaping in low light engagements. This special coating also removes eyepiece glare common to holographic red dots. Looking through the wrong end of the sight, you don’t see a peep of light emitted from the projector.
There are 15 levels of brightness and long battery life, but the unit will shut off automatically if not adjusted for 14 hours. This feature can be disabled if desired.
The entire unit is shockproof, so the electronics will withstand dropping and recoil, even from heavier weapons like the .308, .338 Lapua, or 6.5 Creedmoor, but it also works great on lighter weapons like the standard 5.56/.223 or .300 Blackout.
The unit can run on either a standard CR123 or on a rechargeable LFP123 battery. It has a micro USB port for recharging the battery without removing it from the sight.
All of this is crammed into a housing that is just three and half inches long. Two easy-to-use rubberized buttons turn the unit on, off, and adjust brightness. Windage and elevation adjustments can be made with just a dime and there is a 100 MOA of adjustment on both. Unlimited, non-essential eye relief distance means the optic can be mounted as far forward on the rail as you might desire. The farther from your eye, the larger the reticle gets and the more of the screen it fills.Since UH-1 is the designation for the familiar military helicopter the UH-1 Iroquois, people have been calling this sight the Huey. If it is a tenth as tough as that beloved aircraft, the AMG UH-1 will withstand a ton of abuse and stay in the fight. Everything we have seen tells us that it will take a heap of abuse; however, everything eventually has a breaking point, and if for some reason the UH-1 should ever fail, it is covered by the Vortex VIP Unconditional, Unlimited, Lifetime warranty. So go beat it up and use it to the max, because that is what it is designed for.
