Vortex Razor AMG UH-1 Gen II vs EOTech XPS3 Holographic Sight: Which one to Buy?

Vortex Razor AMG UH-1 Gen II vs. EOTech XPS3 Holographic Sight: Why Compare?

Vortex Razor AMG UH-1 Gen II and EOTech HWS XPS3 are similarly priced and capable holographic sights. Both are priced around $500 and come with very similar features such as lightweight, compactness, night vision compatibility, and mission-readiness.

With the 2020 launch of the Vortex Razor AMG UH-1 Gen II Holographic Sight, law enforcement personnel, military operators, and hunters have started to ask whether the new, second-generation Vortex Razor AMG UH-1 Gen II will be able to stand against the proven EOTech HWS XPS3 Holographic Sight.

Vortex Razor AMG UH-1 Gen 2 over Vortex Razor AMG UH-1 Gen 1

Vortex Razor AMG UH-1 Gen II Holographic Sight is the latest device made available in the market by Vortex Optics in 2020. It is the second-generation product of the celebrated Razor AMG UH-1 model (which was discontinued by the manufacturer sometime back).

The first-generation Vortex Razor AMG UH-1 HWS was launched back in 2017 as the solution of Vortex Optics to EOTech holographic sights. Though the US Special Forces used Vortex Razor AMG UH-1 Gen I Holographic Sight, due to some drawbacks it didn’t become successful in the civilian market. Therefore, the first-round went to EOTech.

After taking Vortex Razor AMG UH-1 Gen I to the laboratory and working on the drawbacks, Vortex Optics has released its new Vortex Razor AMG UH-1 Gen II Holographic Sight and is now available in the market. It looks like Vortex has plugged all the lacunae of the previous model and launched this new robust sight.

The Gen 2 scope now comes with many improvements including night vision compatibility (4 NV settings and dedicated NV button), lighter weight (11 oz in comparison to 11.80 oz of Gen I), enlarged viewing window, toolless battery cover, and many more.

But how does the new second-generation AMG UH-1 stand before EOTech holographic sights, against which the Vortex Optics launched the first-generation AMG UH-1 product originally? Let’s check this out.

EOTech HWS XPS3 Holographic Sight

EOTech HWS XPS-3 is a capable holographic sight, which is compact, lightweight, night vision compatible, and mission-ready. It is similarly priced as the Vortex Razor AMG UH-1 Gen II.

So, let’s check out how the new Vortex Razor AMG UH-1 Gen II Holographic Sight stands against the capable EOTech HWS XPS3 Holographic Sight.

Vortex Razor AMG UH-1 Gen II vs. EOTech XPS-3 Holographic Sight: A Detailed Comparison

Vortex Razor AMG UH-1 Gen II vs. EOTech XPS-3: Overview

Vortex Razor AMG UH-1 Gen II Holographic Sight

Who Should Buy?

Vortex Razor AMG UH-1 Gen II Holographic Sight is one of the best close-quarters solutions available in the market currently. It is best suited for law enforcement operators, military personnel, and hunters.

Why should you Buy?

Razor AMG UH-1 Gen II offers an incredibly fast holographic display, four night-vision compatible settings, a dedicated night-vision button, a larger viewing window, lightning-quick EBR-CQB reticle (with a mere 1 M.O.A. central dot), FHQ technology for virtually eliminating stray light emissions for zero forward signature, and lighter weight (11 ounces only).

This new, updated, 2nd-generation Vortex Razor AMG UH-1 Gen II optic also comes with 15 illumination settings, an integrated quick-release mount, rear-facing controls, 1x magnification, Unlimited Eye Relief for rapid target acquisition, zero-distortion image, and other important features such as IPX8 waterproof, shockproof, and fog proof. The Zero Image Distortion, no nonsense glass is American-made.

EOTech XPS-3 Holographic Sight

Who Should Buy?

EOTech XPS-3 Holographic Sight is one of the proven top performers in CQB situations. It is one of the best holographic sights for fast target acquisition within 300 yards. XPS-3 is most suitable for military personnel and law enforcement operators. However, hunters looking for close-quarter hunting with the benefit of night vision compatibility can buy EOTech XPS-3 Holographic Sights (XPS3-0 and XPS3-2).

Why should you Buy?

EOTech XPS-3 Holographic Sight is the shortest and lightest HWS night vision compatible sight of EOTech. XPS-3 HWS is a compact and lightweight (just 9 oz) holographic sight that is manufactured with military standard, and compatible with night vision.

XPS-3 Holographic Weapon Sight (HWS) has been designed for fast and accurate target sighting with a 40mm low-speed grenade fired from the military launcher. With this EOTech HWS, operators can maintain the focus of the eye on the target.

This compact XPS3 HWS comes with two user-friendly reticle patterns:

• XPS3-0 model features a 68 MOA ring surrounding a 1 MOA center dot so that you can quickly pick up and lock on a target.

• XPS3-2 model features a two-dot reticle pattern, which is distinguishable with or without magnification. This reticle pattern offers the benefit of an additional long-range, aiming dot.

EOTech XPS-3 Holographic Sight also features 30 brightness settings (20 daylight settings and 10 additional settings for Gen I through III+ night vision devices), 1,000 continuous hours of battery life (1 x CR123 battery power source) at nominal setting 12 at room temperature, 33 ft. (10 m) depth water resistance, and fog proof. This holographic sight is completely Made in the USA.

Vortex Razor AMG UH-1 Gen II vs. EOTech XPS3: What’s so Special?

Vortex Razor AMG UH-1 Gen II Holographic Sight

Models: AMG-HS02

• Zero Image Distortion: This device provides the shooter with zero distortion image, providing them speed in the close-quarter shooting.

• Night Vision Compatibility: It comes with 4 night-vision (NV) settings and a dedicated NV button so that you can make the adjustment faster day and night.

• Larger Viewing Window: The second-generation Vortex AMG UH-1 Gen 2 Holographic Sight comes with a larger viewing window (especially when compared with the first-generation Vortex AMG UH-1), enabling you to maneuver this sleek and door-kicker faster.

• EBR-CQB Reticle: This reticle is clean, highly versatile, and purpose-built so that you can engage targets optimally in a wide range of scenarios, especially dominating the close-quarter shooting scenario.

• FHQ Technology: The innovative FHQ technology eliminates stray light emissions for stealth-shooter-signature in low light. It prevents eyepiece glare, which is common to most other holographic sights.

• 15 Illumination Brightness Setting: Vortex Optics has incorporated 15 levels of brightness settings for the illumination (with 1 MOA dot size and 65 MOA reticle size).

• Unlimited, Unconditional, Lifetime, Warranty: The VIP (Very Important Promise) Warranty is fully transferable and no receipt is needed.

• Compact and Lightweight Design: It weighs just 11 oz and the dimension is 3.9” x 2.1” x 2.7” (99 x 53.3 x 68.6 mm).

EOTech XPS-3 Holographic Sight

Models: XPS3-0, XPS3-2

• Compact and Lightweight Design: XPS3 HWS is the shortest and lightest HWS night vision compatible sight of EOTech. It weighs just 9 oz and the dimension is 3.8” x 2.1” x 2.5” (96.5 x 53.3 x 63.5 mm).

• Two Reticle Patterns: XPS-3 HWS holographic   sight comes with two reticle patterns:
  a. XPS3-0 model features a 68 MOA ring surrounding a 1 MOA center
  b. XPS3-2 model features two-dot reticle pattern (where 68 MOA ring surrounds two 1 MOA dots)

• Huge Battery Life: XPS3 comes with a 1-volt lithium CR123 battery power supply. It provides you 1,000 continuous hours at nominal setting 12 at room temperature. However, on-an-average 600 hours of battery life.

• 30 Illumination Brightness Setting: EOTech has incorporated 20 daylight settings and 10 additional settings for Gen I through III+ night vision devices.

• Made in USA

• EOTECH HWS Prestige Warranty: EOTECH guarantees every product to be free from manufacturing defects in material and workmanship under normal use for a period of ten (10) years from the manufacturer’s date or customer’s proof of purchase.

Vortex Razor AMG UH-1 Gen II vs. EOTech XPS-3: Reticles

Vortex Razor AMG UH-1 Gen II vs. EOTech XPS-3: Videos

Vortex Razor AMG UH-1 Gen II vs. EOTech XPS3: Specifications

Vortex Razor AMG UH-1 Gen II vs. EOTech XPS-3: Pros & Cons

Vortex Razor AMG UH-1 Gen II Holographic Sight

Models: AMG-HS02

Pros:

• Vortex Razor AMG UH-1 Gen II has the potential to become the gold standard on the basis of which future holographic sights will be measured. This is mainly because of its tough-as-nails construction, long-lasting battery life, ingenious reticle design, and night vision compatibility.

• This unmagnified holographic weapon sight comes with a unique EBR-CQB reticle design having 1 MOA bright red dot at the center, surrounded by a hollow crosshair, and a triangle at the bottom. It helps you in fast target acquisition in close-quarters, especially up to 400 yards.

• A big improvement in the second-generation Razor AMG UH-1 Gen 2 HWS over the first generation is that the Gen 2 comes with night-vision (NV) compatibility. It features 15 daylight illumination settings and 4 separate night vision settings.

• Vortex Razor AMG UH-1 Gen II HWS is powered by a single CR123 battery, which provides close-quarter shooters around 1,500 hours of operation on the medium brightness setting.

• One of the best things about this holographic weapon sight is that you can adjust both windage and elevation up to a maximum of 100 MOA.

• This optics is very compact and lightweight. It is 3.9 inches long, 2.7 inches tall, and weights just 11 ounces. The compact structure permits the device to provide military and law enforcement operators a lower third co-witness with standard AR-15 height iron sights.

• QD Picatinny mount helps in attaching Razor AMG UH-1 Gen II HWS quickly and securely to a given firearm.

• UH-1 Gen 2 comes with a small slotted bolt, adjusting the tension of the optic on a given weapon. Though it is a standard feature in modern firearms, the small slotted bolt ensures that the optic is mounted securely.

Cons:

• The price seems to be a bit to the higher end. However, considering the exceptional features, advantages, and superior performance that it brings with itself, the price seems justified for the shooters in close combat operations.

EOTech XPS-3 Holographic Sight

Models: XPS3-0, XPS3-2

Pros:

• Provides high-end optics performance.

• Field-of-view ratio of XPS3 is one of the best among the reflex sights.

• It has one of the widest brightness ranges for both daylight and night vision. There are 20 daylight brightness settings and compatible with 10-night vision brightness settings.

• Parallax free

• EOTech XPS3 is one of the lightest HWS available in the market with just 9 oz weight.

• The compact design takes up very little space on the mounting rail.

• Co-witnessed sighting and rapid target acquisition is possible, thanks to the clear open sight.

• You can easily mount and dismount by using the quick-release pull lever.

• The 1 x CR123 battery provides 500-600 hours of strong backup on an average on field.

• Assembly and disassembly is easy with a quick-connect system with a lever.

• Optical surface comes with anti-glare properties.

Cons:

• The lens doesn’t come with tinting and therefore the shooter has to keep on wondering about glare on the target.

• The price seems to be a bit on the higher end.

Final Words

Both Vortex Razor AMG UH-1 Gen II and EOTech XPS3 HWS are high-quality holographic sights. Though optical quality is exceptional for both the devices, zero image distortion feature in UH-1 Gen II makes it a leader in optical clarity. They are the most compact sights for rifles, carbines, and shotguns.

Both the devices are night-vision compatible but the range of brightness settings offered by EOTech in HWS XPS-3 definitely outshines Vortex Razor AMG UH-1 Gen II. The lightning fast EBR-CQB reticle design wins it for UH-1 Gen II. However, the Reticle 0 and Reticle 2 designs in XPS3-0 and XPS3-2 models also play their parts in fast target acquisition.

Considering the tough-as-nails construction, long-lasting battery life, ingenious reticle design, and night vision compatibility, Vortex Razor AMG UH-1 Gen II Holographic Sight has the potential to become the gold standard on the basis of which future holographic sights will be measured.

Both are high-end devices and are best for close-quarters shooting. However, they are capable of acquiring targets quickly and could make the difference between life and death. That’s why the above-$500 price is justified for these durable and versatile units.

Vortex Razor AMG UH-1 Gen II Holographic Sight narrowly wins the race over EOTech XPS3 when it comes to the overall performance, especially when we consider larger viewing window, innovative FHQ technology (virtually eliminating stray light emissions for stealth-shooter-signature in low light and preventing the common problem of eyepiece glare), long hours of battery life, 100 MOA elevation/windage adjustment, and lifetime VIP warranty.

While EOTech XPS3 is fully American made, Vortex Razor AMG UH-1 Gen II comes with US-made optics. The ultimate choice depends on your preferences, considering both the devices are equally strong, versatile, and tough as nails.