I guess I really don't know. I have three; 1 HS for about 3 years, 1 razor for almost 2 years and a PST for 6 or7 months. 1 issue with the razor. Unfortunately it turned out to be user error! Never had anything in a vortex that was less than a viper. The Razor and the HS have been through hell. Every time I think about it all I can see is a brand new scope for free!
The price drop comes from competition. There has to be an ungodly amount of profit in scopes and vortex is going to compete with all the manufactures at the high end and the low end.
Oh I forgot to mention the spotting scope- razor 16-48x60.