Vortex Sparc Problem

J

JayCarver

CGN Ultra frequent flyer
Rating - 100%
335   0   1
Location
GP, Alberta
So picked up a vortex sparc to put on a SR 22, the first thing that I noticed is that the dot isn't really a fine dot it's more of a short squiggly line. After looking at it closer found that if I move my head down and to the right while looking through it the line turns into a nice dot and as I move my head the opposite direction, up and to the left the squiggly line becomes longer and more apparent.

I'm just wondering if there all like that or if I have a bad one.

This conditions is alot more noticable with the magnifier on, I couldn't really see it without it.

Also while I was looking through it I dry fired it and the dot "when out" for a split second and then flickered a couple times then went out again. When I turned it back on it worked fine??? Yes the batterys are good.

Anyone eles have any of these probs with there's?
 
I'd say ship it back for a replacement, or try the retailer if it's only a few days old.
 
Mine looks pretty fine unless you turn it up really bright for whatever condition you are in, IE if it's dark out it happens sooner than if it is really bright out.
 
Please tell me you are using this outdoors. In a dark indoor range or at home red dot sights always appear pretty blurry like a star unless turned way down. If this isn't the case forgive me, but I have had several newbie friends think their red dot is broken or tell me I sold them a broken sight, all because they are playing in their bedroom, instead of the range!
 
mlehtovaara said:
Please tell me you are using this outdoors. In a dark indoor range or at home red dot sights always appear pretty blurry like a star unless turned way down. If this isn't the case forgive me, but I have had several newbie friends think their red dot is broken or tell me I sold them a broken sight, all because they are playing in their bedroom, instead of the range!
Click to expand...

Good advice!
 
mlehtovaara said:
Please tell me you are using this outdoors. In a dark indoor range or at home red dot sights always appear pretty blurry like a star unless turned way down. If this isn't the case forgive me, but I have had several newbie friends think their red dot is broken or tell me I sold them a broken sight, all because they are playing in their bedroom, instead of the range!
Click to expand...

Good post. You explained it way better than my miserable attempt.
 
I have next to no experience with red dots, but I noticed something while checking out a couple brands at the store. I was looking at the dots to see how large the dots were or how clear the dot showed, and I found them all to be rather blurry and/or not very round. (These were lower end scopes, under $200)

Then I looked at something on the wall and put the dot on it. When I focused on the target, the dot was nice and small and round. Looking at the target, the dot seemed good, looking at the dot, it looks like crap.

Is there something wrong with my eyes, or is this how they are designed to work?:confused: It makes sense if they are designed to be used like that, I just hadn't thought about it.
 
Informative thread. I am in the same boat right now with my Sparc. Any updates from the OP. I will try it out at the range and see if the squiggly line goes away as I could have sworn when I first got the scope it was a dot even in my gun room.
 
cbabes said:
Informative thread. I am in the same boat right now with my Sparc. Any updates from the OP. I will try it out at the range and see if the squiggly line goes away as I could have sworn when I first got the scope it was a dot even in my gun room.
Click to expand...

I have noticed mine to be fine sometimes and a little blury others... was thinking it maybe my eyes too:eek: but i guess not seeing others have noticed it too... Maybe artificial vs natural lighting.
mine is also the SPARC
 
I've just unboxed my Strikefire. I have noticed the same dot sharpness problem as the OP and some others. If i squint, the dot looks like a slightly curved horizontal line. looking at it with both eyes open, it sort of pancakes out and looks like an oval, regardless of brightness or environment.

I put the 2x magnifier on, and the dot sharpened up dramatically. It still wasn't a perfect dot, but it was considerably better than looking at the dot unmagnified. I'm not an expert, but it seems like the lenses somehow leave the dot unfocused when viewing the scope unmagnified.

I'm going to take it to my Regiment on Wednesday for our Gunfighter training and see how it handles. I'm also going to get some of the other soldiers to take a look through the scope to make sure it's not just my eyes having a problem. If it's confirmed by other soldiers, then I'll probably get it exchanged.

My 0.02.

Pat
 
Update: My Strikefire definitely has a "pancake" dot. Several of the soldiers I work with noticed it as well. I've decided to return the scope and save for something a little higher-end.

My opinion is that the scope may not have been finished properly. I suspect that a coating wasn't applied to the lens, because in pictures the front glass of the Strikefire is shown to be red in colour, but mine is almost a silvery-white depending on the angle, but never red.
 
My "dot" looks like a lower-case cursive letter 'l' with the top of the loop cut off. My 14 year-old sees the same thing so it's not just a middle-aged eye issue. As the reticle moves away from the center of the lens it become more elongated. Not impressed...
 
dHb said:
My "dot" looks like a lower-case cursive letter 'l' with the top of the loop cut off. My 14 year-old sees the same thing so it's not just a middle-aged eye issue. As the reticle moves away from the center of the lens it become more elongated. Not impressed...
Click to expand...

I'm not sure if astigmatism is age related though it might be genetic..? Not sure about that either...:)

Did you try it outside or with the lights out?

If it's not weird lighting or your eyes then...

Take it back and try another.... still don't like it? Get your money back.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom