Vortex Optics...what do you guys think?

strider007

strider007

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To those of you who are using, or have used any of the rifle scopes from Vortex, what are your opinions on them? I know that everyone has a HUGE hard-on for their warranty, but is it really all that amazing? And what about the actual product...is it just as good as their lifetime warranty?

The reason I'm asking is because I've come to question their product line, primarily the PST line, of which I do currently have on one of my rifles...or should I say, had on one of my rifles. On my first outing to the range with a new PST, after firing just 10 rounds, the reticle now rotates slightly in the direction that the magnification dial is turned. With the slight onset of disappointment, I kinda' eased my frustration by having a bit of hope with the lifetime warranty, thinking that my down time would be minimal. It is now almost one month and counting, and I have yet to receive my repaired or new scope.

So I'm asking those of you who have had any similar experiences, or any experience with any of Vortex's rifle scopes, are they truly the best bang for the buck? Did my PST end up being just a lemon of the bunch? Or do they simply offer a crappy product, make it look super cool, and back that up with an "amazing warranty", which makes everyone think that they're awesome?

I don't know guys...any opinions that I can ponder over would be greatly appreciated...
 
My experience is limited to two scopes, a Viper HS 4-16x50 LR and a Viper 3-9x40. I was very disappointed in the 4-16 optically and mechanically, it was way overpriced at $800. I sold it and took a hit. The 3-9x40 on the other hand is a superb scope, to my eyes as clear as a Zeiss Conquest or Leupold VX3. Time will tell if it stands up, it's only a year old.

I didn't need service on either so can't comment on that, other than if you constantly read about warranty service, even if it's great, that generally raises red flags with me. I do see quite a few more threads on warranty/Vortex pop up than I'd like.
 
strider007 said:
To those of you who are using, or have used any of the rifle scopes from Vortex, what are your opinions on them? I know that everyone has a HUGE hard-on for their warranty, but is it really all that amazing? And what about the actual product...is it just as good as their lifetime warranty?

The reason I'm asking is because I've come to question their product line, primarily the PST line, of which I do currently have on one of my rifles...or should I say, had on one of my rifles. On my first outing to the range with a new PST, after firing just 10 rounds, the reticle now rotates slightly in the direction that the magnification dial is turned. With the slight onset of disappointment, I kinda' eased my frustration by having a bit of hope with the lifetime warranty, thinking that my down time would be minimal. It is now almost one month and counting, and I have yet to receive my repaired or new scope.

So I'm asking those of you who have had any similar experiences, or any experience with any of Vortex's rifle scopes, are they truly the best bang for the buck? Did my PST end up being just a lemon of the bunch? Or do they simply offer a crappy product, make it look super cool, and back that up with an "amazing warranty", which makes everyone think that they're awesome?

I don't know guys...any opinions that I can ponder over would be greatly appreciated...
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I have to ask in order to better understand you. What exactly do you mean "the reticle now rotates slightly in the direction that the magnification dial is turned"? Is it literally following the magnification dial in a clock wise/counterclock wise direction? Or is the reticle getting bigger and smaller as you dial the magnification?

If the reticle is getting bigger and smaller with magnification and it's a FFP scope, it's supposed to do that ;). Clockwise/counterclockwise is a warranty issue.
 
I have own multiple Vortexs, and have used more. I have never come across any negatives with them, ever!

My Viper 6.5-20x50mm is as clear as any other quality glass IMO. I really like Vortex, I'd probably try to get ahold of them and see what the hold up is on you're warranty issue.
 
BTW mind sharing the scope you're talking about?

*Edit* Call the warranty center (and the retailer if they're the ones handling warranty) to see what the hold up is. A post here doesn't hurry them along where as calling gets things done ;).
 
Tagged for interest, as I just bought a Viper PST 6-24X50. Havn't mounted It yet until the rifle shows up, so I'm sorry, I have nothing to add.... Yet.
 
mines good 6-24 x 50 pst , have no issues, but the only issues I hear most often are specs on the lenses internal , I don't have this but several threads have guys who did. your is the first time I heard the reticule moving.
 
I have had a viper hs 2.5-10 for about 2 months now and really like it. I've only ever had vx2 level scopes until I bought this one and find the viper to be quite nice and I think a step-up. It has really great light gathering abilities -- I was out hunting with a buddy the other night and he had a relatively high end burris scope and the viper was quite a bit brighter when compared side by side (his was 30mm as well with similar mag range). The only slight negative about it for hunting purpose is the cross-hair is a tad on the fine side.
 
Loki...my PST is a 4-16 x 50, SFP MRAD. The reticle turns slightly clockwise and counter-clockwise when adjusting the magnification dial in the same direction.

Called them up and spoke to their warranty dept. This was after two weeks of them receiving it...was told it would be another two weeks before it was returned to Vortex Canada from the USA.

I'm aware that posting doesn't speed up warranty...that's not my intention here. I'm just curious about anyone else's experiences...
 
Got a 3-9 Viper, good optics, comparable to a few bushnells and leupolds that I looked at, but I'm on my 3rd one now. first blew off the rings so not the scopes fault but was replaced within 2 weeks (I called and told them I needed it back ASAP). Second one on the same gun with top of the line rings had no problems, until it lost zero. I put it on a boresighter and it refused to move when I moved the dials. Returned for a brand new one at the retailer. My third one refuses to zero up for me on my 3006. I think that it also may have somehow become broke inside. I boresighted it, took it out, fired a dozen rounds all over the paper, lost my mind, and switched to pistol. I moved the dials back to the zero stops, put it on the boresighter, and its way off, but the reticle still moves freely.

I now also own a PST 1-4 and love it. Easy to zero, holds up on my M14 with no problems, really good optical quality, although like most, its not a true 1-4, more of a 1.1-4 as it looks a little fuzzy with both eyes open.
 
I had 2
a crossfire which did noe even made it to the rifle
reticule was at 45deg angle I got my money back
this tells a lot about their quality control

second was a viper pst after less than 200 shots, all kinds of debris were flying inside and reticule was mooving when touching the power ring
sent it to vortex and received a new one in 4 weeks
sold it and got a SIII
 
This and other reasons are why I went with Nightforce. Vortex's warranty is the only reason they haven't sunk. They're a little too cheaply made for their price range. PST turrets don't track at higher elevations and there's always a ton of ppl waiting on warranty. How do they afford such great warranty service? By making a very hefty profit on cheap products. They're not absolute junk and some of their glass is incredible but they're not reliable. While some people don't mind this its a deal breaker for me. Even their high end line has more failures than most other high end optics.
 
supernova said:
This and other reasons are why I went with Nightforce. Vortex's warranty is the only reason they haven't sunk. They're a little too cheaply made for their price range. PST turrets don't track at higher elevations and there's always a ton of ppl waiting on warranty. How do they afford such great warranty service? By making a very hefty profit on cheap products. They're not absolute junk and some of their glass is incredible but they're not reliable. While some people don't mind this its a deal breaker for me. Even their high end line has more failures than most other high end optics.
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This is exactly, right on the money, what I have been thinking the last couple of days.
 
My impressions of the Vortex is quite good! I have a Razor HD 5-20 and it has been fantastic, easily better optically then my Sightron SIII 6-24. The Sightron for the money is excellent though too and wouldn't be shy to recommend it as well.
I had a Viper PST 1-4 for a short while and it was also quite good but can not speak for the longevity or durability of it.
 
Two Viper binos, two Viper scopes, two Viper HS scopes, one Viper PST scope, one Razor spotting scope.
Very happy with the performance of all of them and the Viper binos and scopes have been drug around, packed in duffles and generally used not babied. Also have done side by side comparisons at dusk with Swaro binos and Leupold scopes with favorable results.
 
strider007 said:
Loki...my PST is a 4-16 x 50, SFP MRAD. The reticle turns slightly clockwise and counter-clockwise when adjusting the magnification dial in the same direction.

Called them up and spoke to their warranty dept. This was after two weeks of them receiving it...was told it would be another two weeks before it was returned to Vortex Canada from the USA.

I'm aware that posting doesn't speed up warranty...that's not my intention here. I'm just curious about anyone else's experiences...
Click to expand...

Ummm, aren't these scopes manufactured in Ontario..Guelph or Kitchener i believe!?
 
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