Red Dots in cold weather

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brett033

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I want to zero my new Strikefire today and its a little nippy (-30). It says its rated to -40 but so do my boots which suck after -15. Anybody have experience using these optics in cold temps? Any advice, opinions or info would be appreciated.
 
brett033 said:
I want to zero my new Strikefire today and its a little nippy (-30). It says its rated to -40 but so do my boots which suck after -15. Anybody have experience using these optics in cold temps? Any advice, opinions or info would be appreciated.
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Buy some better boots. LOL.
 
I would only be worried abut the batteries if they're not good ones, you will find out pretty quick if they will tolerate the cold or not. Other than that , the rest should be a-OK.

O ya , get better boots......or double up on socks.;)
 
Any device that is battery operated will fail once the core temp of the battery gets well below freezing. Get a Trijicon ACOG if you want reliability below -10. Otherwise, get Eotech and keep a spare set of batteries in your inside pocket. I say Eotech because they are one of the easiest for battery replacement. Most others require fiddle-phucking around to put the batteries in.
 
I have one of those wireless outside temperature units that sends the temperature to an inside unit. I only use Lithium batteries in it, as they work in much lower temperatures. The battery outside my window has been in the unit for 2 winters now (I'm in Southern Ontario), and has never failed.

Lithium batteries are expensive though.

Scott
 
Lithium batteries are virtually immune to the cold. If you doubt it, ask any photographer.

Energizer Ultimate Lithium batteries are rated to -40c
 
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TDC said:
If you're worried about the optic failing, you need to buy a better optic as well as better boots.

TDC
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You misunderstood. It seems like you misunderstand alot of things. I wasn't worried, this is my first red dot. I would have asked the same question about an Aimpoint or EOTech.

Thanks for all the posts guys, the Vortex worked like a champ. Zeroed it in 10 minutes. Feet stayed warm too.
 
I placed my Strikefire in the deep freeze for 4 hours. Was still running strong when I pulled it out and was still true when I mounted it and shot it.
 
ALBERTA BOY said:
Lithium batteries are virtually immune to the cold. If you doubt it, ask any photographer.

Energizer Ultimate Lithium batteries are rated to -40c
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Yup! They are the ONLY battery I have had any luck with in my trailcams when the temp dips into the -20 & below range!

Cheers
Jay
 
brett033 said:
You misunderstood. It seems like you misunderstand alot of things. I wasn't worried, this is my first red dot. I would have asked the same question about an Aimpoint or EOTech.

Thanks for all the posts guys, the Vortex worked like a champ. Zeroed it in 10 minutes. Feet stayed warm too.
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If you would have asked the same question about an Aimpoint or EoTech then clearly you didn't research your equipment very well. Rather than look for the spoon fed answer from the forums, why not learn about your equipment? Preferably before you purchase it. This would greatly reduce your concerns about their performance, and save you time and likely money in the long run. My statement still stands. If you're concerned about your optic running in cold temps, you need to invest in better gear.

TDC
 
TDC said:
If you would have asked the same question about an Aimpoint or EoTech then clearly you didn't research your equipment very well. Rather than look for the spoon fed answer from the forums, why not learn about your equipment? Preferably before you purchase it. This would greatly reduce your concerns about their performance, and save you time and likely money in the long run. My statement still stands. If you're concerned about your optic running in cold temps, you need to invest in better gear.

TDC
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Sure thing boss, he's going to fight polar bears in the Arctic circle , so he better be prepared . Me thinks you take things waaaay to seriously , mabe kick it down a notch as the apocalypse isn't here just yet and his life won't depend on his optics for the time being.
 
TDC said:
If you would have asked the same question about an Aimpoint or EoTech then clearly you didn't research your equipment very well. Rather than look for the spoon fed answer from the forums, why not learn about your equipment? Preferably before you purchase it. This would greatly reduce your concerns about their performance, and save you time and likely money in the long run. My statement still stands. If you're concerned about your optic running in cold temps, you need to invest in better gear.

TDC
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I did research. The Vortex got great reviews. That's why i bought it. Also in my OP you'll notice i say its rated to -40. I researched the manual to find that one out. I was asking for real life experience with the optic. Isn't that what this forum is all about?
 
TERMINATOR101CA said:
Sure thing boss, he's going to fight polar bears in the Arctic circle , so he better be prepared . Me thinks you take things waaaay to seriously , mabe kick it down a notch as the apocalypse isn't here just yet and his life won't depend on his optics for the time being.
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If you can't or won't trust your life to it then why have it?

brett033 said:
I did research. The Vortex got great reviews. That's why i bought it. Also in my OP you'll notice i say its rated to -40. I researched the manual to find that one out. I was asking for real life experience with the optic. Isn't that what this forum is all about?
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Again, if you have doubts about its performance, you need to invest more(time and money) into a better product. The fact you're asking, tells me you don't have all that much faith in your Vortex. Based on what I've read and seen, Vortex has spotty QC with the number of returns/replacements I've seen.

TDC
 
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