Vortex Diamondback 4 12x40 struggle.

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Clockmaker

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So originally started with a bushnell rimfire 3 9 x 40 and thought that I wasn't super happy with it being a 159 dollar scope I figured I had cheaped out. So I went up to a 400 dollar budget and got a vortex scope. So let me tell you, the eye relief box is horrible. It is so dang tight that the smallest movement will mess up the eye relief and likely miss a shot on a gopher. I was hitting gophers dead on 100 yards plus, out with my rimfire scope with 0 issues and I put this vortex on and suddenly a gopher 50 yards out caused me grief. It doesn't help that it only gets cloudy on the edges vs going black and for me that can be tricky to find the relief spot in the vortex. There is absolutely nothing wrong with the scope and even had it at the gun shop today and they helped me fine tune the positioning. I took it to the range tonight skeptical and hoping maybe it would be better. Nope. It was not I have the same rimfire bushnell scope on a old cooey model 600 and that thing is mint let me tell you. Never once had an issue nailing the bullseye and keeping a 1/2 inch group with 10 rds. The vortex on my CZ457 not a chance. 3 shots would be good then I'd start having issues with the eye relief going cloudy and not noticing it suddenly I have strays left right and not center lol.

So I did some research tonight on vortex. A lot of people are having similar issues and don't like the tight eye relief. Personally I will buy bushnell over and over before I ever touch a vortex again. So that is the end of my rant lol. Also just to clarify, everything was set properly, distance to eye with stock cheek weld position, reticle adjusted, etc. Just not the scope for me and apparently for many others. If this helps you in your optics search if you're new then this post served its purpose. I wish I had found this post before I spent 400 on a scope I can't stand. Just because you spend a bunch more money on a scope, doesn't mean that you get better. I'll take my bushnell rimfire scope all day long over this vortex and will likely take the vortex back and go back to the rimfire for now.
 
OP - I hear and feel ya. Have been where you are, albeit in a different way, but same conclusion. I had a cheap Bushnell 3-9x40 over many years on my rimfire. Got it 18 or so years ago, at $100-$120 - don't remember exactly and I threw out the box a long time ago. It wasn't the best scope but I didn't know any better. In retrospect, the eye relief was good, but the glass was not great (compared to what I ended up buying later).

A few years ago, due to what I perceived to be decent consensus about Vortex quality-to-value proposition and lifetime warranty, I picked up a Diamondback 4-12x40. The glass was better, but the eye relief was terrible. I constantly was adjusting it, as the eye relief "sweet spot" was almost non-existent. I ended up trying a Leupold VX Freedom and it was fabulous. Sold the Diamondback for a lot less than I bought it.

I thought I'd give Vortex another chance with their red dots instead. Maybe it was the models I bought (Strikefire II, Sparc AR, etc.) but I hated them. The buttons felt mushy and cheap. It didn't seem like it held zero very well (unlike what I ended up getting - Holosun HS515GMs). I had to turn it on and off, and it has a 12 hour time limit before powering down. I prefer the Holosun shake awake and the much shorter 10 minutes before shut off (prob due to shake awake).

I will say that I very recently, on a recommendation by fellow club members, picked up an Athlon Neos 6-18x44 (site sponsor Wolverine sells it). I was skeptical due to the cheap price (it was $225), but the quality of the glass, reticle and the eye relief, is superb. I have never heard of Athlon previously, but I am impressed so far. And it comes with a lifetime warranty - no registration needed, no receipt needed, even accidental damage is fully covered. I couldn't believe the quality I got for the price.
 
I destroyed a $400 Vortex on a light 375. That being said, I don’t buy $400 scopes anymore unless they have zero cool features. It’s a false economy to expect much more.
 
I recently purchased a new scope. Definitely considered the Vortex but after alot of research I decided against them and went with a Athlon as well. I have always been a Leupold guy but they just don’t offer anything for the particular scope I was looking for. Seems like people either love or hate Vortex from what I have seen.
 
I've found that in the higher mag range 'eye box' gets tight. My Bush Engage 6-18x50, Covenant 4 6-24x50, and Athlon Argos 8-34x56 (All FFP) are pretty tight even with All having SF-parallax. I shoot from a Primos GT sled and 'dial in' the shot w/o fiddling the stock, just the sled adjustments, then finger pinch the trigger.
Are you all saying the high mag Leupolds have a 'wider' eye box ? Mine are ca 1/2" or so.
 
Had the exactly the same scope and yes eye relief was an issue with it. I had shot many times with it and even taken a couple of deer with that scope. I had a traumatic brain injury about 6 years ago and after that could not get that scope to work for me. After that I paid allot of attention to the eye relief of scopes and have even switched out more expensive scopes for cheaper ones because of the better eye relief. I avoid the Vortex Diamondback line an the cheaper Vipers for that reason.
 
Some of the Vortex scopes are a no go but others are excellent value for the money. Same with many manufacturers but people just like to trash Vortex. Must make them feel better. You bought it in house from a dealer? Why not just check it out properly? Eye relief is pretty easy to check. Heck, it even states it in specs and I never buy a scope without reading the reviews online first. Case of buyers remorse.
 
Clockmaker said:
Just because you spend a bunch more money on a scope, doesn't mean that you get better. I'll take my bushnell rimfire scope all day long over this vortex and will likely take the vortex back and go back to the rimfire for now.
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Well, from your bushnell to the vortex, yes that holds true.

Step up that bunch more money into some of the "rifle" scopes, and you cause another problem..........


Once you upgrade your glass to alpha, you will never be happy with anything less!!!!!
 
I thought my 6-24x50 FFP was hot s--t, then I got the 8-34x56 FFP. Now switching between rifles is a shock. I don't have the $$ to re-scope the other 3 .
 
Buck1950 said:
I've found that in the higher mag range 'eye box' gets tight. My Bush Engage 6-18x50, Covenant 4 6-24x50, and Athlon Argos 8-34x56 (All FFP) are pretty tight even with All having SF-parallax. I shoot from a Primos GT sled and 'dial in' the shot w/o fiddling the stock, just the sled adjustments, then finger pinch the trigger.
Are you all saying the high mag Leupolds have a 'wider' eye box ? Mine are ca 1/2" or so.
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Those are all base model optics, considering their features. Starting $1K-$1200 they start to get ok. 1 $2K optic instead of 4@$500 really makes a difference.
 
NAA said:
I've had pretty good success with B&L Elite 3000 & 4000 series scopes.

Still have a few of 'em. :cool:

---------
NAA
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I wish I'd have sent my 3000 to Trace and paid the repair bill rather than to Bushnill.
I'd still own it.

The 4200's are a great clear scope.
 
jimip said:
Had the exactly the same scope and yes eye relief was an issue with it. I had shot many times with it and even taken a couple of deer with that scope. I had a traumatic brain injury about 6 years ago and after that could not get that scope to work for me. After that I paid allot of attention to the eye relief of scopes and have even switched out more expensive scopes for cheaper ones because of the better eye relief. I avoid the Vortex Diamondback line an the cheaper Vipers for that reason.
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You and I are in the same boat. My eyes don't work quite like others do so I've now learned how important eye relief is for me. It becomes more important than being able to see each individual hair on an animal. Truthfully my bushnell rimfire scope is phenomenal aside from the slightly less than clear optics at 9 power. Aside from that I would mount it on any rifle because it works for me. I ordered a redfield revolution off someone here so hoping it is better. Y friend let me try his out the other night and I think it will work for me.
 
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