Theyre not bad but there are better options IMO in that price range. The glass on mine wasn't great, a lot of distortion towards the edges. Resolution wasn't great which made low light shooting difficult when coupled with the overly bright dot. They are tough and will take a lot of abuse but I wouldn't buy one again with the price of the TRS-25 which I feel is a better red dot. The strikefire only has a 1 year warranty too.
Vortex Optics...what do you guys think?
- Thread starter strider007
- Start date
I have a SPARC on my M305. Other than the controls (they should have recessed the power button or something to stop accidental power-ons) and odd battery type, it's a great little red dot. It will find a home on my 590 if I ever decide to scope the Norc.
Older Crossfire I on my 93r17 TR. It's an 8-32x50AO with an extra fine v-plex crosshair. It also has a 30mm tube and I find it stays fairly bright even when light is fading. The eye relief on it is VERY critical, but otherwise it is very clear at all magnifications and the crosshair is perfect for .17hmr past 100 yards.
Crossfire II 6-18x44AO BDC on my FCP-K in .223. Eye relief is more forgiving than my other Crossfire. It's nice and clear but with the 1 inch tube it may not be as bright in low light but I haven't had it out that late yet. The BDC setup on their website is very slick and works great.
I wouldn't hesitate to get another Vortex, their warranty alone is good enough for me but I'm all around happy with their products. If I ever graduate to a rifle that deserves higher end glass it will be getting a Viper or Razor on top of it.
Older Crossfire I on my 93r17 TR. It's an 8-32x50AO with an extra fine v-plex crosshair. It also has a 30mm tube and I find it stays fairly bright even when light is fading. The eye relief on it is VERY critical, but otherwise it is very clear at all magnifications and the crosshair is perfect for .17hmr past 100 yards.
Crossfire II 6-18x44AO BDC on my FCP-K in .223. Eye relief is more forgiving than my other Crossfire. It's nice and clear but with the 1 inch tube it may not be as bright in low light but I haven't had it out that late yet. The BDC setup on their website is very slick and works great.
I wouldn't hesitate to get another Vortex, their warranty alone is good enough for me but I'm all around happy with their products. If I ever graduate to a rifle that deserves higher end glass it will be getting a Viper or Razor on top of it.
Nouseforaname
Member
- Location
- Brandon, Mb
Bushnell is less than the crossfire,as the crossfire tested has the illumninated reticle.
The standard crossfire is $30-$35 less than the Bushnell.
Redfield(sorry 3-9x42, not 3-9x40) was $25 less than the Diamondback.
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strider007
CGN frequent flyer
So anyways, I got my PST back from Vortex. Here it is:
And here is how "my new Vortex" did at the range today:
Sorry, I know...but I couldn't help myself!
I ended up picking up a Nightforce while I had the Vortex out for warranty service. I had some time to do a bit of research on a few higher end optics, and chose the NXS 3.5-15 x 50 SFP with Zero Stop and MOAR reticle...and I couldn't be any happier! This scope is absolutely fantastic. I'm not a pro by any means, but between the Vortex and my Nightforce, there is a HUGE difference when shooting my 700P. It almost gives you an unfair advantage on the target...so clear at any magnification, and rock steady as well, provided the parallax is set accordingly. I only had a little bit of time today, and couldn't get out to the longer ranges, but at 100 yards, it was absolutely fantastic. That little floater on the top right of the center orange ring was my fault...I was messing around with the parallax and had it a bit out of adjustment.
All-in-all, I am very pleased with the Nightforce. It was substantially more expensive than the Vortex, but you know how the saying goes, "You get what you pay for." And then there's that other one, "Buy once, cry once." I have realised them both...
PS. I have received the Viper PST back from Vortex. It has been repaired...erector tube was replaced, and the parallax dial was recalibrated. The tilting reticle has been corrected, and it is now good as new...
...and it is now on the EE, if anyone is interested! They have amazing warranty!!!!!!
And here is how "my new Vortex" did at the range today:
Sorry, I know...but I couldn't help myself!
I ended up picking up a Nightforce while I had the Vortex out for warranty service. I had some time to do a bit of research on a few higher end optics, and chose the NXS 3.5-15 x 50 SFP with Zero Stop and MOAR reticle...and I couldn't be any happier! This scope is absolutely fantastic. I'm not a pro by any means, but between the Vortex and my Nightforce, there is a HUGE difference when shooting my 700P. It almost gives you an unfair advantage on the target...so clear at any magnification, and rock steady as well, provided the parallax is set accordingly. I only had a little bit of time today, and couldn't get out to the longer ranges, but at 100 yards, it was absolutely fantastic. That little floater on the top right of the center orange ring was my fault...I was messing around with the parallax and had it a bit out of adjustment.
All-in-all, I am very pleased with the Nightforce. It was substantially more expensive than the Vortex, but you know how the saying goes, "You get what you pay for." And then there's that other one, "Buy once, cry once." I have realised them both...
PS. I have received the Viper PST back from Vortex. It has been repaired...erector tube was replaced, and the parallax dial was recalibrated. The tilting reticle has been corrected, and it is now good as new...
...and it is now on the EE, if anyone is interested! They have amazing warranty!!!!!!
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- Location
- Meaford Ontario
So anyways, Sorry, I know...but I couldn't help myself!
I ended up picking up a Nightforce while I had the Vortex out for warranty service. there is a HUGE difference when shooting my 700P. It almost gives you an unfair advantage on the target...so clear at any magnification, and rock steady as well, provided the parallax is set accordingly. I only had a little bit of time today, and couldn't get out to the longer ranges, but at 100 yards, it was absolutely fantastic. That little floater on the top left of the center orange ring was my fault...
If 1" at 100 yards was with an "unfair advantage" how poor was the group with the viper? I think this is shooter skill not scope advantage. My 2 cents!
TL-DNR
But, I've got a Vortex Diamond Back 4x12x40 on my Savage 93f17hrm and it's a great scope for the money.
The 17hrm is like a laser to 100 meters and the Vortex is more then enough scope to allow me to hit sub moa all day long.
For an inexpensive scope with a great warranty they are certainly worth considering. YMMV
But, I've got a Vortex Diamond Back 4x12x40 on my Savage 93f17hrm and it's a great scope for the money.
The 17hrm is like a laser to 100 meters and the Vortex is more then enough scope to allow me to hit sub moa all day long.
For an inexpensive scope with a great warranty they are certainly worth considering. YMMV
strider007
CGN frequent flyer
You may be right...I won't disagree...at least, I don't know enough about precision shooting yet that I can argue your point. But what I can tell you is that what I see through the Nightforce, as far as clarity, and reticle/target picture, I can't see that through the Vortex.
The reticle and the target do not move or slightly dance away from each other like they did in the Vortex. Even when I adjusted the parallax in the Vortex to the distance I was shooting, it still didn't do the same thing that the Nightforce did when I made the same adjustment. In the Vortex, there was always that bit of movement between the reticle and target, but with the Nightforce there isn't. It is very stable...even when slightly moving your head side-to-side or up and down...as long as the parallax is set accordingly, the reticle and target always seemed to be "locked" together.
I apologize if I made that sound a bit confusing...
Very good choice Strider! Welcome to the NF club. Now your rifle doesn't look like a poser lol. That's 2 groups with the one flyer? If so that's great shooting. Just wait till you see what that beauty will show you at 500 yds. Vortex will seem like a rip off while NF will be the better value
strider007
CGN frequent flyer
Thanks super...I appreciate it.
Yeah, that little flyer was my fault. I was messing around with the parallax and didn't set it properly.
I can't wait to try shooting a longer ranges. I really want to see how it performs at 500 plus...and I know that I will not be disappointed.
Yeah, that little flyer was my fault. I was messing around with the parallax and didn't set it properly.
I can't wait to try shooting a longer ranges. I really want to see how it performs at 500 plus...and I know that I will not be disappointed.
I don't see the appeal of any of these new/newer companies selling scopes. I just don't get it....most are made in China and are suspect quality likely no better then NC Star or Tasco garbage, but 2 or 3 times the price. Even the higher end Vortex stuff made in Japan is way more then Leupolds target scopes and approaching the NF area.
There are already plenty of established scope companies that put out anything and everything you could possibly want in a scope. Why buy overpriced #### from these new companies? What's the benefit? What's the point?
There are already plenty of established scope companies that put out anything and everything you could possibly want in a scope. Why buy overpriced #### from these new companies? What's the benefit? What's the point?
I think people just want "new" assuming it will be better. Same reason hunters are always squabbling over the newest super ultra retardo magnums when there's well established cartridges that do just as well at typical hunting distances. .303 Brit will kill a moose but if I drive the same bullet 1000 fps faster I'll kill it even harder! That's better! 10 yrs later dude can't find ammo for his obsolete flash in the pan rifle and when he does its $5/rd. Will Vortex still be handing out several free replacement scopes to everyone who bought one in 10 years? Will they still be in business when people finally realise they're cheaply made and grossly over priced? They can either fix up their scopes to get them performing in their price range or drop their prices to compete with leapers and nc star.
- Location
- lloydminster
Got the girlfriend a crossfire2 in 6x18. If your head is just slightly off center it has a green hue but its pretty clear at 100yds. At 400$ it's a decent scope.
Vortex's quality in their price range is amazing, and the comfort of knowing that you will always be taken care of no matter what is even better. I have a 4-16x HS, and a 1-4x PST and both are great. The quality is awesome, just as good as my friends 1000$+ leopolds and others. For the money you just cant get anything with the same options that you can with Vortex with Leopold or Nightforce. To get something with the same options you are spending 2000$+. To me the 1500$ savings is well worth it and I have had nothing but great experiences from my scopes. I would recommend them to anyone that doesn't want to spend 2000$ on a scope but want the same options. My glass is crystal clear, clear reticle, everything is spot on. Are the Nightforce and Leupolds better? Yes, but you cant get into a 16x with adjustable turrets etc etc unless your spending 3-4x more for them. Here is a comparison, you tell me what one you would want if you had 500$ to spend.
Option 1: http://www.grouseriver.com/Leupold_VX_2_EFR_Rimfire_Riflescope_p/opt-000543.htm
Option 2: http://www.grouseriver.com/Vortex_Viper_HS_2_5_10x44_p/opt-000374.htm
Option 3: http://www.grouseriver.com/Nightforce_Ultralite_Titanium_Alloy_Magmount_p/opt-000597.htm
Option 1: http://www.grouseriver.com/Leupold_VX_2_EFR_Rimfire_Riflescope_p/opt-000543.htm
Option 2: http://www.grouseriver.com/Vortex_Viper_HS_2_5_10x44_p/opt-000374.htm
Option 3: http://www.grouseriver.com/Nightforce_Ultralite_Titanium_Alloy_Magmount_p/opt-000597.htm
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what an odd comparison, you compare an uncommon niche market scope made in USA, a high end tactical mount made in USA and a $450 scope made in ???
For the record, I would take the leupold, but oddly enough I just bought a vx-2 2-7x33 for $225
It's not just the fact that vortex is such a new company, all the big names were new companies at one point in time, I just can't bring myself to trust a company that sells scopes made in ??? for the same price of scopes made in USA or germany that have many years or even decades of R&D and manufacturing experience.
For the record, I would take the leupold, but oddly enough I just bought a vx-2 2-7x33 for $225
It's not just the fact that vortex is such a new company, all the big names were new companies at one point in time, I just can't bring myself to trust a company that sells scopes made in ??? for the same price of scopes made in USA or germany that have many years or even decades of R&D and manufacturing experience.
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Um...Bushnell, Weaver, Burris, Nikkon, all have excellent scopes for $500.
I can tell you for $500 I WOULDN'T buy a Vortex.
The Mtac 3.5-10x42 is $500 btw for example. http://www.burrisoptics.com/mtac.html
Elite 5-15x40 is under $500 http://www.bushnell.com/tactical/rifle-scopes/elite-tactical/lrs-5-15x-40mm-mil-dot
If you do a little research, you can get everything Vortex offers, from a well known company, for a lot less money.....or MUCH better quality for the same kind of money Vortex charges.
I can tell you for $500 I WOULDN'T buy a Vortex.
The Mtac 3.5-10x42 is $500 btw for example. http://www.burrisoptics.com/mtac.html
Elite 5-15x40 is under $500 http://www.bushnell.com/tactical/rifle-scopes/elite-tactical/lrs-5-15x-40mm-mil-dot
If you do a little research, you can get everything Vortex offers, from a well known company, for a lot less money.....or MUCH better quality for the same kind of money Vortex charges.
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