Vortex scopes - opinions

I'm mostly a Leupold fan, but I do have 2 Vortex scopes, and a Vortex spotting scope.

The high-end Vortex (Razor) line competes in every way with other products at those price-points, at least to my eyes.

The Viper PST line has good features and very decent optics at a competitive price.

I haven't had any malfunctions or issues, so I can't speak to the warranty experience with either Leupold or Vortex. I kind of think my experience is as it should be.
 
I have a Vortex Crossfire on my AR10 and have had no issues with it. Seems like an excellent scope for the money.
 
Bile said:
Opinions eh?

I still havent seen a vortex pst go down. ive seen a few non-mark 4 leupolds go down.

final opinion: focus on proper equipment over brand names. Pretty much every north american optics company other than US optics has glass from asia. what ever brand your chinese glass scope wears doesnt really matter.
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I haven't personally seen one go down. There are several threads on the hide that report PST failures on 338 rifles. I don't own a 338 right now, but I know the scope I currently have now is up to the task.
 
I've never had a problem with the couple that I own including the Diamondback 4-12X40 on my .300 Win Mag. POI has never shifted with over 400 rounds from the set-up, having been transported in airplanes, trucks, boats, quads just in a basic Plano hardcase. I have a Viper 6.5-2044 on my .308 and it is great as well. I think they are a great scope for the money and recommend them to others. With any optic you will get what you pay for, and some you are paying extra just for the name, but in my opinion I don't think you will find a better deal than Vortex.
 
Got 3 vipers and a crossfire on different hunting rifles, all work extremely well, zero issues, found a good deal so I bought a spare for my next build.. Ordering the viper pst 1-4 lmcq moa tomorrow morning for a tavor.. Love the vortex on hunting rifles, will be ordering a sightron SIII in the spring for my long range rig tho
 
I have a problem with the illumination on my pst series it's like in between off and on I have to take the battery out have yet to have time to send it in but I phoned and they said it was all kosher that I sent it in so I'm confident it will be fixed.
 
I've stuck to Leupold. I've got:

VX2 3-9x40
VXR1.25-4
FX 2.5 IER
VX-6 2-12x44

These are all the Leupold scopes I've ever owned.

The VX-6 went to the warranty shop unfired for an occlusion.

TheVX-2 has a sticking reticle that requires a wasted shot after each adjustment.

The FX-2 appears to not hold zero, and is headed in for warranty work.

The VX-R is fine.

I'll still use Leupold because they have a warranty program that appears to even apply to Canadians. Also, they at least machine and assemble is North America.
 
Use a Vortex "spitfire" 1X on my CX4 carbine. Had it for about 6 months. Used it plenty. Dropped it some. Original battery still, and I have left it turned on overnight about a dozen times. Holds a zero. Clear glass that has stayed sealed thus far. Great eye relief. Mount it mid rail on the rifle. Best thing about it is the etched reticule, which means I don’t have to worry about using the iron sights ever. Plan on going with the spitfire 4X when I grab a Desert Tech/Tavor/ACR later in the new year. Overall, I am happy with the quality.

I think caution is warranted as the product is, in my opinion, unfairly maligned as it is Chinese/Philippines/Japanese made. I believe my scope is made in the Philippines, but assembled in Wisconsin. Nevertheless, Vortex is an American Company. If you want "American quality" you have to spend a lot more. And Leopold is not made in the USA anyways. Honestly, to much stock is put into "American made".
 
Manufacturing bible.

Cost=$75 Retail=$400 lifetime warranty, replace it 3 times and still make money, let's make it in China.
Cost=$150 Retail=$400 lifetime warranty, replace it 2 times and still make money, keep an eye on quality, maybe China.
Cost=$200 Retail=$400 lifetime warranty, replace it 1 times and start loosing money, better increase the quality.
Cost=$250 Retail=$400 lifetime warranty, replace it 1 times and start loosing big money, quality better be real good,
Cost=$300 Retail=$400 lifetime warranty, replace it 1 times and start loosing real big money, quality better be top notch !!
 
I had 2 Viper PST FFP. ( 4-16 and the 6-24 )

Both had problems. One the reticule was canting as I was turning the zoom ring. They other one did not track properly.

Both got returned and I sold the NEW ONES they sent me back.

I did not want to take another chance. Nothing pissed me off more then an expensive piece of equipment letting me down on a range trip.

I suggest you go for the Razor line only. Anything under is a chance you take. 50/50

Razor line on the other hand is done with much higher standards. But they cost a lot more. But they are good.


Cheers.
 
Bartledan said:
I've stuck to Leupold. I've got:

VX2 3-9x40
VXR1.25-4
FX 2.5 IER
VX-6 2-12x44

These are all the Leupold scopes I've ever owned.

The VX-6 went to the warranty shop unfired for an occlusion.

TheVX-2 has a sticking reticle that requires a wasted shot after each adjustment.

The FX-2 appears to not hold zero, and is headed in for warranty work.

The VX-R is fine.

I'll still use Leupold because they have a warranty program that appears to even apply to Canadians. Also, they at least machine and assemble is North America.
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Same I have two leupold's i've had to RMA the Rifleman 2-7x33mm - It went on my 45-70 and started to leak nitrogen out the top adjustment. I was having trouble with it holding adjustment and then realized as i was adjusting it bubbles were coming out the top. - I rma'd it through leupold and they sent be a brand new sealed scope as replacement. I haven't used it much since then likely it will come off that 45-70 at some point and onto something else I didn't expect much from this other than a durable scope that could handle the recoil of a 45-70 which leupold had assured me should not have been a issue even with handloads (I had called them before purchasing).

Also have a vx2 3-9 - 50mm on a Ruger M77 .308 (I bought this before the 2-7x failed) I've never been quite happy with its clarity really but it hasn't failed or anything yet, Never really noticed how much i didn't quite like it until i used it hunting for a half a season the light collection near dusk was not the best i've seen i expected alot more from a 50mm obj lense.. I actually truly prefer my Bushnell Elite 3200 3-9x50mm over this scope if given a choice but either will do the job for hunting.

so for me its like a 50/50 out of just 2 scopes having Leupolds that failed.

That said i'm quite interested in the optic's available from vortex from what i've read its just as hit and miss as leupold but i may actually get better glass for my $ this time.
 
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I have a 2-7x Diamondback I bought for my .308 for hunting only. Seems like a fine scope for hunting where my shots wouldn't be further than 200yrds.
For my .223, where I could end up shooting 600yrds, I plan on a Vortex Diamondback HP or Nikon Monarch 3 in the future.
I do plan on upgrading to a 2-8x Diamondback HP for my .308 as well.
 
Two vortex scopes made it through my 30-30 and both kept up no problem. Crossfire and Viper. I wish I still has the Viper, shouldn't had sold it. Excellent coatings and low light performance.
 
I have 2 vortex scopes a 4-16 and a 6-24. I like the zero stop and the moa retical. For the price its a good scope with a good warranty. There is better glass for a little more money. Both mine have been trouble free, they have put up with the recoil from my 300 RUMs just fine. Would I buy one again? I'm not sure. I think I'd spend a little more and go a little higher end. Compared to the 4 Leopold vx-3s I have, the vortex scopes seem to be brighter in low light conditions. All my Leopold have been trouble free also. For me the big selling point on the vortex was the warranty. If I trip and fall while goat hunting and my scope gets destroyed vortex will fix it for free, Leupold won't in such a situation.
 
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I have 4x Vortex optics:

gen 1 SPARC on a .22lr - not very happy with it
Diamondback on an 17HMR - decent scope on a budget build
Viper 2.5-10x on rem 700 .308 - very happy with this scope!
PST 1-4x on AR15 - love this scope

Overall I think they are good value optics.

That said, my next 2x optic purchases are going to be a Bushnell for another "budget build" and a Sightron for another project this winter. I just want to try something different, and do some comparisons of some technically comparable scopes from different manufacturers.
 
Have had two Vortex Vipers, one was a 6.5-20×50 and the one I still have is a 2.5-10×44. Love them both and I hunt and target shoot with them. For my experience they are a fantastic scope and will buy more in the future.
 
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