Vortex scopes - opinions

I beat the crap out of a 6.5-20 Viper on a sniper rifle and a 2-7 Viper for 3 Gun and they keep on going and winning. I'd say they are comparable to Leups I've used and half the price. Never had to use the warranty and the 50% failure rate is Bull. Whoever said that hasn't got their facts straight and is probably a die hard Leup fan. I'm not saying the Leupolds are bad, I'm just saying I can't tell the difference between them and I've used Leups for over 20 years and Vortex for 7 now. I think it's great that Vortex is giving them a run for their money as they are getting too expensive and no longer made in the USA.
All the best.
 
popcan said:
Bravo!

Finally, an optics post that actually mentions all the components of a good product, not just a personal opinion on what the image looked like....
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Sure but have you ever tried shooting at a gong at 1100m with a scope that has a lot going for it but poor image clarity / light admission?
It's part and parcel.Image quality means a lot too and cannot be discounted or seen as a less important trait of an otherwise good scope.

I run Leupold, S&B, Nightforce and gasp.. Vortex as I am simply not putting @2.5 - 3.5K of glass on each rifle I own). Nothing wrong with the Vortex line and personally I think they are reasonably priced just like I think the S&B price doesn't justify what you get. (My favourite is still Nightforce).

Vortex offers a decent product at an entry level: decent quality on all characteristics and better than others on several. Are there better scopes in that price range? Possibly but you can do a lot worse than a Vortex product.
 
Rotac said:
... I'd say they are comparable to Leups I've used and half the price... I'm not saying the Leupolds are bad, I'm just saying I can't tell the difference between them and I've used Leups for over 20 years and Vortex for 7 now. I think it's great that Vortex is giving them a run for their money as they are getting too expensive and no longer made in the USA...
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I agree with you. My higher end Vortex scopes are on par with my LRT's. I have let several of the guys at my club who shoot long distance with us try them out under various conditions and for the most part they agree with my line of thinking as well. Doesn't make it right or wrong on either count.
 
TDC said:
No offense but its often users of lower quality products that feel the need to boast about how their item is holding up, as if it were a surprise. When I buy a product I don't pay much attention to round count or age as I expect and am confident that what I buy will work without issue.

Tdc
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No offence taken, but I am not boasting about the surprise that my scope if holding up. I am stating my experience with the brand of optics another user asked about.

I am perfectly confident that my item will work every time I use it, while at the same time I am glad that if my rifle were to be knocked over and land on my scope, I can get a replacement for free. Therefore I am confident in my purchase that I will never have an issue with my decision to buy a Vortex optic.
 
TDC said:
No offense but its often users of lower quality products that feel the need to boast about how their item is holding up, as if it were a surprise. When I buy a product I don't pay much attention to round count or age as I expect and am confident that what I buy will work without issue.

Tdc
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And most users of high quality optics are not concerned about the length of warranty as they're expecting to not need it, and that's generally the case. A lifetime, no fault, no questions asked warranty should be a red flag.
 
bearkilr said:
And most users of high quality optics are not concerned about the length of warranty as they're expecting to not need it, and that's generally the case. A lifetime, no fault, no questions asked warranty should be a red flag.
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And basic business sense would conclude that

1. People generally take very good care of their rifles on damage is usually accidental (especially if the rifle costs more than the optic)
2. If you have a low failure rate, the number of sales will far outweigh the cost of replacements.
----if you have a high failure rate, you will not keep customers and will fail at business. (Vortex has been very successful... so they must be doing something right)
3. Gun people have multiple guns and if they like your brand, you can easily "top" many rifles with your product.
4. Customer service gains repeat business.
5. Buyers on the "fence" can be won by little additions like a great warranty (minimizing the risk on their part)
6. Make your product line atainable by offering cheaper SKUs and if the buyer is happy they will buy your more expensive SKUs.
 
bearkilr said:
And most users of high quality optics are not concerned about the length of warranty as they're expecting to not need it, and that's generally the case. A lifetime, no fault, no questions asked warranty should be a red flag.
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And Mazda is offering an unlimited milage warranty.... Sure they will have to pay some buyers out, but the number of new customers will outweigh the cost of a few cars.

Maybe if I was going to invest $3000+ into an optic, I would like like to know that I could get a new one should i have the unfortunate happen.
 
Daver_II said:
And basic business sense would conclude that

1. People generally take very good care of their rifles on damage is usually accidental (especially if the rifle costs more than the optic)
2. If you have a low failure rate, the number of sales will far outweigh the cost of replacements.
----if you have a high failure rate, you will not keep customers and will fail at business. (Vortex has been very successful... so they must be doing something right)
3. Gun people have multiple guns and if they like your brand, you can easily "top" many rifles with your product.
4. Customer service gains repeat business.
5. Buyers on the "fence" can be won by little additions like a great warranty (minimizing the risk on their part)
6. Make your product line atainable by offering cheaper SKUs and if the buyer is happy they will buy your more expensive SKUs.
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1. Not really. Hunting is a sport that involves adverse weather conditions, dirty/dusty terrain and bumpy travel.
2. I see a lot of Vortex warranty threads for a relatively new product.
3. Perhaps, but if one is junk they won't buy another.
4. Not if you have repeated communication with them, eg: Lemon Law for cars
5. Maybe for an uninformed/novice buyer. Free chocolates with your warranty replacement!
6. Those who buy a $500 scope generally won't buy a $2500 scope, and vice versa. Zeiss and Swarovski have proven this by not marketing their bargain line in many European countries, as they don't sell. You don't see many Z3's or Conquests.


Just having a little fun, buy what you enjoy. ;)

Daver_II said:
And Mazda is offering an unlimited milage warranty.... Sure they will have to pay some buyers out, but the number of new customers will outweigh the cost of a few cars.
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I'd definitely read the fine print on that one.
 
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Have a look at the nikons before you go with vortex. Nikon has just copied the vortex warranty, and the optics are better. Also I'm not a fan of the eye relief of the vortex units. Trust me the next time your shopping get one of each and compare them.

You'll go Nikon
 
The bdc didn't bother me, you can get them without. It's just that the Nikon optics are just so much clearer. The eye relief as well was better, there got almost an inch more pull back. Now that Nikon matches the vortex warranty it's just too good to pass up.
 
MRCLARK said:
The bdc didn't bother me, you can get them without. It's just that the Nikon optics are just so much clearer. The eye relief as well was better, there got almost an inch more pull back. Now that Nikon matches the vortex warranty it's just too good to pass up.
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I like the Vortex BDC though, it works very well in hunting situations out to 600 with my rifle, it even lines up decent with my smoke pole. Need a hybrid lol.
 
I recently had to get my nikon scope replaced, it took about 5weeks door to door. The only complaint I had about the process is that they need to keep better track of what you send in for repair. Two weeks after I mailed it, I called the warranty center and they could not tell me if they even recieved the scope, I wasn't even in their database.

Travis, a email from a tech saying they recieved the scope and what kind of work it needs would be nice.
 
MRCLARK said:
Is it true Nikon is now offering a warranty like the vortex units? Can you explain
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I will preface this by saying we are not copying the Vortex warranty. We are reverting to our "No Fault" Policy. This was offered in the US as a $10 buy-in option, that option is now free. We have never offered that in Canada until now. This means we will repair or replace your optic in the event of malfunction or accidental damage. (Our discretion). However we will not cover willful damage or negligence. For those that have owned Nikon's you will know they are pretty rock solid and we have few repairs out of the box. However now to make everyone's lives easier if they get bumped or dropped in the field we will cover it. A tech will not call you and ask for an estimate etc.

Really long story short, since Nikon Sport and Recreation Optics (Canada) launched eighteen months ago we've tried to implement some major changes. One of them explaining to our service team that "stuff" happens out in the real world and these are outdoor products designed to be taken out in the Canadian wilderness. As such, things happen. Now if you put your faith in Nikon, we'll put our faith in you and make sure your product is working soundly.

Not much else changes, three Canadian service spots, we still would prefer to have a receipt (speeds things up), if for some reason you have an issue feel free to PM me and I'll see what I can do for you. (Myself being present on CGN is another one of our changes :) )
 
Redblack said:
I recently had to get my nikon scope replaced, it took about 5weeks door to door. The only complaint I had about the process is that they need to keep better track of what you send in for repair. Two weeks after I mailed it, I called the warranty center and they could not tell me if they even recieved the scope, I wasn't even in their database.

Travis, a email from a tech saying they recieved the scope and what kind of work it needs would be nice.
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We are working on this as a company, our camera team would love this too (a lot more repairs on that side of the business). Hopefully we'll have an online tracking solution in the coming year.
 
Sounds good, I'd imagine a monarch 3 is going to be purchased later this year by myself.
I have a normal monarch on my yote rifle, nice stuff.
 
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