Vortex Sparc Vs Aimpoint Micro - My Review

Clobbersauras

Clobbersauras

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I decided to get a Vortex Sparc as the new optic for my TP9. It's previous optic was an Aimpoint Micro H1 but that is now going to do duty on my VZ 58. I couldn't really justify spending the cash on an Aimpoint again so after reading a few decent reviews on the Sparc I decided to give it a try.

I ordered it from One Shot Tactical, a board sponsor (see link above). Shipping was fast and price was reasonable. Two thumbs up for One Shot! :cheers: It was the first time I've ordered from them and I've already placed a second order! Their site is like a candy store to me.:mad:

Pics!
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Comes with a gang of accessories that the Aimpoint didn't come with. A bunch of risers, screws, allen keys, magnifier, etc.
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It looks to be well constructed. I like the captive covers, something I wish the micro had.
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Pic of the controls. The one on the side is the on/off switch. Press once to turn on, hold down for three seconds to turn off. The arrow buttons adjust the intensity of the dot and the NV button is for night vision.
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Pic with the magnifier attached. I should note that I couldn't get it to screw down tight on the O ring. I didn't really crank it, as I never plan on using it, so maybe it could be tightened down enough....
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Next to the Micro. The finish is nicer on the Sparc. I'm sure it's not Mil Spec but at least it's not reflective. This picture kinda makes me think of standing your wife next to your girlfriend.:D
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More comparisons:
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Both had a very similar front lens coating..
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I tried to get a photo of the dots. The Aimpoint Micro's dot intensity is much higher than the Sparc. Here's a pic with both at the highest setting.
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Here's a pic with them both at the mid-point setting. Note that the dots look the same size, which is surprising because the Sparc is supposed to be 2MOA and the Aimpoint is supposed to be 4 MOA. It should be noted that I've had the Aimpoint turned on now (mostly setting 7) with the original battery for over 3.5 years!!!
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In conclusion, I'm suitably impressed with the Sparc. It looks to be well constructed and has nice features. Overall I like the simplicity of the Micro better and the fact that you never have to turn it off. I can't comment on the durability of the Sparc as I haven't used it yet. The Micro has worked unfailingly on a bunch of rifles over the years.

I'll try to get a range review of the Sparc up in a few weeks.
 
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Thanks, Clobb.

Your last pic illustrates two of my beefs with the Sparc. 1) the emitter takes up "viewing area" in the tube and since it's on the bottom can elimate the ability to co-witness on the VZ and 2) the switches on the left block your view forward.

1) is why I took mine off my VZ and put it on my AR.
 
I haven't handled one, nor seen one in person but could someone please explain to me why they would make the button control so huge??
 
Clobbersauras said:
Next to the Micro. The finish is nicer on the Sparc. I'm sure it's not Mil Spec but at least it's not reflective.
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The finish for both H-1s and T-1s are the same these days and has been a couple of years now. The only difference in terms of the finish is that the H-1's lettering is in white, and the T-1 is the same as the rest of the body.
 
My T1 is Type III anodising, not shiny like the old H1s.

Things like the lens coating cannot be compared just by looking. Light transmission must be measured across the spectrum.

What is the battery life on the Sparc supposed to be?
 
Not really the proper thread to post this in..I didn't want to start another Sparc thread...I have 2 Strikefires....I was looking at the Sparc at Wholesale sports yesterday..is the main difference the size of the scopes? It seems to me that I could acquire a target faster with the strike fire.
 
Great review.
In fact, your review has me reconsidering buying a SPARC.
I will be at Wholesale Sports today, so we'll see what happens.
[;{)

zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

I have tried a few types of red dots including Eotech's Circle/Dot reticle, and a sampling of various others with zero magnificartion, or built in 2X , with various reticle types featuring an illuminated "T" or cross hairs.

My old eyes have been through the lazer clinic already, and even with supposed 20/20 vision, I find myself re-assessing my choices for optics on a regular basis, and every year or so going for MORE magnification, and BIGGER / Coarser reticles. For me, battery operated optics have been mostly supplanted by on the CQB stuff by LOW POWER/Variable conventional scopes. Right now I am running a 1.75 - 5 X Bushnell on my 11.5" AR 15 shorty, and even at close stuff, these ol' eyeballs really like it when I crank up the volume to MAX.
LAZ 1
[;{)
 
I'm currently running Sparcs on my 7.5"AR as well as some of my sub-guns. Ideal little rig! I'm pleased with it and to be honest I find it's a good deal and capable of holding up to the rigors of what 99.9% of the people on this forum do with their firearms.

Regards,
 
I had the Sparc out last week and got some rounds through it with the TP9. It's a good little optic but as RobAk pointed out, having the controls on the left hand side tend to obscure your field of view a bit when shooting with both eyes open.

I get why they wanted to do it, as it mirrors the best features of the Eotech, but they put it in the wrong spot IMO.

Also, it was a fairly bright day and I found that I had turn it up all the way to be comfortable, where I only had to turn the Aimpoint up to #9.

I really like the captive covers on the sparc, I wish aimpoint would go that way as I ended up dropping an aimpoint cover and had a hard time finding it.

All said though, I'm happy with it for the price I paid.
 
I am glad I ran across this thread.

I am going to be buying a red dot shortly.....it was a toss up for the Sparc or the Burris FastFire......none of the dealer websites I have visited show that great big honking side control panel, at least not ones I have visited.....I think it will be the Burris for me.

Thanks for the review!
 
Stevo said:
Thanks, Clobb.

Your last pic illustrates two of my beefs with the Sparc. 1) the emitter takes up "viewing area" in the tube and since it's on the bottom can elimate the ability to co-witness on the VZ and
Click to expand...

1) Maybe on your VZ but on an AR15 the emitter sits where the front sight is anyways. No need to tuck it anywhere else on a compact sight in my view.

Stevo said:
2) the switches on the left block your view forward.
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2) Not if you shoot with both eyes open, as you should with this sight. - try it and you'll see its a non-issue

I like my SPARC.

Some observations I've made:

The killflash makes the dot seem brighter all the time and this is too bright for low light work; it lacks enough low light adjustment (they are all to high)

I have used the NV settings with NV and it works good.

Its easy to turn on by accident. Conversely the Eotech can be to difficult to turn on with the controls at the back, and a BUIS in place. - no such issue with the SPARC.

I like the digital buttons on the SPARC vs. the dial on the Aimpoint as its easier to use with heavy gloves.

The captive covers are important for me too.

The SPARC comes with all mounting hardware for absolute co-witness, lower 1/3 and even the Allen keys. No need to place multiple orders to get it right. - thats important for me too (except I was sent the wrong kill-flash originally :rolleyes:) .

My Eotech sits canted on my ar. My sparc does not

The cover they include with the SPARC should not even be used as an elastic band on a roll of flyers. - its useless and lasted all of two seconds.

The Sparc is a win for me. - its reasonably priced and smaller than the huge canted Eotech that I never really liked.
 
JeffMan said:
1) Maybe on your VZ but on an AR15 the emitter sits where the front sight is anyways. No need to tuck it anywhere else on a compact sight in my view.
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Not "maybe" on my VZ. It does block the cowitness. That's why I specifically mentioned the VZ and the fact that I put it on my AR.

JeffMan said:
2) Not if you shoot with both eyes open, as you should with this sight. - try it and you'll see its a non-issue
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I know how to run a red dot. I do shoot two eyes open. The Sparc puts more junk in your field of view than necessary.
 
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