Vortex Strikfire Red Dot Sight

ca_fireman19 · #1 09-30-10, 00:59

I'm going to make this very simple...I need an optic WITHOUT the $400-$1000 price tag. This rifle is not going to Iraq or Afghanistan. I am just looking for something that will hold zero for range time and home defense that is also NV capable. But just because this won't be a service rifle, I DON'T want crap. I am familiar with the main deficiencies of the Strikefire, however, I believe they have fixed the main problem of a dim reticle with the red dot only (no green dot).

That said, my question is: For the $149 price tag, is the Vortex Strikefire worth the investment?

86K5 · #2 09-30-10, 07:57

I do not have one personally but my brother-in-law does. So far it has held up but who's to say how long it will last. I have always been a firm believer in you get what you pay for but there have been a few exceptions. I would say the one he has is G2G but time will tell. I find the controls a little frustrating to manipulate as the buttons seem to be hard to press. Both the red and green are bright and crisp and it hasn't lost zero in the 2500 rounds he's put down range so far. Still running on the same battery but I think much more and it will need a new one.

smurfyc84 · #3 09-30-10, 08:26

Since you said that this rifle will be used for home defense, I can't help but wonder why you would want anything but the most proven, tough gear there is on it? It may not be going to war, but if your life depends on it one day you might as well be at war. That being said, after reading many many similary threads, I think most of the mods and experienced members on here will agree that the Strikefire might be a nice range toy, but is not something they would potentially stake their lives on (neither would I). Spending 4-600 on a RDS may seem like a lot now, but when you consider that an Aimpoint or EOtech retain much of their resale value for a very long time, and tend to last much longer than that, on top of the inherent value of a battle-proven piece of kit that just works, the price gap doesn't seem so bad. Just my $0.02, your mileage may vary.

TOrrock · #4 09-30-10, 08:31

If you want us to say "sure, buy it", then OK, sure, buy it.

If you want an honest opinion....then I'm going to tell you to save your money for a real optic.

It sounds like you've already made up your mind and are looking for validation to buy a less expensive hobby optic.....

rbabbitt767 · #5 09-30-10, 13:31

Save you money and get an Aimpoint. Watch the Equipment Exchange, there are used ones that pop up there, very often, that are more than reasonable in their prices. If this rifle will serve in any kind of capacity beyond punching holes in paper, it would be stupid to forfeit proven quality with frugality.

http://m4carbine.net/showthread.php?t=62491

joshua79109 · #6 09-30-10, 14:09

If it were a just a toy then I think you'd have your answer, but when you throw personal protection into it then it changes the thought process in my mind.

If it failed when you needed it, how would you feel? Choose what you can live with, literally.

If you are going to properly train with it then the ammo alone is going to cost much more than the difference in the optics anyway.

How much longer would you have to save to get the better optic, plus that would give you some time to get good with the irons if you aren't already.

When I come to these questions I always look at it from the angle of failure. Meaning if there is something bad that happens and I need to protect my family and I have a failure due to buying a product that I considered sub-par, then what would the true consequences be. If I fail I don't want it to be due to a poor decision or lack of training and preparation.

ca_fireman19 · #7 09-30-10, 14:26

Templar,
No, I didn't/don't have my mind already made up. And I wasn't just looking for permission. I am trying to weigh all of the facts and buy what I need and not more. Ultimately I want an Aimpoint CompM2 or CompM3, but that's slot of money for me. I am leery of buying a used one since I would have virtually no recourse if it were fake, broken or just defective. I was originally going to buy an EOTech 552 until I used one...no good...big fuzzy reticles are not my thing. Since I am fairly to very proficient with irons, I am not in a real hurry to buy a sight, so I'll probably just save up longer...

TUFBOY · #8 09-30-10, 16:34

I have a Strikefire R/D had it for 4 months. It has held zero, easy sight in. No it's not and Aimpoint but for what I use it for hog hunting it has done it's job. I don't pland to use it as a home defence weapon 45 acp works well for me plus I have a lot of money left for ammo.

TOrrock · #9 09-30-10, 16:44

Fireman, my standard answer for these kinds of threads is to just save your money and shoot irons for a while.

If you get a used Aimpoint that has an issue, Aimpoint is really good about fixing them.

With a lot of guys dumping their M2 or M3 family of Aimpoints for shiny new M4 and Micro's, you can usually get a decent deal on one.

ca_fireman19 · #10 09-30-10, 17:06

I'll take your word for it. I will pay more for a nicer sight, but like I said, I'm just afraid of getting screwed...I'd love to find an M68 CCO looking for a new home...

ca_fireman19 · #11 10-04-10, 20:58

Any suggestions on the particular model? I understand the CompM3 has the battery life that will allow the optic to remain on until the coming of the Messiah and the CompM2 will only allow approximately 416 days of continued use. Considering I am most likely not apt to leave the sight on while not in use battery life is not my priority. I also understand Jacques Cousteau had a major roll in the development process allowing the CompM2/M3 to be used for deep sea exploration...another neat feature not likely to be exploited by my uses. I DO, however, want the ability to use my NOD with the sight...with all that said what would be t lhe best sight for the money between the CompM2, CompML2, CompM3, CompML3, CompC3? New or used, I would lime to pay somewhere in the ballpark of $250. Any opinions?

joshua79109 · #12 10-05-10, 13:11

Quote:

Originally Posted by ca_fireman19

Any suggestions on the particular model? I understand the CompM3 has the battery life that will allow the optic to remain on until the coming of the Messiah and the CompM2 will only allow approximately 416 days of continued use. Considering I am most likely not apt to leave the sight on while not in use battery life is not my priority. I also understand Jacques Cousteau had a major roll in the development process allowing the CompM2/M3 to be used for deep sea exploration...another neat feature not likely to be exploited by my uses. I DO, however, want the ability to use my NOD with the sight...with all that said what would be t lhe best sight for the money between the CompM2, CompML2, CompM3, CompML3, CompC3? New or used, I would lime to pay somewhere in the ballpark of $250. Any opinions?

I (personally) haven't seen any of them go used at that price, but hopefully you can find what you are looking for. I've had each of those you list and never had any issues. I've never had an issue with an Aimpoint at all, but I've only had 3 that I'd say have been really used hard.

One of the big differences is if you want it to be capable of use with night vision or not, so if that matters then look for that by model.

Of course the battery life is better on some than others, but for the biggest part they are all very battery friendly.

I prefer a 2moa dot to the 4 moa dot.

As far as price, I got one (used M3) not too long ago in a LaRue mount for $400, but I don't see them that low often. I think $450 is good and $500 is normal (with mount). Hopefully others will chime in with pricing opinions. They seem to hold value well.

Here's a place to compare a new price.

http://www.gandrtactical.com/cgi-bin...n&key=APM3M2QD

ca_fireman19 · #13 10-05-10, 13:26

If I were to remove the night vision compatibility requirement, and go with one of the more "lower end" models, beside battery life, what is the major difference between the CompML2, CompML3 and the CompC3?

bkb0000 · #14 10-05-10, 13:46

there's a 9000sc for sale in oregon for $250... it's bigger and heavier, and probably not NVD ready, but it's cheap and an aimpoint.

http://salem.craigslist.org/spo/1970290902.html

ca_fireman19 · #15 10-05-10, 15:13

Thanks for the heads up, but I'm looking for something a little more compact. I know my $250 target is a little low, but that is just my hopeful price. I know I will most likely have to shell out a bit more.

Kchen986 · #16 10-05-10, 15:43

Keep poking around; you'll find a good deal on an Aimpoint. I bought my T1 from a member here for $350. He was later selling a M2 in a larue mount for $250. On ebay, so long as you use paypal you're also protected. Something to think about. Saw a really beat up M4 for about $300 a while back.

So keep your eyes peeled on here, TOS and ebay, you might find a good deal.

Mo_Zam_Beek · #17 10-05-10, 16:00

I thought I saw an M2 on Riverofguns.com the other day for $250

NV - great if you have NV AND want to run the PVS 14 behind it.

Good luck

kartoffel · #18 10-05-10, 16:34

Quote:

Originally Posted by ca_fireman19

I am just looking for something that will hold zero for range time and home defense that is also NV capable.
...
That said, my question is: For the $149 price tag, is the Vortex Strikefire worth the investment?

If you've got the cash to run night vision gear, I doubt a couple of Aimpoint T-1's would be any impact to your budget.

Buy once, cry once. The same applies for red dot sights as it applies for NV gear.

ca_fireman19 · #19 10-05-10, 16:37

Quote:

Originally Posted by kartoffel

If you've got the cash to run night vision gear, I doubt a couple of Aimpoint T-1's would be any impact to your budget.

Buy once, cry once. The same applies for red dot sights as it applies for NV gear.

The night vision was purchased through the department at a very discounted price...but i agree.

kartoffel · #20 10-05-10, 19:22

Ahh, gotcha. Well in that case you might as well make the most of the equipment you've got