Overall Opinion on Vortex Optics?

[Skyyr]

Thought this might be an interesting topic. On TOS, I think that their reputation is shielded somewhat due to their membership and presence on the board, coupled with the outgoing personalities of their forum reps.

Here's my $.02:

From what I've gathered about them, they seem to be a family-ran optics company that outsource virtually all of their optics. I've read somewhere that their high-end optics (the "Razor" line) are assembled in-house, but that's the exception. They've blatantly ripped off the Aimpoint M and Micro series with their Strikefire and S.P.A.R.C. models, respectively. If a company is truly quality, why do they need to copy existing designs? Obviously, it's for market-share purposes, which seems to contradict the "Quality First" image they try to put forth. That again isn't even touching on why they outsource (again, for cost, which competes with quality).

The only good thing they seem to have going for them is their customer service. However, objectively speaking, something that truly is quality shouldn't break when used within guidelines, so customer service should be a secondary, if not moot, point. Sort of like Colt CS - their CS sucks (or at least used to). However, this wasn't much of an issue, as their rifles ran as good as the AR platform allowed.

Anyways, their company reminds me of McDonald's, where they try to cater to everyone without offering a truly quality product; and what they do tout as "quality," they price-gouge for (e.g. think "Chicken Selects" ala "Vortex Razor HD").

Any other opinions? Insights? Am I alone in this regard?

[krytos]

Their lower priced stuff is assembled in China. Their upper level stuff is Japanese, dont know where its assembled.

The Strikefire is a nice enough sight. It isnt Aimpoint quality obviously but it is quality. I had one given to me by a friend to run on my AK. For whatever reason it stopped working. Other than early models having the dot flicker on and off, thats the only messed up one I've seen. They replaced it promptly and told me that they've had less than a 1% failure rate on the second gen sights. If they're to be believed, thats better than EOTech. Mind you, for the most part they have very different demographics. EOs get much harder use on average.

I havent gottent to the point where I'd trust them on a Work/Fighting gun, but on a range toy or competition gun, where at worst you blow a stage if your optic dies out? No harm. In fact thats where mine went down. Pulled it off after the stage and kept on.

Their scopes are another story, they're getting a whole lot of love, especially their premium offerings. I wouldnt hesitate to run a Viper PST or Razor HD on a serious gun.

Edited to add:

As for ripping off the design, it happens. the Aimpoint "30MM Tube with a ring on the end" design is efficient and a lot of manufacturers produce mounts and whatnot for it. What better way to gain market share than to piggyback?

As for "Price Gouging", They're just setting the price for what they think their scopes should sell for. Time will tell if the market supports that decision. If they were the only scope maker in the world and offered only one scope at that price, then they'd be gouging. As it is, you can buy your Chicken Tenders/Nuggets from Leupold, Trijicon, etc. ad nauseum.

[lethal dose]

The viper pst 1-4x24 would be on the top of my list for sub $500 scopes. Every review I've read says the glass is beautiful. Buck for buck, I'd compare them to leupold in initial quality. I wouldn't hesitate to utilize their products.

[SoDak]

I guess I wouldn't get too bothered by vortex. I would say the sparc and strikefire are certainly aimpoint inspired, but that's not the worst thing. Say you have a go-to rifle with your aimpoint, but want a training rifle in .22. A vortex red dot might be the ticket if you are having troubles justifying an aimpoint for a non-serious rifle since you can keep the setups somewhat similar. Personally I don't own anything from vortex and I'm a bit apprehensive about spending $150 on what sounds like an "OK" quality red dot. I will admit I'm glad vortex listens to their customers and put out a red-only strikefire that's brighter. I don't really have much of an opinion on the scopes since I have never really looked at them. If you take vortex products for what they are, I'm not sure why anybody would have a big problem with them.

[Luckystiff]

I would say the sparc and strikefire are certainly aimpoint inspired, but that's not the worst thing. Say you have a go-to rifle with your aimpoint, but want a training rifle in .22. A vortex red dot might be the ticket if you are having troubles justifying an aimpoint for a non-serious rifle since you can keep the setups somewhat similar.

I was sent one to do a T&E on last month and came to the exact conclusion.

[Dave_M]

I have a Strikefire on my MP-15/22. I'm getting rid of it because it doesn't get bright enough (washes out in the sunlight). One of my friends has a huge glare problem when the sun is behind him but I don't have that problem.

I'm taking it off and replacing it with an EOtech.

[Tokarev]

I have a Strikefire on my MP-15/22. I'm getting rid of it because it doesn't get bright enough (washes out in the sunlight). One of my friends has a huge glare problem when the sun is behind him but I don't have that problem.

I'm taking it off and replacing it with an EOtech.

Is this the red/green model?

[Dave_M]

Is this the red/green model?

Yessir.

[payj]

My buddy got the strikefire model for his AK. We took it to the range and I sighted it in for him. Was easy to sight in and was very accurate. After putting about 150 rounds through it (I know not that much) it maintained its zero and all of that. We live in Seattle so you guessed it, it was cloudy at the range. Even so it was still bright out. The dot was very visible. We were using it on the "red" dot option. The glass is clear but has a blue tint to it, which doesn't bother me much but I would prefer it to be clear.

Before taking it to the range I fondled it for quite some time at his house. The quality seemed to be great. The one thing we noticed was the accidental on/off incidents at the range and just at home. Throw the gun down on the bed or couch on the on/off button side of the ptic and it will turn on or off. Its really easy to accidentally do this. That said this is fixed in their rev 3? version. It now has a 3 second delay.


Overall I was impressed with it. I think it is one of the best rds for the money.


As for the sparc I am sure it will be just as good. My buddy plans on buying one of those too. I will chime in when I've had a chance to look at it and shoot it.

In the mean time here is a review someone wrote up on one. Hope this helps

http://www.ar15.com/forums/topic.html?b=3&f=18&t=488888

[Dave_M]

My range faces east. I generally shoot in the mid/late afternoon. When the sun is behind me, I've actually found it more useful to completely remove it and just run irons when running drills. Make the darned thing brighter and it'd be perfect for training with .22lr analogs.

Would I put it on a go-to rifle? Not a chance.

They've blatantly ripped off the Aimpoint M and Micro series with their Strikefire and S.P.A.R.C. models, respectively. If a company is truly quality, why do they need to copy existing designs?

Exactly. I have the same problem with Primary Arms. Some guys on Arf seem to pimp their shit all day but if it's really worth a damn--why do you have to make it look so similar to higher-end optics? Real big turn off for me.

Course', I always have a chuckle when I see a rifle with a $1000+ base, a $300 rail system, and an $80 optic.