Vortex Red Dot opinion

[xsubsailor]

 I'm getting ready to pull the trigger on my first red dot but wanted to get some opinions first.

 For my purposes, I can't justify the cost of an Aimpoint, so I've just about made up my mind on  the Vortex Optics Sparc II 2 MOA. I don't mind the $200 if it's worth it.(better than $450). I haven't been able to find any really bad reviews, but as I said, this is my first so what say the experienced users? 

 

[Peace]

I am incredibly tempted by the Sig RDSs, but you can't go wrong with Vortex.  Their warranty is better than Sig... and they have "been around longer" than Sig's optics division.  With that said, if this is not a duty rifle, Sig's line of RDS... ala primary arms/holosight are incredible.  Their 65moa circle dot - just like etch is incredible and I do not see a fuzzy star instead of a dot with that reticle (astigmatism).

 

Disclosure: I run an Aimpoint Pro on mine.    Good luck!

[TrickyNicky]

I had one of the sparcs, got it on sale a few years ago and sold or traded it to another TGOer a year or so after. An illuminated 1-4 turned out to be better for what I wanted, but as far as it's worth, the vortex was great. I probably shouldn't have traded or sold it, but at least the new owner seems to really like it.

 

I also had one of their other red dots, the strikefire maybe? It was also great for the price. It lives on my brother carbine I built for him now. 

[KaNaPaPi]

I have previously owned a Vortex.  It did the job.  My son and I both run the Sightmark now.

http://www.opticsplanet.com/sightmark-ultra-shot-m-spec-red-doty-sight.html

It's has a similar price point.  Battery life is excellent on both.

[A.J. Holst]

I've gone brain dead with all the red dot / reflex research done for my M1 carbine project.

I think you'll like the 2 moa dot and it appears some good quality optics in the $200-$300 range. I have a Burris FF2 on the way.

Methinks at the $450 plus you enter soldier proof / heavy duty equipment club. I need my stuff to be civilian proof and medium to light duty.

To muddy your waters, good experiences reported with Primary Arms from actual TGO owners.

[musicman]

Huge fan of the Vortex stuff here.  I have the Sparc II and the newer Sparc II AR and love them both. I like the Sparc II AR a little better, though.  It just disappears (the housing) when I have both eyes open and the dot is strong and crisp for me (mild astigmatism) making things super fast and easy.

The day I sighted it in I shot some at 200 yds just to see what I could do with it.  I put 4 out of 5 rounds of cheap Monarch steel 223 in a 6" round shoot 'n see target.  The target backing was riddled with holes so I dunno where #5 went.  I'm not great with rifles, so I was pretty happy with that. 

I like the Sig Romeo 5 as well, but haven't bought one myself yet.  A buddy has one and loves it.  I may grab one this weekend for poops and giggles and throw on my latest lightweight build.  Will report back here if I do.

Edited November 18, 2016 by musicman