At SHOT this year I had the chance to check out Vortex's new products. Most impressive were the Viper and Razor tactical line. Vortex has definitely hired someone with tactical end user experience to develop their new products. The upper end lines are made in the Phillipines (Viper), and Japan (Razor). Their quality and features rival the best optics available, and are priced competitively.
But what caught my eye was the SPARC (Speed Point Aiming for Rapid Combat) red dot optic made in China. I've been looking for a small, sturdy red dot that is
affordable, for my range toys as well as serious use.
Optics Planet
Finding an optic that meets this criteria is like searching for the Holy Grail, but I think I've found it.
Vortex SPARC
Preacherman MATT already posted a great review of the SPARC, focusing on it's durability so my review will highlight it's features and mounting on a variety of weapon systems.
Preacherman MATT's review
SPARC Features
-Waterproof and Shockproof
-Unlimited eye relief
-2 moa red dot
-10 intensity levels including a night vision mode
-1x magnification (2x magnifier included)
-Weighs 5.2 ounces
-3" long
-Obj. and Occ. lens diameter-22mm.
PreachermanMatt already proved the claim of waterproof and shockproof, I don't have much to add except that I mounted the SPARC on my Benelli Super Nova Tactical and shot 25 rds. of Fed. Tactical 00 buck. without an issue.
1st shot to confirm zero @ 25 yds.
Banging away until my shoulder hurt.
It held zero through out and never came loose on it's mount.
Next I mounted the SPARC on several different weapons, zeroed with a laser bore sighter, and shot them to evaluate the optic. All weapons shown in this review were shot with a SPARC and a minimum 50 rnds each, some more depending on mounting configuration. They were shot from a standing position, rapid fire, and prone, slow fire.
This is what you get with the SPARC.
-SPARC optic
-2x magnifier(doubler)
-Bikini lens cover
-Spare battery
-Lens cloth
-2 Allen wrenches
-User manual
-Mounts ( 4 heights possible)
There is also a KillFlash ARD and 3x magnifier listed as available. I was unable to find the 3x magnifier anywhere at this time, but when I do I'll update this review.
The SPARC is slightly larger than the Aimpoint T1, Sig MRD, etc., and smaller than the Aimpoint M2, Vortex StrikeFire, etc.
SRARC and Sig MRD
The clarity of the glass is comparable, but the 2 moa dot of the SPARC is much sharper and brighter. The Sig MRD has no night vision capability. The fit and finish is exactly the same on both and the mounts are perfectly interchangeable, leading me to believe they're both made in the same Chinese factory. This is common practice in the optics industry, where one Chinese factory will make product for many companies and brand it accordingly.
SPARC and StrikeFire
The control module appears the same on both, but it's much improved on the SPARC. The tactile feel, pressure required to operate the control buttons, and ability to remain in their set position is much better. The control module has 4 control buttons. The power button is on the side, push once to power up, hold in for 3 seconds to shut down. Earlier StrikeFires had a problem with inadvertant operation of this control, the problem has been remedied on the SPARC. The brightness intensity levels are controlled by 2 buttons on the rear of the module. The upper increases brightness, the lower decreases brightness. Night vision mode has 2 intensity levels and is operated with the center button. When SPARC is turned on it returns to the previously set intensity level.
The clarity of the glass is also much improved over the 1st gen. Vortex StrikeFire I have, and the dot is much brighter in sunlight. Although the SPARC only has a red dot unlike the StrikeFire's red/green dot.
The SPARC was easy to zero with positive 1 moa clicks, and the ability to flip over the adj. covers and use them to turn adj. dials. The covers are attached to the optic with plastic covered wires (battery cover also).
The SPARC operates on (1) CR2354 battery with a claimed service life of 120 hrs. on max brightness. There are 10 intensity levels, and 2 levels in night vision mode. If the unit is left on it will automatically shut down after 6 hrs.
Clarity of glass and dot brightness
Sky/ARD
Sky
Wood line/ARD
Wood line
After comparing the SPARC to My Aimpoint M3 for clarity I'd say the M3 is better. The SPARC appears to have a slight blue/gray tint to the glass, but the sight picture is clear out to the edges. The sight picture is slightly obstructed by the light diode unit at the bottom of the tube. But considering the cost of the optic the clarity of the glass is better than expected.
The 2x doubler screws into the occular lens portion of the SPARC. It reduces the field of view considerably, and limits eye relief turning the SPARC into a 2x scope. I'd prefer Vortex to dump the 2x and use the money saved to improve the clarity of the glass on 1x, the primary use of this type of optic.
Notice the reduced eye relief when the 2x doubler is in use.
The ARD simply screws into the end of the objective lens. As expected with any KillFlash it slightly dims and obscures the sight picture, not a big issue in the outdoors, but a problem in low light .
Compare the reflection with and without the KillFlash.
Overall I'm pretty impressed with the features Vortex has offered with the SPARC. It's durable, compact, holds zero, bright in sunlight and is cost effective. Not everyone can afford to spend $500 plus on an optic for every weapon they own, the SPARC is a great alternative IMHO. Many small L.E. agencies require that officers purchase their own carbines and optics. The SPARC could fill the need for officers on a tight budget.
SPARC mounting
Vortex provides SPARC with 4 mounting heights, from Extra-high (AR15 absolute co-witness) to Low(rifles with a dropped comb) by using a high and low mount along with a shim.
The optic interfaces to the mount with a groove machined into the optic's base and a matching stud on the mount.
Four small hex head screws screw through the mount into the optic base. The Allen head wrench is provided, Vortex recommends using blue LocTite.
After you've selected the mount height for your weapon, and assembled it, slide it on the rail and tighten the the cross bolt at the base of the mount.
SCAR, Vortex high mount, absolute co-witness
Charging handle clearance, no issue
Sig556/Aurora sights, Vortex low mount, good co-witness
Charging handle clearance, no issue
V51, Vortex low mount, no co-witness
ADM mounts for SPARC
Vortex provides a sturdy mount, but without a quick release capability. American Defense Mfg. mounts address this issue nicely. While at SHOT this year I noticed several Vortex optics displayed in ADM mounts. When asked I was told that in the future Vortex and ADM will be working together to develop and market products together. This makes sense as both companies are fairly close in Wisconsin. ADM makes two mounts compatible with the SPARC. The difference between the two is the overall height.
T1
CAS-V
More information on the ADM mounts found here.
Aimpoint T1 mount
Aimpoint CAS-V mount
Having previous experience with ADM mounts (Recon-X ) I decided to use them both on my SPARC (gives me a reason to buy another SPARC also). All ADM products are milled from 6061 T6 aluminum and MilSpec hardcoat anodized. The machining and fit are as good as any, and I really like their "auto-lock" system of rail attachment.
The ADM mount attaches to the SPARC in the same manner as the Vortex mounts, 4 Torx screws through the bottom of the mount into the base of the optic.
ADM also recommends using a threadlocker which is provided.
The tension on the rail is easy to adjust, push the locking lever towards the mount body and turn the slotted screw in to increase tension, or out to decrease.
The ADM locking lever/mount can be attached to either side of the optic to provide charging handle clearance for a variety of weapons
The ADM mounts use a square, solid cross bolt machined to perfectly index with an in spec. picatinney rail. This stops the mount from moving around during weapon recoil. The Vortex mount uses a round cross bolt.
Another positive I've found when using the ADM mounts is that they don't mar the picatinney rail. My Robinson XCR is easily marked by most mounts I've used.
XCR rail marred by MI mount.
XCR rail unmarred by ADM mount.
The XCR with ADM CAS-V mount and Titan Defense sights offered a perfect co-witness and no clearance problem for the charging handle.
The LMT MRP with ADM T1 and Samson/ARMS sights provide lower 1/3 co-witness.
The main reason I bought the ADM CAS-V mount was to mount the SPARC on my wife's LMT carbine that has a VLTOR CAS-V rail. I was disappointed with the sight picture/co-witness. The mount is to high, placing the sights at the bottom of the tube where the light diode blocks the BUIS. But I found other weapons/optic combos it will work with, and the Vortex mount works fine in this application.
In addition, the ADM mount with SPARC never failed to return to zero after removal and reinstallation. I can't say this about some mounts I've used.
So in conclusion I would recommend the SPARC/ADM combination to anyone looking for a quality optic/mount set up for a reasonable price. A SPARC and ADM mount can be had for $285 total. Much less than a T1 with mount. The Aimpoint has marginally better glass, and a big name brand, but is it $300 plus dollars worth? Only you can answer that.