Posted: 12/26/2010 12:12:33 PM EDT
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Looking at an optic for my build. What are the opinions of the Vortex Strikefire? Good entry level red dot? |
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I only buy Vortex. I've got Strikefires on 2 ARs and a Sig556, a SPARC on a CX4, and I'm waiting on a PST to go on a long range build. So far not only have the scopes been fantastic, but the customer service from Vortex has been top notch.
You'll probably get a few people who say that if it's not an ACOG, EOTECH, or AimPoint that it's not worth owning. Ignore them. Buy with confidence. In the extremely rare event that there's ever something wrong with your scope, Vortex will take care of it, no questions asked. |
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I like the look of the Strikefire, but I wanted a 2MOA dot, so I bought a SPARC instead. Overall, I'm happy. It holds zero fine, and it's robust enough for your average hobbyist. Mine had a problem with the battery cap coming loose, but a little low power Loctite on the threads solved that. |
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Quoted: Quoted: My aimpoint is the best money I have ever spent on an optic. What's an "entry level" optic?  You going to trade it in later?Entry level = I am too damn poor for an aimpoint / eotech / acog.  I bought a Bushnell holosite (the eotechish one) for $ 100 off the ee over five years ago for $ 100 and it's still going strong. If you want a strikefire, buy one, but if you want something better save up and get that used off the EE.
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Quoted: Quoted: Quoted: My aimpoint is the best money I have ever spent on an optic. What's an "entry level" optic? You going to trade it in later?Entry level = I am too damn poor for an aimpoint / eotech / acog. I bought a Bushnell holosite (the eotechish one) for $ 100 off the ee over five years ago for $ 100 and it's still going strong. If you want a strikefire, buy one, but if you want something better save up and get that used off the EE. Damnit penguin, I don't some to GD for common sense advise.  |
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My aimpoint is the best money I have ever spent on an optic. What's an "entry level" optic? You going to trade it in later?Entry level = I am too damn poor for an aimpoint / eotech / acog.
I bought a Bushnell holosite (the eotechish one) for $ 100 off the ee over five years ago for $ 100 and it's still going strong. If you want a strikefire, buy one, but if you want something better save up and get that used off the EE.
There's always the Guaranteed Gen-U-Wine $99 Aimpoints from eBay. 
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Okay, get a flare launcher too. They are awesome and stupid people think you have a grenade launcher, win/win. I think I have a strikefire in the closet, bought it when they first came out to see if it would hold up, but got bored with the idea and tossed it in the closet.
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| I have two of them and they are great optics for the price and if you ever have problems with them Vortex will stand behind them for life, no questions asked. The newest ones have an on/off switch that must be held for a couple of seconds to turn the unit off, on the older ones you pushed the switch to move through the red dot, green dot, then to off. On these models I strongly suggest turning the sight 1/4 turn to put the switch facing down so it doesn't get bumped. |
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I have two of them and they are great optics for the price and if you ever have problems with them Vortex will stand behind them for life, no questions asked. The newest ones have an on/off switch that must be held for a couple of seconds to turn the unit off, on the older ones you pushed the switch to move through the red dot, green dot, then to off. On these models I strongly suggest turning the sight 1/4 turn to put the switch facing down so it doesn't get bumped. But won't that make everything you look at seem sideways?
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I have two of them and they are great optics for the price and if you ever have problems with them Vortex will stand behind them for life, no questions asked. The newest ones have an on/off switch that must be held for a couple of seconds to turn the unit off, on the older ones you pushed the switch to move through the red dot, green dot, then to off. On these models I strongly suggest turning the sight 1/4 turn to put the switch facing down so it doesn't get bumped. But won't that make everything you look at seem sideways?
I hope you're joking. |
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Hey Vaca, buy one!! I have one of the older models on my 5.45 AR, and I absolutely love it!! Only thing is, get a better mount, I have a Larue mount on mine, and it's great!!! Vortex is tops on customer service too
Here's a pic of mine. Well some of it 
Silly Penguins
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I have two of them and they are great optics for the price and if you ever have problems with them Vortex will stand behind them for life, no questions asked. The newest ones have an on/off switch that must be held for a couple of seconds to turn the unit off, on the older ones you pushed the switch to move through the red dot, green dot, then to off. On these models I strongly suggest turning the sight 1/4 turn to put the switch facing down so it doesn't get bumped. But won't that make everything you look at seem sideways?
I hope you're joking. I presume you noticed the "trying to keep a straight face" emoticon. |
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For the price, I'd get a Burris xts. I've got a Burris xts and and Aimpoint, they are pretty much comparable...until you get to battery life, then the Aimpoint takes a staggering lead!
But for the price, you can't really beat the Burris...they've done some extreme tests with them, and they've survived. |
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Quoted: Hey Vaca, buy one!! I have one of the older models on my 5.45 AR, and I absolutely love it!! Only thing is, get a better mount, I have a Larue mount on mine, and it's great!!! Vortex is tops on customer service too Here's a pic of mine. Well some of it http://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h313/joe7170/IM000972.jpg http://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h313/joe7170/IM000970.jpg Silly Penguins It's the optic that's supposed to cost more than the gun, not the optic mount that's supposed to cost more than the optic.  Don't hear much about it anymore, but the SPOT had good reviews while it was popular here amongst the cheapskates* a few years ago. http://www.mountsplus.com/mm5/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=MSP&Product_Code=SPO-MK3-NRX&Category_Code= I think it just suffered here from no one really pushing it vs. Vortex and Primary Arms. *I keed (mostly)
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My aimpoint is the best money I have ever spent on an optic. What's an "entry level" optic? You going to trade it in later?I'm with you. I've also noticed that many people planning for quality in the future have a ton of guns now. Sell one of the dozen handguns you have and get the quality optic now. |
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Quoted: Quoted: My aimpoint is the best money I have ever spent on an optic. What's an "entry level" optic? You going to trade it in later?I'm with you. I've also noticed that many people planning for quality in the future have a ton of guns now. Sell one of the dozen handguns you have and get the quality optic now. , I really do understand that. But all too often the "I r 2 broke" guys will then post pictures of their 5 nearly identical Model 1 kit guns. I've used one AR almost exclusively since around 2004, bought an aimpoint, RASII and a light. I admit I upgraded the light and swapped out the RASII and made a few upgrades, but I spent far less than guys who have half a dozen ARs spend on their half a dozen ARs (Okay I did build sell trade some stuff along the way, but 99% of the 5.56 I have fired were all out of that carbine)
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Hey Vaca, buy one!! I have one of the older models on my 5.45 AR, and I absolutely love it!! Only thing is, get a better mount, I have a Larue mount on mine, and it's great!!! Vortex is tops on customer service too
Here's a pic of mine. Well some of it
http://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h313/joe7170/IM000972.jpg http://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h313/joe7170/IM000970.jpg Silly Penguins
It's the optic that's supposed to cost more than the gun, not the optic mount that's supposed to cost more than the optic. Don't hear much about it anymore, but the SPOT had good reviews while it was popular here amongst the cheapskates* a few years ago. http://www.mountsplus.com/mm5/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=MSP&Product_Code=SPO-MK3-NRX&Category_Code= I think it just suffered here from no one really pushing it vs. Vortex and Primary Arms. *I keed (mostly) I remember reading the torture test of the S.P.O.T. Mk III here... that guy beat it the fuck up, absolutely tortured it more than any of us ever would, probably even more than the .mil ever would, too.... and the sucker kept on ticking. AND THE GEAR QUEERS STILL SAID THEY WOULD NEVER TRUST THEIR LIVES TO IT. |
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Quoted: I'm not running down the optic I recommendedI remember reading the torture test of the S.P.O.T. Mk III here... that guy beat it the fuck up, absolutely tortured it more than any of us ever would, probably even more than the .mil ever would, too.... and the sucker kept on ticking. AND THE GEAR QUEERS STILL SAID THEY WOULD NEVER TRUST THEIR LIVES TO IT. but some guy taking one example of an optic and jumping up and down on it and tossing it around the range isn't really the same as something like that aimpoint that has over a decade of use with the military. |
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Quoted: Quoted: Quoted: My aimpoint is the best money I have ever spent on an optic. What's an "entry level" optic? You going to trade it in later?I'm with you. I've also noticed that many people planning for quality in the future have a ton of guns now. Sell one of the dozen handguns you have and get the quality optic now. , I really do understand that. But all too often the "I r 2 broke" guys will then post pictures of their 5 nearly identical Model 1 kit guns. I've used one AR almost exclusively since around 2004, bought an aimpoint, RASII and a light. I admit I upgraded the light and swapped out the RASII and made a few upgrades, but I spent far less than guys who have half a dozen ARs spend on their half a dozen ARs (Okay I did build sell trade some stuff along the way, but 99% of the 5.56 I have fired were all out of that carbine) I am one of those poor, broke guys. Single income family in California just trying to get by. And even though I have been here over 4 years, this is my first AR. And the money I am spending for this optic is mostly paid for with $170 worth of Cabelas gift cards I have accumulated. |
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I'm not running down the optic I recommendedI remember reading the torture test of the S.P.O.T. Mk III here... that guy beat it the fuck up, absolutely tortured it more than any of us ever would, probably even more than the .mil ever would, too.... and the sucker kept on ticking. AND THE GEAR QUEERS STILL SAID THEY WOULD NEVER TRUST THEIR LIVES TO IT. but some guy taking one example of an optic and jumping up and down on it and tossing it around the range isn't really the same as something like that aimpoint that has over a decade of use with the military.
Still sounding a bit gear queerish there, Aimless. While you aren't saying it in as many words, it still sounds like "nothing could possibly be as good/reliable/rugged as Aimpoint because they're not as expensive and the .mil has never used them". Personally, I think that "you get what you pay for" doesn't necessarily apply universally. Often times it does, but when you're talking about a metal tube with some clear glass and a red dot projected on it, just how good does it need to be? I saw the tests of the S.P.O.T. Mk III and decided that it should be more than rugged enough for anything I'd ever need, including "Red Dawn" scenarios, because, well, even in rugged situations, I don't treat my equipment like shit. I also wonder when I see Aimpoints mounted in conjunction with BUIS. Why have BUIS if the Aimpoint is so rugged, durable and reliable? I'm not trying to be argumentative, I'm just saying that the inexpensive stuff can be pretty damn good even when compared to the name brand, .mil tested equipment. For those of us who can't afford to spend as much or more than we spent on our rifles for optics, the inexpensive ones can be good. The cheaper no-name ones for airsoft you get on eBay? I wouldn't trust 'em much at all but Vortex, S.P.O.T., Burris, etc, which have been in the hands of users here, and have been sometimes torture tested and found to hold up, yeah, I'd trust 'em. I still intend to always have a set of BUIS, tho, because anything can fail! |
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Quoted: Quoted: Quoted: I'm not running down the optic I recommendedI remember reading the torture test of the S.P.O.T. Mk III here... that guy beat it the fuck up, absolutely tortured it more than any of us ever would, probably even more than the .mil ever would, too.... and the sucker kept on ticking. AND THE GEAR QUEERS STILL SAID THEY WOULD NEVER TRUST THEIR LIVES TO IT. but some guy taking one example of an optic and jumping up and down on it and tossing it around the range isn't really the same as something like that aimpoint that has over a decade of use with the military.Still sounding a bit gear queerish there, Aimless. While you aren't saying it in as many words, it still sounds like "nothing could possibly be as good/reliable/rugged as Aimpoint because they're not as expensive and the .mil has never used them". Personally, I think that "you get what you pay for" doesn't necessarily apply universally. Often times it does, but when you're talking about a metal tube with some clear glass and a red dot projected on it, just how good does it need to be? I saw the tests of the S.P.O.T. Mk III and decided that it should be more than rugged enough for anything I'd ever need, including "Red Dawn" scenarios, because, well, even in rugged situations, I don't treat my equipment like shit. I also wonder when I see Aimpoints mounted in conjunction with BUIS. Why have BUIS if the Aimpoint is so rugged, durable and reliable? I'm not trying to be argumentative, I'm just saying that the inexpensive stuff can be pretty damn good even when compared to the name brand, .mil tested equipment. For those of us who can't afford to spend as much or more than we spent on our rifles for optics, the inexpensive ones can be good. The cheaper no-name ones for airsoft you get on eBay? I wouldn't trust 'em much at all but Vortex, S.P.O.T., Burris, etc, which have been in the hands of users here, and have been sometimes torture tested and found to hold up, yeah, I'd trust 'em. I still intend to always have a set of BUIS, tho, because anything can fail! real deal quality control and successfully military use beats mystery asian qc and fat guys shooting cans in their backyard. You're kidding about the BUIS thing?
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I'm not running down the optic I recommendedI remember reading the torture test of the S.P.O.T. Mk III here... that guy beat it the fuck up, absolutely tortured it more than any of us ever would, probably even more than the .mil ever would, too.... and the sucker kept on ticking. AND THE GEAR QUEERS STILL SAID THEY WOULD NEVER TRUST THEIR LIVES TO IT. but some guy taking one example of an optic and jumping up and down on it and tossing it around the range isn't really the same as something like that aimpoint that has over a decade of use with the military.
Still sounding a bit gear queerish there, Aimless. While you aren't saying it in as many words, it still sounds like "nothing could possibly be as good/reliable/rugged as Aimpoint because they're not as expensive and the .mil has never used them". Personally, I think that "you get what you pay for" doesn't necessarily apply universally. Often times it does, but when you're talking about a metal tube with some clear glass and a red dot projected on it, just how good does it need to be? I saw the tests of the S.P.O.T. Mk III and decided that it should be more than rugged enough for anything I'd ever need, including "Red Dawn" scenarios, because, well, even in rugged situations, I don't treat my equipment like shit. I also wonder when I see Aimpoints mounted in conjunction with BUIS. Why have BUIS if the Aimpoint is so rugged, durable and reliable? I'm not trying to be argumentative, I'm just saying that the inexpensive stuff can be pretty damn good even when compared to the name brand, .mil tested equipment. For those of us who can't afford to spend as much or more than we spent on our rifles for optics, the inexpensive ones can be good. The cheaper no-name ones for airsoft you get on eBay? I wouldn't trust 'em much at all but Vortex, S.P.O.T., Burris, etc, which have been in the hands of users here, and have been sometimes torture tested and found to hold up, yeah, I'd trust 'em. I still intend to always have a set of BUIS, tho, because anything can fail! real deal quality control and successfully military use beats mystery asian qc and fat guys shooting cans in their backyard. You're kidding about the BUIS thing? Not really. Having them is an implicit acknowledgement that ANYTHING can fail or be broken. You can spend $1000+ on optics for your AR, and they can still break or fail. BUIS is always a good idea. Are you also asserting that Vortex, SPOT, Burris, etc are all cheap Asian made non-quality controlled items only used by fat guys shooting cans in their back yards? Now you're seriously sounding gear queer. |
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Quoted: Quoted: My aimpoint is the best money I have ever spent on an optic. What's an "entry level" optic? You going to trade it in later?Entry level = I am too damn poor for an aimpoint / eotech / acog. Check ebay dude. I got my Aimpoint for about 60% of new. I am not one to buy top of the line for vanity's sake. But one Aimpoint is all you will ever need. |
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I'm not running down the optic I recommendedI remember reading the torture test of the S.P.O.T. Mk III here... that guy beat it the fuck up, absolutely tortured it more than any of us ever would, probably even more than the .mil ever would, too.... and the sucker kept on ticking. AND THE GEAR QUEERS STILL SAID THEY WOULD NEVER TRUST THEIR LIVES TO IT. but some guy taking one example of an optic and jumping up and down on it and tossing it around the range isn't really the same as something like that aimpoint that has over a decade of use with the military.
Still sounding a bit gear queerish there, Aimless. While you aren't saying it in as many words, it still sounds like "nothing could possibly be as good/reliable/rugged as Aimpoint because they're not as expensive and the .mil has never used them". Personally, I think that "you get what you pay for" doesn't necessarily apply universally. Often times it does, but when you're talking about a metal tube with some clear glass and a red dot projected on it, just how good does it need to be? I saw the tests of the S.P.O.T. Mk III and decided that it should be more than rugged enough for anything I'd ever need, including "Red Dawn" scenarios, because, well, even in rugged situations, I don't treat my equipment like shit. I also wonder when I see Aimpoints mounted in conjunction with BUIS. Why have BUIS if the Aimpoint is so rugged, durable and reliable? I'm not trying to be argumentative, I'm just saying that the inexpensive stuff can be pretty damn good even when compared to the name brand, .mil tested equipment. For those of us who can't afford to spend as much or more than we spent on our rifles for optics, the inexpensive ones can be good. The cheaper no-name ones for airsoft you get on eBay? I wouldn't trust 'em much at all but Vortex, S.P.O.T., Burris, etc, which have been in the hands of users here, and have been sometimes torture tested and found to hold up, yeah, I'd trust 'em. I still intend to always have a set of BUIS, tho, because anything can fail! real deal quality control and successfully military use beats mystery asian qc and fat guys shooting cans in their backyard. You're kidding about the BUIS thing? Not really. Having them is an implicit acknowledgement that ANYTHING can fail or be broken. You can spend $1000+ on optics for your AR, and they can still break or fail. BUIS is always a good idea. Are you also asserting that Vortex, SPOT, Burris, etc are all cheap Asian made non-quality controlled items only used by fat guys shooting cans in their back yards? Now you're seriously sounding gear queer. Exactly, all of us aren't tactical operators either, or a fat guy shooting cans. I guess now that we could afford to buy a AR, we should go bankrupt and buy a ACOG (or a Aimpoint in this case), just because that's what the operators use.... |
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Quoted: Quoted: Quoted: I'm not running down the optic I recommendedI remember reading the torture test of the S.P.O.T. Mk III here... that guy beat it the fuck up, absolutely tortured it more than any of us ever would, probably even more than the .mil ever would, too.... and the sucker kept on ticking. AND THE GEAR QUEERS STILL SAID THEY WOULD NEVER TRUST THEIR LIVES TO IT. but some guy taking one example of an optic and jumping up and down on it and tossing it around the range isn't really the same as something like that aimpoint that has over a decade of use with the military.Still sounding a bit gear queerish there, Aimless. While you aren't saying it in as many words, it still sounds like "nothing could possibly be as good/reliable/rugged as Aimpoint because they're not as expensive and the .mil has never used them". Personally, I think that "you get what you pay for" doesn't necessarily apply universally. Often times it does, but when you're talking about a metal tube with some clear glass and a red dot projected on it, just how good does it need to be? I saw the tests of the S.P.O.T. Mk III and decided that it should be more than rugged enough for anything I'd ever need, including "Red Dawn" scenarios, because, well, even in rugged situations, I don't treat my equipment like shit. I also wonder when I see Aimpoints mounted in conjunction with BUIS. Why have BUIS if the Aimpoint is so rugged, durable and reliable? I'm not trying to be argumentative, I'm just saying that the inexpensive stuff can be pretty damn good even when compared to the name brand, .mil tested equipment. For those of us who can't afford to spend as much or more than we spent on our rifles for optics, the inexpensive ones can be good. The cheaper no-name ones for airsoft you get on eBay? I wouldn't trust 'em much at all but Vortex, S.P.O.T., Burris, etc, which have been in the hands of users here, and have been sometimes torture tested and found to hold up, yeah, I'd trust 'em. I still intend to always have a set of BUIS, tho, because anything can fail! I got the model 3 Stag with no sights cause I knew I was planning on an aimpoint and did not buy BUIS, therefore paying for part of it. I have complete confidence in the ML3. |
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I'm not running down the optic I recommendedI remember reading the torture test of the S.P.O.T. Mk III here... that guy beat it the fuck up, absolutely tortured it more than any of us ever would, probably even more than the .mil ever would, too.... and the sucker kept on ticking. AND THE GEAR QUEERS STILL SAID THEY WOULD NEVER TRUST THEIR LIVES TO IT. but some guy taking one example of an optic and jumping up and down on it and tossing it around the range isn't really the same as something like that aimpoint that has over a decade of use with the military.
Still sounding a bit gear queerish there, Aimless. While you aren't saying it in as many words, it still sounds like "nothing could possibly be as good/reliable/rugged as Aimpoint because they're not as expensive and the .mil has never used them". Personally, I think that "you get what you pay for" doesn't necessarily apply universally. Often times it does, but when you're talking about a metal tube with some clear glass and a red dot projected on it, just how good does it need to be? I saw the tests of the S.P.O.T. Mk III and decided that it should be more than rugged enough for anything I'd ever need, including "Red Dawn" scenarios, because, well, even in rugged situations, I don't treat my equipment like shit. I also wonder when I see Aimpoints mounted in conjunction with BUIS. Why have BUIS if the Aimpoint is so rugged, durable and reliable? I'm not trying to be argumentative, I'm just saying that the inexpensive stuff can be pretty damn good even when compared to the name brand, .mil tested equipment. For those of us who can't afford to spend as much or more than we spent on our rifles for optics, the inexpensive ones can be good. The cheaper no-name ones for airsoft you get on eBay? I wouldn't trust 'em much at all but Vortex, S.P.O.T., Burris, etc, which have been in the hands of users here, and have been sometimes torture tested and found to hold up, yeah, I'd trust 'em. I still intend to always have a set of BUIS, tho, because anything can fail! I got the model 3 Stag with no sights cause I knew I was planning on an aimpoint and did not buy BUIS, therefore paying for part of it. I have complete confidence in the ML3. I've got BUIS on both my Aimpoint equipped Colt, and my Burris equipped frankengun.
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Quoted: Quoted: ! real deal quality control and successfully military use beats mystery asian qc and fat guys shooting cans in their backyard. You're kidding about the BUIS thing? Not really. Having them is an implicit acknowledgement that ANYTHING can fail or be broken. You can spend $1000+ on optics for your AR, and they can still break or fail. BUIS is always a good idea. Are you also asserting that Vortex, SPOT, Burris, etc are all cheap Asian made non-quality controlled items only used by fat guys shooting cans in their back yards? Now you're seriously sounding gear queer. You have to drive to Alaska, you can take a brand new Toyota Tundra or a 1987 Volkswagen Fox. Both cars have spare tires, therefore there is an implicit acknowledgement that either can fail, does that mean either is an equally good choice for your trip? If I say that the VW Fox was not a great car does that mean that I am saying that everyone who has a VW is an idiot? What about if the 1987 VW Fox is only 50% cheaper than the Tundra? Does that make it a good deal? If someone is seriously ass broke is a SPOT better than nothing if they have no chance of saving up to get an aimpoint, sure? do I think many people fall into that scenario? I kind of doubt it. |