Vortex or Phantom? > General Discussion

Posted: 9/30/2001 7:18:52 PM EDT

Trying to decide on one of these for my M4. Any suggestions and reasons for same would be appreciated. Thanks!

Posted: 9/30/2001 7:28:21 PM EDT

[#1]

Cant advise which one to buy. I have the phantom on a colt 16 carbine. Good luck....

Posted: 9/30/2001 7:46:59 PM EDT

[#2]

Had a phantom too, wanted to try a vortex but read of to many junk ones breaking prongs. Can anyone tell me which one is the good one?

Posted: 9/30/2001 7:50:38 PM EDT

[#3]

Smith makes the original and best Vortex. As to which is best? I've heard the Vortex is best from some,and the Phantom is best from others. Both should be excellent, so just buy the one that suits your fancy.

Posted: 9/30/2001 7:58:12 PM EDT

[#4]

I've got both. On a scale of 1-10 I'd rate them as Vortex a 10, and the Phantom as a 9. Be sure to get the true Smith Enterprises Vortex.

Posted: 9/30/2001 8:08:10 PM EDT

[#5]

[:D]THANKS[:)]

Posted: 9/30/2001 8:46:08 PM EDT

[#6]

Go with the phantom. The vortex does have a problem when doing rapid fires.

Posted: 9/30/2001 8:56:49 PM EDT

[#7]

I like the phantom...it also looks better...just my 2cents

medcop

Posted: 10/1/2001 1:54:40 AM EDT

[#8]

I prefer the Phantom over a Vortex.

Posted: 10/1/2001 3:49:59 AM EDT

[#9]

Go with the phantom.

Posted: 10/1/2001 4:16:59 AM EDT

[#10]

Years ago my friends M4/vortex blew off a tine.
He sent it back to Bushmaster and the next time we were rapid firing, it blew apart again.
I had a vortex on mine and never had a problem.
I think Bushy had a bad batch.
Now I use the Phantom.

Posted: 10/1/2001 4:21:18 AM EDT

[#11]

New to ARs. Just got mine a week ago, so don't bust me to bad. What is a Phantom/Vortex?

Posted: 10/1/2001 4:28:07 AM EDT

[#12]

Seeing as you're a fellow Michigander I'll spare you the dumb references to Super heroes and vacuums.

They're flash suppressors.

Posted: 10/1/2001 3:38:23 PM EDT

[#13]

You should be able to tell the fake from the real Vortex. The fakes I have seen were too big and would allow the bayonet ring to fit. Also the offset twist of the tines were much less pronounced.

Posted: 10/1/2001 3:40:31 PM EDT

[#14]

On a 14.5" barrel I would say go with the stronger Phantom. One a threaded 16" barrel try one then the other - sell the one you don't like!

Posted: 10/1/2001 3:41:03 PM EDT

[#15]

I believe Smith Enterprises now marks theirs with an "S". See[url]www.smithenterprise.com[/url].

Posted: 10/1/2001 5:00:55 PM EDT

[#16]

Phantom has sharp leading edges in front and along the slots, supposedly for weapon retention. Vortex has a groove close to the muzzle, so you can tie a piece of wire around it lest small branches and stuff get caught in the slots.
[img]wsphotofews.excite.com/038/jk/Om/Zo/xr29093.jpg[/img]
[img]wsphotofews.excite.com/033/7b/6S/cp/FX96481.jpg[/img]

Posted: 10/1/2001 11:55:24 PM EDT

[#17]

I've never seen any Vortex with the parallel grooves along the entire device. Is that a new feature?

Posted: 10/2/2001 1:13:45 AM EDT

[#18]

I have also heard that the last pronounced groove on the vortex is there for a piece of wire to go around so the prongs on the vortex don't make a tuning fork noise after being fired. Personally if that were a big deal to me I'd skip the Vortex for the Phantom. Who wants wire hanging off their muzzle. KISS

Also, if you did happen to get a little branch or something in the middle of the vortex, unless you torqued the wire down really hard, the branch would probably get stuck anyway *shrug*

Just get what you think looks better unless you really want that extra 5% muzzle flash to be diminished with the vortex ( and possibly also hearing a twang noise ).

Posted: 10/2/2001 1:50:37 AM EDT

[#19]

I have a question for anyone who might be able to answer. How much of a performance difference is there between the phantom, and vortex, compared to a standard birdcage? I was thinking of getting one of these 2 (vortex or phantom) but am not really sure how much a true difference it makes other than aesthetics. Anybody know by chance?

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