Vortex SPARC Review (Page 1 of 4)
Posted: 3/16/2010 3:42:11 PM EDT
[Last Edit: VortexSam][Edited]
|
I first noted the SPARC in my Gamechangers SHOT 2010 thread. for everything that Vortex claims about this optic it is a make or break item. The Claims.... Waterproof Day 1 First thing I did was full up a big tub with 12-18 gallons-enough to get it 13" deep is a tub about 2 feet long...6 hours later it was still kicking  Well, that annoyed me; so I went outside and threw the optic as far up as I could three times; letting it hit the ground each time, then I remembered I needed to check the pitch of my roof, so I threw it up then and let it roll down. Still very crisp dot appeared  SPARC liked the snow so much I made it a little 2' snow fort for the night Day 2 Well I woke up the SPARC  and the little SPARC was still rolling-by the morning, the 6 hour turn off worked, so I turned it on, it fired right up. I figured it liked the cold so much it could hang with the mixed peas for the morning-that's right I froze it in the deep freeze.   After it stuck to my tongue, I decided we were done with water tests for a while. Day 3 It's time to shoot the thing, so I mounted up the SPARC on my BCM and headed to Knob Creek. It took me longer to sight it in than expected. This was my fault as I wasn't quick to realize that instead of moving the reticle to point of impact, with the SPARC you move the POI to the dot (If your hitting low, turn "up" instead of "down"). But after it was on. IT WAS ON!!. I was popping golfballs at 50yrds, and making three leaf clovers at 30yrds. At this point my mind was made up. For the AR15, an optic that is 2 MOA comes with a doubler, three mounts and a lifetime warranty for $200 is pure win for the hobbyist in me. __________________________________________________________________ But that's not the end of the claims for the SPARC , See, the SPARC is marketed and priced to make a strong entry in the median market. It's priced to be an option for just about every AR shooter. This optic is poised to be affordable enough to appeal to new shooters, yet of such quality that one could depend on it in the clutch; from survivalist to LE needs on a personal rifle. Because of this there were some more tests that needed to be done. Night Vision Thanks to a fellow member, I was able to test the NV setting. The dot was clear and precise. The pic is not excitingly cool, but it does best represent what the reticle looks like, what this pic does not represent is the full field of view that night vision provides.  Impact So I banged on it with the rubber mallet-not to kill it, but to throw it off. I banged on the mount and the optic a bit, and then emptied a mag. It was still on. Larue I also wanted to evaluate the mount options. The factory mount is GTG for the hobbyist who will leave the optic on one weapon. However, professionals talk QD, and QD means Larue. So I placed an order for the LT660 tall which ended up being about .6" too tall, not only does it not provide co-witness, I couldn't see the FSP at all. The reason for this is that the illumination element on the SPARC is on the bottom of the interior of the tube-thus it blocks field if view, here are the factory mounts next to the 660 tall, and a pic through the rear sight   After replacing it with the LT660HK, I was much happier, and had absolute cowitness at the same height as the factory mount––    Mission Adaptable The SPARC made a visit to the KY Hometown shoot where it rode several ARs, AK's (on the gas tube-IT GOT HOT), and a .50 Beowulf. I also had to rezero on the new mount while at the shoot-which took about a mag This was at 35 yards-the top right is before zero...and I had a pack of 4 that wanted the same hole   After it was zeroed it rode the aforementioned setups. I did have one AR user note that when fired, the dot dimmed. After it rode the .50, I ran a mag through it and it went off. I replaced the battery (The same one had been in the optic since test day one [well over a month] and freezing the battery plays into battery life strongly.), and never had a hiccup the rest of the day. I will do some more big bore test on it, ( I thought I could get more in at the shoot-but didn't  ) and get that to y'all as time allows. Thanks to Larue Tactical it always returned to zero on my rifle. Conclusion Bottom line is this is a great little optic. Vortex isn't looking to get a military contract with it, but rather to offer a nice budget setup you can depend on. They do that. The optic endured quite a bit, and kept going. I really like using the double-even with irons. You can pre order the SPARC from SWFA and Midway. I lost the bikini cover that came with the optic pretty quickly fortunately for me Butler Creek #4 OBJ work great on the SPARC.     Thanks to Vortex Optics for allowing this review. Larue for a sweet mount, BCM for a great rifle, and Sweepea the dog for being a constant support during the ebb and flows of this review.  Please post review questions AT THIS LINK so I can filter my answers Thanks! |
BCM uppers turn all projectiles into magical laser guided angels of death and destruction. --87GN
|
Originally Posted By RLTW375:
Originally Posted By PreachermanMATT:
I'll get you some more pics this week. Great Review man! Looking forward to it's release. We started shipping them on Monday. You guys should start getting them real soon. Scott |
www.vortextactical.com
www.facebook.com/vortexoptics
www.facebook.com/vortexoptics
|
Originally Posted By Scott_at_Vortex:
Originally Posted By RLTW375:
Originally Posted By PreachermanMATT:
I'll get you some more pics this week. Great Review man! Looking forward to it's release. We started shipping them on Monday. You guys should start getting them real soon. Scott Nice! Before the PST 1-4's?? I thought those were first?? |
Knocking one out for the Ranger in the sky
<font size=3>SS17</font id=s3>
<font size=3>SS17</font id=s3>
|
Originally Posted By jharp:
Nice been looking forward to the review, do you have any more pictures of the sight on the gun? I didn't know if you wanted focus on optic or just "yeah that looks cool" pics so here's both... 
|
BCM uppers turn all projectiles into magical laser guided angels of death and destruction. --87GN
|
Preacher-
You said the LaRue tall was too tall, but the HK version was the same height as the Vortex mount, which gives you absolute co-witness. Would it stand to reason one could use the Vortex shim with the LaRue HK mount to achieve lower 1/3? I'll find out for myself on Tuesday, but I thought I'd ask anyways. |
Proud Member - "Ranstad's Militia" - The Fantastic Bastards!
|
Originally Posted By tcs007:
Preacher- You said the LaRue tall was too tall, but the HK version was the same height as the Vortex mount, which gives you absolute co-witness. Would it stand to reason one could use the Vortex shim with the LaRue HK mount to achieve lower 1/3? I'll find out for myself on Tuesday, but I thought I'd ask anyways. tag for an answer to this question |
There is Love in the Red Letters
Originally Posted By John_Wayne777
Half of diplomacy is being willing to shoot a motherfucker in the face if necessary.
Originally Posted By John_Wayne777
Half of diplomacy is being willing to shoot a motherfucker in the face if necessary.
|
Originally Posted By tcs007:
Preacher- You said the LaRue tall was too tall, but the HK version was the same height as the Vortex mount, which gives you absolute co-witness. Would it stand to reason one could use the Vortex shim with the LaRue HK mount to achieve lower 1/3? I'll find out for myself on Tuesday, but I thought I'd ask anyways. Yes, that should work fine; the shim is/adds about .43 " which considering the LT660 was ineffective due to the placement of the illumination element; I would guestimate that the the element is 2/16 or 3/16 (I'm not busting the optic to find out  ) so subtracting the element size .(12-.18) from the .6 too high LT660 puts you needing around .42 for "Larue lower 1/3"
I know you probably hoped for pics of me disassembling my mount and losing zero...sorry the math was easier 
DARN YOU!!! I HAD THIS WHOLE REPLY TYPED UP THEN CURIOSITY GOT THE BEST OF ME!!!
It works fine––but neither the screws (LT or Vortex) were long enough to thread down; keep in mind my unit is an early edition, i'm sure Vortex will include the correct length to use the shim with the market release. good question- ..................off to rezero 
ETA: It should be noted that the Vortex screws work better than the LT Screws with the LT mount |
BCM uppers turn all projectiles into magical laser guided angels of death and destruction. --87GN
|
Originally Posted By PreachermanMATT:
Originally Posted By tcs007:
Preacher- You said the LaRue tall was too tall, but the HK version was the same height as the Vortex mount, which gives you absolute co-witness. Would it stand to reason one could use the Vortex shim with the LaRue HK mount to achieve lower 1/3? I'll find out for myself on Tuesday, but I thought I'd ask anyways. Yes, that should work fine; the shim is/adds about .43 " which considering the LT660 was ineffective due to the placement of the illumination element; I would guestimate that the the element is 2/16 or 3/16 (I'm not busting the optic to find out ) so subtracting the element size .(12-.18) from the .6 too high LT660 puts you needing around .42 for "Larue lower 1/3"
I know you probably hoped for pics of me disassembling my mount and losing zero...sorry the math was easier
DARN YOU!!! I HAD THIS WHOLE REPLY TYPED UP THEN CURIOSITY GOT THE BEST OF ME!!!
It works fine––but neither the screws (LT or Vortex) were long enough to thread down; keep in mind my unit is an early edition, i'm sure Vortex will include the correct length to use the shim with the market release. good question- ..................off to rezero
ETA: It should be noted that the Vortex screws work better than the LT Screws with the LT mount Hahaha. Thanks for being all OCD for me. I kinda figured it would work. Which is good for me because I have fixed irons, and the lower 1/3 is what I like best in that instance. |
Proud Member - "Ranstad's Militia" - The Fantastic Bastards!
|
Originally Posted By VortexSam:
Matt, You only got one length of screws? I know the production units have longer screws for use with the lower 1/3 shim. If you don't have them let me know and I'll send some to you. -Sam yes- only one length...thanks 
|
BCM uppers turn all projectiles into magical laser guided angels of death and destruction. --87GN
|
Originally Posted By tcs007:
Originally Posted By PreachermanMATT:
Originally Posted By tcs007:
Preacher- You said the LaRue tall was too tall, but the HK version was the same height as the Vortex mount, which gives you absolute co-witness. Would it stand to reason one could use the Vortex shim with the LaRue HK mount to achieve lower 1/3? I'll find out for myself on Tuesday, but I thought I'd ask anyways. Yes, that should work fine; the shim is/adds about .43 " which considering the LT660 was ineffective due to the placement of the illumination element; I would guestimate that the the element is 2/16 or 3/16 (I'm not busting the optic to find out ) so subtracting the element size .(12-.18) from the .6 too high LT660 puts you needing around .42 for "Larue lower 1/3"
I know you probably hoped for pics of me disassembling my mount and losing zero...sorry the math was easier
DARN YOU!!! I HAD THIS WHOLE REPLY TYPED UP THEN CURIOSITY GOT THE BEST OF ME!!!
It works fine––but neither the screws (LT or Vortex) were long enough to thread down; keep in mind my unit is an early edition, i'm sure Vortex will include the correct length to use the shim with the market release. good question- ..................off to rezero
ETA: It should be noted that the Vortex screws work better than the LT Screws with the LT mount Hahaha. Thanks for being all OCD for me. I kinda figured it would work. Which is good for me because I have fixed irons, and the lower 1/3 is what I like best in that instance. Well, I got my correct LaRue mount, and with the shim that Vortex includes, I get actually slightly lower than lower 1/3 co-witness. Which is perfect for me and my fixed irons. With the large aperture on my irons, I can see the diode housing, but it does not interefere with using the irons at all. With the small aperture, I can't see the housing for the diode at all. 
Sandwiched between the LaRue mount and the SPARC is the Vortex shim, which worked perfectly. I had to use the longer screws that came with the SPARC. |
Proud Member - "Ranstad's Militia" - The Fantastic Bastards!
|
Originally Posted By Scott_at_Vortex:
What do you want to know? We have a casv. Scott Oh, excellent!! Wanting to know what, if any, mount/riser on the CASV rail will absolute co-witness a SPARC and standard FSB. Thanks. Very very interested in a few SPARCs. |
"You can't take the sky from me …"
This thing is freakin awesome!!! Pumped to hit the range on Friday. A lot smaller than what I expected which is GOOD! Not sure what it is but Photo's make them look bigger. Some quick crappy lighting shots.....
SWEET!!!! |
Knocking one out for the Ranger in the sky
<font size=3>SS17</font id=s3>
<font size=3>PACK LARUE</font id=s3>
<font size=3>SS17</font id=s3>
<font size=3>PACK LARUE</font id=s3>
|
Mine arrived this morning. The SPARC looks like a nice little optic.
Can't wait to get to the range. I tried with and without the shim on my LR-308, and was suprised to discover that I like the absolute co-witness much better. In theory, I would have never thought this to be the case, but I find it to be much less obstructive than lower 1/3 with this little bugger. As someone else posted, the shim puts it lower than lower third too. This may be a factor, but I don't think so. I just find that the rear sight encircles the the optic's view nicely when things are lined up, and is too close to my eye to obstruct anything when they aren't. If I can see through the tube of the SPARC at all from any angle, the sights are never in the way. The cool thing is, I never would have known this if I hadn't had the included shims to try it both ways. I don't foresee using the doubler much, but I plan on fooling around with it for S&Gs. It could be handy for sighting in more precisely. The mounts and doubler included makes this a great value. Any way, I have it mounted on the gas tube of my AK now and will be chomping at the bit til I get a chance to goto the range. Looks like it might not be until Monday... :( I'm not gonna do a torture test like the OP, but I'll warm it up a little with a full mag or two. I'll check back if there's anything to report. |
|
Originally Posted By CptSpau1ding:
Mine arrived this morning. The SPARC looks like a nice little optic. Can't wait to get to the range. I tried with and without the shim on my LR-308, and was suprised to discover that I like the absolute co-witness much better. In theory, I would have never thought this to be the case, but I find it to be much less obstructive than lower 1/3 with this little bugger. As someone else posted, the shim puts it lower than lower third too. This may be a factor, but I don't think so. I just find that the rear sight encircles the the optic's view nicely when things are lined up, and is too close to my eye to obstruct anything when they aren't. If I can see through the tube of the SPARC at all from any angle, the sights are never in the way. The cool thing is, I never would have known this if I hadn't had the included shims to try it both ways. I don't foresee using the doubler much, but I plan on fooling around with it for S&Gs. It could be handy for sighting in more precisely. The mounts and doubler included makes this a great value. Any way, I have it mounted on the gas tube of my AK now and will be chomping at the bit til I get a chance to goto the range. Looks like it might not be until Monday... :( I'm not gonna do a torture test like the OP, but I'll warm it up a little with a full mag or two. I'll check back if there's anything to report. Be sure to let us know how it goes. Scott |
www.vortextactical.com
www.facebook.com/vortexoptics
www.facebook.com/vortexoptics
|
I just pick up a SPARC locally at Primary Arms today (their last one). Very nice people to deal with and extremely good service. I'm very impressed with the quality of the scope. Much better than the Strike Fire which I also own. My only gripe is the riser to rail screw is too soft. I stripped the head trying to tighten the mount to the rail. If it get loose, I will need to find a better screw. Overall, I think Vortex has a winner with this one. Definitely will take some market share from Aimpoint.
PS: Sam, please send more scopes to Primary Arms. I need another one :-) |
|
Originally Posted By coolsound:
I just pick up a SPARC locally at Primary Arms today (their last one). Very nice people to deal with and extremely good service. I'm very impressed with the quality of the scope. Much better than the Strike Fire which I also own. My only gripe is the riser to rail screw is too soft. I stripped the head trying to tighten the mount to the rail. If it get loose, I will need to find a better screw. Overall, I think Vortex has a winner with this one. Definitely will take some market share from Aimpoint. PS: Sam, please send more scopes to Primary Arms. I need another one :-) Sorry to hear about the screws. Get a hold of me at [email protected] and will get you taken care of. Scott |
www.vortextactical.com
www.facebook.com/vortexoptics
www.facebook.com/vortexoptics
|
Originally Posted By zazou:
Scott, Any info on whether this will absolute co-witness on a CASV? Man I am so sorry. I will get right on that. Should have an answer by tomorrow. Scott |
|
I WILL NOT ORDER FROM SWFA AGAIN.
Ordered a SPARC. They show all items as in stock, but I've been waiting for weeks now! Since that time, midway has gotten stock in, sold out, then gotten more stock in. I could have ordered from them 20 different times and have had this by now. I called last week and was told the optic was out of stock, I call this week and the night sights I also ordered were out of stock... F-THAT! After a lot of complaining, a different rep, and a new CC number since they apparently are the only company in the world my CC doesn't work with, I got them to ship the sight out overnight for this weekend's match. The night sights they say are a new product and have been unreleased from Trijicon yet they are happy to take and delay my order for them. Beware. : Looking forward to getting my SPARC in. |
|
Originally Posted By new21022:
I WILL NOT ORDER FROM SWFA AGAIN. Ordered a SPARC. They show all items as in stock, but I've been waiting for weeks now! Since that time, midway has gotten stock in, sold out, then gotten more stock in. I could have ordered from them 20 different times and have had this by now. I called last week and was told the optic was out of stock, I call this week and the night sights I also ordered were out of stock... F-THAT! After a lot of complaining, a different rep, and a new CC number since they apparently are the only company in the world my CC doesn't work with, I got them to ship the sight out overnight for this weekend's match. The night sights they say are a new product and have been unreleased from Trijicon yet they are happy to take and delay my order for them. Beware. : Looking forward to getting my SPARC in. Was also told Trijicon BE8Y 92FS Vertec Night Sights (Yellow rear Green front) are "new/unreleased" item.... Odd because this link shows them as being added to the store in 2005... yea... |
|
Got my SPARC in. Love it. It's as clear and bright, it looks as good or better than the T-1 I have.
I don't like the look of compact red dots for ARs so this will go something else. It's not a replacement for an aimpoint, but it's not a $80 aimpoint knockoff at all. |
|
I'm interested in the SPARC, but wondering if the included spacers will allow it to mount at a slightly lower height...
I've got an A.R.M.S. #50M S.I.R. rail system which added height to the upper rail. I'd like to have an absolute co-witness if possible. Please let me know if this will work. Thanks! |
|
Originally Posted By Hondo658: I'm interested in the SPARC, but wondering if the included spacers will allow it to mount at a slightly lower height... I've got an A.R.M.S. #50M S.I.R. rail system which added height to the upper rail. I'd like to have an absolute co-witness if possible. Please let me know if this will work. Thanks! all spacers add height, not reduce them...please clarify if this is not what you meant |
BCM uppers turn all projectiles into magical laser guided angels of death and destruction. --87GN
|
Received my Sparc today from Midway after ordering it only two days ago from MidwayUSA, and for a final price of only $185 (using a $15 promotionag code for products over $150 - sorry, the code has expired). I've been shopping Midway for years and nobody beats their service on shipping and returns. For those of you looking for the Larue Tactical LT660 mount Midway has it in stock now for $120.
Back to the SPARC. I decided to go with the Sparc after trouble with two other red dots and after reading Preacherman's excellent review. I was very impressed with the various torture tests he conducted. I'm mounting it on a Sig 522 using the Vortex high rise mount without the riser or the shim. It seems this will work best for me. First impressions: 1. This scope is well built and solid. The magnifier seems to be a nice addition although is does reduce FOV a bit 2. Its small but testing the FOV with both eyes opened results in a very nice red dot and a clear sight picture even though the lens is 22mm 3. I was able to test the brightness of the dot in full dayight and the dot is bright enough for the brighest of days (as today was in my area) 4. The dot (when adjusted properly to the lighting conditions) is as sharp as it gets for dots in this price range 5. It appears the 2 MOA dot is going to be very good for me as I want to tighten up my groups at 25-50 yards and this dot is more precise than my previous red dots with 3 and 4 MOA's. Of course, I'll have to confirm at the range this weekend. Thanks to Preacherman I also decided to buy two Butler Creek #4 flip-up lens protectors and the Preacherman was dead on, they fit/work great on the Sparc. I din't know where this scope was made prior to ordering, although I prefer to buy USA products. Upon arrival, I noticed that the Sparc is made in China as evidenced by the markings on the box and a clear sticker at the bottom of the Sparc. I would have been happier if it was manufactured in the US but its not a deal breaker for me. Will post a report and photos after getting it sighted in. Thanks for the great review Preacherman
|
|
Originally Posted By av8or17:
Thanks to Preacherman I also decided to buy two Butler Creek #4 flip-up lens protectors and the Preacherman was dead on, they fit/work great on the Sparc. I din't know where this scope was made prior to ordering, although I prefer to buy USA products. Upon arrival, I noticed that the Sparc is made in China as evidenced by the markings on the box and a clear sticker at the bottom of the Sparc. I would have been happier if it was manufactured in the US but its not a deal breaker for me. Will post a report and photos after getting it sighted in. Thanks for the great review Preacherman
|
BCM uppers turn all projectiles into magical laser guided angels of death and destruction. --87GN
|
Originally Posted By scrampop:
Hello, I am putting together a Saiga 12 build and was wondering if this sight would hold up on this? i would guesstimate so, get & try it, if it bust Vortex will send you a new one, then you sell it and you're not out anything... plus you'll be the famous guy on the internet who broke the SPARC 
|
BCM uppers turn all projectiles into magical laser guided angels of death and destruction. --87GN
|
Just a quick update. I have my SPARC mounted on my AK's el cheapo UTG handguard/gastube rail. Only one trip to the range so far, but so far my conclusion is: the SPARC good to go. Performance has been outstanding. I did try to give it a warm-up with 2 mags of rapid fire. It didn't really get all that hot though.
For those like myself who cannot rationalize an aimpoint micro, but want something good quality, this is a great compromise. I 've watched Vortex with interest for quite a while, but this is my first purchase. I suspect it will not be my last. edit to add low quality cellphone pic: 
|