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[ARCHIVED THREAD] - Vortex StrikeFire red dot (Page 1 of 2)
Posted: 6/4/2008 9:31:39 AM EDT
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Saw this the other day http://www.vortexoptics.com/riflescopes/view/vortex-strikefire-red-dot-riflescope-with-ar15-mount Seems like its pretty decent, what's the major difference between something like this and an aimpoint, functionally? I like how it has a 2x attachment that goes on it... only thing I didn't like was that the dot was 2MOA. What other sights are there like this that are cheaper than an Aimpoint or EOTech? A magnifier would be nice too, I haven't seen them around other than this one. EDIT: I found a few other threads on this sight. |
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Seems it's "waterproof" but nowhere in their documentation could I find out to "what depth"...... Parallex free past 50 yards so the Aimpoint beats it by 20 yards..... No mention there whatsoever of how long the batt life is..... (that I could find) YMMV, but I suspect my old Aimpoints will still be going decades after this faux POS has bit the dust (and that's not counting the 8 years and 6 years of use, respectively my 2 Aimpoints have already seen). mike |
Noticed that fact too....... and while a "life-time" guarantee meant something to many of us growing up, I place less value in that fact nowdays; as it seems the Companies making these "life-time" guarantees are not around 6 months to a year down the road. Or when they are still around they have re-organized into a new company and are no longer required to honor their original product guarantees..... Welcome to the new world where quality and pride in workmanship is quite a rare commodity......  my 2 cents on this subject, mike |
It's not gonna be an Aimpoint or trijicon in terms of durability, but that doesnt mean it's gonna be a POS. I'd wait until it comes out and gets some reviews. Battery life is 2 to 4 monthes depending left on depending on brightness setting.( on their page) |
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If any of you would like to know more about our company you can read it right in our industry forum here. My family has been in the optics business for over 20 years. I think it is a rare thing to find a family owned and operated optics company in the USA now days. I can't think of too many others. Certainly none that are willing to put their names and faces online for all to see. That is enough in itself to make sure that we exceed customer expectations. Also, considering that we are a site sponsor we are not planning on going anywhere and it is in our best interest to make sure people are happy with our products. I know that we haven't been a site sponsor on this particular website for very long, but if you search around the web I think you will find that our customer service speaks for itself. You can try www.archerytalk.com for starters. If you would like to know anything else, just stop by our industry forum and I'll be glad to answer any questions that you have! 
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I own an Aimpoint, but I'm still sick of hearing how everything else is a POS. You know... I can remember when people made fun of Aimpoint in the beginning too. They would say that batteries had no place on a serious optic. They also doubted it's durability and longevity. Well, we all know how that turned out. I admire Vortex for not only offering a decent alternative at a good price, but also for being very present on this board. I think most companies nowadays would be very scarce until they found out how well it actually worked. Vortex's confidence and commitment to their product is very reassuring to me. And for $129, I seriously doubt you can go wrong. I already have one on order. |
That was quite a rant. I see where you are coming from, but Vortex has been around a while. If you check them out in the industry forum, you will see they are an American based, family company that contracts with Asian companies to manufacture some of their stuff. Aside from being a site sponser, they are very quick to answer questions and don't pretend for a second that they are marketing anything on the same tier of Aimpoint. I think the Strikefire looks very promising. The company that produces it seems to be stand up. I will be picking one up when they are released. It won't see any time in Afghanistanland or Iraq, but I'm betting that it's gonna fit the bill nicely for the range. Oh, and the battery life is comparable to an EOtech 512. From Vortex Optics Vortex StrikeFire Red Dot Riflescope With Extra-High Mounting Ring (Suitable for AR15) When the situation demands fast shooting... And a big scope with a narrow field of view won't cut it,the StikeFire red dot riflescope lets you shoot with both eyes open! With unlimited field of view and eye relief – nothing gets you on target faster than this tough, shockproof and waterproof compact little red dot scope. * Red or Green light option lets you switch colors, and adjust the dot intensity (diameter of 2 MOA), according to the surroundings and viewing conditions. * Unlimited eye relief allows for quick target acquisition. * Parallax free past 50 yards. * Optical 2x doubler provides for more detailed viewing. Solid performance in tough terrain. The rugged StrikeFire red dot is a perfect match with the popular flat-top AR15 rifles and is also compatible with night vision optics. * Waterproof and fog proof with nitrogen purging for reliable work in harsh weather. * Shockproof with rugged one-piece 30mm aluminum alloy tube. * High recoil caliber rating – tested with .375 H&H Magnum for 1000 rounds. State of the art circuitry enhances the life of the CR2 battery: * 3000 hours for 125 days on lowest setting. * 2000 hours for 83 days on highest setting. Download the StrikeFire riflescope manual. Included with the Vortex StrikeFire Red Dot Riflescope: * Extra-high mounting ring for the Flat-Top AR * Flip-up lens caps * Doubler * CR2 battery * Vortex Limited Lifetime Warranty |
| I too am sick of hearing about how everything except an aimpoint is junk. Sure their good sights, I've had them come apart. I'm gonna give this sight a shot - I'm holding out for one and expect them to be a great sight. I had some tasco pdp 2's and 3's and even a 4 that were exceptional values and were great sights. I cant wait to try this one out - sign me up! All i can say about this company is i'm very excited to deal with them. they have been very quick to answer any of my questions. I have a good feeling about them and i bet their customer service is going to be top notch! |
Yes, this will certainly work with a magnifier. In fact, it comes with a 2x magnifier already. If you want more magnification you can also use any of the other magnifiers out on the market as well. |
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This scope looks bad ass. I'm looking forward to it. I think 2x magnification will take accuracy pretty far, past 100 yards you guys think? I'd like to test this at a discounted price or something, I'll probably wait until a few reviews come out and see if I want to spend the cash on it. If it's a quality scope, it can bridge the market gap between the $50 piece of shit and the $400 Aimpoint/EOTech If the dot size is 2 MOA that means theoretically the closest groups you can get at 100 yds are 2" right? |
That depends as much on the shooter, rifle, and ammo as it does the sight. If you are zeroed for 100 yards then the poi should be in the middle of that 2moa circle so if you hold the dot in the same exact place every time then you should hit the same exact place every time. The 2moa dot just means that the dot covers 2" at 100 yds, it does not mean that the rounds will go anywhere in that 2", its not a shotgun. As for the Strikefire, I have one on order, just waiting for its release so it can show up on my doorstep. Under $150, with a 2x magnifier, from an American company that will stand behind thier product, hell yes I'm going to give it a shot. |
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Dang, I might want one of these. It could at least be a trial type thing to see if I really want a super duper tactical aimpoint. I just shoot irons mostly right now. What does that mean it "already comes with a 2X magnifier"? Is it built in? I'll have to look at the site. ETA: these are not shipping currently? What's the low down on these? It comes with a mount????? |
Here's a link to Strikefire info in the Vortex forum of the industry section. www.ar15.com/forums/topic.html?b=2&f=277&t=159580 It comes with a mount, and a 2x magnifier that attaches to the rear of the sight and is removeable. Hit the link and read up, bet you end up ordering one. Set for release mid july last I heard. |
I am lucky enough to live fairly close by Vortex...been doing business with their family for years and didnt even know it....(Family of Birders....we watch them...we feed them...we protect them...and some of them we even shoot and eat) These folks are a great American Family Business...and I mean that in the "Old Fashioned" sense of American and Family Business... BTW when you get into the "University" end of "Birders" they are real snobs about their Optics...imo.. And Vortex binos are top rated....and not just at their price point either....but for their glass and their ruggedness. I hope they also put out a line of fixed scopes....a nice 8X42 would be very much appreciated...(probably not a great call for them so I won't hold my breath) If their "StrikeFire" is as good as their high end scopes and binos...they are going to be a formidable force to come.. I can remember back when the very first ACOG came out..and its initial reception...and I remember the first Aimpoint that came out and its reception..... "If God Wanted Us To Have Red Dots...He Would Have Stuck LEDs On Our Eyeballs and Fiber Optics Running Down the Length of Our Noses" 
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I was seriously considering one of the aimpoints from kiser's (great deal) but i'm gonna hold out for one of these. Call me crazy but I have a good feeling about these guys! I personally like the 2 moa dots - if you need it bigger you can just crank up the power and they usually "bloom" and appear bigger I hope they hit the market soon (and I wish there was a AA/AAA version...Hint hint) |
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It looks like MidwayUSA will have 2 versions - one with a 'high' ring and one with a 'low' ring. I've got a RRA Elite CAR A4 which has the 'detachable carry handle' option. Like This I talked to someone at RRA when I bought the rifle and was told that the detachable carry handle is made for use with an Aimpoint. So I am guessing that I'll need the low ring so that is sits like this picture |
Yes, that is correct. You'll want to order the low ring version, which is marketed as the "hunting" version, but the only difference from the "AR-15" version is the ring. |
BUMP -- anxiously awaiting someone to get their hands on one to show the rest of us. BTW, impressed with your support on ARFCOM. |
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These optics do seem like a great product. They seem to bridge the "gap" price-wise, of the Tasco/Tru-glo cheaper sights, and the more expencive ones. These sights seem to have some good ideas going on. The green/red dot mode, push buttons like the EOTech. I'd like to try one out, and compare it to my Aimpoint ML3. 
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I agree. A much needed niche to fill. The magnifier is way cool too!!!! |
| One more consideration - if this StrikeFire turns out to be a robust piece, and if it begins to nibble away at Aimpoint / EOTech sales - not only will it reduce the market price of the AP, EO - but it will also devalue those units which are already in the hands of shooters. |
GOOD , competition is good for the consumer.
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What's the eye relief on the 2x magnifier? |
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I believe we're seeing the new gen of (hopefully) more reliable scopes from China. The Chinese can make things to any spec you want if you're willing to pay, but most people are looking for cheap stuff from there. As a result, they cost more than the cheap Chinese scopes that everyone loves to hate, but less than the American/Japanese/Euro scopes with brands that people have faith in. Mueller started this trend, Millett's picked it up, and now more scopes are coming from China that may be good. It'll take getting a good many real user reports on these before anyone will trust them as much as a Burris or Leupold, let alone the high end stuff. |
Because someone had to pay for all of the initial R&D that went into developing the original product. A lot of the new stuff coming out now in many cases is simply reverse engineered or slight variations on the original item...not much R&D involved. Also a lot of the new items are made in China or other locations with cheap labor. EO-Tech's are made in the USA and Aimpoint's are made in Sweden, both of which have higher labor costs. Simple economics... |
Your points are valid, however, it is not always the case that a good product is necessarily "fairly" priced. Sometimes "fairly" can be a pretty loose term. Because it's what they CAN charge is not necessarily fair. Some people in their stupidity, will help inflate prices. IE: people paying over sticker price when PT Cruisers came out. They're paying for emotion, not for R & D. I sincerely hope that the good optic manufactures are charging what is fair, and it probably is. But if you read my statement it did say "wonder" in it. Am I wrong for questioning? I don't think so, but YMMV. |
Didn't imply that you were wrong for questioning anything... A lot of people are willing to fork over the extra $$$ for name-brand optics like EO-Tech & Aimpoint for "Piece Of Mind"...I'm one of these folks. Thousands upon thousands of these sights are in use with the military at various points around the world...and have been proven in battle time and time again. FWIW- I run a EO-Tech 552 Rev. F on my AR, which I consider to be my main Home Defense/SHTF weapon. NEVER had a problem with it. But, I'm getting ready to put an optic on my AK...and I really don't want to spend $400+ for an optic that's going to go on a $600 "range toy" rifle. So I'm looking forward to the Vortex sights as much as a lot of folks here...they look like they'll be a "good bang for the buck". 
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Higher labor costs are not proof of higher quality just as low cost doesn't have to mean low quality. True, the high prices are reflective of R&D and Mil-Spec/ISO certifications. In today's CNC controlled manufacturing world, high labor cost and more skilled laborers does not equate higher end product quality. After the initial reverse engineering of an Aimpoint, it's up to the manufacturer to set Q/A and tolerance requirements. They can make Fakepoints as good as the real thing... don't kid yourself. I work for a major military supplier and 90% of the machines on our production floor have japanese names on them  . The machines make the parts, not laborers nowadays... the difference is Q/A. Much of our costs are driven up because both our methods and our suppliers methods need to meet quality standards set forth by contracts. Certifications cost money, but do not garuntee that uncertified units are any worse. As an engineer and to a point, it's all politics IMO. I can find half of our supplies on McMaster-Carr for 1/10th the cost and I'm confident they would meet Q/A... but they're not "certified/documented" It's very much like AR MPI Bolts... there's no garuntee an MPI bolt is better than a OEM bolt, only that it meets an inspection. The OEM bolt may be tougher... there's just no documentation. Manufactures figure they can make more profit selling "cheap" clones at low price for airsoft and non-certified end use versus selling "equal" clones half as expensive as the real thing but not certified. Low Q/A and lack of accepted certification is what drives cheap manufacture. Why make fewer perfect expensive units (that are uncertified in the end anyways) when you can make more money selling cheap units in bulk for non military application... the profit margin just isn't there versus selling bulk for cheap. It looks like Vortex is a company that may be using high end tolerances and Q/A, but manufacturing overseas to keep ultimate costs down a bit. That would explain nearly double the Fakepoint prices, but half the brand name products. TLDR: Cheaper doesn't have to equal worse quality. I think Vortex will prove this. |
Well said. |
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I hope these turn out as good as they look. I've wondered for a long while why there is virtually nothing out there to fill the gap between the $30 BSAs and the $400 Aimpoints. Having one or two high end optics is one thing, but trying to equip several weapons with $400 sights and $100 mounts gets old fast. If Aimpoint, Trijicon, and EOTech didn't have their sweet, sweet .gov contracts they would have come down in price long ago. |
I have a feeling that's part of it. That could just be the skeptic in us, but more than likely their making a very good profit. Even on the ones they sell directly to the military. Of course that latter part of that I could be totally all wet on. I have no clue what the miliatary actually pays for them. |
[ARCHIVED THREAD] - Vortex StrikeFire red dot (Page 1 of 2)
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