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Posted: 12/3/2015 8:10:12 AM EDT
So recently with all the news flying around about the EOTech thermal drift problem I decided to ditch my EXPS3-0. I was planning on buying an AimPoint T2 until I came across some new pictures of CAG. I'll only post the photo from the set that I am referencing, but PM me if you want to see the others.
Clearly the operator on the left is using a Vortex HD II 1-6 on his 10.5" HK416. Since I found that picture I've been trying to do as much research about the optic as I could. Most people seem to love it for its wonderful glass and great field of view. I've only read about people using it on 14.5"+ guns though. Now for the actual question. Has anyone here used this optic, and more importantly; used it on a 10.5"-12.5" gun? |
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It is a fantastic variable optic. The FOV, clarity, durability, Vortex's warranty, etc. Only downside is the weight from it being a tank. But is that really a downside?
I have ran it on my SBR and my 14.5". It felt at home just as much on the 11.5" as it did on the 14.5". Only other optics that rival this are IMO the kahles, the CQBSS, and the new US optics 1-8. |
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Quoted: I've seen people use it on SBR's before, but remember you're going to add about 1.5 pounds to your rig. Handled one in a shop a few weeks ago. It's built like a tank, perhaps slightly overbuilt for my needs. My next build will wear a variable, but weight is a key factor in picking ban optic these days. It adds up quickly. |
for reasons stated in 2nd post by HunterKiller
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Quoted:
I've seen people use it on SBR's before, but remember you're going to add about 1.5 pounds to your rig. If 1.5 lbs is a deal breaker for then put it down and pick up your purse. The vortex gen II is a great optic and versatile enough to go on any rifle. The weight is not an issue as it is not that much heavier than comparable optics. |
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I think it depends on the person and the platform. If your wanting a light weight AR then your probably not gonna go with it. If weights not a concern then you'll use it and enjoy the benefits that it has to offer.
I have a 12.5" 6.5 Grendel that I need to get a optic for, it's on my list. |
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It's an excellent optic, and I'm a fan of magnification on rifles, to include SBRs. If you're not concerned with the weight, as you said, it's probably the best choice you can make. Especially when you consider that it's significantly less expensive than other optics in the same class.
Vortex has a great warranty, as well. Quoted:
If 1.5 lbs is a deal breaker for then put it down and pick up your purse. The vortex gen II is a great optic and versatile enough to go on any rifle. The weight is not an issue as it is not that much heavier than comparable optics. Quoted:
Quoted:
I've seen people use it on SBR's before, but remember you're going to add about 1.5 pounds to your rig. If 1.5 lbs is a deal breaker for then put it down and pick up your purse. The vortex gen II is a great optic and versatile enough to go on any rifle. The weight is not an issue as it is not that much heavier than comparable optics. If you've not got enough experience shooting to know that adding a pound and a half to a gun has a great effect on handling, you shouldn't be in a technical forum giving advice. Particularly, you shouldn't be here insulting people. |
| I've used it on a 10.5" SBR temporarily...mainly to load test. The scope is awesome and it's mainly used on my 3-Gun rifle. I have one with the JM-1 reticle and the manual states that the bullet needs to be traveling 2700-3000 fps for the lines to closely match the trajectory of the bullet. So if you are fine with remebering where the bullet and reticle line up at different distances, then try it. |
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Fact: you can get it to match your loading a bit better by playing with the magnification level and strelok. Since its a fixed BDC on the second focal plane, you can often get loads to match the BDC better by using STRELOK to check the load vs the magnification.
If it matches your load at say 5.5x, then take off the cattail and position it so it bottoms out on the side of the mount at 5.5x. This effectively locks out 6x and lets you use the BDC with more loads. Find a match, and if necessary lock it to that magnification. |
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Quoted:
Fact: you can get it to match your loading a bit better by playing with the magnification level and strelok. Since its a fixed BDC on the second focal plane, you can often get loads to match the BDC better by using STRELOK to check the load vs the magnification. If it matches your load at say 5.5x, then take off the cattail and position it so it bottoms out on the side of the mount at 5.5x. This effectively locks out 6x and lets you use the BDC with more loads. Find a match, and if necessary lock it to that magnification. Good idea.... I've never thought of that. |
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Quoted:
If 1.5 lbs is a deal breaker for then put it down and pick up your purse. The vortex gen II is a great optic and versatile enough to go on any rifle. The weight is not an issue as it is not that much heavier than comparable optics. Quoted:
Quoted:
I've seen people use it on SBR's before, but remember you're going to add about 1.5 pounds to your rig. If 1.5 lbs is a deal breaker for then put it down and pick up your purse. The vortex gen II is a great optic and versatile enough to go on any rifle. The weight is not an issue as it is not that much heavier than comparable optics. Adding weight to a rifle is always an issue... Particularly an SBR which, presumably, is meant to be light, fast and agile. |
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Quoted:
Adding weight to a rifle is always an issue... Particularly an SBR which, presumably, is meant to be light, fast and agile. Quoted:
Quoted:
Quoted:
I've seen people use it on SBR's before, but remember you're going to add about 1.5 pounds to your rig. If 1.5 lbs is a deal breaker for then put it down and pick up your purse. The vortex gen II is a great optic and versatile enough to go on any rifle. The weight is not an issue as it is not that much heavier than comparable optics. Adding weight to a rifle is always an issue... Particularly an SBR which, presumably, is meant to be light, fast and agile. What's the value of a short barrel if you still want magnification for engaging further out? Also a scope has a bigger mount which also adds more weight. LaRue LT104 for reference is ~7oz Optic for discussion ~25oz. Pretty much 2 pounds even right there. Fine for stationary, sucky to run with if you're a weakass like me 
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| I used a variable (1-4x Burris) on a 12.5" SBR for 3gun. Weight was not so much an issue, I think it took out some recoil running a heavy rig. Not sure how the Vortex 1-6 compares to their 1-4, but the Vortex 1-4 was not really daylight visible when the sun is out, the Burris TAc30 reticle was much easier to pickup. |
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Quoted:
Fact: you can get it to match your loading a bit better by playing with the magnification level and strelok. Since its a fixed BDC on the second focal plane, you can often get loads to match the BDC better by using STRELOK to check the load vs the magnification. If it matches your load at say 5.5x, then take off the cattail and position it so it bottoms out on the side of the mount at 5.5x. This effectively locks out 6x and lets you use the BDC with more loads. Find a match, and if necessary lock it to that magnification. I hadn't thought about that, either. That's a very good idea. |
| I have my razor in a vortex branded adm fixed mount, but I would recommend a lightweight fixed mount, it will negate some weight and make it more handier more like others in a quick release mount. Then you get the awesome glass that's a few ounces lighter. Get some magpul offsets with the money you save on the mount. Or just get a kahles. I don't notice the weight much, if you use a lighter rail the weight will be farther back. Its really worth the weight it's like a 4k big screen. |
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I had one on a lightweight 16" build and it wasn't bad at all. I sold it off because I wanted more magnification and I am regretting it every day since and plan on getting another one this coming summer.
The eye box on that thing is absolutely phenomenal! On 1x it reminded of an eotech with a single dot. |
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Had one briefly. Agreed eye box is great.
The reticle on 1x is aim point bright... but the battery life is short, and IIRC the reticle on 1x worthless without illumination. Quoted:
I had one on a lightweight 16" build and it wasn't bad at all. I sold it off because I wanted more magnification and I am regretting it every day since and plan on getting another one this coming summer. The eye box on that thing is absolutely phenomenal! On 1x it reminded of an eotech with a single dot. |
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Quoted:
Had one briefly. Agreed eye box is great. The reticle on 1x is aim point bright... but the battery life is short, and IIRC the reticle on 1x worthless without illumination. Quoted:
Had one briefly. Agreed eye box is great. The reticle on 1x is aim point bright... but the battery life is short, and IIRC the reticle on 1x worthless without illumination. Quoted:
I had one on a lightweight 16" build and it wasn't bad at all. I sold it off because I wanted more magnification and I am regretting it every day since and plan on getting another one this coming summer. The eye box on that thing is absolutely phenomenal! On 1x it reminded of an eotech with a single dot. How is it useless? You still have a reticle. I can see a RDS being completely useless without illumination, but not an etched reticle. |
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