Vortex Spitfire AR question

AR Sponsor:

Site Notices

[ARCHIVED THREAD] - Vortex Spitfire AR question

Posted: 11/8/2018 6:37:16 PM EDT

I just got a spitfire AR and something seems off. It definitely has negative magnification no matter how the focus is set. The negative maginification is significant and I can’t imagine it being usable.

Do I have a defective unit?

Posted: 11/9/2018 1:00:19 AM EDT

[#1]

Quoted:
I just got a spitfire AR and something seems off. It definitely has negative magnification no matter how the focus is set. The negative maginification is significant and I can’t imagine it being usable.

Do I have a defective unit?

View Quote

To be clear, by negative magnification, do you mean that objects viewed through the scope appear further away than when not viewed through the scope no matter how far to either extreme you adjust the diopter?

Are you adjusting the optic with both eyes open, passing the optic's view in front of your eyes as you adjust the diopter?

Posted: 11/9/2018 6:30:17 AM EDT

[#2]

Not to be a wise guy, but possibly turn it around ?

Posted: 11/9/2018 6:35:36 AM EDT

[#3]

Quote History

Quoted:
Not to be a wise guy, but possibly turn it around ?

View Quote

You cannot on install this model backwards.

Posted: 11/9/2018 6:40:03 AM EDT

[#4]

Post your issue in the Vortex forum - they have great support and will respond quickly

https://www.ar15.com/forums/Industry/Vortex-Optics/277/

Posted: 11/9/2018 10:47:55 AM EDT

[#5]

Quoted:
I just got a spitfire AR and something seems off. It definitely has negative magnification no matter how the focus is set. The negative maginification is significant and I can’t imagine it being usable.

Do I have a defective unit?

View Quote

You're not the only one. I bought a second gen Spitfire for my back up competition rifle and once its reticle was focused for my eyes, I could tell the 1x turned to -0.9x! The first gen unit didn't have that issue.

I don't believe it is defective, just bad glass. Haven't had time to pull it off my back up rifle to send it in.

Posted: 11/9/2018 11:57:11 AM EDT

[#6]

Quote History

Quoted:

You're not the only one. I bought a second gen Spitfire for my back up competition rifle and once its reticle was focused for my eyes, I could tell the 1x turned to -0.9x! The first gen unit didn't have that issue.

I don't believe it is defective, just bad glass. Haven't had time to pull it off my back up rifle to send it in.

View Quote

By second gen, do you mean the Spitfire AR versus the Spitfire 1x DRT NON-AR?

I have Spitfire 1x DRTs (4 actually, of the the NON-AR rotory illumination not pushbutton version, model 1301) and do not have this issue with any of them.

Or are there multiple generations of the Spitfire AR?

Posted: 11/9/2018 1:31:13 PM EDT

[#7]

Quote History

Quoted:

You're not the only one. I bought a second gen Spitfire for my back up competition rifle and once its reticle was focused for my eyes, I could tell the 1x turned to -0.9x! The first gen unit didn't have that issue.

I don't believe it is defective, just bad glass. Haven't had time to pull it off my back up rifle to send it in.

View Quote

Would be very interested to see this when you have the chance - it's pretty weird to have issues with that even after adjusting the diopter properly. Optically, the AR version is no different than the original Spitfire 1x - it mostly boils down to the mount, battery, form factor and turrets. We'll shoot you a DM - Jimmy H [email protected]

Posted: 11/9/2018 5:09:22 PM EDT

[#8]

Thanks for the message. I've replied. I would be interested to find out too because the old version (with 2-piece riser) was comparable to my Leupold Prismatic after the diopter was adjusted to my eye (-5.75), both presented 'flat' image without any pos/neg magnification. I needed one more 1x prism type for a different rifle, got the 1X-AR and it wasn't the same as the first unit (a few years older).

Posted: 11/9/2018 6:44:47 PM EDT

[#9]

I've noticed this with mine. It's not drastic, but it's definitely present.

Posted: 11/11/2018 4:49:10 PM EDT

[#10]

I may send it in and see what you all think.

I’ve let a few other people look through it and they all say the same thing.

Posted: 11/11/2018 11:38:08 PM EDT

[#11]

Mine too. Thing just seem smaller looking thru it.

Posted: 11/12/2018 10:33:45 AM EDT

[#12]

If anyone else is seeing the same phenomenon, please feel free to give us a call. There are a few very common troubleshooting bits worth going through before assuming there is something wrong with the optic and it's much easier to explain/diagnose over the phone since each person's situation may differ slightly. Most notably these are diopter adjustment and optic position on the rail for eye relief.

1-800-426-0048 Extension 5

Posted: 11/12/2018 12:29:45 PM EDT

[#13]

I suspect people are not adjusting the diopter AND shooting with both eyes open. Instead doing one or the other with only one eye open and wondering why things are looking wonky.

I just tried this theory this morning and can replicate the 'problem' on my Spitfire 1x DRTs.

Posted: 11/16/2018 11:07:55 PM EDT

[#14]

I just got my PA cyclops in and wow, it’s better. It seems like a true 1x and I’m not getting the weird distortion. I think I’m going to send my vortex back and see what’s wrong.

The reticle is also much much more simple and less cluttered.

[ARCHIVED THREAD] - Vortex Spitfire AR question

AR-15 » Optics, Mounts, and Sights

AR Sponsor:

Warning

Confirm Action

About AR15.COM

Stay Connected

Newsletter

Contact Us