Need opinions on Vortex scope

[Rob01]

Some scopes hardly ever fail. Others fail at surprising rates. If I am on an expensive hunt I want a scope that will not fail. Also I shoot 1000 yard BR and if you lose 1 shot in any of the 10 matches your year is done. I would be willing to bet if you go to a 50 cal. Match you will see any Vortex scopes. I know now I don't see very many in 1000 yard BR. There has to be a reason for that. Matt

Vortex is a newer brand compared to others and it takes a while for people to learn about another option from what they have always used. Look at the Vortex Golden Eagles. They are slowly starting to pop up at F Class matches. The Razor II scopes have been the top scope in PRS matches the past 2 years and in PRS you are truing your knobs a lot more than 1000 yard BR. If they didn't track and have great glass and reticles then they wouldn't be used.
http://precisionrifleblog.com/2017/03/03/long-range-scopes-pros-use/

Vortex makes scopes from $199 to $2500. They all need to be addressed as individuals as you can't lump a whole company's line in on on or two models that some have an issue with. People who say "I had a Diamondback and I had a problem with so Vortex sucks" are just ignorant. You need to look at the specific optic and judge it for it's merits.

In the $1000 range now the new Gen II PST scopes are just starting to hit the market and they are a big improvement over the previous PSTs. Better knobs, glass and a true zero stop. The FFP 5-25x50 version is $1099. Once they hit the streets in larger numbers I am betting they will become one of the top optics in that price range.

 

[STOMP442]

For what it's worth I do a lot of load development for people and all these people are buyin these vortex scopes and to be totally honest if you ain't gonna get the approx. $1000 pst Or better DONT buy a vortex. Any more one of my buddies brings a new rifle with a vortex I take it off and do my work. Very recent my buddy brought me a 243 with a brand new hst on it. After a hundred rounds of fricken frustration I figured out the scope was junk. Maybe just my experience. Good luck.

This is my experience exactly as well. I do a lot of load work in my business and every single vortex I have ever used especially the HS or the PST series have failed and failed miserably at some point. None of them have ever lasted a year without issues and every one of them has been back to the shop at least once for some type of repair. Can't trust them and will never use them again. My disdain for them runs so deep that I actually turn work away because the client wants to use a Vortex scope and I refuse to have a sub par product make my hard work look bad.

 

[dkhunt14]

Vortex is a newer brand compared to others and it takes a while for people to learn about another option from what they have always used. Look at the Vortex Golden Eagles. They are slowly starting to pop up at F Class matches. The Razor II scopes have been the top scope in PRS matches the past 2 years and in PRS you are truing your knobs a lot more than 1000 yard BR. If they didn't track and have great glass and reticles then they wouldn't be used.
http://precisionrifleblog.com/2017/03/03/long-range-scopes-pros-use/

Vortex makes scopes from $199 to $2500. They all need to be addressed as individuals as you can't lump a whole company's line in on on or two models that some have an issue with. People who say "I had a Diamondback and I had a problem with so Vortex sucks" are just ignorant. You need to look at the specific optic and judge it for it's merits.

In the $1000 range now the new Gen II PST scopes are just starting to hit the market and they are a big improvement over the previous PSTs. Better knobs, glass and a true zero stop. The FFP 5-25x50 version is $1099. Once they hit the streets in larger numbers I am betting they will become one of the top optics in that price range.

In 1000 yard BR you need to shoot a lot smaller then in PRS. They must hold point of impact or you lose. Like I said if you lose 1 shot in 10 matches your year is over. Matt

 

[Jay Christopherson]

This is my experience exactly as well. I do a lot of load work in my business and every single vortex I have ever used especially the HS or the PST series have failed and failed miserably at some point. None of them have ever lasted a year without issues and every one of them has been back to the shop at least once for some type of repair. Can't trust them and will never use them again. My disdain for them runs so deep that I actually turn work away because the client wants to use a Vortex scope and I refuse to have a sub par product make my hard work look bad.

That's a pretty large brush to paint with. I can say with pretty good accuracy/experience that the Golden Eagle and the AMG HD are definitely NOT junk. I haven't experienced their more basic lines.

 

[johara1]

See where they are made, to separate the chaff from the wheat....... Jay is spot on........ jim

 

[STOMP442]

See where they are made, to separate the chaff from the wheat....... Jay is spot on........ jim

Thats funny, because I have used a number of Nikons, lots and lots of Leupolds and a handful of Nightforce stuff and none of them have ever needed to be sent back for any reason and have worked perfectly. That covers a pretty wide spectrum of value to mid grade to high end optics. If I am paying more than $500 for a piece of glass it better work. The fact that I have had so many problems with the viper line made me not even consider them when shopping for a high end optic. There is more than one wheat field to graze in.

 

[MS50]

RonS, I have a 6-24 HST on my 223. It's pretty good up to 20X. Beyond that the view starts to get hazy and dark, and I have trouble eliminating parallax. Shooting 200-600, it should work for you. I can't speak to it's durability, there's not much recoil with the 223. A box test checked out, and it returns to zero reliably. If you want to shoot at small targets beyond 600-700, it may not be what you want.

 

[TIMO]

No complaints for me with Vortex, I have a Vortex 6x24 HSLR (FFP), Over the last 4 years it has severed very well on my .338 Edge. Comparing it to my Nightforce it is not quite as clear on the higher magnifications, but it is half the cost. After dialing elevation or windage, it always returns to its proper place. I also have Leopold Mk VI, Sightron, Kahles, S&B, Burris, Weaver, and Tasco (Original 10X Sniper model- well over 10 years old). All have performed to my expectations for their intended application.

As with some things mass produced, look for a product made on Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday.

Tim

 

[Rob01]

In 1000 yard BR you need to shoot a lot smaller then in PRS. They must hold point of impact or you lose. Like I said if you lose 1 shot in 10 matches your year is over. Matt

I know and the new Golden Eagle will do just fine for that game. You're assuming it won;t hold POI and they will and do.

 

[Jay Christopherson]

Thats funny, because I have used a number of Nikons, lots and lots of Leupolds and a handful of Nightforce stuff and none of them have ever needed to be sent back for any reason and have worked perfectly. That covers a pretty wide spectrum of value to mid grade to high end optics. If I am paying more than $500 for a piece of glass it better work. The fact that I have had so many problems with the viper line made me not even consider them when shopping for a high end optic. There is more than one wheat field to graze in.

Thing is, I can say the same for more than one of those brands you mention, through personal experience. Luckily, like you say, there are lots of options.

 

[johara1]

Thats funny, because I have used a number of Nikons, lots and lots of Leupolds and a handful of Nightforce stuff and none of them have ever needed to be sent back for any reason and have worked perfectly. That covers a pretty wide spectrum of value to mid grade to high end optics. If I am paying more than $500 for a piece of glass it better work. The fact that I have had so many problems with the viper line made me not even consider them when shopping for a high end optic. There is more than one wheat field to graze in.

I sure sent a lot of NF scopes back at over 2000.00 a pop. a lot Leupold and March scopes. None are fault free believe me... jim

 

[Rob01]

Very true Jim. Have sent an S&B back as well as a few USOs and team mate has sent NF back. Stuff happens to mechanical items but it's how the company handles it that is important.

 

[swd]

Vortex makes scopes from $199 to $2500. They all need to be addressed as individuals as you can't lump a whole company's line in on on or two models that some have an issue with. People who say "I had a Diamondback and I had a problem with so Vortex sucks" are just ignorant. You need to look at the specific optic and judge it for it's merits.

This is probably VERY true avice and well stated.

Personally my problem with Vortex is I have looked through a enough of them in the $300-$1100 range that sucked bad enough that I'm hesitant to bother with them any more. When they send out a fair ammout of junk in their lower and mid lines it doesn't endear me to spend any time and money with their top of line product.

Am I being narrow minded or just using my previous time and expierence efficiently? Or maybe a bit of both..

 

[RonS]

Guys, I assume most of you who have commented shoot well beyond 600 yards and myself who has only been to the 600 yard line once, with a 223 & a T-36, know the value of good long range optics regardless as to who makes it. Five years ago I bought a NF with the hopes of going back to 600 but 200 has been the max for me. From all the comments I have been reading the Vortex Viper [which MidwayUSA has on sale at the moment] might serve my purpose for 200 yard plinking. I'd like to thank you all for your help. Ron

 

[Rob01]

This is probably VERY true avice and well stated.

Personally my problem with Vortex is I have looked through a enough of them in the $300-$1100 range that sucked bad enough that I'm hesitant to bother with them any more. When they send out a fair ammout of junk in their lower and mid lines it doesn't endear me to spend any time and money with their top of line product.

Am I being narrow minded or just using my previous time and expierence efficiently? Or maybe a bit of both..

If you looked through the Razor II or AMG scopes you would want one so don't unless you plan to spend some money LOL

 

[Erud]

Rob01,
Your website says that you are sponsored by Vortex, might be worth mentioning.

 

[dkhunt14]

Rob01,
Your website says that you are sponsored by Vortex, might be worth mentioning.

I sort of figured that. Matt

 

[swd]

If you looked through the Razor II or AMG scopes you would want one so don't unless you plan to spend some money LOL

I don't shoot PRS and my NF don't leave me wanting. But I suppose if I were sponsored I might have a few....

 

[Rob01]

Rob01,
Your website says that you are sponsored by Vortex, might be worth mentioning.

That's part of the reason why the site link is there. Not a secret. I couldn't put my usual sig line photo I use on other forums here so link is there.

 

[Rob01]

I sort of figured that. Matt

Doesn't make my experience with the scopes and company any less relevant but if you just want to disregard m,e then that is fine too as I have run across people like that for years as well. I make zero dollars on every scope sold so buy a Vortex or don't. Doesn't effect me. I am just here to help with questions and give real world experiences with the optics.