Own 3 different Vortex scopes….. never a problem . I really think 50% of scope problems are the mounts and not being meticulous when mounting them…. Torque wrench , proper adhesives , proper eye relief..
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Vortex Opinions
- Thread starter rickyk280
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Vortex and Leupold are two brands I'll never own another of.
What do you own?
Mostly Nightforce (NXS on hunting rifles, ATACR on range rifles), Tangent Theta or Zeiss V4's.
I will agree seen all them shot here at the range.
People tend to skimp on mounts often. And I would agree, they do lead to failures. But once you look thru several high end scopes you'll quickly realize how much better they are. The diamondback scope is terrible. Eye relief is terrible as well as the clarity. The diamondback hp is a much better version. I would never consider the crossfire. I've looked thru a few and they're on par with a Simmons. The viper line has good glass and clarity. The razor hd lht was a dang fine scope. I really liked the crosshairs. Glass was good. Eye relief was good. The biggest issue is the amount of failures out there. Sure the warranty is good, but so is any other reputable manufactures warranty. A warranty does you no good when you're in the middle of hunting season with a broke scope. For what a razor costs, there's much better options out there. Trijicon, maven, nightforce can all be had for $1200ish. You can get a trijicon under $500 if you shop around. SWFA seems to be making scopes again, but I doubt they stay in stock
I have a 6.5 X 20 X 44 Vortex Viper on my AR-10, and I have a Leupold 6.5-20x40 VX-III LR on a 700 VLS 308, and VX-2, 3-9X40 on a Winchester Model 70 Super Grade in .243.
I would like to replace the Vortex because it is more work to get a clear sight picture than with the Leupold. In fairness, the Leupold 6.5 X 20 cost twice what the Viper cost. I can't comment on accuracy because I'm sure that limitation is me, not the firearms or scopes. I can't fire a group you can cover with an eraser, and I don't shoot out of a sled or other mount. I am generally sitting at a bench shooting off a bag, or standing freehand. I don't hunt anymore, but if I did I would not take the Vortex hunting, its just too slow. Now..that could be me, but I don't have that problem with the Leupold.
That's where I am as well. Was a huge leupold fan for a long time but man it's a shame to see what they have become.
Heck I get a big discount on leupold through work and even then I don't mess with them anymore
Long story short, they started pushing more to shareholder $ and bottom line vs continuing to innovate and put the best product and materials in their lines. Decided to just live off the name alone which works great for sales. The sheer amount of guys that go and shoot 3 rounds a year and expect to "sight it in" each fall outweighs the guys that shoot a ton and depend on their optic to hold zero and take abuse. Cater to the common fella and sales stay high and cost can be cut. Use the warrenty to make people feel safe and trusting of the brand and you make shareholders happy.
Tons of threads out there of guys having major issues with most of their line holding zeros just with the gun riding in the back of their car
Then you have company's that are smaller and less "name brand" that really kept pushing the invocation and features of scopes but because their name is not leupold, vortex, or Nikon to some degree most hunters won't or don't risk moving to something unknown to them.
The sheer amount of "I've always had leupold and it's been fine so that's just what I'll always use" is a great example. Leupold of 15 years ago isn't the same product they produce today.
Having said that they still make a nice scope and if you have issues just send it back. But for me when it comes to technology like scopes I try not to be brand loyal, I'd rather get the best product I can with within the price point I can afford and in most cases leupold and vortex you end up paying more for the name then the quality and features you are getting.
Thanks REN
I will assure you we are more than 3 round a year guys, I have a 300-yard range behind my shop and 500 yards on the other part of the farm, plus a friend that is finishing up a 1000-yard range yes, we enjoy shooting a lot. Would you say Leupolds Glass is worse now than 15 years ago or their other components or both ? I am old but never too old to learn. There is a friend here now with a new Christmas scope made by Gunwerks I believe it's a Revic this will be my first to look thru. A very good day to be shooting in my area.
This scope??
Revic Radikl RS25b Rifle Scope 4-25x50 with ballistics
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www.gunwerks.com
Worse, no. Glass technology and process has advanced a lot in 15 years so just by nature it's better today same with components.
A better way to put it is 20 years ago a vx3 was a very very quality scope for the price point. Today however that's not the case and quality wise you are now paying vx3 prices for the equivalent of a vx1 back then.
Price point wise for another example is the current vx3 hd vs something like a Zeiss v4 or a tract toric isn't even comparable imo but price wise they are. The vx5 hd is even higher price vs the same price point you are sacrificing a lot just to say you have a leupold.
I have a couple 20-year-old VX3 that has and still do serve me well. Revic Acura RS25i - 5-25x50 IlluminatedThis scope??
Revic Radikl RS25b Rifle Scope 4-25x50 with ballistics
This product is temporarily out of stock due to high demand. Sign up for notifications below to be the first to know when it’s available!
Leupold has great glass and the eye box on the vx5 is amazing. Possibly the best I've ever looked thru. I've owned 3. Most people will never know a shift in zero. If you shoot as you say you'd see it. If people have to turn turrets year after year, they have a scope problem. Most people just wanna argue about it tho.
Agin not dumping on leupold (better then vortex to me). They still make a good scope for sure especially once you get to the vx5 and 6 models.
And I should have said earlier is that everyone's eyes and what they see is different. Some LOVE Zeiss scopes and some people don't because of how their eyes adjust to it. No different then binos
seeing a shift or noticing one isn't really the point as much as NOT knowing and trying to shoot at an animal which is what 90% here will do. The odds it happens is low but it seems to be happening a lot lately (especially in the vx3HD model)
Granted few people get online to praise scopes or brands so the unhappy people (which are in the minority) are the loudest.
IF it's my hard earned money and maybe the only scope I'm gonna buy for the next 10 years, all I'm saying is I would 1000% shop around and compare them for what I'm getting for the money vs just saying "well brand X has been around a long while I'll just go with them". If leupold ends up being that one you really love then fantastic.
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One thing rarely mentioned or discussed is Reticle options. If you are a standard Plex guy then it doesnt matter a much as most hunting scopes offer that.
However there are some scopes that I just cant buy solely due to reticle options, but what one man likes others may hate so its very subjective. Like I absolutely LOVE the Burris E3 reticle but man most of the Trij and even Zeiss I just dont like them at all which kind eliminates them for me. Riton is another one that is a great scope but man I hate their reticle options.
in addition to reticle if the company actually has a ballistics calculator with their reticles that also is a big bonus. Takes all the math and guessing out, just plug in your info in the app and it will show you exactly what each mark yardage represents.
However there are some scopes that I just cant buy solely due to reticle options, but what one man likes others may hate so its very subjective. Like I absolutely LOVE the Burris E3 reticle but man most of the Trij and even Zeiss I just dont like them at all which kind eliminates them for me. Riton is another one that is a great scope but man I hate their reticle options.
in addition to reticle if the company actually has a ballistics calculator with their reticles that also is a big bonus. Takes all the math and guessing out, just plug in your info in the app and it will show you exactly what each mark yardage represents.
I have not personally. So far I dont know anyone close to me that has one to check it out. Maven makes good stuff though, I have looked online at them and the SHR-W reticle might be one I have to see first hand.
