LPVO scopes - Vortex v. Primary Arms

which ones? the ~$300 1-6's, or the higher end products?

I have no experience with the higher end scopes, but I've spent a decent amount of time comparing the $300 1-6x strike eagle and the primary arms 1-6x. I felt the primary arms had ever so slightly better glass, and the vortex had a smoother throw lever. My cousin agreed. I hated the original strike eagle reticle. The newer one is better. We both bought the primary arms instead. Then I replaced my primary arms with a burris rt-6, which I felt offered better edge clarity and resolution. Just a little better glass overall.

I'm actually about the sell the burris because I got a thermal. No more flashlight and illuminated scope for me!!

I haven't liked Vortex LPVO's at lower pricing than the uber popular Razor $$$$ line. Oddly, my 1-8 Strike Eagle works fine at lower mag. But it's reticle is in the 2nd plane and too fat. Only get LPVO's with a first focal plain reticle if it has any ranging lines.

My Trijicon Credo 1-8 in a Larue Mount is a nicer combo. Around $1500 IIRC.

I believe as of 2021, Primary Arms now offers a lifetime warranty on all optics as well.

Primary Arms 1x6x24 FFP for the win in my opinion. They have a lifetime warranty, repair or replace. CS at Primary is very good as well. I busted one of my flip up covers and they sent me a new set no charge.

I have zero experiences with Vortex optics so can't comment. I can say that Primary Arms has always had excellent customer service and will take care of you quickly. I had one of their 4-14 MIL-DOT scopes that the reticle rotated on me and they replaced it no questions asked.

Here is my experience with PA and Swampfox LPVO scopes. Both are really close as far as functionality and clarity of glass. The Swampfox gets the edge due to the reticle being a little bigger and easier to see/use.

BigBL87 said:

I believe as of 2021, Primary Arms now offers a lifetime warranty on all optics as well.

Click to expand...

That is correct.

The Vortex Vipers and Razors are not made in China. I have both, in various forms, and think very well of both. Not to try to sound like a jerk, but I have avoided the PA line (as well as the lower-cost Vortex products) specifically because of their country of origin.

My Swampfox Tomahawk blows away my buddies Vortex Strike Eagle. The image is much sharper and brighter and colors are better. The illumination is also way brighter on the Swampfox and turret clicks are more tactile & audible. You can probably find the Swampfox for a bit less money too. I did a lot of research before buying and in direct comparison videos the Swampfox beats out the Primary Arms SLx line
Swampfox has a lifetime warranty

Don't care for the PA if other option is Vortex. Just had my Geissele AR with Vortex Viper PST LPVO out today actually. Love it. Do it now!!

Jonesy814 said:

My Swampfox Tomahawk blows away my buddies Vortex Strike Eagle. The image is much sharper and brighter and colors are better. The illumination is also way brighter on the Swampfox and turret clicks are more tactile & audible. You can probably find the Swampfox for a bit less money too. I did a lot of research before buying and in direct comparison videos the Swampfox beats out the Primary Arms SLx line
Swampfox has a lifetime warranty

Click to expand...

How's the glass? I just returned a Swampfox Trihawk because I didn't care for the glass

Primary Arms definitely has the advantage as far as reticles go, especially in LPVOs. I have a wide variety of their scopes and for some tasks I prefer a lower tier scope/reticle to one of their higher tier ones. I like the Vortex scopes I have, and their customer service is fabulous, but I think PA puts more thought into their designs.
I don't have any of the platinum level PA scopes (though I would really like one: hint, hint, Marshall. I'm one of your biggest customers.) but if I had the $$$ I would not hesitate to get one.

Pew-Pew said:

How's the glass? I just returned a Swampfox Trihawk because I didn't care for the glass

Click to expand...

Like I said, Its better than the Vortex

I would put the swamp fox over a strike eagle and the pst viper over the swamp fox.

I find my 1-10 swamp fox has a tighter eyebox than a pst with lower quality glass.

Depends on what price range you're looking at. The cheaper ($400 and under) vortex or primary arms didn't impress me at all, if that's the price range you're looking at, check out the Burris RT-6. Now if you're looking at the vortex pst gen 2 1-6 or the more expensive primary arms 1-6, then pick the reticle you like the most. I do really like my PST Gen 2 1-6, simple reticle, and the illumination is nuclear bright.

What's the budget? I'm a big fan of Vortex optics, but don't mess with anything below the PST line. The Gen II 1-6X PST is a killer deal. It's a very nice scope for it's price point. I just picked one up brand new for $500. That's a steel for what you get. The only downside is the weight and the scope is physically big. If you can spend up to around $650, and would rather chase good glass than magnification, the little Steiner 1-4X is really nice. Most times, I'll grab the Steiner rig before the PST, unless I need that little extra magnification. The Steiner P4xi looks small compared to the PST and a decent bit lighter.

For the $300 range, $299 to be exact the Leupold 1.5-4x20 is good. Very light, glass is typical VX-Freedom glass.
I just got one and was sure I was getting a Vortex, but these looked better to me.

-Jeff

I have found that when you get to the 1-8 and above then the eye box does get tighter no matter which brand of scope it is. That is just par for the course. I have Swampfox 1-4 and a 1-8 scopes and there is a difference between the eye box/eye relief on both especially once you get over 6X on magnification.

Not to get off on a tangent here, but have you considered the Burris RT-6? Nice little scope. Good eye box, made in the Philippines and good warranty. Also pretty light. The mount it comes with makes it a pig though.