vortex sparc on AR

Got one. Like it a lot. Much better than the cheap sub-$100 red dots I've used. Much closer to the high end red dots, but at around $200

Even still it's hard to pass up an Aimpoint Micro T1 or H1 in a Larue Tall mount. Way more expensive, but super durable with no mouting woes or issues.

Not ever having to worry about your optic or mount is worth quite a bit to me. Nothing makes me pull my hair out more than a wandering zero.

I have a Sparc on one of my AR's - great little optic for the $$, 3-4000 trouble free rounds now. Make sure you get it mounted nice and securely and that the battery cap is tight and you'll have no problems - the zero doesn't wander on these.

I tossed the magnifier in a box somewhere, don't even remember where I put it. Of course I have other AR's set up with scopes if I want more precision.

The mount is solid and has two other shims with different length screws. You can get it to co-witness w/o a problem. The parallax inside of 50 yards can be problematic for it is not an EOTEC or Aimpoint. But the last EOTEC cost me a little over $400. The magnifier on the Sparc works but you will probably not use it due to restricted vision of the smaller aperture.

Red Dots are effective inside 100 or even (for some) 150 yards. Think about what you want to use the optic for. If you are shooting at pigs (which I do) at less than 150 yards (usually around 50 to 75) then a red dot is great. If you are shooting squirrels for meat then a scope works much better.

Now there will be those who say they can shoot the eye out of a gopher at 200 yards with their red dot. I can't.

http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=608749&highlight=cheap+red+dots

The above thread has info on the Sparc and others.

http://youtu.be/16ZB4itTusM youtube review on the Sparc

The lens cap covers are connected together by glorified oversize hard rubber straps that broke the first day. I removed the straps by cutting and now the soft rubber caps work and seem to stay on. You would think a better lens cap would have been supplied or made available.

The Sparc mount is not a quick disconnect and I would recommend using blue loctite on the mounting screws when you install if you are going to work the weapon. The screws for the shims and mount already come pre loctited....nice touch.... Have not had a problem with the Strikefire or the Sparc but have only had my Sparc for approx 500 rounds; it is mounted on a CMMG .22 at present. I would not hesitate to place it on an AR-15 5.56x45 as it's sister Strikefire has sat on one for the last year with no problem.

Take it from someone that wasted a bunch of money on cheap red dot sights. By an Aimpoint or an Eotech and save yourself the headaches.

Take it from someone that wasted a bunch of money on cheap red dot sights. By an Aimpoint or an Eotech and save yourself the headaches.

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Let me think; I have several weapons that do not require a five to $600 Red Dot. I have red dots that work just fine for the weapon they are mounted on and all cost less than $200 and some less than $100. Would I put my Aimpoint/EOTEC on a GSG-5; don't think so! If I only had one or two weapons then sure I would mount the Aimpoint and EOTEC and be done with it. I do not like swapping optics from weapon to weapon due to ammo in different weapons and different shooting requirements of that particular weapon. Think there are more less expensive red dots out there where their owners are satisfied with there function and mission requirements. Again it all depends on what you plan on doing with one.

he parallax inside of 50 yards can be problematic

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I found the parallax on mine at 50 yards was awful so I sent it back, they said it was "fine" so I had them send me a Strikefire red/green dot instead, I lost a few bucks, but at least I got a sight that worked for me. I sight in at 50 yard and mostly shoot steel plates at 80-100 yards.

fallout,

My experience with Vortex products has been mixed, but their customer service is good, for what that's worth.

I know lots of guys shooting the Vortex and those from Primary Arms and they are all pleased with them. Most of them got the red dots to shoot two and three gun matches with, so it's not like they are mounted on safe queens. Of course, you do get peace of mind when you spend the money and get an Aimpoint. Mount it, turn it on and forget it. Getting around water or mud was never a worry either.

I can honestly say that over the course of the last 25 years or so, I've never broken an Aimpoint.

Of course, if you can't afford or can't justify the expense of an Aimpoint, go with a product from a company that will stand behind it and Vortex is one of those companies. You could also do a lot worse than dealing with the guys over at Primary Arms.

Don't know about the SPARC but I've been very pleased with the Strikefire on my 10/22. The magnifier was a joke but other than that, it has been a very good optic.

When I researched these I determined the Vortex Sparc was the best quality for the money for my interests. Now, my eyes see the dot as a fuzzy star anyway so it was a bit of a novelty in some respects. The mounts are solid, literally, blocks. Mine is set up as co-witness. Whatsnottalike? They come with a little screw-on 2x magnifier -- at distances that is nice too. I added an accessory KillFlash to the objective. No complaints!

i purchased the sparc reddot for my ar15, this is a very solid reddot for the price, you cant go wrong with this one. i have mounted the sparc on my vz58/fal/rpk/m1carbine, just to see how it holds up, so far so good.
as for accuracy coming from the sparc w/magnifier, dont know why some says its useless


below is shot at 100yards, but my first shot was too high on top target, originally sighted in for 50y, had to adj. my poa, and this is with the magnfier
target below is also 10 shots, the 2moa dot i centered on black

From what I have been reading, if you cant afford or dont want an aimpoint or eotech, the SPARC is the best thing out there. (Alot of people like Primary Arms Red dot also)

Im in the market for a red dot and im very tempted by the SPARC, but il probably end up with an Aimpoint H-1.

There are a few youtube torture test videos for the SPARC that are fun to watch

from what i've read online, the SPARC is a nice red dot for range use.

if i were you though, i'd just use the iron sights until i saved up enough for an aimpoint mini.

Same here Mike.

then why even get the sparc?

just get one of the $100 primary arms mini-red dots.

Mike, most guys on this board want to help when someone asks a question. More often than not, they will volunteer information as a point of reference or comparison, or simply for purposes of discussion.

If your response is typical of what the guys here can expect from you when they try to help, maybe the next time you ask a question, you won't get any answers.

your logic is totally flawed, and i was only trying to help, no reason to get all hissy.

let's take a step back, and look at this rationally.

1) i suggest that instead of buying a cheap chinese replica of a swiss red dot, that you instead save for the real thing.

2) you tell me that regardless of cost you can't justify spending that much on an optic. ETA: i deduced that since the cost of the aimpoint can't be justified that you're not worried about it surviving abuse in harsh situations. based on that, there is NO reason to choose the sparc over the PA. unless you'll feel better about telling bubba at the range that you paid $200 instead of $80. they're both made in china and they're both good enough for the range or hunting.

3) i suggest that if you're not worried about something being bomb proof, that you instead get the less expensive knockoff of said swiss red dot and you get all sassy.

lesson learned: you can't win with some people.

the PA mini dot is probably sourced from the same place the vortex is, that's just speculation as they are both nearly identical. both PA and vortex offer great customer service BUT one is $120 less. if it makes you feel all warm inside to pay more for the same optic i'm not going to stop you. good luck