Vortex Optics - Strikefire red dot

[Armueller2001]

Saw this the other day

http://www.vortexoptics.com/riflescopes/view/vortex-strikefire-red-dot-riflescope-with-ar15-mount

Seems like its pretty decent, what's the major difference between something like this and an aimpoint, functionally?

I like how it has a 2x attachment that goes on it... only thing I didn't like was that the dot was 2MOA.

What other sights are there like this that are cheaper than an Aimpoint or EOTech? A magnifier would be nice too, I haven't seen them around other than this one.

 

[strat81]

Battery life for sure - Aimpoint has that cornered. I'd guess Aimpoint would win in durability and water resistance too.

For similar sights, check out the Bushnell Trophy MP (looks like an ACOG, but is 1x), the Burris XTS-135, and the SPOT red dot.

 

[Don't Tread On Me]

The point here isn't extreme battery life, but rather who can produce a useable Aimpoint like clone for a low price with useful battery life.

Past dots had pathetic battery life. 30 to 40 hours. Terrible. If this thing has 2,000 hours on max setting, it is in the EOtech realm of battery life. Few people complain about EOtech's battery life. Not incredible like Aimpoint's 50K hours (and even 80K) but not worthless like other dots with 30-40 hours. That's a few range trips and the battery is gone. That's the biggest turn off of those other cheap dots, pardon the pun.

The big question here is ....how intense is the dot? If this thing doesn't wash out in bright noon daylight on the highest setting ...it will be immensely popular. I'll have to get one or two to outfit various range-toys. A lot of people want a dot with decent battery life that doesn't wash out, but have no need whatsoever for a $450 dot like the Aimpoint that can survive combat in Fallujah or Navy Seal scuba missions.

That's been the problem in the market. To get the decent battery life and no-wash out, you have to up to the military grade stuff. It's always been cheap washout battery consuming crap, or high end military approved dots. Just about nothing inbetween.

 

[ceetee]

The biggest drawback to the Strikefire is that it's not available yet!

Seriously - there are plenty of guys over on arfcom that would love to get their hands on one of these and see how much abuse it could take before it broke. That's the issue - most cheap optics are simply not durable enough. I'd love to see anyone really put one of these to the test before I lobby SWMBO for the cash to buy one.

 

[jamesb]

Here is the thread on it from AR15.com, looks like it will be a good low cost option to the Aimpoints. It is on track for a July release.

Here

 

[97guns]

so whos running these things, i just snagged one off ebay for $110. doesnt seem to be real popular here.

 

[nwilliams]

My local shop is supposed to get some of these in within the next week or so. I was considering picking one up for my Cx4.

My shop had a dealer sample a few months ago and I almost bought it at the time. It seems like a quality product I was very impressed with how solid it felt and the features is offers. I think for the price you could do a lot worse.

 

[iamkris]

I run a Strikefire on a "range queen" AR. The red dot does wash out on very bright days but if I switch over to the green dot I can see it.

I've discarded the 2X magnifier...seemed like a great idea but the field of view is very limited.

It has held zero very well. I bought for $140 and am happy. $110 is a good deal.

 

[Walkalong]

I bought one to try, and for the money it is a good optic. I don't care for the controls personally, but it has worked just fine. You get a lot for the money IMHO. No one can sell Aimpoint quality for what these cost, so don't expect it.

 

[JonB]

+1 so far so good. Good value for the money and for a range toy you can't go wrong. The only issue I have with it is that I tend to see 4-5 dots with my contacts in due to astigmatism. If I wear my glasses, then 1 dot. Not an issue with the product, but an issue with my eyes.

 

[EAJ]

The Vortex Strike Fire is often compared with the The Primary Arms Red Dot (M4) in the AR15forums. You can see a photo of it mounted on my M&P15-22 here.

 

[Z-Michigan]

Timely bump as I just got one yesterday and have it mounted on a flat-top AR. My impressions are pretty consistent with all the posts above, and they are:
-higher quality than cheapie red dots, not an Aimpoint
-dot is pretty good but not very bright in clear-day bright sunlight. Acceptable, but might be too dim in a desert or snowfield.
-included mount is pretty good, especially considering the total package cost only a bit more than a quality Aimpoint mount by itself.
-I like the controls.
-Optical quality seems very good.
-The 2x doubler sounds neat but is almost useless, because it results in a tiny field of view while looking through a long tunnel.

I've noticed that the basic C-More Railway is only around $220 at Midway. Does anyone have experience with those? I'd like more good options than $500+ Aimpoints (after you buy a decent mount) and $400+ Eotechs.

BTW, I own an Eotech 552 for comparison, and cheapie red dots from Tasco (it's awful) and Truglo (somewhat better); I do not own an Aimpoint.

 

[SammyIamToday]

I have one on my GSG-5. I also have an Aimpoint ML3 on my DPMS 308 AP4.

The Strikefire is a 4 moa dot, unless you've somehow gotten the 2 moa dot brand new (I didn't think they were out). An error on some boxes said 2 moa, but they aren't.

The doubler can be nice, but it definitely narrows the field of view. If it was 4x, it would be awesome. 2x doesn't have a whole lot of potential for the loss of view you get. Although I've had fun with it for precision shooting bullfrogs (nom nom frog legs).

So far, it seems to hold zero pretty well, although when zeroing it, the adjustments seemed to be anything but 1/2 moa. Took me like 4 full turns to get 6 inches up instead of the 12 it should have been. Once I finally got it zeroed, it seems to be fine holding said zero.

It's not as clear as the Aimpoint and the dot isn't as nice, but then again it's a 130 dollar sight and not a 460 dollar one. The dot has a little more splay, but you also have green as well as red, which can be nice.

Bottom line is that the Strikefire is a good buy for the money. It's not an Aimpoint, but it's not priced like an Aimpoint either. I would recommend it and at some point might buy another one.

 

[MoDerN_WarRioR]

My Strikefire

Hey, I don't know what kind of gun you are thinking of mounting it onto but i have a Strikefire on my AR and i love it! Looks great and feels very sturdy when mounted.

The only drawback that i really have on it is yes the Daylight effects it (green is better) But also the power button is located on the side of the sight that protrudes out on the left and it always accidentally bumps on so i have to check it allot to make sure the dot isn't on... cuz we all know it sure does not have the battery life like an Aimpoint.

Also the 2x doubler is a great idea but... very very narrow field of vision like others have said.

But here is a pic of my AR with the Strikefire on it!