Vortex scopes, how good are these?

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In the same price range the quality of the glass etc. is about equal among all scope brands including Vortex. When selecting a scope probably he 1st thing to consider is budget. When looking at scopes within similar price ranges it comes down to other features and what is more important to you. Controls are different, some are quick focus, some are heavier, lighter, longer etc. Some have very long eye relief, others are very short and hard to use and reticles are designed differently.

If you are considering the Diamondback, the one I had was a decent scope. In the same price range I feel the Burris FF-II, Redfield Revolution, or Leupold VX-1 are slightly better. Mainly because of differences in reticles and far better eye relief. I'd rate the Burris as my favorite in this price range, and I'd prefer it over many $300-$400 scopes. The Diamondback worked fine. The eye relief was too short, reticle didn't suit me and it is almost 1/4 lb heavier than a Leupold.
 
I agree with jmr40 regarding different brands / model lines with at a similar price point having comparable optics quality. There are a couple of "bang" for the buck exceptions to this - the Sightron SII Big Sky series, and the Bushnell Elite (especially the 6500 series) compete favorably with glass costing hundreds of dollars more (both use Japanese sourced glass).
I owned 1 Vortex scope, and it had the most constricted eyebox of any glass I've ever owned.
 
I have not looked through a Diamondback, but I do have a couple of Vipers I bought on clearance. They are nice enough scopes, but nothing fantastic for the price, unless you bought them on clearance for close to half off. I would not buy another Viper at full price. I also have a Viper HS I bought when they were $100 off, and I like it a lot.

For my eyes, the Nikon Prostaff is hard to beat for a budget scope. I also like the Nikon Buckmaster scopes. For my eyes, maybe not for yours.
 
When I was looking for scopes for my .308 I remember considering Vortex. However, ultimately I ended up with an SWFA SS scope. The idea of the ruggedness and easier learning curve of a fixed power scope (no need to worry about what magnification you are in when ranging using a mildot reticle) appealed to me. In general, the more simplistic construction of a fixed power scope lets the company focus on glass quality, so a $400 fixed power scope will usually have better glass quality than a $400 variable scope.
 
Agreed they are good for a "cheaper scope". No offense, but I have heard people sing their praises with S&B, Premier, NightForce, even high end Bushnells. Nope, I have three and they are good for 2 Vipers 6-20x50 and a Viper HS. I like their warranty, but they are no better than a Burris or so IMHO. If I want long range I want NighForce, the "Newer" Leupold's, USO, S&B, or Premier. If you are looking for a budget scope, that are great for that.
 
I've looked through them and the optics are of marginal quality. To my eyes any mid-range Nikon or Leupold are better values.
 
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Ha, I have one great glass to me (I have the vortex Viper hs1-4). The lineup below the Viper? Don't have first hand experience with, I do with Burris Leopold and nikon though. I think Burris is the best deal overall, leupolds are nice, I had pour luck with the nikon I wronged and the worst customer service I have ever experienced from nikon. Funny how nikon to my eye's always come in last comparing optics side by side. I say put your eye's through the ones in your price range and see what looks best to you.
 
Vortex has models in all price ranges. Their are entry level models and premium models.

You really can't compare a " Vortex Diamondback " to a "Vortex PST" or one of their "Vortex Razor" models. The price range will determine which is best for you. The glass and mechanicals vary greatly as you move up the Vortex scale.

I personally know of several seasoned shooters that have traded their Nightforce scopes for the Vortex "Razor" and a few that prefer the Vortex Razor to the S&B and USO,s . Ymmv.
 
I don't think Vortex can be beat...comparable lineup to lineup. The Diamondback is a good scope for the price. For most looking at the DB line I usually refer them to the Crossfire II line. Not gaining much with the DB line.

The PST is the best scope for the money (too me) in the market. Hard to find one better than the Razor HD in the same price range also.

But those are nowhere near the price range of the DB. I recommend looking at the Burris FF II also that is in the same price range as the DB.
 
nathan said:
They are getting more great feedback . Are they as good as the Leupold or Nikon scopes of the same price range? Most important things in any scope design are the internal mechanism that must be solid as a rock and the glass clarity.


http://www.aimsurplus.com/product.a...ortex+Diamondback+3-9x40+BDC+V-Plex&groupid=6
Click to expand...
Don,t over look the weaver superslam scope. www.Natchezss.com has some on close out price for $299.IMHO one of the better scopes out the for the $$$ spent
 
Vortex Diamondback, Nikon Buckmaster, Burris FFII. All 3-9X40, all made in the Philippines, all priced within $8 of each other today at Midway.
One is probably about as good as another.
 
Thanks for the input. Many here have high regard for the Burris Fullfield 2 in this price range. I have to check it out. Other than that i was looking at Nikon Monarchs in the $350-420 range. They are very clear scopes .
 
I have to agree that I think Burris is more underrated. I still use vortex on my linkers, but they can't compare with the NF ATACR or BEAST, S&B, USO, or March. Don't get me wrong Vortex will do more than most people need. I like how ever the cheaper Vipers have a Zero reset on them. They are a good middle of the road scope. I still have three and use them basically as range trainers, they are tough and have a good warranty.
 
Vortex Diamondback, Nikon Buckmaster, Burris FFII. All 3-9X40, all made in the Philippines, all priced within $8 of each other today at Midway.
One is probably about as good as another.
Click to expand...

Not sure about the Burris. I have the Diamondback and the Buckmasters. Prefer the Nikon over the Vortex.
 
I have a couple of Burris FFII 3-9X scopes and a 4.5-14X Nikon Buckmasters and they are very serviceable scopes. But I have to admit that I believe my new (a few months ago) Nitrex TR1 from Natchezss.com seems better optically to my eyes than either of those brands. I have spent time looking through my son's Nikon Prostaff 3-9X and he agrees that the Nitrex is much better than his as well. The TR1 is very comparable to the Weaver Grand Slam and for the price, can't be beat. Yes, they are discontinued, but I don't buy scopes to resell them. I buy them to use them, and I plan on using this Nitrex for years to come. If I hadn't just been laid off my job, I would order another one. (I still might, they are that good a deal, and once they are gone, that's it.)
That being said, before my surprise at work last week, I was planning on picking up a Stag Model 6 and scoping it with a Vortex Viper 6.5-20X for long range gopher shooting. I have looked through a couple of those, and feel that they are unbeatable for the price for a 30mm tube with good glass and excellent warranty. If I can find suitable new employment, it is still in my plans. Unfortunately a pretty big "if" for someone in their late 50's.
 
I have a 2-7 burris ff2, and to me (remember, optics are subjective), the ff2 is the most over-rated scope on the market. I really don't care much for it at all. Not the adjustments, not the controls, not the complete lack of lenscaps or long waits on the phone to talk to CS. I wish I had gotten the diamonback. Or a weaver. 2ndtimer is right on about the nitrex. Optically is blows my other scopes out of the water, but is has a small eye box.

But to directly answer the OP's question, I like vortex as much or more than most any of their direct competitors in their price range.
 
This thread is a little surprising to me. I think the Viper, Viper HS/HS-T/HS LR, Viper PST are all excellent value optics and I have always heard they have dead repeatable adjustments. The little time I've spent looking through Vortex scopes has me considering a Viper HS-LR or PST as my next big scope purchase.
 
Greyling22, really? I had an issue with my PEPR mount, no questions ask, just shipped me a new one. It took under two minutes to get a live person. The Burris FFIII 1-4x24 is topping my Sig 516. I love it. A buddy has the Black Diamond and it is as good as any Vortex my eyes have peeped through.

I hate to hear that you had issues.. I despise the fact it didn't come with at least a bikini cover, but I won't knock the glass for that.
 
I have no personal experience with them, but quite a few guys are picking them up around here. Most have nothing bad to say about them. There reputation is growing.
 
i have a viper pst. i also have a set of viper hd binos. for the money, i think you'd be hard pressed to find a serious competitor to either.
 
Spent time this weekend looking at the new 2014 offerings that Vortex released. After time spent with my Viper PST FFP, another Vortex will be bought for installation on my wife's .243 rifle....no doubt about it. I'm thinking the Viper HS-T just might be what I get her.
 
I bought a new Vortex Diamondback this past spring. I had looked at them & their reviews online but wanted to look through one before buying. So I found a Vortex dealer & went there. I probably should have went with a 3-9x40 but I went bigger & got a 3.5-10 x 50. I looked through it & a comparable Nikon Buckmaster while I was there. I couldn't tell any appreciable difference between them. The Buckmaster was $100 more.
 
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