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.