Vortex SPARC Red Dot Scope

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tacstar

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The Vortex SPARC is an affordable red dot scope for those of us that don't have the ability to purchase an Eotech,Aimpoint,or Trijicon TA-01 ACOG .

From what I've read the Vortex SPARC has got good reviews but I'm wondering how it compares to the other more expensive red dot optics on the market i.e. Aimpoit,Eotech,Leupold,&Trijicon.
 
I doubt that anyone (even Vortex) considers the SPARC to be equivalent to an Eotech, AIM, Trijicon, et al. They are more finely built, are more durable, have better battery life. Oh, one more thing... they are 3-4x's more money.
But for a lay person, who uses their firearm and optic for range-shooting or plinking, they are ostensibly equivalent. For hunting, I wouldn't risk my time and trek in search of food or a trophy on a lesser optic like a SPARC, unless it's what I could comfortably afford. And if my life depended on it, I'd be spending 7-8x's more and get a Trijicon.
I should add that I have three SPARC's and really like them. When I finally buy my first shotgun, I'll buy another SPARC for that.
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I have a friend that just purchased a Sparc for her new Troy AR. Both she, and an experienced firearms trainer had trouble getting it to hold basic zero from the bench. Waiting to find out what the trouble turns out to be.
 
I have been pleased with mine. It does what it is supposed to do, every time. Sort of like a refrigerator, it is reliable, does its job, but is not something I have formed an attachment to.

I have not experienced the optic turning itself on in the range bag, but I can see where that could happen due to the location of the on/off button.

Meh. Sorta like the 223 rifle it is mounted to, it is pretty milquetoast, no excitement.
 
When I did my homework it was the SPARC I bought. And a doubler. Course I'm not in the military, etc. My vision makes the dot a fuzzy star but they seem excellent.
 
I've seen the SPARC on several patrol rifles at work, and at different classes. They run fairly well, though one continually shut it self off after about 5 rounds fired. Beyond that one example they appear fairly sturdy and hold zero. As noted if you're after jump capable sight, etc. they are probably not the best choice. For the rest of us, they're a decent choice.

-Jenrick
 
I have a Vortex red dot, and while nice for the price, it is light-years away from my Aimpoint PRO in terms of quality (glass clarity, sharpness of dot, ruggedness, and battery life).
 
For a serious use red dot, you want an Aimpoint. That's really all there is to it.

I would rather run good quality iron sights than a Vortex or Primary Arms optic on a rifle that might be used, say, defensively.

If you are after some magnification you can get a magnifier, get an ACOG, or go for one of the quality (expensive) variable power scopes with illuminated reticle.
 
Warp said:
For a serious use red dot, you want an Aimpoint. That's really all there is to it.

I would rather run good quality iron sights than a Vortex or Primary Arms optic on a rifle that might be used, say, defensively.

If you are after some magnification you can get a magnifier, get an ACOG, or go for one of the quality (expensive) variable power scopes with illuminated reticle.
Click to expand...
Of course you are entitled to your opinion, and one lives and dies by his decisions, this is true.

However, given a low light scenario, I would rather have a Sparc than iron sights if it were my bahookie on the line, or the safety of my loved ones at stake.

The Sparc has been nothing but reliable, it holds zero, and I have no complaints.

Certainly there are more expensive optics, perhaps even better quality optics. But given the choice between irons at night and even a low quality red dot, I know what I would choose.

'Course, only the cool kids with the high dollar equipment get the adulation of the M4 crowd, so I guess I'll just stay uncool, but well prepared.
 
For a long road trip you want a BMW 5 series. That's all there is to it. A maxima or camry just doesn't have the ride quality and sound deadening material to ride in it for extended hours. Or the amenities. This is how post #12 sounds to me. I wonder how so many deer get killed with $100 and less scopes? How is this crap possible? Im surprised they don't know by now that they can't do it.
 
I've experienced no problems with mine or my other Vortex products and I've yet to see anyone torture test these things. Many gather comfort in the idea that Aimpoints are in use by our troops and believe they are indestructible or never fail. It's not for me to say, but Vortex provides a lifetime warranty, battery life is better than the average TV remote, and how many folks refuse to use a remote to change channels because of battery life?

The SPARC may not be the end-all be-all of RDS but I doubt most folks could honestly admit to having destroyed one where under similar circumstances their Aimpoint survived. Not a bad sight IMO.
 
I had one. A small thorn penetrated the rubber cover over the switches. I pulled it out, but the on/off switch was broken because of it. The SPARC is a nice piece, but I wouldn't depend on it away from the range.
 
Again, a BMW 5 series has a much better crash rating than a camry and maxima. More people die from car crashes than by firearms. So, your safety in your car should be very important. So, do you best or nothing guys all drive $50k + cars to have the best and safest car out there? I hope you aren't the guys that only the best in firearms related stuff will do but then you cheap out in a $30k and below car and put your wife and kids at serious risk of severe injury or death bc you didn't see the need for the best when it came to your family.
 
fallout mike said:
For a long road trip you want a BMW 5 series. That's all there is to it. A maxima or camry just doesn't have the ride quality and sound deadening material to ride in it for extended hours. Or the amenities. This is how post #12 sounds to me. I wonder how so many deer get killed with $100 and less scopes? How is this crap possible? Im surprised they don't know by now that they can't do it.
Click to expand...

If the scope loses its zero between the range and the shot at the deer, you don't risk dying as a result. If the sight gets turned on in storage/between uses, and is dead when you go to use is to shoot a deer, it isn't such a big deal. If you go to use it defensively, and it's dead, that isn't so great.




If that is how post #12 sounds to you you either aren't actually thinking about it or you don't understand how analogies work.

In fact, using the criteria that I used for post #12, I would say a Camry is superior to a BMW for that cross country trip, because I believe the Camry would be more reliable, and less likely to leave you at risk as a result of failure. The difference wouldn't be anywhere near as significant as the difference between a cheap optic and an Aimpoint, though.

You can get upset about it all you want, but cheap optics are not as reliable, durable, rugged, or dependable. That's just the way it is.
 
fallout mike said:
Again, a BMW 5 series has a much better crash rating than a camry and maxima. More people die from car crashes than by firearms. So, your safety in your car should be very important. So, do you best or nothing guys all drive $50k + cars to have the best and safest car out there? I hope you aren't the guys that only the best in firearms related stuff will do but then you cheap out in a $30k and below car and put your wife and kids at serious risk of severe injury or death bc you didn't see the need for the best when it came to your family.
Click to expand...

Do you really think a sedan is the safest car you can buy for $50k?

Size matters.

Remember, those star ratings are not all created equal. Those stars can only be used to directly compare to other cars in the same class.

I didn't realize that spending $200 more on an optic was as large of a financial burden as spending $20,000 more on a vehicle. My bad.

Or perhaps you missed where I said that I would run irons before a cheap optic? Can you not afford irons? REALLY? But you can afford a $200 optic? Weird.
 
Im not saying they are. You are saying the best or nothing. I want to read the reports from all the people here that has the sparc that has had theirs lose its zero on the way to their hunt. By the way the camry crash rating is not that great. And the % difference in my analogy is very close to the same difference between the sparc and what you listed. Im not upset at all. I just find it laughable when people say get the best or nothing.
 
fallout mike said:
Im not saying they are. You are saying the best or nothing. I want to read the reports from all the people here that has the sparc that has had theirs lose its zero on the way to their hunt. By the way the camry crash rating is not that great. And the % difference in my analogy is very close to the same difference between the sparc and what you listed. Im not upset at all. I just find it laughable when people say get the best or nothing.
Click to expand...

% difference or not, $200 and $20,000 are a bit different, you know?

I didn't look up crash test ratings. I guess that partially explains why I never owned a Camry?

If you think you have to spend $50,000 to get a reliable automobile with a good crash test rating, well, I don't know what to tell you.
 
fallout mike said:
Im not saying they are. You are saying the best or nothing. I want to read the reports from all the people here that has the sparc that has had theirs lose its zero on the way to their hunt. By the way the camry crash rating is not that great. And the % difference in my analogy is very close to the same difference between the sparc and what you listed. Im not upset at all. I just find it laughable when people say get the best or nothing.
Click to expand...

I'm not simply saying "the best or nothing". I am saying that, in this particular area, there is only one that has truly proven itself to be of a higher level of reliability and dependability.

PS: An Aimpoint PRO isn't the best. The best, IMO, would be a Micro Aimpoint T1 in a LaRue mount (or some other mounts are very good too). But now you are talking more like $800 ballpark.
 
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