Vortex optics experience

[Eship]

Hey all,

I have seen some mentions across the forum from people reporting that vortex optics are not as great as some people lead them on to be.

I haven’t owned any vortex optics myself, but I work with a firearms training company and one of the guys I teach with has had two vortex defender red dots break almost as soon as he mounted them (one came non functioning in the box). In another case, my good friend bought a diamondback and the actual reticle was 90 degrees rotated, so it was sent back and replaced.

Obviously, this all has led me to not think the best of them. It seems like they have a great warranty… but you’ll be sure to use it as well.

I’m interested in what everyone else’s experience has been and what the reasoning is behind some of the disdain for them across the forum.

 

[Shooter45]

I’ve used a lot of optics brands for target shooting, hunting, and duty use and Vortex is not one I’ve been afraid of. In regard to the amount of warranty claims being placed, there are a lot of Vortex optics sold I believe. Thats why I believe so many warranty claims are spoken of due to the amount of optics sold in comparison to some other brands.

They offer all ends of the monetary budget from cheap to expensive. I’ve mainly used their mid level to upper level optics from scopes and red dots to binoculars and have had great success with them.

 

[PredatorSlayer]

they make some cheap stuff and they make some higher end stuff that performs pretty well. Vortex defender red dots are cheap. Cool part is they have a lifetime warranty on all their electronic stuff, most companies have a 3-5 yr warranty. Red dots, rangefinders etc will all eventually die. Vortex will replace them.

 

[Eship]

Yeah, I’ve never actually worked with any of their higher end stuff, and I’d be interested in the razor hd LHT 4.5-22 since it seems to check a lot of boxes for what I’d want in a longer range but light scope. Plus, I happen to get a 50% discount on all of their optics. My only real experience with higher end optics is with trijicon since that’s what I had in the Marine Corps and currently have on my AR.

 

[NRA4LIFE]

Just my honest experience, have had a scope, binos and a spotter and had to send all of them back, 2 of them twice. Not a fan forever.

 

[Blurry1]

I own 3 vortex products. Of the three 2 were blurry when I got them. However, both products were promptly fixed without any difficulties. Sent Back and returned product was great. So I would not hesitate to buy their stuff again if they meet my needs. If I needed confidence that what I ordered was going to be flawless and ready to roll for a trip next week I’d look elsewhere.

 

[Trimbandit]

My main binos have been Vortex for years. I started with an entry level pair, then to mid level and now have a high end pair. I have never had any concerns nor a need to use the warranty.
My rangefinder is also a vortex. It has worked great.
That doesn't mean I will stick with them forever but they have treated me well thus far.

 

[Laramie]

I love the binos. Range fingers are ok. Have one scope on a muzzle loader that has held zero for several years. A few bad experiences with higher end scopes years ago on rifles set up for others. For an economy binocular, I think they are hard to beat. Range finders work but i like some other brands for clarity and function. For non dialing scopes for the average guy, I think they are OK. For a long range rifle, I think they are a waste of money. YMMV

 

[Pescetism]

I've had six Vortex products (scopes, red dot, and monocular) without recognizable failure but only one saw moderately heavy use. I don't have plans to get rid of what I currently have but also don't plan to buy any more.

 

[HairyScandinavian]

We've had 5 different scopes and a set of binos. Only one of the scopes we still own is the 50mm Diamondback, whatever reason that SoG is tough and performs well, all the others not so much. Wife's Viper held zero when she football spiked it onto a boulder while crossing a creek and slipped but it always had sort of a haziness fog to it. Same with a 40mm Diamondback. Couldn't see crap out of the 1-6 LPVO, had a hog at 45 yards and couldn't get on him, no reticle with illumination off and no hog with illumination on. Binos weren't clear, sold them when we got some Cabela's branded binos and saw how much clearer they were.

 

[ZAK13]

I have a few of their scopes, some are pretty old at this point, 10-12 years and are still working. Also have a set of bino's, 8x32 that I use for archery practice and eastern woods hunting, that have held up pretty well considering the abuse they've recieved.

 

[Wolfshead]

I have a a scope, rangefinder and I’ve had three pair of their binos.
Never had a problem with any or had to send any in for warranty.
I’ll continue to buy from them.

 

[Poser]

I have three 1st gen optics (spotter, binos, scope) all bought used with a number of years of my use as well a newer generation ballistics range finder.
no issues.

 

[Eship]

It seems like a lot of the issues are right out of the box which is in line with each of the three cases that I mentioned. So QC definitely seems to be a weak point for vortex

 

[Natebonebusta]

I have a couple Strike Eagle 4-24x50’s that are great for my squirrel rifles. If I could fix anything on them it would be the mushy turrets. Other than that no issues.

I sent a range finder back because the outer covering turned ashy within six months.

For my deer rifles, they wear the Viper HD. I’m an east coast hunter so I’m not doing miles through the backcountry. The clairity and adjustments on the Viper HD line is great. The one I ordered from Optics Planet was sold as new but was open box. The elevation turret would turn in the locked position. Called vortex, they said send it back. They fixed it no questions asked and returned it within 2 weeks.

They fit a price level, and form/function level that works for me. Warranty doesn’t hurt the deal either.

 

[UKwildcatfan]

Hey all,

I have seen some mentions across the forum from people reporting that vortex optics are not as great as some people lead them on to be.

I haven’t owned any vortex optics myself, but I work with a firearms training company and one of the guys I teach with has had two vortex defender red dots break almost as soon as he mounted them (one came non functioning in the box). In another case, my good friend bought a diamondback and the actual reticle was 90 degrees rotated, so it was sent back and replaced.

Obviously, this all has led me to not think the best of them. It seems like they have a great warranty… but you’ll be sure to use it as well.

I’m interested in what everyone else’s experience has been and what the reasoning is behind some of the disdain for them across the forum.

If you use em much at all, it's not if they'll fail, it's when they will fail. If you hunt out of a deer stand a few days a year, you'll probably be fine. Vortex can replace scopes all day long and still make money. How much do you think it really cost for them to manufacture a scope when their business model takes into account warranty claims, manufacturing, packaging, shipping to U.S.A., shipping to distributors here, shipping to retail outlets, marketing, and all the markups along the way.

 

[Birder1982]

Between my wife and I there’s a pair of Viper bins, a viper scope, a high country tripod, a Ridgeview tripod, a razor scope, and 2 pairs of Razor UHD bins in our house. The only issues we’ve had is the vortex logo plate falling off the focus knob on the vipers. I had a twist lock on the Ridgeview tripod lock up on me but with a quick grip clamp and sensible pressure I fixed it.

 

[LongWayAround]

I think vortex makes good stuff and sells it at a reasonable price.

My personal experience is only with their viper line. I had a viper scope that, when dialed, would occasionally correct with the recoil of the first shot. Sold it with the disclosure that it was fine as a "set and forget" scope. I also had a pair of phillipine binoculars that lost colomation for no apparent reason. They were replaced under warranty with a Chinese set that seemed to work fine.

People often tout the warranty. Sure, it's nice to get a replacement. But, it's like insurance. They're building the price of the other guy's replacement into your purchase.

They're cs is always easy to deal with. They ship quickly. Approachable price points. I think there is a lot to like.

Also, consider that for every return there are probably many more that either wouldn't know they had an issue or don't use it enough to see the issue.

 

[Eship]

I think vortex makes good stuff and sells it at a reasonable price.

My personal experience is only with their viper line. I had a viper scope that, when dialed, would occasionally correct with the recoil of the first shot. Sold it with the disclosure that it was fine as a "set and forget" scope. I also had a pair of phillipine binoculars that lost colomation for no apparent reason. They were replaced under warranty with a Chinese set that seemed to work fine.

People often tout the warranty. Sure, it's nice to get a replacement. But, it's like insurance. They're building the price of the other guy's replacement into your purchase.

They're cs is always easy to deal with. They ship quickly. Approachable price points. I think there is a lot to like.

Also, consider that for every return there are probably many more that either wouldn't know they had an issue or don't use it enough to see the issue.

I do love the warranty, but to be honest, I wouldn’t buy any optic that doesn’t have a lifetime warranty at this point since that seems to be the standard. It is nice that it is basically no questions asked as I’ve had an annoying time trying to communicate with other companies’ customer service before. In the end they’ve all worked out for the better though.

 

[HairyScandinavian]

We've had 5 different scopes and a set of binos. Only one of the scopes we still own is the 50mm Diamondback, whatever reason that SoG is tough and performs well, all the others not so much. Wife's Viper held zero when she football spiked it onto a boulder while crossing a creek and slipped but it always had sort of a haziness fog to it. Same with a 40mm Diamondback. Couldn't see crap out of the 1-6 LPVO, had a hog at 45 yards and couldn't get on him, no reticle with illumination off and no hog with illumination on. Binos weren't clear, sold them when we got some Cabela's branded binos and saw how much clearer they were.

I forgot about the rangefinder, wife has the 1800 and it's been fine for several years now works as it should.