Rifle Scopes Took the plunge and bought a Vortex

[BOOM - DING]

From the Viper line with the Dead hold BDC in 50mm. I don't know about everywhere else, but they're selling like hot cakes here. Sold out at a few places.

Anywho, I read the reviews on it from this site and a local shooting board and I can say I am comfortable with my decision. I'm bumping up from a Tasco Super Sniper 6-24x. So this thing outta run like a Cummins for me. I don't have any buyers remorse...... yet. But I did make the mistake a peeking thru the Vortex HD. Big Mistake, but a man can dream.

 

[mavrick10_2000]

Re: Took the plunge and bought a Vortex

Super Sniper's are very good bang for the buck scopes and pretty darned durable.

I personally don't like BDC scopes because they're only calibrated to specific cartridges at specific velocities. Can you make them work for you? Sure.

If this is for a hunting rifle you'll probably be fine.

The Viper PST line is where the tactical/precision features come into play, MOA or MIL knobs and reticles FFP and SFP. Of course the next level up is the Razor.

 

[njlohmann]

Re: Took the plunge and bought a Vortex

I just drank the Vortex kool-aid also and I have no regrets. I just switched from a Nightforce to a Razor HD and I find it to be a significant improvement. I also just purchased a Vortex spotting scope. Now I am looking at purchasing a SPARC for my ar15.

 

[The Busby]

Re: Took the plunge and bought a Vortex

I bought a PST 4-16x50 FFP mil/mil, about 2 months ago from here. It arrived with significant dust on the reticle. I sent it to Vortex, they fixed it and sent it back fairly quickly. So far, I am happy with the scope. Two things however, the battery for the illumination seemed to drain while at the off position and the eye relief has a sweet spot. Not much give either way.

 

[The Busby]

Re: Took the plunge and bought a Vortex

Next weekend I will be competing for the first time at the VETS Bald Knob competition. Hopefully, last place doesn't have my name on it, but I think it might.

 

[ksmith13]

Re: Took the plunge and bought a Vortex

I have had my 6-24 x 50 for about two weeks now, I got it out this weekend to shoot and my battery was dead also, I double checked to make sure it was in the off position. I will put another battery in it tomorrow and see what happens.

 

[DannySeesUSMC]

Re: Took the plunge and bought a Vortex

The guys with batteries dying do you keep the scope attached to a rifle inside a gun safe within a warm room? Just a head's up - most people do but I know some don't, and colder weather can kill batteries.

 

[ksmith13]

Re: Took the plunge and bought a Vortex

Danny, mine is mounted and in a safe with a Golden Rod in it. I just put in a new Energizer that was dated pretty long I will see how it does and report back. The factory battery died within two or three weeks at the most.

 

[Bangnclang]

Re: Took the plunge and bought a Vortex

I'm having the same problem, went through 3 batteries and emailed Vortex. Thsy told me to send it in, but I thought I would wait till winter to do so.

Sounds like I'm not the only one having this problem!

BnC

 

[ksmith13]

Re: Took the plunge and bought a Vortex

My rifle is going to API for a muzzle break install in a few weeks that seems like as good of a time as any to send my optic in if it kills this battery. Does anybody know what the turn around time is for Vortex repairs?

 

[The Busby]

Re: Took the plunge and bought a Vortex

My rifle also lives in a safe with a golden rod. Temp is not an issue.

Turn around time on mine was right at 7 days.

 

[Killer Spade 13]

Re: Took the plunge and bought a Vortex

I worked for Starrett tools until my retirement. I remember when we introduced out line of electronic digital caliper, the 742. We had the same issues. The batteries would discharge when in the off state. Ended up I was carrying around a freakin briefcase of 357 batteries.

Now I'm not an electrical engineer, but I figured that something was making contact somewhere, and so it was. Our engineers found out where it was and went about in a frantic pace to redesign the thing. But in the meantime we needed a quick fix. I recommended simply putting a piece of Mylar between the contacts and the case . . . problem solved!!!

Might want to do the same things with your scopes for a quick fix until the problem can be resolved/fixed. Cut a circular piece out of a sheet of Mylar (.003" thick or so) and insert it between the battery and one of the contacts when you're not using the scope.

 

[phm14]

Re: Took the plunge and bought a Vortex

Damn, I've got a 4-16 due in today from eurooptic. May have to swap it for a USO.

 

[ctressler]

Re: Took the plunge and bought a Vortex

I picked up a Viper also, I was impressed with how many are selling and how little I've heard about problems with them. Plus Vortex has really good customer service.

My instructions said to use the BDC at the highest magnification, however after askng about the dot next to the 18 I was told by Vortex to use it on 18 not 22.

I shot 1/2moa with it when I was zeroing, then dialed dope for 850 yards and it was right on. 1/4click=1/4moa as it should

 

[phm14]

Re: Took the plunge and bought a Vortex

Mine came in yesterday. Looks pretty good from what I could tell from an out of the box inspection. I can see myself trying another at some point.

 

[Hedge]

Re: Took the plunge and bought a Vortex

Bought one, too...PST 4-16x50 FFP mil/mil. Love the feel of the turret click. Really positive and tracks beautifully. The only problem I've had is that there is noticeable chromatic aberration from about 10-16x. Sharp edges like a square target spot against a white background makes it really apparent. Makes it difficult to accurately align the cross hairs.

My Millett Buck Gold doesn't have that problem and it's a less expensive scope. So, I called Vortex and explained the problem. They asked me to send it back to check it out. I gotta believe it's just one that didn't get the coatings right. Should be hearing from them soon. Will let you know what they say.