Vortex VIP Warranty I Not Ready For Prime Time

[samnev]

I bought a Vortex Viper 5-25X50 FFP EBR-7C MRAD from Sport Optics0n June 2, 2022. When I received it the illuminated reticle did no work. Battery was DOA. Replace it with the spare battery it came with. Illumination worked for a little over 3 weeks and illumination did not work once again. Replaced it with a brand new Lithium 2032 battery. Once again lasted a little over 3 weeks. Sent to back to Vortex they repaired it on June 15 and I got it back Jun 16th.Tech report said Replaced illumination chip and battery. Ran several more tests not related to illumination problem. It is now 25 days since the repair was made (just little over 3 weeks again ) and the battery is dead again. To say I'm unhappy would be a vast understatement. Last time I ever buy a Vortex scope. Tomorrow i'lll contact them again and tell them I want a new scope as thy seem to be unable to repair this one.

Am I being unreasonable?

 

[FatBoy]

are you leaving it turned on?

 

[samnev]

are you leaving it turned on?

Absolutely not. I check it every time I shut it off and look thru the scope and as a double check to make sure the reticle illumination is off. Especially since I've played this game before and I ALWAYS checked it to make sure the illumination is off. I've had illuminated scopes for over 30 years starting with my first NightForce NXS scope and have never had this problem with any other scope.

 

[danatkins]

They'll make it right. Sold a buddy of mine a diamondback and it had a problem they fixed him up within a week or 2. I've never used their warranty but anyone I've heard of that has hasn't had any issues

 

[st1650]

For me, it's Vortex. The best rifle scope company ever made. I even ask the customer service for extra return shipping label for my next minute of barn build and the staff is so friendly and more than willing to oblige.

One time I asked for a shipping label because my elevation turret unscrewed itself and they gave me three. I said, "Wow, three for free!" and the nice friendly Vortex CS worker laughed and said, "I'm going to call you 3-for-free!".

Now the Vortex staff greets me with "hey it's 3-for-free!" and ALWAYS give me three return labels. It's such a fun and cool atmosphere at my local Vortex repair center, I go there at least 3 times per year for their ring torquing seminar, 1-2 times per seasons to straighten the reticle or remove debris inside the glass, and maybe once a year when I'm in a rush to buy new chinesium glass but want a great tactical scope that is affordable, fast, and can match my daily shooting needs.

I even use the free sunshade, it's fantastic! What a great optical company.

 

[hafejd30]

They’ll take care of you

Lucky it’s just illumination so it’s still usable. My Vipers had issues with the parallax and elevation adjustments crapping out

 

[bill_van]

Have you ever dealt with another scope manufacture? You would be waiting months for a repair. Keep you cool and they will bend over backwards to get you happy.... they will probably bend over even if you don't keep your cool.

 

[whatsupdoc]

Absolutely not. I check it every time I shut it off and look thru the scope and as a double check to make sure the reticle illumination is off. Especially since I've played this game before and I ALWAYS checked it to make sure the illumination is off. I've had illuminated scopes for over 30 years starting with my first NightForce NXS scope and have never had this problem with any other scope.

With the illumination turned ON and set to a low level you may not be able to see whether it is on or off.

 

[wpeach1912]

Looks like the only thing left to do is buy a ZCO with a spuhr mount

 

[kriller134]

Looks like the only thing left to do is buy a ZCO with a spuhr mount

Get a tangent you poor!

 

[HMRamateur]

I don't know how anyone could be upset with their customer service. They send it back and it doesn't work? Run over it with the lawnmower. Oops, new one in the mail.

 

[Kadams1563]

Looking at my razors and Gen II’s thinking shit I might have battery problems too but have never turned illumination on at all.

 

[adubeau]

I used their warranty and had a 1 week turn around time... So I can't bitch.. Compared to others they kick ass...

 

[CaptNemo]

I sent back a Burris scope that was my dads and it had an element / lens come loose in.
They had is for a couple of weeks, sent it back and it wasn't fixed when it came back.
I swapped the scope on the rifle and put the Burris in a safe place.
The last 6 or 7 scopes and 2 pairs of binos have been Vortex. I do have a pair of Kowa binos hat are superior but more costly... Yes, that's how that works.

 

[TheHebrewHammer]

Go buy a hensoldt and try to get it warrantied.

 

[GreenGO Juan]

How tight do you have the battery cap?

On one of mine i installed the battery, maybe a month or so later noticed the illumination didn’t come on. Tightend it up some and it lite up.

 

[FuhQ]

I’ve always had great experiences with the Vortex CS. I don’t understand all the hate.

 

[dirthead1]

Everyone has a great experience with Vortex CS. That’s what you pay for when you buy a Vortex. Keep sending it back and they will keep fixing it or sending a replacement. I’ve had 5 Vortex scopes and all of them needed to go back for one reason or another. Their CS is great!

 

[ormandj]

I’ve always had great experiences with the Vortex CS. I don’t understand all the hate.

I can’t tell which posts in this thread are sarcastic and which are real (obviously 3 for free), which is probably the correct answer to this question. Everyone always had great experiences with Vortex CS. It actually is quite good! That said, why does everyone always have experiences with Vortex CS? It seems like Vortex products need 300 hour “oil changes” at the factory to keep running.

 

[Eurodriver]

Have you ever dealt with another scope manufacture? You would be waiting months for a repair. Keep you cool and they will bend over backwards to get you happy.... they will probably bend over even if you don't keep your cool.

I haven’t because I buy Aimpoint and Nightforce.

Dealing with a scope manufacturer is for the birds.

 

[Eurodriver]

I can’t tell which posts in this thread are sarcastic and which are real (obviously 3 for free), which is probably the correct answer to this question. Everyone always had great experiences with Vortex CS. It actually is quite good! That said, why does everyone always have experiences with Vortex CS? It seems like Vortex products need 300 hour “oil changes” at the factory to keep running.

Exactly lol

The fact that everyone has had to use Vortex’s CS is a clue. (Myself included - fool me once and all that)

 

[PB&J.]

Exactly lol

The fact that everyone has had to use Vortex’s CS is a clue. (Myself included - fool me once and all that)

I own 3 Vortex scopes and I have no idea what their CS is like.

 

[Jackjam]

I’ve used their customer service because I know it’s awesome. Buy a used scope with ring marks or a scratched lense. Send it in and bam new in box scope shows up. I’ve used aimpoints warranty because I had a defective T2. Luckily I was the original owner because they required my recipt. They did pay shipping both ways though.

 

[Doctorwho1138]

I absolutely love Vortex. I was adjusting the zero on my Strike Eagle in the field and lost the turret cap. I emailed them and got two in the mail plus a free ball cap in the mail in two days. I own just two of their scopes and some other products but functionally they have all worked. But if something were to go wrong, I have no worries about them fixing it. If you are on a budget and don’t want to go tier 1 scope, I would go Vortex IMO.

 

[timk311]

Seems like 90% of Vortex owners have to send them back. Everyone raves about Vortex warranty and CS, but I’d much rather have a scope I don’t have to send back all the time

 

[samnev]

With the illumination turned ON and set to a low level you may not be able to see whether it is on

Seems like 90% of Vortex owners have to send them back. Everyone raves about Vortex warranty and CS, but I’d much rather have a scope I don’t have to send back all the time

 

[samnev]

tsk311
I couldn't agree more.!!!

 

[bill_van]

Respectfully, unless you know the market share, speculation on how many scopes are returned for repair with any manufacture is a pure guess. You hear about Vortex because they are doing a good job. It does not matter who makes the scope, they all are susceptible to manufacturing defects and/or malfunctions plus user error/damage. At least Vortex stands behind the product unconditionally and pays shipping both ways.

Yes, it is a pain in the ass to remount and re-zero but that's just part of the game. BTW, I'm not a fanboy and I own and use scopes from the top to the bottom of the quality scale. Considering everything related..... they are a reasonably good product with exceptional service when and if things do go bad.

 

[DangerRanger]

Seems like 90% of Vortex owners have to send them back. Everyone raves about Vortex warranty and CS, but I’d much rather have a scope I don’t have to send back all the time

For a bullshit number out of thin air 90% seems pretty low

Most times when people are making up statistics they go higher than that so I’d say that’s pretty good

 

[rijndael]

I have (3) Gen2 Razors and a Gen2 PST. The only time I needed CS is when I dropped my Razor on to the concrete floor. It's a 21# rifle, it landed on the elevation turret & parallax knob.

They fixed it at no cost to me, even though it was entirely my fault.

 

[pineoak]

Seems like 90% of Vortex owners have to send them back. Everyone raves about Vortex warranty and CS, but I’d much rather have a scope I don’t have to send back all the time

The people that receive positive CS from a company will often be more vocal.

We'd ALL rather have scopes we don't have to send back.

That said, with some other brands the CS experience has not been as great and at some point or another with enough usage time and scopes, a scope will require servicing for one reason or another.

The time, effort, and aggravation of that experience is not always so positive.

 

[samnev]

Well I contacted Tony Wilson @ Vortex CS this morning.They are replacing the scope which is very nice of them. Joy rapture. I wish they could have give me a refund. For all the bad things that have been reading here about the scope failures it seems they have a great customer service for a good reason. I wish I had spent a little more coin and gotten a Burris XTRIII. I have several XTR II's and the have preformed flawlessly. I guess I'm just spoiled as I primarily shoot NightForce scopes I have 9 of them.My the last one I purchased was an Atactr 5-25X50 with a MOAR reticle.

 

[hafejd30]

Well I contacted Tony Wilson @ Vortex CS this morning.They are replacing the scope which is very nice of them. Joy rapture. I wish they could have give me a refund. For all the bad things that have been reading here about the scope failures it seems they have a great customer service for a good reason. I wish I had spent a little more coin and gotten a Burris XTRIII. I have several XTR II's and the have preformed flawlessly. I guess I'm just spoiled as I primarily shoot NightForce scopes I have 9 of them.My the last one I purchased was an Atactr 5-25X50 with a MOAR reticle.

My experience with vortex scopes in the past has been poor. As noted above I had issues with the HS and PST versions. Fclass team mate had a golden eagle crap the bed in a practice session as well. I guess their pst Gen 2 and Razors are supposed to be decent. But have seen some complaints on this sight of the Gen 3 razors as well. But can’t recall the issues

They do have the best warranty though. My next binoculars or range finder may likely be a vortex. You can literally run them over and they’ll take care of you. I was certainly happy with the CS I received.

To me a set of Binos crapping out isn’t a big deal but knowing they’ll be replaced without hesitation is a nice feeling. Scopes I just want to work when needed. So I’ve stuck with Sightron, Burris and NF on mine for now

 

[CK1.0]

This is why Vortex CS rules.

I was changing out a barrel and the old sucker didn't want to let go, so before you can say "Bubba" I had already gotten a cheater-bar... I hadn't realized there wasn't enough clerearence between the scope shade and the vise, and when it broke loose and turned freely it was too late.

Called Vortex CS, and dude had a new one on its way before I was done confessing my stupidity. New one was in my mailbox 3 days later.

 

[GreenGO Juan]

My 5x25x50pstII fell off the bench onto concrete damaging the Elevation and windage torrent.

100% my fault.

They replaced it. No questions asked other than model and shipping info and paid shipping. That is why they rock.

 

[TurboTrout]

I got two viper PST IIs, have had no issues, only time I had illumination was when it accidentally got left on

 

[timk311]

View attachment 7909974
For a bullshit number out of thin air 90% seems pretty low

Most times when people are making up statistics they go higher than that so I’d say that’s pretty good

Lol well I did totally make it up

 

[Baron23]

Seems like 90% of Vortex owners have to send them back.

No...as said, we (you?...certainly not I) have any idea of the installed base of Vortex scopes against which to compare utterly anecdotal reports of failures or issues coupled with most folks whose scopes just work don't come on to a forum and say "hey, another day and my Vortex is still perfect".

I have a 3-15 Viper PST II...oh, three years in now...and I hunt white tails on a .308 with it...still works good. Not had any issues. But I'm comforted to know that if I do, I know that Vortex will take care of it.

Now, I do also own a ZCO...that's a much better scope...for a much larger price.

Cheers

 

[Jumper]

There are other supposedly top teir manufacturers who offer a full lifetime warranty. For example, I sent my alpha tier scope back to them for evaluation in January. Took them until April to tell me they were replacing it. Cool. Then they sent me the wrong scope as a replacement. Sent it back to them. It's mid July and they still haven't sent me the correct replacement scope. At least Vortex is responsive.

 

[hafejd30]

There are other supposedly top teir manufacturers who offer a full lifetime warranty. For example, I sent my alpha tier scope back to them for evaluation in January. Took them until April to tell me they were replacing it. Cool. Then they sent me the wrong scope as a replacement. Sent it back to them. It's mid July and they still haven't sent me the correct replacement scope. At least Vortex is responsive.

Care to mention the alpha brand?

 

[pineoak]

There are other supposedly top teir manufacturers who offer a full lifetime warranty. For example, I sent my alpha tier scope back to them for evaluation in January. Took them until April to tell me they were replacing it. Cool. Then they sent me the wrong scope as a replacement. Sent it back to them. It's mid July and they still haven't sent me the correct replacement scope. At least Vortex is responsive.

You know your lifespan is about 70 good years, right? That is 1/2 of a year already...

 

[CK1.0]

The fact that they have the resources to act is actually something Vortex brings to the fight that not many, if any (at least in the USA), of the other scope companies can match.

I've dabbled with some of the higher-end scopes that cost more than a Razor (sometimes double) and probably do fall into the sack of idiots who might pay double for just 3% better... but, with some of those outfits you really need to be wealthy enough to afford your own back-up as well, because if it goes down, it's no telling how long it'll take to get it made right.

Vortex has the means and inventory to make it right in days.

 

[Boatninja]

I have never sent one back, BUT my sunshades for three Vortex's washed away in hurricane, called to buy new ones and they wouldn't even let me pay shipping. Had one Vortex ceracoated (which alone would have voided warranty on any high end scope) and painter painted the turrets, same thing, new ones in a few days.
Side shoutout note: After Hurrricane out of all of the insurance, warranty, and especially guvmint agencies, in addition to Vortex, dealing with Cannon Safes was absolutely painless. I called Cannon for suggestions for cleaning the seawater flooded safe locking mechanism and after a simple warranty process had a new safe curbside in front of my house in a few weeks. The only two bright spots in a dismal experience.

 

[Jgault]

Have you ever dealt with another scope manufacture? You would be waiting months for a repair. Keep you cool and they will bend over backwards to get you happy.... they will probably bend over even if you don't keep your cool.

Isn’t that the truth I think bushnell just recorded them saying to piss off just so they don’t have to repeat it every few minutes. I like vortex, the two minor problems I’ve had were taken care of quickly and one of those was me just getting the caps stuck in a bush.

 

[Milf Dots]

Vortex and Leupold can go pound sand- giving money to that left wing "hunters & anglers" group crossed the line.

 

[n2ishun]

Vortex and Leupold can go pound sand- giving money to that left wing "hunters & anglers" group crossed the line.

????

 

[DeathBeforeDismount]

????

Dont feed the retards. Go look up his post history and you can see why most have Him/her/It on ignore.

 

[Makinchips208]

Vortex and Leupold can go pound sand- giving money to that left wing "hunters & anglers" group crossed the line.

Can I ask then? You mean the safari club?

 

[SargeB]

I bought a Vortex Viper 5-25X50 FFP EBR-7C MRAD from Sport Optics0n June 2, 2022. When I received it the illuminated reticle did no work. Battery was DOA. Replace it with the spare battery it came with. Illumination worked for a little over 3 weeks and illumination did not work once again. Replaced it with a brand new Lithium 2032 battery. Once again lasted a little over 3 weeks. Sent to back to Vortex they repaired it on June 15 and I got it back Jun 16th.Tech report said Replaced illumination chip and battery. Ran several more tests not related to illumination problem. It is now 25 days since the repair was made (just little over 3 weeks again ) and the battery is dead again. To say I'm unhappy would be a vast understatement. Last time I ever buy a Vortex scope. Tomorrow i'lll contact them again and tell them I want a new scope as thy seem to be unable to repair this one.

Am I being unreasonable?

I have to say that I have had 2 scope issues (I own 12 Vortex scopes). Both issues were user inflicted but they took good care of me and even gave me a free hat. I will say i have a Diamondback that may lose zero......I have to test more. And a Strike Eagle 1-8x24 (SFP) that I hate....it may fail to hold zero or maybe i am just shit with this particular scope. But....I love Vortex overall.

 

[Howa.308]

I bought a Vortex Viper 5-25X50 FFP EBR-7C MRAD from Sport Optics0n June 2, 2022. When I received it the illuminated reticle did no work. Battery was DOA. Replace it with the spare battery it came with. Illumination worked for a little over 3 weeks and illumination did not work once again. Replaced it with a brand new Lithium 2032 battery. Once again lasted a little over 3 weeks. Sent to back to Vortex they repaired it on June 15 and I got it back Jun 16th.Tech report said Replaced illumination chip and battery. Ran several more tests not related to illumination problem. It is now 25 days since the repair was made (just little over 3 weeks again ) and the battery is dead again. To say I'm unhappy would be a vast understatement. Last time I ever buy a Vortex scope. Tomorrow i'lll contact them again and tell them I want a new scope as thy seem to be unable to repair this one.

Am I being unreasonable?

Not unreasonable. Just impatient. I'm guessing you spent 1k for your optic and are disappointed. I get it. Just my input but vortex has the best customer service of any company I've ever dealt with. Their reputation is well earned . You may have gotten a scope with a small problem. No manufacturer is perfect. Just be patient and they will take care of you.