Hello and welcome to another episode of Optics Trade Debates. In this episode, we are talking about Vortex products, specifically about their series of red dot sights, which includes 7 different products (in year 2019).
As mentioned, there are currently 7 Vortex red dot sights in the market, namely the StrikeFire II, the SPARC AR, the Crossfire, the Viper, the Venom, the Razor and the Razor AMG UH-1.
The Strikefire is a full tube sight, whereas SPARC AR and Crossfire are small tube sights. There are 3 open reflex dot sights – Viper, Venom and Razor, and a quite special holographic red dot sight Razor AMG UH-1. The main difference between reflex red dot sights and holographic sights is that they use different technology to display their reticle.
Vortex produces their devices all over the world (USA, Japan, the Philippines and China), therefore the origin of the models differ. The Razor AMG UH-1 is manufactured in the USA, Razor in Japan, Venom in the Philippines and all others are manufactured in China.
Models come with a variety of red dot sizes:
- The Razor AMG UH-1 does not have a typical dot, but an EBR-CQB reticle (like a horseshoe reticle),
- Razor and Venom are both available in either 3 MOA or 6 MOA for your choice between a more precise aiming point on a rifle (3 MOA) or one that’s extremely quick to acquire a target with a handgun (6 MOA),
- Viper is available only in 6 MOA,
- Crossfire and SPARC AR are both available only in 2 MOA,
- Strikefire is available in 4 MOA.
Razor AMG UH-1, Crossfire, SPARC AR and the Strikefire all go on the AR-platform. With the high mount, a lower 1/3 co-witness or an absolute co-witness is achieved. However, the Crossfire can be mounted on a variety of platforms using the high mount or low mount. With the SPARC AR, this is not possible because it has an integrated part which is not removable and includes a battery inside. The Strikefire includes a cantilever mount for AR – platforms.
Razor red dot has a pre-installed, integrated Picatinny mount, while Viper and Venom have it in the box. The majority of users use these three red dots on a pistol.
Footprints:
- The Razor AMG UH-1 does not have any footprint, because it has an integrated quick detachable mount for various Picatinny style bases.
- The Razor has a C-more footprint (standard), which is seen when you remove the low Picatinny mount. With Razor you also receive an interesting solution, namely a Mounting Shim which can be used for other red dot bases and with it you can mount the Razor red dot on a adapter for Docter/Noblex footprint.
- Viper and Venom have a Docter/Noblex footprint, which is the most popular standard and is used by the largest number of manufacturers. It has two holes for screws and four sockets in which the pins on the mount/adapter fit, one in each corner.
- Crossfire and SPARC AR have an Aimpoint Micro footprint, which is found on many small tube sights.
- Strikefire uses a tube for mounting so it does not have a specific footprint. It is mounted with a 30mm ring.
The price for Venom and Viper is similar, around 250 €. These are excellent dots with a great price-performance ratio and warranty terms.
Razor costs 450 € (200 € more than other two open reflex) and uses better glass, it is more robust, and can handle bigger recoil. The elevation and windage adjustment screws produce clicks.
The small tube sight Crossfire costs under 200 €, so it is really affordable. SPARC AR which costs around 300 € has a nice rubber shield all around and a bit better optics compared to the Crossfire.
The Strikefire is also very affordable, around 200 €.
The Razor AMG UH-1 is undoubtedly the most expensive dot made by Vortex. It is powered by the holographic technology, made in the USA and extremely robust. For this reason, it costs somewhere between 500–600 €.
All models have Vortex VIP Warranty.
Disadvantages of the Razor AMG UH-1 are that the dot is a bit heavy and bulky. The Razor belongs to a price class where there is a lot of competition and the shape of the window could have been bigger. The Viper and Venom are great dots for this price range, perhaps the only disadvantage on the Venom is that it uses a CR1632 battery which is more difficult to find in a store. The battery on the Viper is below the base, so you need to remove it and then re-zero it.
The Crossfire has a bit smaller window. The SPARC AR is a bit big and heavy for the Micro standard and it is limited to the AR- platform because of its height. The Strikefire dot looks bulky because of all the compartments that are around the dot.
This is everything for today. Thank you for your attention. If you have any questions or would like to provide feedback, feel free to send us an email or leave a comment in the section below. We love to help. Subscribe to our YouTube channel for more content. See you next time!
Products mentioned:
Vortex red dot sights: https://www.optics-trade.eu/en/dot-sights/shopby/manufacturer-vortex.html
Vortex StrikeFire II Red Dot: https://www.optics-trade.eu/en/vortex-strikefire-ii-red-dot.html
Vortex Sparc AR Red Dot: https://www.optics-trade.eu/en/vortex-sparc-ar-red-dot.html
Vortex Crossfire Red Dot: https://www.optics-trade.eu/en/vortex-crossfire-red-dot.html
Vortex Viper Red Dot: https://www.optics-trade.eu/en/vortex-viper-red-dot.html
Vortex Venom Red Dot, 3 MOA: https://www.optics-trade.eu/en/vortex-venom-red-dot.html
Vortex Venom Red Dot, 6 MOA: https://www.optics-trade.eu/en/vortex-venom-red-dot-6-moa.html
Vortex Razor Red Dot: https://www.optics-trade.eu/en/vortex-razor-red-dot.html
Vortex Razor AMG UH-1: https://www.optics-trade.eu/en/vortex-razor-amg-uh-1.html
Follow us on social media:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/OpticsTrade/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/opticstrade.hunting/
Blog: http://optics-info.com/
Flickr: https://www.flickr.com/photos/opticstrade/albums
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.co.uk/opticstradeeu/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/optics-trade
