Vortex Sparc or PA Micro Dot?

[les strat]

Hi all. I am absolutley LOVING the 15-22. Shot some rounds over the last fews days with the MBUS, and they were dead on. Not a single hiccup. Has to rank as one of the most fun rifles ever.

So, I was about to order the PA Micro Dot, but saw they were out of stock. Being impatient, I picked up a Vortex Sparc at Academy, and wonder if you guys had any opinions of one or the other. It seems built solid. When I mounted it, it actually was spot on with my MBUS using the high riser and spacer for lower 1/3 co-witness. We'll see when I zero it this weekend.

Now I am used to an Eotech, so this is different than what I am used to on my AR, but still, this little thing seems pretty good at picking up targets for its tube size.

I have a few days to return. Is the PA Micro Dot worth the wait over the Sparc? And at more than half the cost.

[MMA_FAN]

Both are equal for their quality in that price range. If you are mounting it on a .22 you will have no issues at all. I had the PA COMP M3 clone on my AR for months until i saved up for my Aimpoint Micro H-1 and it stayed zeroed just fine. It is now on my 15-22 and very happy there. Only issues with those I can think of is the battery life. Make sure you keep extras on hand.

EDIT: Also have a look at the Bushnell TRS-25. It has very low almost not noticeable parallax. I run this on my 9mm carbine with a Yankee Hill Machine riser and it holds great. Have not had to change a battery in it yet.

[les strat]

Thanks MMA. I have read tons of good reviews on all Vortex optics, but have also about PA.

Yeah, the batteries are not your typical CR2032 battery. Never heard of CR2354. Might have to pick them up in a 10 pk bulk.

[Gopher Slayer]

The Sparc is a quality range optic.

It's too fragile for me though. I turned one into a paperweight in a hurry. The location/design of the power and brightness controls is it's major flaw IMO. They're easy to break and easy to accidentally turn on.

Vortex has great customer service. They replaced the optic with no questions asked. If you're mostly plinking at the range, I doubt you'll ever have any issues.

I prefer the micro dots myself.

[BP_Z28]

Cough Vortex strikefire cough

[les strat]

Originally Posted by Gopher Slayer

The Sparc is a quality range optic.

It's too fragile for me though. I turned one into a paperweight in a hurry. The location/design of the power and brightness controls is it's major flaw IMO. They're easy to break and easy to accidentally turn on.

Vortex has great customer service. They replaced the optic with no questions asked. If you're mostly plinking at the range, I doubt you'll ever have any issues.

I prefer the micro dots myself.

I have found the switch to be too easy to switch on.


After searching the forum, I had read where you had an issue with the controls breaking. I have watched several "torture tests" of the Sparc where they throw the rifle down on the optic, froze it, submerged it, etc. It's really odd that one strike on a floor did damage like that. Glad they took care of you though.

I was actually thinking about picking up used (USA made EOtech made) Bushnell Holosight used on ebay. They are no longer making them, and they are typically in the $200-300 range, but this is a .22, and I really didn't want to go that high on the optic. But I do like to buy USA made products and have found pricier optics to typically be worth their value in the long run.

[yugowego]

Bushnell TRS-25 is a great little optic... check them out

[Deadonmyfeet]

I have both the SPARC(mounted on a Ruger MK3 22/45) and a Strikefire(on my 15-22) and both are great value. Like others have said, the location of the power button would be the only thing I'd like to change(besides the battery type, but it's more of a minor gripe). And while Vortex doesn't have the same warranty card on them that they do on thier scopes, they treat the red dots just like the scopes as far as warranty goes. They will take care of anything that goes wrong with it.

[gdnagle]

Originally Posted by Gopher Slayer

The Sparc is a quality range optic.

It's too fragile for me though. I turned one into a paperweight in a hurry. The location/design of the power and brightness controls is it's major flaw IMO. They're easy to break and easy to accidentally turn on.

Vortex has great customer service. They replaced the optic with no questions asked. If you're mostly plinking at the range, I doubt you'll ever have any issues.

I prefer the micro dots myself.

I have posted this before so don't flame me but I have a SPARC and had no problems with it . It sometimes does turn on when put away, but has auto off. Here is why I bought it. Vortex SPARC Red Dot Sight Review - YouTube I also don't put 10,000 rounds down range every day so no need for $500 optic.

[Scopes]

There are some mixed reviews on Amazon. It looks like the strikefire appears to be better made, albeit somewhat larger with the scope.

[les strat]

Originally Posted by gdnagle

I have posted this before so don't flame me but I have a SPARC and had no problems with it . It sometimes does turn on when put away, but has auto off. Here is why I bought it. Vortex SPARC Red Dot Sight Review - YouTube I also don't put 10,000 rounds down range every day so no need for $500 optic.

That video and the initial abuse test on arfcom really says a lot.

I think for what it is and what it is mounted on, I will keep it. The 15-22 is definitely not my go-to weapon for SHTF. I have several others higher in the food chain for that. If I ever have problems, I will take it up with Vortex.

BTW, I have mine mounted far forwards on the receiver just before the rail. The tube disapears.

[DialTone301]

Sparc has worked great on mine.

[les strat]

Originally Posted by DialTone301

Sparc has worked great on mine.

Great to know! I think I am going to like it.

[blbills]

Have a look at this review before you make a final decision. I too was debating between the PA and the SPARC but then stumbled upon this nice little optic.

LUCID HD7 Red Dot Sight Review - YouTube

I have to say that I am very happy with it. Just the other day I accidentally dropped my 15/22 right on the Lucid red dot from about 5ft up onto the hardwood floor. I was devastated. However to my surprise it still powered up and held center. I can guarantee that the PA and the SPARC would not have functioned after that kind of a drop.

I also really love how you can change the reticles unlike the others. The 2x magnifier is also a huge plus for those distance targets (the SPARC has this also).

Finally, comparing it to my Eotech 512 that's on my M4 I'd have to say that the Lucid takes the cake. I like the 1 MOA dot of the 512 (compared to the 2 MOA on the Lucid) but other than that I'd prefer the Lucid. (durability, crisper RD, longer battery life, 2x magnifier, customer support, etc...)

Just my 2 cents (and no I'm not affiliated with Lucid in any way)

[les strat]

Originally Posted by blbills

Have a look at this review before you make a final decision. I too was debating between the PA and the SPARC but then stumbled upon this nice little optic.

LUCID HD7 Red Dot Sight Review - YouTube

I have to say that I am very happy with it. Just the other day I accidentally dropped my 15/22 right on the Lucid red dot from about 5ft up onto the hardwood floor. I was devastated. However to my surprise it still powered up and held center. I can guarantee that the PA and the SPARC would not have functioned after that kind of a drop.

I also really love how you can change the reticles unlike the others. The 2x magnifier is also a huge plus for those distance targets (the SPARC has this also).

Finally, comparing it to my Eotech 512 that's on my M4 I'd have to say that the Lucid takes the cake. I like the 1 MOA dot of the 512 (compared to the 2 MOA on the Lucid) but other than that I'd prefer the Lucid. (durability, crisper RD, longer battery life, 2x magnifier, customer support, etc...)

Just my 2 cents (and no I'm not affiliated with Lucid in any way)

Thanks for the recommendation. Seems like a cool optic.

I had already bought the Sparc, but was questioning returning it. I think I will just keep it on the 15-22. I LOVE my Eotech EXPS3-4 on my AR, but just couldn't see myself spending $600 on another for a .22. I think this will work as it is more of a fun gun.

BTW, I have noticed that I have astigmatism with my contacts in with all RDS. I get this star blur to the left of the dot. It is not there with my glasses on.

[Scopes]

Originally Posted by blbills

Have a look at this review before you make a final decision. I too was debating between the PA and the SPARC but then stumbled upon this nice little optic.

LUCID HD7 Red Dot Sight Review - YouTube

I have to say that I am very happy with it. Just the other day I accidentally dropped my 15/22 right on the Lucid red dot from about 5ft up onto the hardwood floor. I was devastated. However to my surprise it still powered up and held center. I can guarantee that the PA and the SPARC would not have functioned after that kind of a drop.

I also really love how you can change the reticles unlike the others. The 2x magnifier is also a huge plus for those distance targets (the SPARC has this also).

Finally, comparing it to my Eotech 512 that's on my M4 I'd have to say that the Lucid takes the cake. I like the 1 MOA dot of the 512 (compared to the 2 MOA on the Lucid) but other than that I'd prefer the Lucid. (durability, crisper RD, longer battery life, 2x magnifier, customer support, etc...)

Just my 2 cents (and no I'm not affiliated with Lucid in any way)

I see the mount is built in, so is there any wobble?

[blbills]

Originally Posted by Scopes

I see the mount is built in, so is there any wobble?

No wobble at all. Nice and solid...even after I dropped it