I know this is not an M&P 15. Neither is it mounted on an M&P 15, but it could be and my gun is very similar. So, I figured I'd share my thoughts with y'all.

I was looking for either a Red Dot or Holographic sight for my M-4. Being cheap, I settled on the Vortex SPARC. While it is not the cheapest red dot on the market, it is not the most expensive either. I paid $199 for this one. Here are some pics:








The unit is light and compact. Definitely doesn't detract from the overall gun and wouldn't be in the way when maneuvering.

It came with some different mounting options. There is a high mount (pictured), a low mount and then a small spacer to adjust a tiny bit up. The mount is solid and easy enough to install. It requires an Allen wrench (included) to mount it. I would prefer a knurled nut, but I see no reason the Allen would be a problem as long as it co-witnesses; it does. For my gun, with my sights, the co-witness is not exactly in the center, but close enough.

I found the clarity to be fine. Certainly not the best, but at this price point it's not worth quibbling about. There is a little distortion at the very edge of the optic. It is not enough to cause a problem and that area won't be used anyway.

The controls are easy to use and not obtrusive. It turns on with a quick press of the power button on the side and it has to be held for 5 seconds to turn off. The up and down illumination buttons are easily used even with gloves, have a positive click to them and are silent. There is a third button for Night Vision mode. Press this once and it dims the LED to low levels compatible with night vision gear. I find this an interesting addition to an optic at this price point. If I had money for useful night vision gear, I'd probably buy a better optic, but that's just me.

The dot is easily seen in bright daylight. The lowest setting is too bright for night use, but press the NV button and it's fine. I'd rather have it just adjust down with the up and down buttons.

The beauty of a red dot is that your eye doesn't need to be in the exact center of the optic for the dot to be on target. This is where this particular red dot has an issue. If you are looking through the top 1/3rd of the SPARC, there are parallax issues.

Parallax is when you move your head and the target moves in relation to the reticle. Better scopes have an adjustment to correct for this. With the SPARC, I noticed no parallax issues when my eye was in the lower 2/3rds of the optic. However, if I didn't get down on the stock, the dot moved a little relative to the POA. If your technique is consistent then this won't be a problem. But, allow your cheek weld to be a little off and it could be an issue. I'll have to test this some more, but at 50 yards it was noticeable.

The windage and elevations adjustments are under water proof covers and attached by cords. The cords made the covers a little tough to remove, but that's not an issue because you shouldn't need to adjust it much. It required a tool (penny for me) to make adjustments. It was easy to adjust to zero at 50 yards. The adjustments are in 1/2 MOA clicks. I found the clicks to be not very easy to discern. Even so, I didn't have any trouble sighting in. I used the bore-sight method at first to be sure I was on paper. Then I used three shot groups to bring it in to zero. I'm not a very good shot with this gun, but I was able to shoot 1" groups using a rest and was able to get them within an inch of the center. This works for me considering what this gun is intended for.

I only shot it at 50 yards for this range session. I will ramp that up to 100 yards next time and maybe even 200.

All in all I'm pleased with this little unit. Considering the price, I think it performed well enough. I will call Vortex about the parallax issue I noticed and see what they say.

Oh yeah, I almost forgot. The SPARC comes with a 2x lens. It screws on the back. If the fact this comes with a doubler is a deciding factor for you, pass. I haven't shot with the doubler yet, but it's not impressing me yet. The SPARC is small and the doubler just makes the field of view half as big. Unfortunately, it doesn't really give you all that much magnification. So, mine will probably stay in the bag.

I went with a red dot over a holographic sight based on battery life; the red dot should last longer. Only time will tell if this is true. The SPARC has a feature where it will turn off after 6 hours of being on. This would suck if you were on patrol and it just shut off as you were getting a bead on the bad guy. Fortunately for me I don't do that stuff so, it won't be a problem. And, the auto shut off is a good thing if you forget to turn it off when sticking it in the safe.

I like it so far. I'll have to explore the parallax issue further, but I don't think it will be a problem for me based on how this will be used. For an inexpensive unit this one is OK. Maybe I'll save up for a COMP M3 or ACOG later, but for now this one is fine.


EDIT:
I just looked at the specs. Apparently the SPARC is spec'd to be parallax free beyond 50 yards. So, a little parallax error should be expected at 50 yards and closer.

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Good review. I tried the sparc and on the first install I stripped the heads of the Allen screws with what seemed like very little force to make it a "snug" fit. I retuned it, got another, and was even more cautious about the amount of force and could see the head starting to strip. For long term use and for frequent optic removal and replacement this was unacceptable. Returned that one and put up the money for a aimpoint pro. IMHO best decision I made.

Thank you for the review!

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-John

So, you paid twice the price just because you wanted a different screw? Couldn't you have just replaced the screw with one from the hardware store?

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Not at all the case. To me it made me question its overall quality and long term durability. Also, the 2nd sparc had an issue with the dimmer.

The old notion of buy once, cry once came to mind, however, in that case I bought twice and then cried about it again. I won't hijack this thread with my personal philosophy about optics. To get a superior product and the piece of mind that comes along with it made it worth the additional money to me.

Nice review.

If anyone is considering buying a SPARC they can be purchased for $150 at Palmetto. Is Vortex making a new version SPARC?
Vortex SPARC Red Dot Optic SPRC

Also keep in mind that Vortex has a "No questions asked" Lifetime Warranty. I'm a big fan of their products and their customer service is top notch.

Got it. This is why I asked because your first post made it sound like the only issue you had was the screw. Thanks for the clarification.

I think you and I might have the same thoughts on optics and $$$. I weighed usage vs cost and this one fit the bill. I shoot maybe 500 rounds a year through my AR. If I were really a serious AR shooter, I'd go a different way.

Yes, they have a SPARC II and a StrikeFire II. It appears that the main difference on the SPARC II is flip up lens caps and they deleted the 2x magnifier (not really a loss).

That is a good price in that link. I wish I had seen it earlier. I probably still would have bought mine locally, but saving $50 is always nice.

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Rastoff good review but what no torture test. What sold me was the youtube video by Military Arms Channel where they tortured it when they threw the Sparc on the ground and they had no problems with it holding zero or with the red dot.

The new version has the on/off switch in a different location as some were complaining about it being accidently turned on when casing it. Like you said it shuts off at 6 hours but it is listed as 120 hour battery life on high. Maybe a different battery setup as it uses 2 CR 2354 Batteries but that would increase it's size, and the new Sparc ll comes with flip covers.

Again good review I like mine and with their Unlimited Lifetime Warranty, and being fully transferable, no BS warranty I don't think I went wrong.

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Psalm 23:4

Yes, I just looked at the specs for the SPARC II. It says "parallax free", but is .7oz heavier. Also, the II takes 2032 batteries which are a little more common than the 2354 required for the SPARC.

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Thanks for the review Rastoff. Still on the fence myself. Thinking hard about this unit. Theres nothing at all wrong with my strykefire I really like it. But if I put a magnifier behind it it'll be a huge dot at 200yds. And my son really likes my strykefire. Excuse to try a new optic. :-)

They also have free shipping for orders over $50 right now.

The off on switch has also been moved you use the up button now and press and hold the UP button for five seconds to turn off.

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Psalm 23:4

If I were you, I'd pass the Strykefire to my son and buy a SPARC II.

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The dot will not change in size in relation to the target.

In the OP I mentioned that there was a little parallax error. Well, according to the specs on the Vortex website, the SPARC should be parallax free. So, I contacted Vortex and they sent me a shipping label to send it in for repair. I shipped it to them on 7 March and it came back yesterday, 20 March. Not a bad turn around for a repair in my book. The didn't repair it, they replaced it.

Today I went to the range to zero it and this is what I found. The parallax issue on this one is at least as bad as before if not worse. I tried to get some pics:
Picture 1


Picture 2


I had the gun setting on two sand bags at the 50 yard range, and didn't touch it from one pic to the next. I simply moved the camera so that the dot would be in a different location in the tube. The dot is quite hard to see in the first pic, but the arrow is pointing to it and it is just below the target. The second picture is easier to see because the dot has moved to the black part of the target. This is at least 6" of movement at the target distance and that's unacceptable.

I also discovered another issue. While this is not a big deal, it presented a problem to me today. I was attempting to boresight the SPARC. It needed about 15 clicks of windage to bring it close to where I sighted down the bore. It was during that adjustment I noticed this:


If a quarter or a nickel is used to make the adjustment, the battery cover will get in the way. So, the adjustment is designed to be turned by such a crude tool, but it's not well thought out.

As I sit here and type this, I'm quite disappointed. I've had nothing but good results from my Vortex PST scope. I expected better. I don't know if I'll return it to the store or send it back to Vortex, but one thing is sure, it's not staying on my rifle.

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You've got pretty high expectations... probably a bit higher than dime store optics are going to deliver.

After the Redfield and now Vortex... for a small and light optic (ya already got the boat anchor) maybe it's time to plop down the cash on an Aimpoint and LaRue mount. Hey... and it comes with adjustment tool as part of the caps... no pocket change required... nor will you have any spare change left over anyway.

IMO you really can't skimp on optics....stick with EOTech or Aimpoint, or a good scope. By the time you run through a couple different $199 options, you could have just purchased a quality optic. My first optic purchase was an EOTech 512 which I got for $389......after shooting this for a while and dialing it it, I can just add the 3x magnifier for another $450 and basically have a top flight set up for under a grand that will give me more than enough capabilities when shooting 500+ yards. With optics, you really due get what you pay for!

Most of y'all know me. I've defended the M&P 15 as a good rifle. I politely argue that a 15-Sport is as good as any other sub $1K AR out there. I'm one that does not generally subscribe to the belief that an object's quality is directly proportional to it's cost. With that said, it has been my experience that with optics, whether a red dot or a magnified optic, you really do get what you pay for.

I've been through a few "dime store" (to use Phil's term) optics. Some were turds out of the box. Some were good. None of them were great. I have an EoTech 516 A65. I bought it in December 2013. I used the promotional $60 rebate and all the rewards points on my credit card to get it. I'd like to say my out of pocket for the optic was nothing, but that's just a lie. Add up the dime store optics, add in the shipping, add in the time wasted, throw in all the purchases throughout a year and a half to build up rewards points.

Should have just bought an EoTech or Aimpoint to begin with. I should have just been patient and saved up the $$$. I'm stupid. I had to learn the hard way. Please don't be stupid like me.

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-John

I've been happy with my Aimpoint Comp ML3 in a Larue Mount. I went with the 4moa dot because it's 4x bigger than the 2moa dot (in area) which makes it easier to pick up.

Just depends.. If you got an AR that you take out on fair weather days and pop a few rounds... there is no reason that something like the SPARC, Bushnell TRS-25 or Primary Arms won't deliver adequate service, and thousands of AR owners report positive reviews. But ya know... . if you get to the point where you're fussing about everything from minimal parallax to poor engineering for coin operated windage adjustments... then it's time to move on... Just my 2 pennies....

I think you're right ChattanoogaPhil. I absolutely understood the level of optic I was getting into in the SPARC. However, I did expect better considering the other Vortex products I have.

In this case, a little parallax around the perimeter would have been fine, but this exhibits what I consider quite a lot of movement in the upper 1/3rd of the scope. I don't expect it to be on par with an Aimpoint Comp M3, but it should be better than it is.

An interesting note here. As I was driving back to the store just now, I got a phone call from Vortex. I sent them an email about my experience complete with pictures. I guess they wanted to talk to me in person about it. So, Jimmy from Vortex called me.

He told me that parallax like I was experiencing was normal for this optic and that the "parallax free" spec was...well...not accurate. He said they could replace it, but the next would likely be the same. He went on to say that this is due to the short tube. That the size lends itself to more parallax issues. I told him that if that were true, then this is not the optic for me.

I fully understand the price vs value when it comes to optics. I have learned the hard way that cheap optics are just cheap. I honestly didn't think that $200 for a 1x red dot was all that cheap; there are others for a lot less. Still, live an learn.

It looks like there may be an Aimpoint in my future. Maybe another EOTech? Leupold?

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Thanks for the update Rastoff. That's pretty much where I am. The strykefire has been great so it looks like the boy is going to have to wait while I put a few more pennies away for an EoTech. I really like the idea of a simple battery also. I have a few hundred AA and AAA batteries on hand all the time so even to replace them once a month is not really an issue to me. And I really like the look of the recticle on the EoTech thanks again for the review and update.
Also just learned that the EoTech is made in Michigan. As am I so I will be supporting a local business and be buying an American product. Bonus.

John was being honest. All these 1x optics have parallax, even Aimpoint and EOTech.

That said, for most practical purposes, even dime store optics are parallax free on a rifle with a shooter than has anything close to a reasonable cheek. You'd have to be a real up and down bobble-head to get your head to move around as much as I have done with this camera/vid below.

Doing a vid of a red dot is not so easy with my iPhone, but I did the best I could. Primary Arms MicroDot - $80. The dot is right above a utility pole thingy () at very close to 50yds. You might have to enlarge to full screen to see the dot. There ain't much parallax movement other than the LED getting bright and dim from the extreme camera angles. I had to take the optic off the gun do get that much camera movement.

Red dots are designed to be fast target acquisition... center mass point and click aiming devices, not for precision paper punching. Even if you were shooting at a bad guy that was only 5in wide (about the width of that small pole), you could still do head shots with this optic . What else is required from a dime store optic?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xvLm...tmy4BtkG4JKW8A

Here is a second vid at around 35yds that I ran the red dot completely out of the tube and still didn't see much parallax even at the very outer edge.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eKCH...tmy4BtkG4JKW8A

I guess I am the exception when it comes to hanging anything on my AR, a set of Daniel Defense or Troy fixed sights and I am good to go. Don't get me wrong I like red dot / holographic sights and have an eotech, counterstrike, trs 25 etc on rifles but the good old iron sights work for me out to 100 yards, beyond that a 1.5x4 leupold gives good strikes. My main use for an AR is fun, plinking and hog hunting (use night vision for that) so my needs may be entirely different than the OP who seems to want Aimpoint quality at a budget price. The Bushnell TRS 25 is a similar comparison to the Vortex, both made in China, have good track records, but they are what you paid for and no more. To echo other responders buy quality and buy once (or be like me and use open sights and leave the eotech in a drawer)).

I used to be like you. In fact, this whole thing with the SPARC started because I have reached an age where the iron sights are almost useless.

You see, age is creeping up on me and the rear aperture is now just a blur. Yes, I can use iron sights, but not with any precision.

So, at least for me, a red dot is a 'have to' rather than a 'want to' for sighting.

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