Vortex or Sightmark Optics

[batesy]

Hey all, I'm new to the forum and just bought a MP15-22. I am looking for a middle-of-the-road optic and as of now my top choices are Vortex SPARC with Vortex 3x slide-to-side magnifier or the Sightmark Ultra Shot with Sightmarks 3x slide-to-side magnifier.

I want the price to be less than $500 for both optic and magnifier, and like the versatility of a slide-to-side magnifier as opposed to a permanently fixed scope.

Any reviews of these sights, or other good quality options you can suggest?

 

[BillyJack2012]

You'll get a lot of positive comments on the Vortex. I just ordered one of their mounts for my Primary Arms 30mm (which i also recommend). My next red dot will be a SPARC just because I like to mix it up and try new things.

 

[BillK01]

In the world of budget optics I think Vortex stuff is more highly regarded than Sightmark.

 

[HELLSING]

I don't know a lot about optics yet, but I do know my brother has a Strikefire, I believe on his AR. It comes with a screw in magnifier... I think it's 2x. I've looked through it before and the aiming dot can change from red to green.

 

[Dikinalaska]

+1 for vortex. I've got a strikefire, kinda wish I went with the sparc, but still love the strikefire. I liked the 2moa of the sparc over the 4 for the strikefire, but liked the screw-in magnifier you get with the strikefire. I don't have any experience with sightmark, but I have yet to find a negative review of vortex products that wasn't entirely opinion

 

[Gopher Slayer]

+1 for vortex. I've got a strikefire, kinda wish I went with the sparc, but still love the strikefire. I liked the 2moa of the sparc over the 4 for the strikefire, but liked the screw-in magnifier you get with the strikefire. I don't have any experience with sightmark, but I have yet to find a negative review of vortex products that wasn't entirely opinion

You must not have heard mine, and BTW the Sparc comes with that magnifier too.

The rubber push-button controls are a very poor design. I had the Sparc mounted on a 15-22 in my kitchen for a picture I was going to post here. The rifle was leaning up against the counter. It tipped over, hitting the linoleum floor from a terrifying 1'. The Sparc's controls were crunched inside the rubber cover. The optic was dead. It took me under an hour to find out what kind of abuse the Sparc can take. If Vortex used a dial and switched the battery to a 2032, I would own one or two. Until then, I'll stick with my Primary Arms micro dots.


That being said, I would still get the Vortex over the Sightmark.

 

[roadkill45]

Vortex Strikefire bright red dot....NOT the red/green. comes with the screw in dealy and 2 mounts, i use an eotech magnifier that was lonely. make sure that you get the one with the 7mm riser otherwise it will not co-witness if you want to use irons. well it will but not in the lower 1/3 like i like. they made the bright dot as the red/green got too many complaints about not being able to see either dot in bright daylight, cannot say that about the bright dot...it is bright! built like a tank, have dropped it several times on a hunting AR and keeps on ticking.
the Spark seems a little flimsy to me just as it's clone the Aimpoint. i like to feel the scope so it has to have a little weight on it for me otherwise IMHO they feel like they would break with the way they stand straight up high like that.
get the Bright Dot for around $149 give or take and you won't regret it.

 

[Deadonmyfeet]

I have both the SPARC and the strikefire. Other than the power button layout, I have no complaints about either one.

I also have some experience with sightmark products. I would take vortex over sightmark any day. The QC and customer service of vortex are top notch, they don't say it, but they treat their red dots as if they have the same warranty as every other product they offer. They posted a pic of a pair of binocs on facebook that got mauled by a bear that they are servicing under warranty. I plan on giving vortex a lot more money in the future.

 

[Ghost_Soldier]

Vortex Strikefire bright red dot....NOT the red/green. comes with the screw in dealy and 2 mounts, i use an eotech magnifier that was lonely. make sure that you get the one with the 7mm riser otherwise it will not co-witness if you want to use irons. well it will but not in the lower 1/3 like i like. they made the bright dot as the red/green got too many complaints about not being able to see either dot in bright daylight, cannot say that about the bright dot...it is bright!

I have the Vortex Strikefire red/green dot MPN:SFRD-AR15 and it does come with a screw in 2x magnifier and the red and green dots are plenty bright enough for sunny days. I've never turned it to the brightest setting.

 

[Beuford T. Rimfire]

Go with the Vortex. If you have a $500 budget for optics you have NO reason to choose any Sightmark product.

You shouldn't even use Vortex and Sightmark in the same sentence, let alone ask for a comparison between the two.

 

[Dikinalaska]

I have the Vortex Strikefire red/green dot MPN:SFRD-AR15 and it does come with a screw in 2x magnifier and the red and green dots are plenty bright enough for sunny days. I've never turned it to the brightest setting.

+1 for the brightness. I too, have never needed the brightest setting in either red or green. Living in Alaska I shoot in pretty much all lighting conditions and haven't had a problem. My red/green also came with the magnifier

 

[Dikinalaska]

You must not have heard mine, and BTW the Sparc comes with that magnifier too.

The rubber push-button controls are a very poor design. I had the Sparc mounted on a 15-22 in my kitchen for a picture I was going to post here. The rifle was leaning up against the counter. It tipped over, hitting the linoleum floor from a terrifying 1'. The Sparc's controls were crunched inside the rubber cover. The optic was dead. It took me under an hour to find out what kind of abuse the Sparc can take. If Vortex used a dial and switched the battery to a 2032, I would own one or two. Until then, I'll stick with my Primary Arms micro dots.


That being said, I would still get the Vortex over the Sightmark.

Honestly this is the first I can recall. I wondered myself about the control area and how well it was protected. Mines hit the ground a couple times unfortunately(not my fault), but still works flawlessly. Sorry to hear about yours. Have you contacted them and seen if warranty would cover it? Probably not, I know, but might be worth a shot. Sometimes you get lucky

 

[Gopher Slayer]

Honestly this is the first I can recall. I wondered myself about the control area and how well it was protected. Mines hit the ground a couple times unfortunately(not my fault), but still works flawlessly. Sorry to hear about yours. Have you contacted them and seen if warranty would cover it? Probably not, I know, but might be worth a shot. Sometimes you get lucky

Don't get me wrong. Vortex makes some very nice optics and their CS is top notch. They didn't even make me send it in. I told them exactly what happened and they told me to take it back to the store and exchange it for free. She also said if they try to give me any problems, have them call her to get it sorted out. The guys at the fun store looked at me like I was joking when I told them what happened. I told them to order some more just in case I had to bring another back. It belongs to a friend and it hasn't given him any issues, except finding batteries when he leaves it on between range trips.

 

[gdnagle]

I purchased the SPARC because of this review and I didn't need a $500 red dot. Vortex SPARC Red Dot Sight Review - YouTube
There are complaints about hitting the on-off button and it turning on but it has a auto off after 6 hours it does use 2 CR 2354 Batteries if that would be a issue for you

Operating Time per manual​

Mode of Operation Normal Night Vision
Maximum Brightness 120 hours 4200 hours
Minimum Brightness 3400 hours 4600 hours

I also got $20 off at the time I bought it which made it a better deal at $179.99 which really swayed me. I haven't abused it like the video and haven't had any problems with it.

 

[Dikinalaska]

Don't get me wrong. Vortex makes some very nice optics and their CS is top notch. They didn't even make me send it in. I told them exactly what happened and they told me to take it back to the store and exchange it for free. She also said if they try to give me any problems, have them call her to get it sorted out. The guys at the fun store looked at me like I was joking when I told them what happened. I told them to order some more just in case I had to bring another back. It belongs to a friend and it hasn't given him any issues, except finding batteries when he leaves it on between range trips.

Wow I've heard their cs is excellent, but I wouldn't have expected that. Makes me feel a little better bout having one