Vortex Sparc II good to go?

[BehindBlueI's]

Requirements:
Absolute or lower 1/3 co-witness
No magnification allowed

Use:
Patrol rifle, so lots of time riding in trunk, a little time out and about, occasional range days of 300 rounds or less.

I sent my Eotech back for the refund and am looking at what to replace it with. I've looked at various threads here on primary arms, etc. and am open to other suggestions. I'd like to stay under $200-ish.

[LittleLebowski]

If it was my money, I'd get the Primary Arms Adv Micro (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00OD2L62M/ref=as_li_qf_sp_asin_il_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B00OD2L62M&linkCode=as2&tag=ratio07-20&linkId=JP3DQRMVPF6CF46N) with the mount they sell as a combo on the Amazon page. The company is active on ARF and stands behind their product.

[Gray222]

http://www.vdmsr.com/2015/08/vortex-optics-sparc-ii.html

I'd say pay the extra and buy a used t/h1 or an MRO...

Better yet a 1-4x

[TAZ]

I had a spark 1 and it worked for my needs. Seems like the 2 has some improvements over the 1 namely the battery type. Battery life isn't all that though. I have no experience with the PA unit named above. If you're going to use as a patrol rifle if save a bit and see if you can get into a used T1/H1 or even MRO as Voodoo suggested. I used mine on a back-up gun and trainer. I'd did best it up and managed to ding the crap out of it one day and it never missed a beat or lost zero. If I had to I'd use it on duty, but only if I had to.

[markp]

I bought a sparc2 to determine whether the smaller 2moa dot was an improvement over my Aimpoints (T1 & comp2) 4moa.
Liked it so much that I bought another . They were about $200 from Amazon.
One stays on the beater gun and the other is in reserve. Still on the original battery, it does get shut down back in the safe.
My "primary" sports a 1-6 variable but the beater still gets to see daylight every now 'n then.
There was a torture review in RECOIL magazine, it got high praise.

[23JAZ]

Requirements:
Absolute or lower 1/3 co-witness
No magnification allowed

Use:
Patrol rifle, so lots of time riding in trunk, a little time out and about, occasional range days of 300 rounds or less.

I sent my Eotech back for the refund and am looking at what to replace it with. I've looked at various threads here on primary arms, etc. and am open to other suggestions. I'd like to stay under $200-ish.

I've owned the Sparc II and just last night I picked up the new for 2016 Sparc AR. The Sparc AR is basically the same as the Sparc II but a little smaller and the controls are in a better location and it takes AAAs instead of CR2032s. I am a HUGE fan of all Vortex products. Their customer service is outstanding. All there optics have a 100% no questions asked lift time warranty that stays with the optic not the original owner. My Sparc II has taken a beating. I mean a serious beating. It has been on a Ruger 10/22 and been dropped numerous times and been out in the Vermont snow and Arizona heat for days, and I have never had an issue. It holds zero, the mount it comes with holds tight, glass is very clear, and the adjustments have a nice positive click.
It does have a big emitter that you can see at the bottom of the glass but when shooting with both eyes open you do not even notice it.

If it is going to be a dedicated AR optic I'd go with the Sparc AR. If you plan on putting it on other guns go with the Sparc II. I've tried the Bushnells, and the PAs but Vortex beats them hands down in quality and CS (IMHO of course).

$199 Free 2-Day w / Prime

http://www.amazon.com/Vortex-SPARC-Red-Rifle-Scope/dp/B01AWB3DIM/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1463504827&sr=8-1&keywords=sparc+ar

https://pistol-forum.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=7948&stc=1https://pistol-forum.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=7949&stc=1

[TAZ]

Hadn't seen the AR version yet. Looks pretty nice.

[BillSWPA]

this thread has me curious. How is the glass quality as compared to an Aimpoint?

[23JAZ]

this thread has me curious. How is the glass quality as compared to an Aimpoint?
Glass quality is not as good as an aimpoint but it's damn close in my opinion. Looking through my friends T1 and the Sparc I didn't notice any difference that made me say nah forget this I'll spend another 400 bucks for the T1. For 200 bucks this thing is unbeatable. By buddy calls it the Audi of RDSs. It's not a Benz but it's damn good.

[BillSWPA]

Glass quality is not as good as an aimpoint but it's damn close in my opinion. Looking through my friends T1 and the Sparc I didn't notice any difference that made me say nah forget this I'll spend another 400 bucks for the T1. For 200 bucks this thing is unbeatable. By buddy calls it the Audi of RDSs. It's not a Benz but it's damn good.

Thanks!

[EVP]

If I were you I would just save a little more and buy a Aimpoint Pro. Used will be a little cheaper. Best value and Aimpoint quality.

If it is a range/fun gun I still would go Pro. I just don't see why not.

[HCM]

P
If I were you I would just save a little more and buy a Aimpoint Pro. Used will be a little cheaper. Best value and Aimpoint quality.

If it is a range/fun gun I still would go Pro. I just don't see why not.

This ^^^^.

Nothing against vortex but the quality and durability of their products varies. Their red dots are fine for recreational shooting but for a work gun ? Aimpoint all day.

If you shop, you can find Aimpoint PRO's new under $400.

Primary arms stuff has usually been good as well but they are (or at least were) very upfront about their red dots not being intended for duty use.

[23JAZ]

P

This ^^^^.

Nothing against vortex but the quality and durability of their products varies. Their red dots are fine for recreational shooting but for a work gun ? Aimpoint all day.

If you shop, you can find Aimpoint PRO's new under $400.



For civilian use Vortex is more then fine. If I was kicking in doors and shooting faces I'd probably spend the extra cash and get the AP. Actually I'd probably have a $2500 1-6 power on a KAC with a Wilson CQB on my hip.:cool:

[HCM]

For civilian use Vortex is more then fine. If I was kicking in doors and shooting faces I'd probably spend the extra cash and get the AP. Actually I'd probably have a $2500 1-6 power on a KAC with a Wilson CQB on my hip.:cool:

I have a bunch of Bushnell TRS-25's on personal fun guns and I wouldn't hesitate to put one, or a vortex red dot on a hog hunting gun etc but the OP is asking for a patrol rifle for LE duty use.

IME living in car trunks is hard on optics / electronics - Aimpoint is the way to go here. We currently issue H-1's at work, there have been no problems with them, unlike the EO-Techs they replaced.

PS- Vortex does make magnified optics which are professional / duty grade such as the Razor HD series.

[23JAZ]

I have a bunch of Bushnell TRS-25's on personal fun guns and I wouldn't hesitate to put one, or a vortex red dot on a hog hunting gun etc but the OP is asking for a patrol rifle for LE duty use.

IME living in car trunks is hard on optics / electronics - Aimpoint is the way to go here. We currently issue H-1's at work, there have been no problems with them, unlike the EO-Techs they replaced.

PS- Vortex does make magnified optics which are professional / duty grade such as the Razor HD series.

I completely agree with you. For police/military use the RDS to go with if you have the funds is an AP. However if the OP wants to keep it at the $200 dollar mark Vortex is his best option IMO. AP is the obvious choice everyone knows that. But the OP asked for a specific price range and about a specific Vortex optic. We can all buy pretty much whatever we if we save long enough or have and want to spend the money.

[HCM]

I completely agree with you. For police/military use the RDS to go with if you have the funds is an AP. However if the OP wants to keep it at the $200 dollar mark Vortex is his best option IMO. AP is the obvious choice everyone knows that. But the OP asked for a specific price range and about a specific Vortex optic. We can all buy pretty much whatever we if we save long enough or have and want to spend the money.

For professional use tools there are sometimes minimum requirements. Bottom line, I don't believe there is currently a sub $200 red dot durable enough for duty use.

For me, Aimpoint and maybe the MRO/RMR.

[BehindBlueI's]

FWIW, my patrol rifle rides in a pelican case when not in use and is not subject to the hazards with rack storage. I think I'm going to be able to get a surplus Aimpoint from the department, since we have some DRMO purchases.

[Little Creek]

I've owned the Sparc II and just last night I picked up the new for 2016 Sparc AR. The Sparc AR is basically the same as the Sparc II but a little smaller and the controls are in a better location and it takes AAAs instead of CR2032s. I am a HUGE fan of all Vortex products. Their customer service is outstanding. All there optics have a 100% no questions asked lift time warranty that stays with the optic not the original owner. My Sparc II has taken a beating. I mean a serious beating. It has been on a Ruger 10/22 and been dropped numerous times and been out in the Vermont snow and Arizona heat for days, and I have never had an issue. It holds zero, the mount it comes with holds tight, glass is very clear, and the adjustments have a nice positive click.
It does have a big emitter that you can see at the bottom of the glass but when shooting with both eyes open you do not even notice it.

If it is going to be a dedicated AR optic I'd go with the Sparc AR. If you plan on putting it on other guns go with the Sparc II. I've tried the Bushnells, and the PAs but Vortex beats them hands down in quality and CS (IMHO of course).

$199 Free 2-Day w / Prime

http://www.amazon.com/Vortex-SPARC-Red-Rifle-Scope/dp/B01AWB3DIM/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1463504827&sr=8-1&keywords=sparc+ar

https://pistol-forum.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=7948&stc=1https://pistol-forum.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=7949&stc=1

It appears that you could change the built in base from lower 1/3 co-witness to absolute co-witness by simply removing a spacer? Is that a fact. With my old eyes, I prefer absolute over lower 1/3.

[23JAZ]

It appears that you could change the built in base from lower 1/3 co-witness to absolute co-witness by simply removing a spacer? Is that a fact. With my old eyes, I prefer absolute over lower 1/3.

Yes they provide the shim for that also.

[23JAZ]

Sighted in the Sparc AR today. Took less than half a mag and the sight was dead on. The low hit was the first shot to see where the dot was. The 3 shot group was after my first sight adjustment. After one more adjustment all the holes were touching. The Sparc AR feels rock solid, I am really liking it.
https://pistol-forum.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=8061&stc=1

[greyghost]

Very nice. I've got a Primary Arms that I am not happy with and didn't see anything close to good CS from them.

Looks like the SPARC will be in the running for a non-duty red dot.

Thanks

[Josh Runkle]

I had a SPARC...1st gen, I think. I don't use it anymore. It was on the nice end of crappy optics. Kind of like the Pabst Blue Ribbon of optics. I'd buy an Aimpoint PRO or H-1 for slightly more money.

[BehindBlueI's]

My department got some surplus Aimpoints, so I ended up going with that.

Side note: I got my Eotech refund today, roughly 8 weeks after starting the process.