Vortex opinion DOWNGRADE

[DENWA]

I am lowering my Opinion of Vortex Optics.

See

http://www.longrangehunting.com/forums/f18/vortex-viper-pst-scope-never-61015/


My Viper 2-7x32 BDC is still a really nice scope but I've had three experiences since that are BUGGING me.

1. The Vulture Bino's I sent back for collimation/focus issues have been replaced with better but not perfect bino's. Still a little issue for me when I wear glasses.

2. I bought a Viper 6.5-20x50 with the Target Dot reticle. The optics are not nearly as nice as the 2-7x 32 ( Basic Bushnell quality) and You cannot see the dot in any light but full sun. This makes it pretty much worthless for coyote or varmint hunting.

This one really burns my ***.

3. My good friend Paul need a scope (quick) to take his son on a SC deer hunt. When asked about the best I could do on short notice and ~$200 I turned him on to Vortex. Told him I really liked my 2-7x and he couldn't go wrong with the warranty.

I was wrong.

He chose the 4-12x 50 Crossfire model (so he wouldn't have to change rings etc.) on Overnight delivery.

Setup, bore sight and fire to zero the morning before they leave with no issues.

Day one of the hunt his son see's a nice buck at ~200yds.

Fires 6 shots while the buck dances around and finally run's off.

Fires 2 shots back at camp to find scope is several FEET high and WAY right.

Try to adjust the elevation when the entire Knob and internal workings of the scope come up and out.

Needless to say my name is mud.

All of the sudden the Lifetime warranty doesn't make me feel so good.

He's sending it to me to deal with the return...which I agreed.

 

[BallisticNut]

Sorry to hear that, I had a not so good experience with the Crossfire class. Had two in a row fail to hold adjustment on the horizon. After about 30+ plus rounds, each shot caused a single or double MOA adjustment right. After many rounds and heavy testing I finally found the trouble. VORTEX replaced my second scope without hesitation and upgraded me to the Viper line. Twice the scope and 10 times more satisfied. New scope holds true and is fantastic!

Vortex! I have your back. Great customer service!

 

[Boss Hoss]

Sorry but putting a new product into the market that is already very competitive is Tough to say the least. That being said the finicky optics buyers who have many products that are outstanding to choose from are no easily separated from the discretionary income that buying optics requires.

Being specific in requirements of optics it would seem evident to me that Buyers contemplating spending money on this product would conclude that this would be a poor choice. This industry is somewhat unique because of the discretionary income driving almost all of the optics purchased. This company has dug themselves into a hole that it will be just about impossible to emerge from.

Am glad I am not an investor..

 

[BallisticNut]

I have to disagree just to disagree. I was really upset with Vortex and the problems i was having with the Crossfire. Pretty much felt screwed, that is until i called CS and spoke with Jason. He offered to ship out a new scope, without recieving the originally purchased scope first. This is what CS is all about. When the second scope was sent out, Jason forwarded off (without charge) a high quality lense cleaning kit and new Vortex Optics hat. Now, that aint much but I have to say it was a gesture I didnt take lightly. When I had trouble with the second scope, i really anticipated some back peddling by Vortex. By chance, I got Jason on the phone again. Without hesitation, he suggested a free upgrade to the Viper line and gave me choice of any of the ones in stock. Of course, I picked the Viper 4.5x20x50 and couldnt be happier. Not sure what the problem is with the Crossfire line but the Viper line is subpurb.
https://www.forceonetactical.com/vortex.php

Great right up from Force One Tactical.

Your choice, your money. Make it an informed decision.

 

[partisan1911]

Great customer service does not allow for a redo on a father and son hunt.

 

[bota]

A little range time before the hunt would have exposed the scope before the hunt was ruined.

I had to send back a brand new NXS that i couldn't adjust the parallax out of. This was 3 weeks before the hunt. I like to test my gear before headin out......

I just got a viper on sendero of mine, and am really happy with it so far. It has proven itself on a couple range trips so far.

 

[bigngreen]

Great customer service does not allow for a redo on a father and son hunt.

The hunt didn't seem important enough to order something as important as a primary aiming device before the last day.
I have to use optics that are at the same price level as the lower Vortex line, why would you not wring it out before going out, like weeks before, I would be suspect of a rifle that got dropped for a turret to gut but then I had a friend that had a Mark4 gut it's self one day!
I also use a target dot scope some times for hunting, guess what they suck, that is why they offer better options for hunting. Some times it's OK but it takes some adjustments to make sure it is as crisp as possible to be usable, dusk, forget about it. That seems more like a optics purchasing issue!

 

[DENWA]

The hunt didn't seem important enough to order something as important as a primary aiming device before the last day.
I have to use optics that are at the same price level as the lower Vortex line, why would you not wring it out before going out, like weeks before, I would be suspect of a rifle that got dropped for a turret to gut but then I had a friend that had a Mark4 gut it's self one day!
I also use a target dot scope some times for hunting, guess what they suck, that is why they offer better options for hunting. Some times it's OK but it takes some adjustments to make sure it is as crisp as possible to be usable, dusk, forget about it. That seems more like a optics purchasing issue!

Not all folks have:

1. Loads of time
2. Ton's of money for extra gear or expensive scopes
3. Access to a rifle range
4. Expert knowledge of rifles and equipment
5. lots of chances to take their son hunting

Don't judge folks you don't know.

 

[bigngreen]

Not all folks have:

1. Loads of time
2. Ton's of money for extra gear or expensive scopes
3. Access to a rifle range
4. Expert knowledge of rifles and equipment
5. lots of chances to take their son hunting

Don't judge folks you don't know.

Not trying to bust you butt but dang, I have two out three same problems with optics and in no way would I call it a Co problem!
I where glasses and with the way my eyes are, getting a set of binos that all point right and I can get adjusted correctly is like finding a needle in a hay stack, but some brands seem to work better than others, I've used a pair of Leica's that were just unusable for me but I found a pair of cheap ones that did work.
Target dot's are notorious for being hard to use in hunting or even mild lighting conditions, again not the Co. problem I should have bought one of the other reticules that were a better option.
For all I know your stuff is totally jacked up but can you see my point!!

 

[DENWA]

1. Problem is not that the bino's aren't great, they are not good. AND I've had to return them already.


2. I'm not complaining so much about the reticle but the glass that is mediocre compared to another in the same Viper line.

3. I take the most offense to your claims about my friend. " The hunt didn't seem important enough to order something as important as a primary aiming device before the last day"

For this you are a Jackass. No Offense, but not all people have 10 rifles of various caliber's and capabilities in their safe, ready to go on a moments notice.

Since you don't know that my friend is a construction worker who's down on his luck the last few years that got a big opportunity to take 3 days with his kid and needed some help from a friend.

So please stop your fingers from typing any more assuming B.S.

 

[bigngreen]

1. Problem is not that the bino's aren't great, they are not good. AND I've had to return them already.


2. I'm not complaining so much about the reticle but the glass that is mediocre compared to another in the same Viper line.

3. I take the most offense to your claims about my friend. " The hunt didn't seem important enough to order something as important as a primary aiming device before the last day"

For this you are a Jackass. No Offense, but not all people have 10 rifles of various caliber's and capabilities in their safe, ready to go on a moments notice.

Since you don't know that my friend is a construction worker who's down on his luck the last few years that got a big opportunity to take 3 days with his kid and needed some help from a friend.

So please stop your fingers from typing any more assuming B.S.

Quite right! My bad and I apologize, sincerely!

 

[VTXPaul]

DENWA,

First of all, very sorry to hear about your friend having a problem with the Crossfire. That's the kind of thing we all hate to hear about. I know it doesn't help with that particular hunt, but you can rest assured that our service dept. will do everything possible to make it right for you guys when you call this in (800) 426-0048.

You do have to keep in mind that the Crossfires are our entry level series of riflescopes, and are built to fit certain price points. We do feel that we've done a good job of getting as much quality into these as possible for what they retail for. They are by far our biggest selling line of scopes, and I hesitate to even guess how many thousands have been sold. For these numbers, they actually have a very good track record. Of course, along with these kinds of numbers sold, it's usually the Crossfires that get mentioned on these forums when repair issues surface. This same line of thought pertains just a bit to the Vulture binos as well - an entry level line, but very good value for the dollar spent.

Re. your 6.5-20 Viper, all Vipers are using same grades of glass & coatings, so your 6.5-20 has the exact same quality as a 2-7. Now, remember that a 2-7 will many times seem a bit sharper simply due to the lower magnification. Also be sure you're correctly using the ocular and side focuses, this is very commonly misunderstood (for example, guys will try to use the ocular reticle focus as a main image focus). Others here have explained the target dot reticle pretty well - it's not good in low light, but it wasn't intended to be. 99% of the guys buying these scopes are extremely happy with them.

Again, sorry to hear about the problems, but we'll do our very best to make it right for you !

Paul @ Vortex

 

[DENWA]

Thanks for your reply. It takes a lot when people are hard on your company.

PM Sent.

 

[Senderofan]

Thanks for your reply. It takes a lot when people are hard on your company.

PM Sent.

I think this really shows what Vortex is all about. As far as I'm concerned...they have great products, great pricing for their intended markets, they back up their products and they have great customer service ( which is getting to be a rare thing any more ).

My hunch is...besides not being able to fix the hunt....all will be corrected with the scope.

Wayne