my experience with Vortex Strike Eagles 1-6x and 1-8x

[sharpshooter33]

Ok, bought a Strike Eagle 1-6x a few months back from PSA (on sale) and was very pleased with it. The glass is good for my budget and the BDC was awesome. I can use it to range estimate like the Primary Arms ACSS system wit the lines representing 18" or 1/2 size at 9".
As far as BDC I use them as references only and shoot the scope to see where my bullet and gun impact at the respective ranges, but it's close.
Now the new one, the Strike Eagle 1-8x. "In My Opinion" the scope no where near as useful as the 1-6x. My 1st impression was that the 1x was not a true 1x more like a 1.2x and the glass is darker. But, the big killer for me is the crappy BDC2. It has no quick way to do range estimation in the glass. They elected to do windage marks with christmas tree type lines that don't do anything.
So quick in glass range estimation is gone. What a waste. I was expecting more from the scope.

Anyway, I have been making the switch to 1-6x from red dot as my primary do all scope/sighting system because for the small amount of bulk I get the better 6x when my older eyes need it.
Also another big yea for me is that the scope will work without batteries. Granted the red dots are like forever on batteries anymore, but the ability of having reticle even if my battery system went out is a plus for me. I have a magnifier for my red dots, but it's just not as bright as having a scope for me.

So, that's my $.02 feel free to blast away your opinions. I just gave mine.

[mtnlvr]

I'm not a believer of the 1-8 so far either. Not for the reticle, but for how blurry it gets at the 6-8x zoom settings. This is my first Vortex product and I may have set my hopes too high for the low prices optic based on all of the praised reviews. Silly me.

[mdram]

im not a fan of ranging/bdc reticles in an sfp scope

[VASCAR2]

I bought a Vortex Strike Eagle 1-6 several years ago and was kind of surprised as it seemed larger once mounted than I expected. For the size I really like the 2.5-10 power scopes but normally I don’t need 1x. I can effectively use 2.5x at close range but for pure CQB I like red dot sights. I like the simple design of the SE reticle and I have mine mounted on my 12 inch 6.5 Grendel.


For two gun competition and some types of hunting I think the low power variable optics are desirable. If I were still working in LE I think I would stick with the red dot sight (even if policy changed tp permit LPVO). The LPVO has been used effectively by the military and has proven rugged. In the end I think optics and reticles boil down to personal preference and intended use.

[okstatefan]

I have four LPVO so here is my take.

Strike Eagle 1-8. First off, this was one of those flash deals from PSA with the 18" Grendel upper and Vortex mount. I probably would have never considered it otherwise. For the street price, I think it is a fine option. The glass is not great, but on par with other options in this price range. It is very clear 1-6, but loses noticeable clarity at 8x. The controls are fine. I pretty much set and forget the turrets on these type of scopes, but they are nothing special. I've swapped this scope out on a couple of different carbines. Currently it sits on top of an M&P10 in .308, but who knows where it'll be by summer.

Primary Arms 1-6 ACSS. Bought at retail. I like it. Mine is the gen2, I believe they are on gen3 now. This was my first LPVO and still one of my favorites. It just works well and the glass is good enough. I've actually used the ACSS reticle with good results on a 5.56 AR out to 500yd. That scope is likely never coming off the carbine it is mounted to.

Bushnell Tactical Elite 1-6.5 FFP BTR1. I wouldn't own this if I didn't find it on a crazy deal. Although I love a good FFP scope with mils, this is not that. The reticle is very small at 1x and very good at 6x. If this particular scope was SFP, it would be my favorite by far. The glass is on a completely different level than anything else I'll be mentioning in this reply. The construction is top notch. Remember, this was once a $1600 scope and it looks and feels like it. If you ever find a good deal on a used one in SFP, don't pass it up. It lives on a Kel Tec RFP. I do use the illumination on this scope because of the FFP reticle. It makes it very much like a red dot and it is quick handling in this aspect.

Vortex Razor HD LH 1.5-8. This one surprised me. The reticle is an outstanding hunting reticle very similar to a German #4. The glass is excellent for the price. It is very lightweight. The controls work and it seems well built. It is very simple and basic, and I love it for that. It is on a 5.56 bolt action carbine and will probably live there for life.

Without doubt, the Bushnell is top dog; if only I had it in SFP. I would give the next place to the Vortex Razor LH. I love that thing, especially on that rifle. I've taken 200 yard shots at dawn with no worries.

[FLshooter]

I have a vortex strike eagle 1-6 and a Vortex razor 1-6 on 300 BO ARs.Both scopes are good.Yes the Razor is clearer and the turrets are smoother.But,they both get the job done.Is the Razor worth $1300 more? All I can say is if I hadn’t bought the Razor first,i might have had 2 Strike Eagles and $1000 in my wallet.
I use the Strike eagle on my 300 BO for hog hunting.Average shot is 50-100 yrds.6x is more than enough for what I use it for.
My buddy liked my Strike Eagle so much he got a Strike Eagle 1-8.He thought the 1-8 would be better.But,it’s not.The fish eye is much more pronounced at low power and a 8x it’s not very clear.

[sharpshooter33]

I got a case of the ass and bought the Swamp Fox 1-8x Tomahawk and the Primary Arms ACSS budget model 1-8x. I'm going to do a YouTube video on them when I get back and the weather breaks. I now have all 4 low cost LPVO. I can tell you right now my least favorite it he Strike Eagle 1-8x. I would choose the 1-6x Strike Eagle over it all day. The Swamp Fox are interesting since I haven't had any experience with them yet, but the Reticle and the eye box is pretty nice and the LE/Military discount is NICE!
I've always been an ACSS fan so we will see how they all match up. It will be all opinion based since I think they all are pretty solid for low cost optics.

[A5BLASTER]

I have 2 pst gen 2 scopes one is on my 16 inch and the newest one is on my 12.5 pistol.

For the money I payed for them on midway's black Friday sale.

There is only one thing that is keeping me from opening calling them the best of the best of low power scopes.

It's the weight, dang they are porky.

But the dials are crisp and sharp, capped dials is my thing on a hunting/defense rifle optic.

Ilumnated reticle is perfect for how I use it.

Glass is super clear and no fish eye are color bleed out at any power.

They are true 1 powered scopes on the bottom end.

The reticle is also perfect for my needs. Nice thin sfp hashmarked moa reticle crosshair. Nice and uncluttered for snap shooting but very crisp well defined for presision work.

Was useing it last Sunday at the range too lay the pain to the heavy rams and boars at 500 yards with American gunner. Emptied the mag then racked a second mag and jumped right down the miniature chickens heads at 100 yards going 20 out of 20.

But like I said they are some lil porkers.

Edit to add. Both are the 1-6 power version.

[sharpshooter33]

i have 2 pst gen 2 scopes one is on my 16 inch and the newest one is on my 12.5 pistol.

pst?

[A5BLASTER]

pst?

Vortex viper pst gen 2.

[FLshooter]

Vortex viper pst gen 2.

I just got a Viper 6-24x50 Gen 2 PST.Was a new open box display.$710 delivered w/2 Vortex tactical high rings.For the price ,I couldn’t pass it up.Thinking about putting it on my Grendel 24” Bartlein heavy barrel AR15 build.I own several Vortex razor and Nightforce NXS and Benchrest series scopes. The vortex Viper PST‘s do just as well for me and save me close to $1000 or more. And the Vortex customer service department cannot be beat.You can run a Vortex scope over with a steam roller and Vortex would probably give you a new one,as long as you send them the old one,no questions asked.

[BigdanIA]

I have 2 pst gen 2 scopes one is on my 16 inch and the newest one is on my 12.5 pistol.

For the money I payed for them on midway's black Friday sale.

There is only one thing that is keeping me from opening calling them the best of the best of low power scopes.

It's the weight, dang they are porky.

But the dials are crisp and sharp, capped dials is my thing on a hunting/defense rifle optic.

Ilumnated reticle is perfect for how I use it.

Glass is super clear and no fish eye are color bleed out at any power.

They are true 1 powered scopes on the bottom end.

The reticle is also perfect for my needs. Nice thin sfp hashmarked moa reticle crosshair. Nice and uncluttered for snap shooting but very crisp well defined for presision work.

Was useing it last Sunday at the range too lay the pain to the heavy rams and boars at 500 yards with American gunner. Emptied the mag then racked a second mag and jumped right down the miniature chickens heads at 100 yards going 20 out of 20.

But like I said they are some lil porkers.

Edit to add. Both are the 1-6 power version.

I would have to agree with you completely, everything is great but the weight. I've got mine on an 18" JP 15 in 223 wylde and it really is great glass, I'm just finishing up a 12.5" Grendel pistol and am wondering what I ought to put on it...