Best Vortex Scopes

When push comes to shove, the Vortex Optics Strike Eagle always rises to the occasion. The starting point is the model's superb edge-to-edge sharpness. Then you can try tweaking the first focal plane (FFP) illuminated reticle, enabling fast reads at 5-25x magnification rates even when you're working with low-light conditions and against dark backgrounds. To add more, the anti-reflective coating improves light transmission, boosting the scope's clarity.

Aside from ensuring outstanding edge-to-edge sharpness, the company's XD (extra-low dispersion) optical system offers an impressive resolution and reduced chromatic aberration. When you're discussing Vortex Optics scopes, you're always discussing the signature RevStop Zero System as well. Adjust the turret and the system will give you nothing but an easy-to-get, rock-solid return to zero. Plus, you can always lock the turret, preventing accidental adjustments.

Considering that we're reviewing the company's flagship model here, the one-piece, nitrogen-purged, o-ring sealed, aircraft-grade aluminum that the scope's made from comes as no surprise. Needless to say, the scope easily shrugs off recoil, withstands considerable impact, prevents fogging, moisture, dust, debris, you name the threat, this device can handle them.

To give you the gist without discussing that we've already seen countless times from Vortex Optics before, the Vortex Optics Strike Eagle is a long-distance impact machine that will have you wondering how you were shooting without it before.

From tree stands to mountain tops, from bolt guns to ARs, the Vortex Optics Viper HS-T covers countless shooting applications. The model hangs with the company's hunting and shooting tactical configuration line, hence the HS-T.

Accurate holds at extended ranges is where this scope excels, primarily owing to the multi-coated, extra-low dispersion lenses that increase its resolution as well as color fidelity. While XR coatings are busy making sure the scope gathers more light, the ArmorTek® construction protects the lenses against scratches, dust, and dirt. Covering the device is the hard-coat anodization, giving you the low-glare matte surface that camouflages the shooter's position.

Of course, as important as these details are, what defines this scope is its second plane reticle and the exposed target-style turrets that enable precise and repeatable finger-adjustable clicks. The RevStop Zero System also makes an appearance, ensuring that the reticle always returns to zero when you're done with elevation corrections.

Some might find the exposed target-style turret a little odd initially but, considering the accuracy with which the turret and its reticle subtensions can estimate range, holdover, and wind drift at the highest magnification, the take it will take you to get used to the turret will prove time well spent.

Vortex Optics Viper employs the company's staple 30-mm main tube with the hard anodized finish that makes this device one rugged and tough hunting riflescope. Originally designed for the US Marine Corps, the reticle that this model is using is excellent at estimating range, windage, and bullet holdover, enabling accurate and precise long-distance shooting. Of course, being the company's mid-range scope, this model is less hostile towards the pocketbook than its flagship relatives, even though the scope borrows more features from these relatives than you'd expect considering the price.

These features include the Precision-Glide™ erector system, making sure that the components inside the zoom lens mechanism are gliding with the smoothest, cleanest touch within the scope's 6.5 - 20x magnification range. They also include the Precision-Force™ spring system, giving you repeatable easy adjustments. The one hiccup here that the more Vortex scopes usually avoid is that this model gets a little cloudy above 12x magnification.

Besides that, the company's extra-low dispersion glass is present and so is the proprietary coating. The construction is as tough as always, the single-piece tube is excellent at improving accuracy and ensuring optimal visual performance, and the capped reset turrets match the Vortex Optics' high-end scopes, offering quick re-indexing.

Vortex Optics Crossfire II is not as serious as the preceding Vortex scopes but the price reflects that as well, with this model costing three-to-five times less than the company's flagship scopes.

Nevertheless, offering long eye relief working with an ultra-forgiving eye box, the scope gives you an accurate sight picture within seconds, so you can acquire the target right away. Meanwhile, the fast focus eyepiece will enable quick and effortless reticle focusing. Ensuring brightness and clarity, the model's even alright with low-light conditions, which is pretty impressive at this low-end price bracket. The colors and shadows will look weird sometimes but this was to be expected. The humble 4 - 7x magnification range also comes as no surprise.

What is somewhat surprising is the same Dead-Hold BDC (MOA) profile that uses the more expensive models' customized hashmark design, eliminating guesswork on holdover and windage corrections. What's not surprising but welcome nonetheless is the coating that features multiple anti-reflective layers, increasing the scope's light transmission. Last but not least, despite hanging with the budget bunch, the Vortex Optics Crossfire II is as shockproof, waterproof, and fogproof as the company's most expensive scopes, so you don't have to worry that the model won't last.

The Vortex Optics Copperhead is the crowd-pleasing favorite that comes at an affordable price without making unforgivable compromises.

The tough construction that Vortex scopes are always offering and the bright images are nothing but icing on an already appealing cake here. We can also say the same about the matte black anodized single-piece aircraft-grade aluminum tube, featuring o-ring sealing and nitrogen-purged to prevent the lenses from fogging up and protect them from the elements. The company's scopes are always great at absorbing impact and minimizing recoil. What they're not always bringing to the table is the locking diopter eyepiece that's used here, letting you set and lock the 'piece setting once and forget it.

Of course, with Vortex Optics' flagship models coming at ~$800 and this one a little above $200, certain sacrifices were inevitable. To name one, the scope is not great with low-light conditions. To add more, its max elevation and windage cap at 60 MOA and the magnification range at 12x, which is not bad but also not comparable to premium models. Still, there are not too many hunters and shooters that will not be satisfied with Vortex Optics Copperhead's overall performance.