VortexOptics Spitfire HD Gen II Red Dot Prism Scopes

Recently purchased my third Vortex Spitfire HD Gen II 5x. I like this particular scope very much and have been very happy with its performance. Clear optics, easy to use, light, compact and at a price that doesn't break the budget. What more can you ask for. After my first shooting session with the latest copy, I noticed several hairline cracks in the field of view. Contacted Vortex and they sent me a shipping label so I could return it. They were fast, friendly and super responsive to my problem. Replaced my scope lickety split and I am up and running with a new scope. Totally awesome customer service.

I suffer from a pretty bad astigmatism and there are not a lot of red dot options for me that don't star or burst out. Making the switch to prism scope was my only move and couldn't be happier with the spitfire gen 2. Class is extremely clear. The eye relief isn't the greatest but who cares this is purely a range toy and does a flawless job at that. Definitely worth trying out!

I bought this to replace my LPVO on an AR15. I couldn’t justify the size or the weight of the LPVO when I was only using one particular magnification the whole time.This is a great alternative. Obviously, the eye relief isn’t as good, but the reticle is sharp and very bright, field of view isn’t bad, and it weighs less than half what my LPVO weighs.I also ordered a Sig Bravo5 and really liked that, but again it was too big and heavy. The vortex will never match the field of view of the Sig, but it’s better than a lot of others.The only complaint I have about it is adjustments are 1 MOA per click. I think they should be 0.5 on a 5x optic. Also I wish it came with an absolute co-witness mount. PA includes a ton of mounts with their optics but Vortex only included the lower 1/3 and a low mount. The low mount is a touch too low and the 1/3 is too high for me. But I’m sure it will work for most people.Either way, I highly recommend this optic. I’m considering getting the 3x version for my SBR.

First impressions of the Vortex 5X microprism scope... The glass is excellent, no problem there; however, I had to move it to the last notch of my rail to get a good sight picture. To do this, I had to remove my BUIS (Back Up Iron Sights) which fixed my eye box problem but...no irons now. Bummer.Some are telling me to put a cantilever mount on it so I can move the scope mount forward allowing room for the BUIS. I might do this in the future but right now haven't been able to find a mount for it that allows this. The problem is Aimpoint mounts, like this, normally are for red dots which have a ton of eye relief, so you don't need to move them back towards your eye so much, necessitating a cantilever mount. On the other hand, scopes you do so...why did Vortex not use an ACOG mount instead of an Aimpoint or, why didn't they make a cantilever mount of it? Dunno. Anyway, we're still working the problem. We'll see...It's lightweight, less than half the weight of the old model and about half the physical size so big improvement there. The reticle is bright but don't think it is any brighter than the old Spitfire, but the scope has 2X more magnification more than the old Spitfire. Price wise, all-in-all, it's definitely worth the $300, so you won't find me complaining about price.What I don't like are the buttons. I just don't like them - period. Frankly, rather than have them I would have preferred just an on/off button or, better yet, a knob because it's simply awkward to adjust them and a button can be bump easier than a knob can be turned. Yes, it does give you a clean profile on the scope with less to snag. One turns scope on by simply pressing either button and turns it off by holding either button for 3 seconds which is nice not having to fiddle around trying to find the '+' or '-' button in the dark. No, the buttons have good enough feel, not great but okay, it's just I find it awkward to operate them. BTW it will automatically turn off after 14 hours...which seems a bit long to me. 14 hours? Really, Vortex?The rail mounting screws needs an allen/hex wrench, so no thumb screws like the old Spitfire. So, if you are in the field and you have to get this off - well - good luck without the correct tool. Vortex does include a nice tool for it, sort of a key. With the old Spitfire, I could install the BUIS but couldn't use them without removing the optic which wasn't a perfect solution but workable because the thumbscrews allowed removal of the optic in about 15-20 seconds maximum. Now, I better have the little key or a wrench.I also don't like these bikini caps which are tied to the battery case via strap, just don't like them but for weight, guess I need to get use to them.So, no BUIS now...and that's a bummer...yeah, I don't need batteries cause the reticle is etch so in theory one doesn't need BUIS, right? I hope. This and not caring for the buttons are my only complaints. Well, I still don't understand their decision of using an Aimpoint mount...Anyway, that's my first impressions and all I got right now. I haven't decided 100% if I will keep it but more than likely I will. It's lightweight, smaller, an etched reticle, the glass is big and bright and 5X is great with these old eyeballs and it's definitely worth $300 bucks so... I doubt we'll find much better in this weight range and/or price range.

Arrived safely due to the packaging. I wish it came with a hard case, however. The instructions are great even though it is basically plug and pew pew after bore sighting. I purchased the 5X version and I feel like its the perfect 75 - 150 yard optic for an AR. I'm a plinker, no competitive shooting or hunting but I do own a fair amount of optics. This is a simple, accurate and reasonably priced solution for target shooting.

Some people come down on Vortex but how can you beat a well made, durable sight like this that holds zero and works every time you need it. Personally I love Vortex stuff and for the price with a lifetime no questions asked warranty to the possessor, you can’t beat it. Great sight and sight picture!

I haven't ran through a full battery but I love this sight. Light weight beautiful clarity. I need more of them.

Poor eye relief where it's un bearable at times.Good concept but poor execution.The deal breaker is eye relief.Lens caps are super poor quality, spitfire 3x Gen 1Is a better choice.