Vortex Strike Eagle 1-6×24 AR-BDC Reticle Review
Vortex Optics has, in just over a decade, become one of the premier designers and manufacturers of premium tactical scopes, long rage scopes, red dot sights, and other optics. Often compared to brands like EOTech and AIMpoint, this Wisconsin-based company employs over 140 people. Their slogan, “The Force of Optics” is also a metaphor for their prowess in the market. The Vortex Strike Eagle is a 1-6X tactical scope that allows for point blank target acquisition, and crystal clear magnification at long ranges. It’s made with top-tier materials, features all of the latest technology and features that you’d expect in a modern tactical rifle, and it just oozes quality. To say we’re a fan is an understatement.
Features
- Fully Multi-Coated: Increases light transmission with multiple anti-reflective coatings on all air-to-glass surfaces
- Second Focal Plane Reticle: Scale of reticle maintains the same ideally-sized appearance. Listed reticle subtensions used for estimating range, holdover and wind drift correction are accurate at the highest magnification.
- Glass-etched Reticle: Protected between two layers of glass for optimum durability and reliability.
- Illuminated Reticle: Provides precise aiming under low-light condition
- Single-Piece 30mm Tube: Maximizes alignment for improved accuracy and optimum visual performance, as well as ensures strength and waterproofness.
Detailed Specifications
Specifications
Vortex Strike Eagle Overview
The Vortex Strike Eagle is one of a popular class of scopes with the AR community. With the ability to quickly transition from 1X to 6X magnification, this tactical scope is as usable with both eyes open at 1X magnification for maximum peripheral vision as it is clear and accurate at 6X magnification. It ways just over a pound, and comes with lens caps but no mounting hardware. It’s well packaged, and comes with a fantastic warranty from Vortex. Parallax is set at 100 yards.
Construction
Its 30mm tube is a single piece construction of premium grade aluminum. The tactical scope is filled with nitrogen at a neutral pressure level to maintain performance in various conditions and altitude. It’s also waterproof, not water resistant, like many other less expensive optics. The overall construction and quality should give you peace of mind regardless of whatever situation you may find yourself. This scope is particularly well suited to the AR-10 platform, and has been tested with 7.62mm and .308 loads, and Vortex touts its shockproof construction.
Optics
The multi-coated glass resists the elements such as dust, oil, or anything that may scratch it. It also features anti-glare material on all air-to-glass facing surfaces. We found that the light transmission was excellent, but some more expensive scopes from Vortex, like the Viper PST with XD glass, offered better light transmission, but at a price. Eye relief is approximately 3.5 inches.
Reticle
The Vortex Optics Strike Eagle’s reticle is etched onto the second focal plane. This means that it maintains an optimum size regardless of whether or not you’re running it at 1X or 6X. Cheek weld is important due to its 24mm ocular lens and lack of adjustable objective lens. However, an AO is not often found on this class of scope. It has an AR-BDC reticle, which is very popular with the AR crowd.
Illumination
The Vortex Strike Eagle delivers excellent illumination for the price. On a sunny day, however, you may be running the illumination at its maximum settings. The illumination is fully adjustable. It should be noted that you do NOT need the reticle illuminated in order to use this scope.
Sight-in
Sighting in this scope is a breeze. With windage and elevation adjustable at 1/2 MOA graduation, and the ability to physically set your zero on the adjustment caps, this scope will dial in and send lead downrange like a tack driver.
Comparison
If you’re not ready to spend around $300 for an optics for your AR that doesn’t even come with the mount, you’re probably better off taking a look at the Bushnell 1-4X tactical scope. However, this scope doesn’t feature the same construction or features as the Vortex Strike Eagle. Vortex Optics specifically makes claims about its durability and survivability that Bushnell simply doesn’t talk about.
The Bushnell, however, does come with a throw down lever for quickly changing power. The Vortex Optics Strike Eagle, however, does come with a “bump” on the magnification ring that helps you orientate yourself as to its setting.
The Bushnell is also has a first focal plane reticle. That may be an advantage to some who like its red dot sight appearance at 1X magnification, but the second focal plane design of the Vortex Strike Eagle means a consistent reticle size, regardless of magnification.
Besides the these features, the Vortex Strike Eagle has two more power multipliers than the Bushnell. We think that Vortex has priced their product right where it needs to be in terms of competitive advantages.
Vortex Strike Eagle Review Conclusion
The Vortex Optics Strike Eagle is one of the premier AR tactical scopes on the market. It’s not ostentatious in its design or price, but delivers all the features at a level of quality that is above the mark, all for a fair price.
It is rugged enough to survive drops, liquids, and even being mounted on a more powerful platform like the AR-10. In fact, this may be one of the better, if not the best, tactical scopes for the AR-10. It certainly competes for that title in the AR-15 world.
While you’ll want to match this sight with a rugged 30mm cantilever O-ring mount, which will add to the overall cost of purchasing this tactical scope, we think that you’ll find that you’ve made a great choice in a quality product.
The Vortex Strike Eagle 1-6X tactical scope gets our BTS Editor’s Choice Award for Best AR-15 Tactical Scope
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Videos
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