Reviews - Vortex StrikeFire Red Dot Scope for AR15 SF-BR-AR15 Reviews - VX-RD-STKF-SF-BR-AR15

Author: MSgtRock , 30+ years career LEO and 20 years reserve military. Tours in Iraq and Afghanistan. , from Pacific NW, WA on May 6, 2013
Pros:  Relatively inexpensive, durable, no issues so far...well over a year.
Cons:  See comments
Would recommend:  yes

MSgtRock wrote:

I have had this on a patrol rifle for over a year. I have abused it. It's been out in the Pacific NW weather, in and out of a patrol car, bumped, knocked and probably had 500-750 rds through the gun since installed. On weekends it stored in a locker in a rifle case. I mechanically co-witnessed it out of the box it was nearly dead on at 100m when I got it to the range. The only issue I had was in the rifle case, the "on/off" switch is sensitive enough to activate and it does not have an "auto off" so it ran the battery down. I fabricated a guard for it and resolved the issue, so no problems since. I have recommended it to other folks who have purchased it and they have similar experiences.

Author: Rick Gargurevich (verified customer) from Georgetown, CA on Mar 27, 2013
Pros:  Durable, bright dots, controls easy to use, built in caps
Cons:  adjustment is inconsistent, green dot not same POI as red dot
Would recommend:  no

Rick Gargurevich wrote:

The first one I bought sighted in really easy. Hardly any backlash in adjustments. However, once I had it sighted in, I switched to the green dot and my group moved 3" to the left and 1" high at 50 yards. Factory was really nice and easy to deal with. They sent a replacement after I send back the 1st one on my dime. The 2nd one was more difficult to sight in. Way more backlash. After 2 boxes of ammo, got it spot on. Switched to green dot and group was off 2-1/2" to left ans 1-1/2" high. Called factory again and they sent me another complete unit right away and a return label to send back the old one. 3rd one was WAY harder to dial in. It's supposed to move 1/2 MOA per click. Movement is not consistent at all. After 2 more boxes of ammo, got it dialed in then switched to green dot. Green dot was off 1-1/2" left and high. I've wasted 6 boxes of ammo trying to get a perfect one. I'm debating returning it for a refund and getting something else or just leaving it on there and never using the ...
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Author: tlaw193 (verified customer) , professional law enforcement, from York, PA on Mar 5, 2013
Pros:  usability, value
Cons:  single dot, no reticle patterns
Would recommend:  yes

tlaw193 wrote:

The Strikefire is a capable red dot sight and a great value for the money. Not an EoTech, but just as reliable and less than half the price. Could stand to have a choice of reticle patterns, but having the screw in magnifier makes up for that shortcoming. The red dot itself is sufficiently adequate for rapid target acquisition.

Author: jtcassidy57 (verified customer) , Retired Federal Law Enforcement Officer, from Covington, LA on Mar 4, 2013
Pros:  Well made, easy to zero, light weight
Cons:  Made in China, Red dot blurs on the highest setting, no cord to keep caps fron rolling away
Would recommend:  yes

jtcassidy57 wrote:

I bought this based on what I read and saw on "youtube", but don't be fooled this is just a basic red dot with minimal capabilities. However the 2x magnifier is cool, but awkward to use in the field - if you're doing speed drill or moving (tactical shooting) it is useless, on the bench it is ok. Also there is no cord to hold the caps to the scope and they'll roll away if not careful. I would suggest if you were to consider this scope to take a look at the sightmark or save you money and buy an Aimpoint or EOTech. To be fair on the day we were shooting my so was using an EOTech 522 and I could do everything he could do, and hit the same targets with similar accurracy. Good Luck - and look at all before you buy.

Author: johnj45acp (verified customer) , Customer, from De Pere Wisconsin on Mar 2, 2013
Pros:  Easy to set up and use, Great quality and features for the money.
Cons:  Better placement of the NV(Night Vision)mode button would make it nearly perfect.
Would recommend:  yes

johnj45acp wrote:

I did alot of research on the StrikeFire before I bought it. I new of its majot shortcoming(NV mode button placement), which even then was not a big deal. I wisely chose the Red Dot only instead of the Red/Green Dot version. The reason being that the major complaint of the latter was that the dot wasn't bright enough in Red mode. The Red Dot only model didn't have this shortcoming. Overall, A fine tactical sight for the money(and then some). I'm looking forward to adding a magnifier someday.

Author: Jesse Hoover (verified customer) from Madison Mississippi on Jan 20, 2013
Pros:  Affordable .Well made.Easy to use.
Cons:  None as of yet
Would recommend:  yes

Jesse Hoover wrote:

Was skeptical at first.But after getting it my hands .Felt worlds better about my purchase.

Author: Michael Volpe (verified customer) , 18 Year member Navajo County Sheriffs Posse, from Parker on Jan 14, 2013
Pros:  Price, adjustability and easy battery access
Cons:  Eyepiece dust cover can’t be moved to magnification scope attachment.
Would recommend:  yes

Michael Volpe wrote:

Great little unit for the price! Super easy to install and adjust. The red dot is fully adjustable form low light to full sun. One little annoyance is at full power, the dot looks more like a moth, but turn it down a little and its perfect. Mine is on a Colt Sporter, Target Model with carry handle. Bought a drop-in picatinny rail and you can still use the iron sights with the Red Dot mounted. I liked it so much, I bought another for my Mossberg!

Author: benzo714 (verified customer) , Weekend target shooter!! , from columbus, ohio on Nov 5, 2012
Pros:  Flip up eye covers!!!
Cons:  Non yet
Would recommend:  yes

benzo714 wrote:

Mounted this Vortex red dot on top of my AK47, and have had a bst with it!!! Just as good as my eotech and less then half the price.

Author: gotmetal (verified customer) , Avid shooter, from Yucca Valley CA on Aug 10, 2012
Pros:  Bright dot, clear glass, durable, looks great, affordable
Cons:  Lens cap can be a pain to close, power button location
Would recommend:  yes

gotmetal wrote:

The Strikefire is an excellent value red dot. The glass is clear and the dot is very visible, even in bright sunlight. It's very simple to get mounted up and zeroed in. Holds zero just fine for average range use (.223 for me). Repeated abuse might yield different results. Overall looks great and seems durable enough for my intended use. Only minor gripes are the power button location and slight difficulty in closing the lens caps, not enough to take off a star. Otherwise an A+ product.

Author: Jeff (verified customer) , Hate cheap crap but dont believe any optic is worth $3,000., from Illinois on Jul 13, 2012
Pros:  great deal for the money, very clear optic, bright dot
Would recommend:  yes

Jeff wrote:

Mounted on RRA operator 2. Looks great, was almost dead on out of the box.