Reviews & Ratings for Vortex Defender-ST 1x23mm Reflex Red Dot Sight — 69 reviews — Page 1

I put this sight on my Sig p320 x5 Legion and it connected direct without the need for a plate which i liked. The red dot is fine and clear (i got the 3MOA), and the glass is super clear with only a very slight blue tint to the glass. those were the pros. The Cons are more my own feelings on the sight after mounting and running it for a couple of thousand rounds. First the battery door being located on the top is great, but i wish they had gone with the same spring loaded door system that the Defender XL has, the threads on the door are very fine and easily cross-thread which is only made worse by the fact that you cant get your fingers in position to start the door by hand due to the tight space. Using the included wrench works fine after you get it started but i almost cross-threaded it twice trying to use the wrench to get it started.
The buttons are super tactile and large which is great for shooting in cold weather with gloves, or if you have larger fingers. The issue with the big chunky button is that even with the enclosed rubber cover on the sight if you lay your pistol down on a bench or anywhere else that is a hard surface, the buttons WILL get pushed. Not a huge deal for a range toy, but in a competition setting having your brightness set when you holster the gun and then having it changed when you pick the gun back up can be a problem. In short, if you are looking for a good budget optic that has a few minor issues that are easily worked around then this might be...
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My recent purchase of the Vortex Defender ST was nothing short of a great decision!
The install for the novice was easy and comfortable. My first look through the optic and the first shots made were more than I expected. Thank you!!!

THIS IS ONE OF OUR FAVORITE RED DOTS, DOES THE JOB FOR WHAT WE WANT. LOVE THE PRICE AND THE WARRENTY. WE OWN SEVERAL VORTEX PRODUCTS. THE ONLY TIME WE HAD A PROBLEM, CALLED AND THEY SENT OUT A NEW ONE W A LABEL TO SEND THE OTHER BACK, NO PROBLEMS AND FAST! THIS IS A GREAT RED DOT AND HAPPY WITH VORTEX AS A WHOLE!

Excellent product and price. Recommended! Nice size for top of scope mount. Just wish Vortex would come out with mount to work with top of scope.

Absolutely Love this product, I've had the CCW version for my Sig 365XL for at least 2 years and had to get it for my Glock. I am really satisfied with performance, durability and battery life of the dot. My only problem with the dot is zeroing it can be a pain in the but because there is not tactile click when adjusting the elevation and windage. So it took me some time to zero to 25 yards.

I'd recommend the 3 moa dot as well. I have the 6 moa on my Sig, and while its nice having the bigger dot you are sacrificing a lot of precision because of the size of the dot covering up most of the target once you get past 15ish yards.

Literally a phenomenal product, like i said my only qualm is that it is a pain to zero it.

Excellent optic, works better than expected. Fitments was perfect, all mounting hardware was supplied.

This was installed on a Rossi 92 357/.38 special lever action carbine with Ranger Point Precision furniture. It's 2-3ft out of being anywhere remotely accurate. Wasted probably over 100 RDS aiming in the same spot (off target) each time round would hit target when aiming off target. Adjust sight up after 3-4 shots which is what Vortex recommends in their booklet with the product rounds wouldn't even hit target period when aiming on target. Just a simple product review and expected a lot more from a company like Vortex. This was not purchased from Optics Planet

Was looking for a direct mount dot to fit my Sig P226 Xfive STAS and it's is perfect. Dot is crisp. The red dot feels very durable and handles the recoil with zero issue. Comes wither all the screws you can think of and the 1913 mount which is amazing value for the money. Highly recommend it!

Good people there.have done business with them for over three years vortex best in business

Mounted this on my Echelon 4.0 and it’s great, large field of view and seems very sturdy.