Is My Newly Arrived Vortex Strikefire II Defective?

[spyde12]

Below might sound like a troll question, but I'm really serious.

I bought a Vortex Strikefire II (Red/Green dot) from Opticsplanet. This is my first red dot experience ever (as in, I don't have a form of reference such as using someone else's). So again, my question might sound stupid, but I'm serious. Before turning it on, I expected a solid red or green dot (depending on what ever setting it was set from the factory). However, mine looks like a series of circles in a cluster. I tried taking a picture, but it just appears as 1 solid dot on camera. I decided to draw it so that you can see what I mean:


Is this how it's supposed to look? In addition, I think the windage and elevation is jacked because I purposely clicked it all the way until it wouldn't turn anymore and then followed the dot(s) to see if it moved as I twisted it the other direction. Opticsplanet offers a free exchange and I tried calling them the other day, but they were busy. They did return my call, but I was on the other line with my client. I don't want to return/exchange this item if it's just user error.

What do you guys/gals think? Thanks in advance!

[VQ209]

Do you by chance have an astigmatism? That's somewhat what my aim point pro looks like to me. I thought it was broken too until I found out it was due to my astigmatism.

[eviioiive]

+1 astigmatism

I see star burst on red dots. Try etched glass or a 1-4 scope

[spyde12]

Do you by chance have an astigmatism? That's somewhat what my aim point pro looks like to me. I thought it was broken too until I found out it was due to my astigmatism.

I don't have perfect vision, but afaik I don't have astigmatism . However, let's just say I do. The windage and elevation knobs should move the red dot from one area over to other area, correct?

Sent from my SM-N900T using Tapatalk

[spyde12]

+1 astigmatism

I see star burst on red dots. Try etched glass or a 1-4 scope

My other AR has a 1-4 scope that illuminates red and it's solid when I look though it.

Sent from my SM-N900T using Tapatalk

[WartHog]

Do you wear eyeglasses? If so, perhaps your Optometrist can give you a new prescription that might help mitigate the astigmatism?

[spyde12]

Do you wear eyeglasses? If so, perhaps your Optometrist can give you a new prescription that might help mitigate the astigmatism?

Definitely worth looking into. I'll also swing by my local lgs sometime next week and have them look at my red dot. I'll also look at other red dots to compare as well.

Sent from my SM-N900T using Tapatalk

[faris1984]

I have the same problem but I don't have astigmatism.Try to look throu camera into the red dot if it fine then it's not defective.
I don't like vortex because alot of people don't see the perfect red dot and I'm one of them.

[WartHog]

Having others look thru it would be a good test to see if it's you or the unit itself.

I own both a cheap Bushnell TRS-25 and an Aimpoint PRO. The quality of the dot on the Bushnell is no where near as crisp/tight as that of the Aimpoint.

[bombadillo]

Typically astigmatism doesn't cause this. It most often makes ones eye perceive things like this to be elongated and in one direction. He is stating that it is a round dot, but the dot is made up of tiny dots within that, resulting as a small cluster of dots.


OP, does it look elongated and at one set angle, and if so, turn it at an angle and see if the elongated dot turns with the scope, or if your eye perceives it the same from every angle. At that point, you will know you have astigmatism, and if you don't, try getting a new scope first.

[spyde12]

Typically astigmatism doesn't cause this. It most often makes ones eye perceive things like this to be elongated and in one direction. He is stating that it is a round dot, but the dot is made up of tiny dots within that, resulting as a small cluster of dots.


OP, does it look elongated and at one set angle, and if so, turn it at an angle and see if the elongated dot turns with the scope, or if your eye perceives it the same from every angle. At that point, you will know you have astigmatism, and if you don't, try getting a new scope first.

^^^This in bold and it never changes in shape.

Sent from my SM-N900T using Tapatalk

[michael0594]

Use your phone camera and see how it captures the red dot. It should be round.

[spyde12]

Use your phone camera and see how it captures the red dot. It should be round.

I have a note 3 and it won't focus to a crisp image no matter how I aim it.

Sent from my SM-N900T using Tapatalk

[spyde12]

I went to my local lgs and they said it's normal. They also suggested to lower the brightness setting. I did a search on Google and at THR someone posted the following:


To test if it's the sight or your eye try this: Rotate the sight while looking though it. If the irregularity follows the rotation of the optic, it's the optic. If the distortion stays in the same place, it's your eyes.

Yep, it's my eyes and not the optic. Thanks to everyone that chimed in.

Sent from my SM-N900T using Tapatalk