Which Vortex Glass for my Grendel

[Horrendo Revolver]

I’m not disputing what you say boyguan. Everyone’s eyes are different to a certain degree, some people much more so than others. Your experience is definitely the exception to the rule.

[boyguan]

[Paul_R]

I've only had PST's and I've always been completely happy with them. I've had 3 gen I's, and 2 gen II's. I always thought the gen I glass was awesome, and I still do, but the gen II glass is noticeably brighter than the the gen I. The EBR-2C reticle is awesome.

[JackEllis]

I have a Diamondback 2-7 power on a .243 I use for deer, coyotes and larger varmints and I'm pleased with it. I have a Leupold 2.5-8 power scope on my .30-06, which I use for larger game and I'm happy with it as well. I would not put a Crossfire on a large caliber rifle after having a bad experience with a cheap Bushnell scope that nearly ended an elk hunt. Crossfires may be fine on a Grendel but I'm not willing to take the chance.

I have thought about a more powerful scope for the .243, but it would be used for shooting steel at distance and I'd have to mount a rail as well. Maybe later.

Low light performance is important for some people. I'm a pretty conservative hunter and would rather pass up shots I'm not comfortable with than risk a potentially catastrophic mistake.

YMMV

[Horrendo Revolver]

Low light performance is important for some people. I'm a pretty conservative hunter and would rather pass up shots I'm not comfortable with than risk a potentially catastrophic mistake.

Good low light performance is important to most hunters because it enables them to take shots they DO feel comfortable with.

I don’t know what it is like where you live but everywhere I’ve hunted the majority of hogs are killed at night which is aided by good low light scope performance. The majority of deer are killed early in the morning or late in the afternoon, ergo, good low light performance. Your statement really doesn’t make sense.

[KSH]

Fyi, you can get a military discount for vortex from expert city.

Sent from my SM-J727T using Tapatalk

[The Tiger]

Maybe someone can verify, but I thought the Mark AR line was VX-1 glass... maybe it is better. If it is VX-1 glass, I had the opposite experience comparing two 3-9's

I thought Mark AR was VX-2 glass. I have that Mark AR 3-9 on my 18" 6.5 and am very happy.

Plus it is extra light (12 ounce optic) and I was going with a light weight hunting build. Scope is 6 ounces lighter than many competitors. With a lightweight mount like my Aero at 3.2 ounces I cut more than half a pound off my total combo.

[crufflers]

I thought Mark AR was VX-2 glass. I have that Mark AR 3-9 on my 18" 6.5 and am very happy.

OK, I found a thread on ARF.com where someone from Leupold said they are comparable to VX-2 glass... makes sense to me. Mine looks great. I'd buy another if I could get the price I got back then.

[Jimi Jah]

I have a 4x16x50mm Vortex on my 20" Grendel. Yes, it's a big, honking scope but I can see far with it. It's a heavy rifle with the fat barrel, etc.

I didn't build the Grendel to save weight, it's a bench rifle.

[crufflers]

I have the basic Viper 30mm 6.5-20x44 and the Viper 4-16x44 HS-LR... both are good scopes. I actually replaced a Diamondback 4-12x40 with the HS-LR on a bolt gun, but honestly the Diamondback worked great the whole time it was on there (A .308).

[The Tiger]

I have the basic Viper 30mm 6.5-20x44 and the Viper 4-16x44 HS-LR... both are good scopes. I actually replaced a Diamondback 4-12x40 with the HS-LR on a bolt gun, but honestly the Diamondback worked great the whole time it was on there (A .308).

I have the same Viper 6.5-20 and it is very clear. For the cost, the clarity is great. I have it on a bolt gun that is just a paper puncher. It's clearer than my 100mm Konus spotting scope at long range where the Konus has a mirage and the Vortex does not. Beyond 400 yards. Eye relief is a little tight (critical) on 20x. The other downside is the reticle is very basic. So its good for its intended purpose.

It was my first Vortex purchase a few years ago. I'm now a fan and have bought more of their products.

[crufflers]

I have the same Viper 6.5-20 and it is very clear. For the cost, the clarity is great. I have it on a bolt gun that is just a paper puncher.

Mine is on a Compass .308.

[Pharmboy]

OP, I think the Diamondback will be better and worth the price difference. I have a gen1 Viper PST 1-4 and feel it has better clarity than the gen2 Strike Eagle 1-8s, so I assume there will be a similar difference across Vortex lines. On a side note, I like my VX-2 ultralight better than both Vortex, but it is not a fair comparison because the objective is bigger (more light) and the fine duplex makes a less cluttered view that subjectively changes my perception on clarity

[Horrendo Revolver]

It’s not the bigger objective, it’s better glass. I’ve got a VX-3 1.75-6x32 that’s brighter than my VX-2 3-9x40 when both are set at the same magnification. Objective size really doesn’t make much difference, tests have proven that, though many refuse to believe it. Glass quality and lens coating are what matters.

[crufflers]

The only huge objective I own is a CFII 50mm and it is the worst dimmest glass IIRC... unless you want to count some old retired junk like Tasco and BSA. I should compare my old Simmons 44MAG to the CF.