Vortex Spitfire may be a new brand in the optics and scope realm, but that doesn’t mean it’s not high quality. While most gun enthusiasts know the names Aimpoint, Eotech, and Leupoid, few react when someone mentions Vortex because the brand just started emerging as a key player. You might have heard some buzz about the Vortex Spitfire 3x, in particular, and with good reason.
Truth be told, Vortex first started selling rifle scopes in 2002, but only recently did they garner praise and attention after people discovered the lower pricing and higher quality. Made in America, many gun owners will jump at the opportunity to support American-made companies, and this scope is one of them. Let’s find out more about the Vortex Spitfire 3x.
First Glimpses of the Vortex Spitfire 3x
At first glance out of the box, the Vortex Spitfire 3x looks and feels like a quality scope. The designers made it shockproof to withstand the recoil of the heavier cartridges, such as the 7.62 NATO. With the chassis, you have a single-piece design to aid the durability of the optic. The finish sparkles, but for those who prefer the matte look on their optics, the Vortex Spitfire 3x may not fit your tastes.
Some people prefer the matte appearance because it stops the sun from reflecting off the scope and blinding you. You also have two shorter sections on the rail to mount the offset optic. Meanwhile, you have enough on the rail to mount a miniature red dot, and you can still take off the rail to lighten the burden of what you carry.
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A glimpse through the lens means you see a clear picture, and you notice how the reticle etches onto the prism. Should the battery die, you can still use the scope during daylight hours. Keep in mind, however, the scope lends you little visibility during a low light situation without the battery. Before you start to use the reticle, you may want to consult the owner’s manual to understand how to use the reticle properly.
This scope also purges nitrogen gas to stop fog buildup on the internal parts. The designers gave it a full multi-coating for two excellent advantages: First, the sun’s glare bounces off the optics, and the internal coats increase light visibility.
Understanding the Vortex Spitfire
You can buy the Spitfire as two different scopes. You can buy 1x and 3x. Manufacturers designed the Vortex Spitfire 3x variant for optics use, and the optic had been designed for the 5.56/.223 cartridge, but you can still insert alternative cartridges into the firearm.
The Vortex Spitfire 3x weighs 12.2 ounces, so you have a lighter scope but not feather-light either. A stronger rifle recoil should have a lighter scope fastened to it. While the heavier scopes do have their uses, to mount a heavier scope on a deer hunting rifle you carry around all day will cause exhaustion and plenty of complaints later.
Battery
This scope comes with a 1 CR 2032 battery, and while the battery has some uncommon traits, most of your bigger stores will carry these batteries, and they only cost about two dollars each. Taking a look at the battery life, you have five distinct settings, and your battery’s lifespan depends on the brightness of the reticle. Should you click the brightest setting, Vortex reports a battery life of 250 hours. Meanwhile, the dimmest setting yields 3,000 hours of battery life.
Keep in mind that storage and extremely cold weather lower the battery life. Because manufacturers made the Vortex Spitfire 3x an etched reticle, you can leave the brightness set to almost zero and use little battery. However, if you are working on holdovers, the lighting helps define the lines on the target.
Performance
You can mount the Vortex Spitfire 3x to the rail tightly, and the optic won’t loosen. The reticle itself performs similar to the Trijicon ACOG, and it suffers the same problem of clutter and unnecessary complexity. The crossbars start large, and they become smaller as you descend. In total, you have four crossbars, and the design lets its placement over a man of average size.
In terms of range, you can hit 200 yards at the top range and 500 yards closer to the smallest crossbar. This scope offers some deadly accuracy, and even the 500 yards will yield spectacular results provided you use the appropriate barrel length and ammo. Closer range engagements will fill the circle of the reticle a lot like the Eotech. You fill the circle with your target and start shooting.
Vortex Spitfire 3x Cons
Compared to the ACOG 4 x 32, the Vortex Spitfire 3x weighs much more. If you want a great similar optic, however, you may want to choose the ACOG 4 x 32 because of its toughness. The Marines and several special Army units have chosen the ACOG because of the variety of configurations, and the reticle looks much like Spitfire while being of the highest quality. The Vortex Spitfire 3x has another problem. Use of the scope leaves you with limited rail space.
Whether you should buy the Vortex Spitfire 3x depends on your application. This scope offers excellent durability, and a few people talked about how when they accidentally dropped it, it stayed intact. It could compete in competition shooting or be used for police use.
You will struggle to beat the quality of the Vortex Spitfire 3x. It’s a premium built scope with a sharp and crisp reticle. You do not necessarily have to use the battery much, and the bullet still hits the target with lethal precision. Also, Vortex products come backed with a strong warranty where if you experience problems, the company will step in. In close to medium-ranged shooting, the Vortex Spitfire 3x excels its rivals with deadly accuracy. You can use it for tactical shooting and hunting. Many people have commented about this scope’s accuracy as one of the best optics for an AR rifle.
