Visit the SWFA.com site to check out our current specials. |
Crossfire II better than Viper HS??? |
Post Reply |
Author | |
Remus Redbone
Optics GrassHopper Joined: January/14/2018 Location: USA Status: Offline Points: 10 |
Post Options
Thanks(0)
Posted: February/11/2018 at 21:49 |
Hello all. I'm new here as a poster, but I've been reading here and other places around the web for many years. I'm a long term hunter / shooter who has owned / mounted / used dozens of scopes since the late 70's.
Last fall, I purchased a Vortex Crossfire 4-12x40mm for a bolt action 22, which was a step up for the 22, but not as high end a scope as I've been moving toward for my centerfire rifles. I chose this scope from features and reviews; I had never looked through one. When it arrived, I was completely surprised at the quality of every aspect. I put it on the 22, and it performed flawlessly. At Christmas, my wife bought me a new gun, (1885 Winchester falling block, in 6.5 CM caliber), which obviously required a new scope. I snatched the Crossfire off the 22 and put it on the new gun until I could decide what I wanted. Since I had such a great experience with the Crossfire, I thought I'd move up in the Vortex line. I'm more of a hunter, so I chose a 4-16x50 Viper HS. First trip to the range ended in disappointment. I couldn't get the new Viper clearly focused at 100 yards. My son (who still has good eyes) gave it a try and had the same issue. The best focus we could get was around the 100 yard mark on the side focus knob, but the target was still blurry. When I got home, I compared it to the Crossfire, and it was as expected, not nearly as clear. Another disappointment, per specs on the Vortex web site, the Viper is supposed to have a 27.4' field of view at 100 yards at 4x & the Crossfire is supposed to have a 24.7' field of view at 100 yards also at 4x. Looking from my shop toward my house, which is exactly 300' away, I can see 2.5 of my carport openings with the Crossfire, which are each 10' wide for a total field of view around 25'. With the Viper HS, I can only see two openings and MAYBE 2' more for a total field of view around 22', which is 20% less than the published FOV spec. 1. So, did I get the latest Crossfire (it is a Crossfire "II") which is improved to a level better than the next line of products? 2. Did I get an old generation Viper HS that is not as good as a newer Viper (is there a Viper "II") ? 3. Or did I get a defective scope? |
|
supertool73
Optics God Superstool Joined: January/03/2008 Status: Offline Points: 11814 |
Post Options
Thanks(0)
|
I would call vortex and talk to them. They have amazing customer service. They will likely replace the scope for you with little to no questions asked. They are outstanding that way.
|
|
Lifetime warranty and excellent customer service don't mean a thing when your gun fails during a zombie attack.
"A Liberal is a person who will give away everything they don't own." |
|
SVT_Tactical
MODERATOR Chief Sackscratch Joined: December/17/2009 Location: NorthCackalacky Status: Offline Points: 31233 |
Post Options
Thanks(0)
|
Id say you got a dud.... Vortex will make it right for sure. one of the best CS companies you will ever deal with.
|
|
"Most folks are about as happy as they make their minds up to be" - Abraham Lincoln
|
|
Sparky
Optics Master Extraordinaire Joined: July/15/2007 Location: SD Status: Offline Points: 4569 |
Post Options
Thanks(0)
|
Yes call Vortex. They will take care of you.
|
|
Remus Redbone
Optics GrassHopper Joined: January/14/2018 Location: USA Status: Offline Points: 10 |
Post Options
Thanks(0)
|
They are having me send it back to them
|
|
Remus Redbone
Optics GrassHopper Joined: January/14/2018 Location: USA Status: Offline Points: 10 |
Post Options
Thanks(0)
|
Vortex Viper 4-16x50 came back from repair today. No change that I could tell.
Vortex is going to send me something of better quality. Hear are two scope views, both set at 4x, both pictures taken with a Galaxy S7 set at 2.5x to bring the image closer to full view on the screen. Camera was held where the full image was visible. one scope was $180 new, the other $570 [IMG][/IMG] |
|
Remus Redbone
Optics GrassHopper Joined: January/14/2018 Location: USA Status: Offline Points: 10 |
Post Options
Thanks(0)
|
Vortex came through by substituting a different model scope for the Viper HS.
The new scope is of much better quality, better field of view, and lighter weight. I'm happy. |
|
alaska_guy
Optics GrassHopper Joined: February/07/2018 Location: Alaska Status: Offline Points: 34 |
Post Options
Thanks(0)
|
I am not happy with their viper line either. PST, HST HS etc. I think their options are better, but the glass really isn't all that much better. What scope model did they end up swapping you out for that you are happy with? |
|
joe_sun
Optics GrassHopper Joined: January/15/2006 Status: Offline Points: 13 |
Post Options
Thanks(0)
|
I had a similar experience. I grabbed a couple of Crossfire II 4-12 AO scopes that were on clearance for 90.00 each and threw them on a couple of 22s. Then I scored a closeout Diamondback 4-12x40 AO scope for 40.00 at Cabelas! Upgrade right? I sold one of the Crossfire II scopes.
Big mistake, when I got to the range I saw the CF II is clearer and has MUCH better CA than the Diamondback, so much so that I paid to send the DB back to Vortex to make sure something wasn't wrong with it, it came back as in perfect working order. Recently I tried a Burris MTAC that retailed for 550.00 and the crossfire was nicer than it as well. |
|
Urimaginaryfrnd
MODERATOR Resident Redneck Joined: June/20/2005 Location: Iowa Status: Offline Points: 14964 |
Post Options
Thanks(0)
|
Vortex without any issues replaced a Razor red dot that I had to drill the screw out of to remove it.
|
|
"Always do the right thing, just because it is the right thing to do". Bobby Paul Doherty Texas Ranger |
|
tahqua
MODERATOR Have You Driven A Ford Lately? Joined: March/27/2006 Location: Michigan, USA Status: Offline Points: 9044 |
Post Options
Thanks(0)
|
I bought a 6-24x50 AO Crossfire from SWFA a few years back. I have been shock testing it on a magnum springer and it is holding up well. The optics aren't great but serviceable for my purpose. The nice thing is the PA close focus' down to 10m.
If it fails I will send it in, and from what I've read here, Vortex will take care of it. |
|
Doug
|
|
Remus Redbone
Optics GrassHopper Joined: January/14/2018 Location: USA Status: Offline Points: 10 |
Post Options
Thanks(0)
|
Vortex came through by substituting a different model scope for the Viper HS.
The new scope is of much better quality, better field of view, and lighter weight. I'm happy. |
|
hatton mann
Optics Apprentice Joined: March/02/2011 Location: ne Status: Offline Points: 179 |
Post Options
Thanks(0)
|
O.K.,,,we got that the second time,,,so, what did they send you...?
|
|
Remus Redbone
Optics GrassHopper Joined: January/14/2018 Location: USA Status: Offline Points: 10 |
Post Options
Thanks(0)
|
Razor HD LH 3-15x42
Sorry for the repeat post. Appears to be a cut & paste by me, but it definitely wasn't my intention. I looked in my history & I did visit Optics Talk on 3/22, so I must have done it somehow. Half asleep web browsing I guess. I think I was attempting to copy and paste the same reply on the Marlin Owners forum. |
|
Remus Redbone
Optics GrassHopper Joined: January/14/2018 Location: USA Status: Offline Points: 10 |
Post Options
Thanks(0)
|
And by the way; the Razor is now easily the highest quality scope I own among several Leupolds and a couple Burris'
|
|
Post Reply | |
Tweet
|
Forum Jump | Forum Permissions You cannot post new topics in this forum You cannot reply to topics in this forum You cannot delete your posts in this forum You cannot edit your posts in this forum You cannot create polls in this forum You cannot vote in polls in this forum |