The UK's Finest Independent Forum for Shooters and Gun Owners. Est 2010.

Anyone got a vortex spitfire red dot?
I'm after some general info by people who have had/got one.
Would you recommend one? pros & cons if any?
Would you say a decent red dot with separate magnifier is better?

I'm torn between the two

The Spitfire is a great scope, but it's not as versatile as a red dot / magnifier combo. I particularly like the Spitfire's etched reticle and the clarity of the glass, it's very impressive and fast to acquire targets with..... but I more often that not use a SPARC AR/II on it's own and don't bother with a magnifier at all.

The key question you need to answer is do you always need 3x magnification? If the answer is no then either go for a 1-X mag scope or a RD with magnifier.

I feel and do almost exactly as above. A separate red dot and magnifier gives the most versatility, whether or not you actually need that versatility will largely depend on what you're doing with the rifle.

For example; the majority of my .22lr shooting is close range (sub 25m) rapid shooting at fairly large targets, therefore magnification might not only not be an advantage, it may actually be a disadvantage by slowing me down. I have the magnifier for the odd occasion when I'm required to shoot at longer distances or the target(s) are made smaller by being partially covered by a No-shoot target etc.

FYI I have a Holosun 503C red dot on a 1/2" QD riser mount with a Vortex 3x magnifier behind (when needed)

i have it on the 22 i'm using for informal club practical matches. I found it to be good, quick to acquire, and I see green a lot better that red, so that's another plus for me (if the sparc came in green, i'd buy a 2nd one). the only downside was when we did some small targets from about 2 foot, with no kills interspursed, it was a total blur, but with my sparc, it would have been fine.

with the spitfire, there is also a large circle as part of the reticule, i find it easier to throw this over a target, than see and then place a small dot with the sparc.

I dont have a magnifier, so I can't comment on that side of things

I had one sold it, found the reticle a bit busy for fast stuff and you do actually need to focus it. Needs a sunshade if you shoot early morning or late afternoon. I went back to a 1-4, still not as quick as a dot, but get on with that better than I did the 1x Spitfire.

All depends on what type of shooting you want do? Do you want a permanent x3 mag? Is this for a .22LR or centerfire? The Spitfire x3 has a 5.56 BDC reticle. I run a SPARC II on my .22AR as i need quick target acquisition on steels and targets.

If you want a Red dot with the option for x3 mag, then the VMX 3T and SPARC make a great combo.

Im going to be putting it on a .22 rimfire and shooting at 25 and up to 50 yards. From what I can see from the above comments so far the best all round is the red dot and magnifier.

Good choice. Think you will be very happy with that set up,

James

I have both setups. The vortex is a great optic, clear and crisp. The red dot and magnifier takes up more space but prefer it when getting bunnies.

Nice set ups Grant