Vortex Optics Sparc II Red Dot Sight - 2 MOA Dot

The closest you can get to an Aimpoint Micro without dropping at least $600+. So first and foremost, this is not an Aimpoint and that's okay, it will still get you 95% of the way there for literally 1/3rd the cost. In my opinion this optic would be great for 99% of the applications you'd see a red dot used for. Home defense, patrol rifle, SHTF rifle, training, plinking, hunting, etc. I would not want to be jumping out of helicopters or airplanes with this thing but then again...that's not my job or application. So if you're not a commando, save your money for ammo and training and buy this instead of the Aimpoint...unless of course you can buy all three in which case, lucky you.Pros:1.) It's small, light, and uses little upper real estate. You can have flip up irons up at the same time no problem.2.) The base that comes with it is actually very nice considering it was free. I expected to have to upgrade, but no concerns now, the optic is held securely in place. Additionally you have the option of full cowitness or lower 1/3rd, I chose full and it works flawlessly.3.) It's fast and allows two eyes open without any problem. I was concerned that the controls being located on the left side of the optic would partially obstruct my left eye but it is not noticeable.4.) The LED is plenty bright, I have no trouble seeing it in sunlight whatsoever.5.) The glass is as clear as an Aimpoint. This means that the optic has a very slight blue hue just like the Aimpoint, but is not excessively dark. This is part of the red light filtration coatings they put on the glass.6.) The warranty is stupid good and the customer service is the best I've ever seen. Yes, I have used their warranty once already when I noticed an optic I had was not as clear as another. I called it in, they went to the warehouse and pulled 9 different ones and sent me the clearest one they had (and a free T-shirt for my trouble). They even paid shipping both ways. If the warranty is not important to you, you could try Primary Arms. They are not quite the quality of Vortex but cost almost half as much and are also an excellent value. In my opinion, it's Primary Arms for around $100, Vortex for the $200 range, and jump right to Aimpoint for $400+. To me the warranty is critical. Occasionally my rifle will sit in a car in 100+ degree Texas heat. This can cause a lithium battery to explode and ruin the optic. I've never had it happen to me but I have seen it happen before. Vortex would not hesitate to replace the optic should this occur. Primary Arms? Not so much. Just something to consider.7.) The optic is pretty tough, it's taken some banging around and works just fine. That said I have not run this optic through a rough carbine course yet, but that day approaches and I'll report back with a follow up. The fit and finish are very good and the optic feels solid (unlike several other brands I could mention...including some similarly priced big named ones).8.) The on/off switch is very usable and unlike the SPARC 1st generation, it is very unlikely you accidentally turn this thing off. The auto shutoff is 6 hours. To this point I have not had it on long enough for that to matter, even if it should, a mere press of the button brings it right back up.9.) The optic comes with everything you need EXCEPT a kill flash. Caps? Check. Base? Check. Batery? Yep, check again. It even comes with a nice little lens cleaning cloth.10.) The quality of the optic exceeds the price tag in my opinion. It is not a $400 Aimpoint, but it's better than pretty much everything else comparably priced.Cons:1.) I can see the LED emitter in the tube on the bottom of the sight. It's not a big deal, but you wouldn't see it in an Aimpoint.2.) The battery life is not that of an Aimpoint but still very good. Just be aware that you will not leave this thing on for 3 years and it still be good to go. Have a spare battery.3.) You won't impress any "operators," gun snobs, or keyboard commandos if that's important to you.

This was a great purchase for me. I mounted it on my AR-15 and I noticed right away it looked pretty cool. I was trying to decide which optic to put on my rifle. It was actually a very difficult choice. I was going back and forth so I did what anyone else would do..... I turned to youtube. I saw several videos that gave the Sparc II high praise and then I came across the video that made the decision for me. It was a guy that had his zeroed at 50 yards. He fired a few shots in a very tight pattern then took his rifle and started dropping in on the ground and tossing it. After it took a few tumbles he picked the rifle back up and it held zero at 50 yards. I was impressed. So I ordered it. I finally get to the indoor range ( I live in NC and there is hardly anywhere in driving distance to a good outdoor range) to zero my optic. I was thinking its only yards but when I got there I was like dang that's 75 feet. I looked up online to see where I should be shooting to be close to zero at 100 yards and I found that an inch and a half low from point of aim should be close. So moment of truth. It was the first time firing my new rifle. So I rested across a table and fired 5 shots at the center of the target. I hit thee inches low and windage was dead center. So I brought the dot up three clicks and fired 5 more shots. I was an inch and a half low and a grouping the size of a quarter. I said ok that works for me. The things I like most about the optic is the size of the dot. Its a 2MOA. For me that is perfect. The glass is very clear and doesn't color what your looking at. I have read some reviews that you can see the dot emitter in the bottom of the glass. You can but barely. And I've read that the dot isn't a perfect circle. Well the dot is good enough for me. It is just a tiny bit star bursty but all in all it is perfect. And I have read that if you have astigmatism then the dot will be a little blurry. That might warrant a trip to the eye doctor for me. All in all I will have to say that I don't see the price difference between the Sparc II and the Aimpoint Pro. If I had the money for the Aimpoint and could buy again I would still buy the Sparc II.