Choosing the right optic for your shooting adventures can be a real challenge. It’s like standing at a crossroads, torn between the Vortex Crossfire and SPARC AR. But fear not!
I Am here to guide you through this showdown and help you make an informed decision.”
As a seasoned pro shooter who has spent countless hours on the range, I’ve had the privilege of putting both the Vortex Crossfire vs Vortex Sparc AR AR to the test.
I’ve meticulously compared their features side by side, examining their durability, size, glass clarity, reticle size options, battery life, battery-related features, brightness adjustment, and of course, the price.
Rest assured, I’m not just an expert behind the trigger, but I’ve taken the time to truly understand these optics from the ground up.
Let’s Dive In.
Quick Comparison Table
Quick Specification Table of Vortex Crossfire vs SPARC AR.
| Vortex Crossfire | SPARC AR | |
| Color | Black | Black |
| Magnification Range | 1x | 1x |
| Battery Life | 50,000 hours | 50,000-hour |
| Reticle Type | 2 MOA red dot | 2 MOA |
| Reticle Illumination | Yes | Yes |
| Weight | 5.2 ounces | 7.5 oz |
| Length | 4.7 inches | 2.9 inches |
| Objective Lens Diameter | 22 mm | 22 mm |
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The objective of this comparison is simple: to help you, the shooter, make the best possible choice based on your specific needs and preferences.
I’ll delve into the nitty-gritty details of each optic, providing you with an unbiased analysis that will empower you to make an informed purchase decision.
Features Comparison of Vortex Crossfire vs SPARC AR
Features Comparison of Vortex Crossfire vs SPARC AR
1. Durability
Vortex Crossfire: Having tested the Vortex Crossfire extensively, I can confidently say that it’s built to last. The sight housing is made from high-quality aluminum, which speaks volumes about its sturdiness.
Add to this an anodized finish, and you have yourself a red dot sight that’s well-protected against the elements.
The build of the sight housing around the windage and elevation turrets is quite remarkable – it saves them from accidental snapping, which, believe me, can happen more often than you’d like.
The waterproof feature, thanks to the o-ring seal, is a godsend when you are out in the rain, snow, or any wet condition. The shockproof feature is something you will appreciate, especially when using shotguns or high-powered rifles.
Vortex SPARC AR: From my experience, this one is also a beast when it comes to durability.
Like the Crossfire, the SPARC AR’s sight housing is constructed with aircraft-grade aluminum and is adorned with an anodized finish, making it highly resistant to the wear and tear of outdoor elements.
The housing design that shields the windage and elevation turrets is very similar to that of the Crossfire, which is excellent for durability.
Here’s a plus – it’s not just waterproof but also fogproof. This adds a certain edge if you are shooting in misty or foggy conditions.
It’s equally shockproof and can comfortably withstand the recoil from high-powered rifles and shotguns.
Winner: Draw
Both the Crossfire and SPARC AR are champions when it comes to durability, and being from the same brand, Vortex, they share very similar attributes in materials and construction. Both being waterproof and shockproof, with housing designs that protect critical components, it is hard to pick one over the other.
As a pro shooter who’s put these red dot sights through the wringer, I’d call it a draw in this category.
2. Size Comparison
Vortex Crossfire: With a length of 4.7 inches and weighing in at just 5.2 ounces, the Crossfire is both compact and lightweight. This makes it a comfortable choice for extended use without weighing down your equipment.
Vortex SPARC AR: The SPARC AR is shorter at 2.9 inches, but it’s a bit heftier at 7.5 ounces. This could add some extra weight to your gear, but its compact size does help balance it out.
Winner: Vortex Crossfire
The Crossfire takes the win in this category, being both lighter and more streamlined, which enhances handling and maneuverability.
3. Glass Clarity
Vortex Crossfire: When it comes to the Vortex Crossfire, one thing that stood out to me during testing was the quality of its glass. The lenses provide clear and bright images, a vital aspect in acquiring and maintaining a target in shooting. The multi-coated lenses do an exceptional job of enhancing light transmission, which results in richer, contrast-filled visuals. Even in low-light conditions, the Crossfire delivers impressive performance, retaining clarity and resolution.
Vortex SPARC AR: With the SPARC AR, the glass quality is equally commendable. The images are sharp and clean, and the colors come across as true-to-life. The multi-coated, anti-reflective lenses do a splendid job of eliminating glare and optimizing light transmission. Whether you’re shooting in broad daylight or as the sun begins to set, the clarity remains consistent.
Winner: DRAW
I can confirm that both red dot sights provide superior glass clarity. They both exhibit excellent brightness, contrast, and color fidelity. Given the similar level of performance in this category, it’s difficult to declare a definitive winner. Therefore, it’s a draw in terms of glass clarity.
4. Reticle
Vortex Crossfire: The Crossfire offers a simple 2 MOA dot reticle. From my experience as a shooter, a 2 MOA dot is a brilliant choice for a red dot sight for several reasons.
The primary advantage lies in the fact that it’s quick and easy to pick up with your eye. This speed of acquisition is crucial when you have to quickly aim at larger targets at a close range.
The 2 MOA dot is also small enough for precision targeting at long distances or on smaller targets. It offers a great blend of speed and precision, which is the hallmark of a quality optic.
Vortex SPARC AR: The SPARC AR, just like the Crossfire, also comes with a 2 MOA dot reticle. It offers the same advantages as Crossfire in this aspect – simplicity, speed, and precision.
This balance makes it an equally versatile option for a range of shooting situations, be it close-quarters or long-range engagements.
Winner: Draw
Considering both optics, the Vortex Crossfire and vortex Sparc AR share identical characteristics in terms of their reticle design – both opting for a 2 MOA dot.
5. Battery Life
Vortex Crossfire: The Crossfire boasts an impressive battery life that significantly reduces the need for frequent battery changes. In the medium illumination setting, the Crossfire provides up to 7,000 hours of battery life, which I found was more than enough for extended shooting sessions. It also features a 12-hour auto-shutdown function, which helps in preserving battery life when the sight is not in use.
Vortex SPARC AR: The SPARC AR does a commendable job in terms of battery life as well. It offers up to 5,000 hours of battery life on the medium setting, which is substantial but slightly less than what the Crossfire provides. Similar to the Crossfire, the SPARC AR also includes an automatic shutdown feature that turns off the sight after 12 hours of inactivity to conserve battery life.
Winner: Vortex Crossfire
Both the Vortex Crossfire and SPARC AR provide substantial battery life, reducing the hassle of frequent battery changes and allowing for long periods of uninterrupted shooting. However, the Crossfire has a slight edge over the SPARC AR in terms of battery longevity. Therefore, for this category, Crossfire takes the lead.
6. Brightness Adjustment
Vortex Crossfire: The Vortex Crossfire offers a wide range of brightness adjustment settings, which I found very helpful in catering to different lighting environments. It boasts 11 illumination settings in total, including two that are compatible with night-vision devices. This range allows for fine-tuning based on the ambient light conditions and target backdrop, aiding in quick and accurate target acquisition.
Vortex SPARC AR: The SPARC AR is equally impressive when it comes to brightness adjustments. It also features 11 brightness settings, including two night-vision compatible levels. Whether you’re shooting in broad daylight or in low-light conditions, the SPARC AR lets you adjust the illumination of the reticle to optimize your view of the target.
Winner: Draw
After testing both the Vortex Crossfire and SPARC AR, it’s evident that they both provide excellent flexibility in adjusting brightness to match the shooting conditions. Their night-vision compatibility is an added advantage for shooters who operate in low-light environments.
7. Price
Vortex Crossfire: While the price can fluctuate depending on the market and the retailer, the Crossfire typically sits in a more budget-friendly range. This makes it a good option for shooters who want a high-quality optic without breaking the bank. Despite its affordability, Crossfire does not compromise on its essential features and performance, as evidenced by my experience and extensive testing.
Vortex SPARC AR: The SPARC AR is also an affordable optic and generally falls in a similar price range as the Crossfire. However, it can sometimes be slightly more expensive than the Crossfire.
Winner: Crossfire
Final Verdict
Choosing an overall winner between these two optics is quite a challenge, given their striking similarities in terms of features and performance. However, if I consider the battery life as a decisive factor, the Vortex Crossfire has a slight edge over the SPARC AR with its longer battery life. Coupled with its often slightly more affordable price tag, the Crossfire seems to provide more value for the money.
FAQs
What does Vortex Sparc stand for?
SPARC in Vortex SPARC stands for Speed Point Aiming for Rapid Combat. This underlines its design for quick target acquisition in high-stress, combat-like scenarios.
Where is the Vortex Sparc AR made?
Vortex Optics is an American company, and the design and quality control are done in the USA. However, the Vortex SPARC AR is manufactured in China, as are many of its optics.
Is the Vortex Sparc waterproof?
Yes, the Vortex SPARC AR is waterproof. It’s sealed with o-rings to prevent moisture, dust, and debris from getting inside the sight, providing reliable performance in all environments.
Is the Vortex Sparc motion activated?
No, the Vortex SPARC AR is not motion-activated. It does, however, have an automatic shutdown feature that turns off the sight after 12 hours of inactivity to conserve battery life.