Overall Score 7.6
Tested With Scoring System 2.0
⭐️ Verdict: Fast Target Acquisition (7.6)
As a shooter who’s had the chance to test the Vortex Strikefire II Red Dot, I’ve found it to be a versatile sight, perfect for rapid target acquisition. It features a 4 MOA red dot reticle, handy rear-facing power controls, and an impressive battery life of up to 80,000 hours. Its rugged build, fully multi-coated lenses, and nitrogen-purged design enhance its reliability in various conditions.
In my testing, I quickly appreciated the sight’s clear and bright view, thanks to its high-quality lenses. Adjusting the dot’s intensity was straightforward, even under different lighting conditions. I mounted it on an AR-15, and the co-witness with iron sights was spot on. After a few adjustments, it held a tight group at 100 yards, proving its accuracy and stability.
Pros
Fully multi-coated lenses
Durable build
Shockproof
Waterproof
Fog-proof
Long battery life; up to 80,000 hours at setting 6
Quick target acquisition
Cons
Slightly bulky compared to other models
Requires a tool for windage and elevation adjustments
The reticle can appear oblong or comprised of smaller dots under certain conditions
Hey Shooters! Welcome to my Vortex Strikefire 2 review.
There has always been a big fuss around sight optics. But is the hype around Strikefire II valid, given that this 2019 model has a history of providing strong performance? Let’s find out!
Mount the StrikeFire II when conditions call for a large field of vision and split-second target acquisition, and DONE! You are all good to go.
The StrikeFire II is a fantastic option for individuals looking for a high-quality red dot sight because it is feature-rich, adaptable, and reliable.
Throughout this review, I’ll be discussing my personal experience and all the knowledge I have about this optic.
We’ll discuss its design, features, reticle, construction and durability, battery, sight picture, eye relief, and brightness settings. By the end of this article, you will have a complete grasp of whether the Vortex Optics Strikefire II lives up to its hype.
Let’s get started!
Specifications
| Housing Material | Aluminum |
| Item Dimension | 7.8 x 6.38 x 3.19 inches |
| Weight | 7.2 oz |
| Magnification | 1x |
| Parallax Free | Yes |
| Unlimited Eye Relief | Yes |
| Reticle Color | Red |
| Reticle Options | 4 MOA |
| Battery Type | CR2 |
| Battery Life | 80,000 hours |
| Night Vision | Yes |
| Power Source | Battery |
| Waterproof | Yes |
What’s in the box?
The following items are included in the box of Strikefire II:
- The optic itself (Strikefire II Red dot sight)
- Cantilever mount for attachment
- User manual
- A lens-cleaning cloth
- CR2 Battery
- Flip cap optic covers
Design and Features: Vortex Strikefire 2
The Vortex Optic Strikefire II not only works perfectly, but it also has an impressive top-notch design followed by many interesting features. But first, let’s talk a bit about the renowned Vortex Optics, the company that made Strikefire.
Vortex has established a name recognized by shooters worldwide for its dedication to quality, innovation, and outstanding customer service. By providing a product that performs well and is reasonably priced, they aimed to uphold their standards with the Strikefire II.
Let’s continue discussing this Strikefire’s features in more detail.
1. Reticle
The glass on the Strikefire II red dot is super sharp and clear. A 4 MOA dot sight is used in this sight. The 4 MOA dot’s daytime brightness is pretty good for scenarios that call for swift changes.
Although this may seem obvious, if I wanted to shoot out to 100 yards or farther, I would not pick the StrikeFire II (or any other red dot). Can you shoot with the StrikeFire that far? Sure, but if that’s your primary goal, several sights including some with other red dots are better suited.
The 4-MOA reticle works well for most tasks at close ranges (less than 100 yards), but even at that. It obscures enough of the target to render MOA precision impossible.
It depends entirely on what you’re using it for and why. In many cases, the loss of magnification and decrease in precision and accuracy is worth the increase in the field of view and quick target acquisition, so if that doesn’t sound like a problem to you, suit yourself.
2. Construction and Durability
Strikefire II has decent durability and construction. It has a 30mm objective lens. The one-piece structure is lightweight and small, but it nevertheless provides shockproof performance and can endure any force applied to it.
It is nitrogen-purged, and o-ring seals provide efficiency that is both waterproof and fog proof. Although it is waterproof, it is unlikely that you can drop it in the lake, and it will survive.
Fully multi-coated lenses offer a clear, bright, and unobstructed field of vision. Additionally, it features Unlimited eye relief, allowing for quick transitions.
I personally really liked the durability of this optic. To actually test that out, will you want to use a hammer to shatter it? Of course not, but compared to many other red dots on the market, especially open reflex sights, it can withstand greater drops, tumbles, bumps, and other hits. So, Vortex built the StrikeFire II with much effort and consideration.
The main feature you’ll notice when using the optic is its clarity, which is essential to its usage. The optic can be used even in dimly lit places and while shooting in almost complete darkness with only a minor tint and darkening of the region seen through the tube.
3. Battery
Only one battery is included for the optic, which is noteworthy given that it is a CR2 3V cell rather than the more common CR2032, AAA, or even CR123A. This unusual pick helps to make the battery compartment’s overall size manageable. At setting 6, the Strikefire II’s battery life is up to 80,000 hours.
4. Sight Picture
The co-witness is lower than ⅓, which is honestly not to my liking, but since you often only require a co-witness as a backup if your red dot is malfunctioning for some reason, it functions just as well as absolute.
The dot only covers roughly 4 inches of the target at 100 yards, which offers you enough precision, and just 2/5 of an inch at ten yards. That may seem small, but it is simple to spot. Overall, the sight picture is fairly good.
5. Eye relief
Strikefire II has unlimited eye relief. Shooters with unlimited eye relief can keep both eyes open for greater situational awareness and target tracking. Faster target switching also becomes feasible, which is crucial in dynamic shooting scenarios. Fair to say that Vortex fulfills the requirement for offering limitless eye relief for this sight.
6. Brightness settings
Strikefire features 11 brightness settings, the lowest two suitable for night vision. Increasing the brightness inevitably affects battery life. However, this sight offers an auto-off option to shut down if you neglect to do so. Although I haven’t tried it, it is programmed to shut off 12 hours after being switched on.
Drawbacks of Vortex Strikefire 2
While I have emphasized many positive aspects of the Vortex Optics Strikefire II, it is important to be aware of a few drawbacks that some users may experience. Particularly, two main problems might cause difficulties for some shooters.
First, left-handed users will find it less handy due to the on/off button’s placement, which favors right-handed shooters. It may be difficult for left-handed shooters to use the button effectively because it requires precise pushing in the center to activate. So, if you are left-handed, you might not like the button placement.
Secondly, the optic’s front lens tends to reflect a substantial amount of light at particular angles. This can be a problem when lens flare might alarm the target or unintentionally reveal your position. To reduce the potential influence of lens reflection, caution must be taken, and the optic angle must be considered.
My experience with Strikefire 2
To experience the hype, I put the Vortex StrikeFire II through a real-world test. The optic performance was fairly good after I selected a target and brought the sight to my eye. The sight uses both eyes for shooting, which, according to Vortex, gives the shooter a wider field of view and speeds up target acquisition.
In certain instances, this is accurate. You can control a wider area while both eyes are open compared to a narrower sight. The issue is that this sight’s light transmission isn’t optimal.
When I lifted my eye from the sight and looked through it again, the light within was so dim that it nearly felt like I was wearing sunglasses. While not a problem in direct sunlight or when using night vision, this will significantly reduce your efficiency if you go hunting at nighttime.
That aside, the sight performed wonderfully. The button for switching between night vision and regular modes is a great touch and is well-situated for right-handed shooters.
Know The Difference between Vortex Strikefire & Spitfire.
Conclusion
All in all, Strikefire II is a sight I would suggest to people. Despite not having the extravagant features of more expensive optics, it still has several unusual functions for a sight at this price.
The sight is especially suggested for new shooters due to its lightweight, simple construction, which frees them up to concentrate on what matters most improving their technique instead of fiddling with sophisticated optics.
Despite this, I wouldn’t hesitate to suggest this sight to shooters of all skill levels. The StrikeFire II may feel like a step down if you are used to a more feature-rich optic, but if you are an experienced hunter, you probably won’t need expensive optics to shoot successfully.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Vortex Strikefire II suitable for hunting?
Strikefire, while not an SHTF red dot where your family and life depend on it, could be useful for range or hunting purposes when the stakes are lower, and cost is more of a concern.
Does Vortex Strikefire II come with mounting options?
The Strikefire II comes with a mount that can be attached to both Picatinny and Weaver rails, making it simple and secure to use with various weapons. A secure and dependable connection between the optic and the weapon is rendered possible by the provided mount.