August 26th, 2024
7:08 runtime
Vortex Optics has been making optics for firearms for a very long time.
This is the natural evolution of firearms.
One of the first red-dot sights I ever purchased, many years ago, was the Vortex Venom.
Vortex Optics offers three differently sized red dot sights in the company’s Defender line: the CCW, ST and XL (shown from left to right).
As state-of-the-art as that optic was, they have continued to improve over the years.
They are smaller, lighter, and with longer battery life.
Perhaps most importantly, the integration with the gun and user is getting better all the time.
The author used the Springfield Armory Echelon pistol to test the Vortex Optics red dot sight line. The smallest Defender-CCW is at left, while the Defender-ST is in the middle. The largest Defender-XL is on the right.
[Be sure to readVortex Defender XL Reviewfor more information on these optics.]
Lets take a look at three offerings from Vortex called the Defender Series, and compare them.
The Trifecta
The Defender series of red dots from Vortex exemplifies this attention to ergonomics.
Shown from left to right are the Defender-CCW, Defender-ST and Defender-XL. The author stated he is a big fan of the straightforward “one click = 1 MOA” sight adjustments used by Vortex Optics.
Each features easy-to-use soft touch buttons for increasing or decreasing the reticle (red dot) size.
There is also a generous portion of soft-touch rubber at the top of the unit.
Perhaps my favorite feature of the Defender series of red dots is that of the incremental dot adjustment scale.
Vortex Optics includes all of the parts you might reasonably need to install and use one of its red dot sights.
One click equals 1 MOA.
For handgunners, this keeps things pretty simple.
At 15 yards, each click will move your aim point just shy of 1/8.
Shown here are the three different options in the Defender series of red dot sights from Vortex Optics.
That makes it 14 at 25 yards and 12 at 50 yards.
Adjustments are easily made using the provided multi-tool or any small flathead screwdriver.
All three Defenders come with bright red-colored dots.
Despite the size differences between the Defender models, the Springfield Armory Echelon’s Variable Interface System made it easy to mount all of them.
The dots are crisp and clear, due to the quality of the lens.
That can result in distortion of the dot and even increase a starburst effect.
Thats not the case with Vortex these folks know how to make high-quality optics.
After mounting, the author shot the different Vortex Optics red dot sights at the shooting range to text for performance. Defender-XL model shown.
The Defenders are of course, red dot optics and therefore have no magnification.
Another benefit of red dots is that the eye relief is unlimited.
The CCW has a maximum windage adjustment of 105 MOA and a maximum elevation adjustment of 110 MOA.
In this photograph, you can see the aggressive texture on the leading edge of the Vortex Optics red dot sight. Defender-ST model shown here.
Small and Light
Length and weight are also key specs.
The CCW model is 1.59 long and weighs just 0.95 oz.
Those numbers for the ST and XL are 1.83, 1.48 oz.
and 2.03, 1.93 oz.
Together, the three models of Vortex Defenders epitomize the three bears small, medium, and large.
[Read ourVortex Defender CCW reviewfor details on the optic.]
Echelon pin set #3 works best with the Defender-CCW.
Pin set #2 works with Defender-ST and Defender-XL.
Because no adapter plates are needed, no additional weight is added.
with the Defender-CCW, etc.
This is more than just a little bit convenient especially when switching between them at the range.
Getting the dot to just the right brightness is easy with the large soft-touch buttons.
This is great for keeping track of your options.
The auto-shutoff occurs if the optic has not moved for 10 minutes.
All three have eight daylight brightness prefs and two night vision prefs.
All three Defenders are built to be waterproof, fogproof and shockproof.
The Defender-XL has a release button to bring up the battery compartment.
All three Defenders performed flawlessly in live fire.
Aim point acquisition on the target was fast with all of them.
The CCW has the smallest window, but this did not feel like a limiting factor when shooting.
Visibility to target was good and finding the dot was not difficult.
It seemed a bit small on the Echelon even though the fit was perfect.
This optic was clearly designed with a pistol like the Hellcat in mind.
The Defender-ST seemed to have the best fit in terms of width of the optic to slide fit.
The chances of snagging would be very low.
Lastly, the Defender-XL is just as its name suggests.
Its a big optic!
There is a ruggedness and a feeling of quality to the Defender sights.
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