Is the Vortex Crossfire red dot worth the money?
The short answer: yes. It’s easy to use, durable, and a reliable optic that excels close-range.
In fact, I’ve used it on my AR-15, AR-15 pistol and Ruger 10/22. And I’ve got to say: it’s easily worth the money. In this Vortex Crossfire red dot optic review, I’ll explain why.
Let’s get started!
| Features | Vortex Crossfire |
|---|---|
| Brand | Vortex |
| Color | Black |
| Magnification Range | 1x |
| Reticle Type | 2 MOA red dot |
| Reticle Illumination | Yes |
| Weight | 5.2 ounces |
| Length | 4.7 inches |
| Objective Lens Diameter | 22 mm |
Here’s my Vortex Crossfire Review
If you’re on the market for a red dot that is versatile, rugged, and reliable, the Vortex Crossfire red dot is what you’re looking for.
With red dots, the two most important things are glass quality and durability. The Crossfire red dot excels in those areas and then some. It also comes with two mounting bases and the Vortex Optics lifetime warranty. But the question remains:
Is this red dot sight for you?
Most likely, but keep reading my Vortex Crossfire red dot review to find out for yourself.
Glass Clarity & Reticle
The Crossfire red dot glass is clear and durable.
The red dot unit is crisp and easy to see.
The lens surfaces are protected with full multi-coatings and is O-ring sealed.
Which means reduced glare and my red dot is waterproof and fogproof.
The 2 MOA quality red dot sight is visible both during the day and at night.
With a simple turn of a knob, I can adjust the brightness too.
The red dot settings are clearly labeled, user-friendly, and I’ve got 11 to pick from. The first two are night-vision compatible.
Eye Relief & Eye Box
The eye relief on the Vortex Crossfire red dot sight is non-critical and unlimited.
Meaning I can shoot with both eyes open.
Why does this matter?
Because I get lots of leeway.
I don’t need my eyes or head to be exactly in the right spot or position to get a clear view.
I get fast target acquisition and accurate results with my red dot, whether I’m up close and turkey hunting, or doing some longer distance shooting.
Durability
Although it’s small in size and relatively lightweight, this red dot is durable.
Since the Crossfire red dot is anodized, it can handle wear and tear and won’t break down, or corrode, over time.
I’ve had mine mounted on my AR for about three years now.
Used in the rain, dropped it in the dirt and did a few hunts with it.
To this day, it’s still performing mighty fine.
Speaking of which, the battery can last up to 50,000 hours.
It also uses the common CR 2032 battery, just like the Vortex Razor and the Trijicon RMR.
That said, if you don’t want to deal with batteries, no matter how long they last, it may be worthwhile to check out an ACOG.
I wrote an in-depth guide comparing ACOGs vs. Red Dot Sights.
Elevation & Windage Knobs
The elevation and windage knobs are straightforward.
They give positive clicks and a one minute of angle (MOA) adjustment.
The knobs can be a little stiff to turn at first, but it loosens up with usage.
It also holds zero well. Speaking of which, here’s how to sight in the red dot:
Parallax & Magnification
The Crossfire red dot is parallax free. It’s got 1x magnification.
Whether I’ve got my optic on my AR or on one of my shotguns, I get easy, breezy, target acquisition.
Mounting & Rings
The Crossfire red dot is simple to mount and offers a lot of flexibility.
It comes with two bases: one for mounting on a high platform and one for low mounting.
It already comes with all of the mounting tools plus rubber lens cover.
Price
It costs around $150 to buy a new Vortex Crossfire Gen II red dot sight.
- The updated Crossfire is a no-nonsense sight for near any application and needs a simple point of aim and none of the frills, the Crossfire should be at the top of your list.
- With up to a 50,000 hour battery life, the sight will keep working in a variety of conditions. The low and skeletonized lower 1/3 co-witness mounts provide vesatility for this lightweight optic.
- The 2 MOA dot is quick to acquire in close-quarters, while remaining fine enough to promote pin-point accuracy at extended range. 11 illumination settings allows shooters to change the dot intensity...
For its price point, it has everything you need.
Plus, like all Vortex products and red dot sights, it’s backed by Vortex’s lifetime warranty.
That said, if you’re a fan of Vortex red dot sights and looking for a similar Vortex optic check out the Vortex Venom. It’s versatile, accurate, and under $300.
Is the Vortex Crossfire for you?
If you’re on the market for a dependable optic that’s straightforward and easy to use, but also gives consistent and accurate results, the Vortex Crossfire red dot is for you.
- The updated Crossfire is a no-nonsense sight for near any application and needs a simple point of aim and none of the frills, the Crossfire should be at the top of your list.
- With up to a 50,000 hour battery life, the sight will keep working in a variety of conditions. The low and skeletonized lower 1/3 co-witness mounts provide vesatility for this lightweight optic.
- The 2 MOA dot is quick to acquire in close-quarters, while remaining fine enough to promote pin-point accuracy at extended range. 11 illumination settings allows shooters to change the dot intensity...
It comes equipped with:
- Rubber lens cap
- 11 brightness settings
- Night vision compatibility
- High/low ⅓ co-witness mounts
It also has a lifetime warranty. Should anything go wrong or your red dot gets damaged, no matter the cause, Vortex will replace or repair it.
Now It’s Your Turn
I hope you enjoyed my Vortex Crossfire red dot review.
Now I want to turn it over to you:
What do you think about the Vortex Optics Crossfire Red Dot Sight Gen II? Or perhaps you already bought it and would like to share your thoughts.
Either way, let me know by leaving a quick comment down below.
FAQ:
Vortex Crossfire red dot sights are made in China. In fact, the majority of the optics produced by Vortex are manufactured in China.
Yes, the Vortex Crossfire red dot sight comes with two mounts: a ⅓ co-witness high and lower mount.
The Vortex Crossfire red dot sight doesn’t have an automatic shut off. To turn the optic on, you turn the rheostat knob forward. To shut it off, you turn it backwards until it stops.
Yes, the Vortex Crossfire red dot sight has no parallax.
The Vortex Crossfire red dot sight takes a CR 2032 battery. These are the same ones used in common everyday items like key fobs, watches, and calculators.