What’s the difference between Vortex Spitfire 3x vs. Burris 332?
I wanted to find out, so I bought both optics and hand-tested everything:
- Reticle
- Durability
- Battery life
- Field of view
- And so much more
By the end of this Vortex Spitfire 3x vs. Burris 332] comparison review, you’ll know which prism scope is best for you.
Let’s get started!
| Feature | Vortex Spitfire 3x | Burris 332 |
|---|---|---|
Objective Lens | 32 mm | 32 mm |
Magnification | 3x | 3x |
Eye Relief | 2.8” | 2.5” |
Battery Life | 250 Hours at Max, 3,000 Hours on Low | 250 Hours at Max, 3,000 Hours on Low |
Weight | 15.4 ounces | 14.2 ounces |
Price | $400 | $200-300 |
Vortex Spitfire 3x vs Burris 332 Review
Two of my favorite names in rifle scopes are Vortex and Burris. They both offer quality without many cons, so it seemed like a good idea to compare the Vortex Spitfire 3x and the Burris 332.
Both of these scopes share a few key details, so it’s the little things that separate them. Since they’re both designed for a range of situations, one of the biggest factors comes down to price.
If you want to know whether you should get the Vortex Spitfire 3x or the Burris 332, let’s get started!
Glass Clarity & Reticle
Vortex quality optics come with fully multi-coated lenses.
For illumination, you can select a red or green illuminated reticle.
I haven’t had trouble seeing with either one, and both have 5 brightness levels.
My favorite thing about the Spitfire 3x is the etched illuminated reticle, though.
It’s got a clear sight picture and the reticle is effective even if the battery life dies while I’m shooting.
Because there are marks for ranges up to 500 yards, I can effectively use the Spitfire 3x for medium-range targets. In fact, the Spitfire 3x was manufactured with the 5.56 in mind.
The Burris 332 is no slouch, though. It also has fully multi-coated lenses with an adjustable reticle.
Like the Spitfire 3x, the Burris 332 can switch to red, green, or black without problem.
The lens coating is scratch-proof and waterproof. I’ve never had any issues with water getting inside, thanks to the solid build.
Burris gave their 332 a Ballistic CQ reticle, so I have no trouble seeing targets past 600 yards.
The Spitfire 3x isn’t as good for those distances, because it’s more for tactical rifles.
Winner: Vortex Spitfire 3x has a slight edge. While the Burris 332 has a better clarity at ranges over 600 yards, Vortex optics have the etched reticle if the battery life runs out.
If you need something with more range and versatility from Burris, you might like the Burris Scout Scope.
Eye Relief & Eye Box
When it comes to actually seeing through the scope, the Spitfire 3x has a slightly smaller field of view.
It’s 31.5 feet across in my sight picture, as opposed to 32 feet with the Burris 332.
It’s not a huge difference when I’m shooting targets at the range, but that half foot might make a difference for military or police.
Of course, the Burris AR 332 only allows for 2.5” of eye relief while the Spitfire 3x gives me 2.8” of eye relief. While my AR doesn’t have much recoil, it’s nice to have that extra .3” of eye relief.
Winner: Vortex Spitfire 3x. The Burris has a slightly-larger field of view, but I prefer a little more eye relief with rifle scopes. Not only is it safer, but it gives me a little more peripheral vision.
Durability
One thing I’m not as happy about with the Spitfire 3x is that the battery is a CR 1632.
It’s just as efficient as the Burris 332’s CR2032.
In fact, they have the same operating hours, but the CR1632 is much harder to find if I need to replace it. Still, Vortex optics have a reputation for lasting quality.
The Spitfire 3x is built with aircraft-grade aluminum.
Even the turret caps are aluminum. It’s also waterproof, shock-proof, and fogproof.
It comes in matte black and doesn’t reflect light.
The hard-anodized coating comes on a single tube of aluminum.
Because it’s got o-rings and nitrogen purging, I’ve never had moisture inside the housing.
All in all, the Spitfire 3x can take a beating and not affect the lenses.
Like the Vortex, the Burris AR 332 is made of aluminum, fogproof, shock-proof, and scratch-proof.
It’s also waterproof, designed to withstand all kinds of elements.
Another thing the two rifle scopes have in common is the fact that they’re built to be mounted on AR rifles.
That’s why the full name of the Burris is the Burris AR 332.
If you want the mount to have as much durability as the scope, I’ve been shooting with Primary Arms for my Burris.
Winner: Both. Even though the CR 1632 is less common, both batteries offer 250 hours of use with the max brightness engaged and 3,000 hours on the lowest setting.
Elevation and Windage Knob
The elevation and windage knobs on the Spitfire 3x rifle scopes are protected with aluminum caps.
Each of the knobs uses ½ MOA clicks to adjust.
The Spitfire 3x maxes out at 120 MOA for adjustments.
The Burris AR 332, on the other hand, maxes out at 60 MOA adjustments with .4 MOA per click.
Both sets of knobs feel solid and I haven’t had problems sighting either scope properly at 100 yards. With my Primary Arms mounts, neither scope has moved once zeroed.
Winner: Vortex Spitfire 3x. Even though the Burris 332 can see a little farther, the Spitfire 3x has more control at longer ranges with more adjustment capabilities.
Plus, the .4 adjustments on the Burris 332 are a little odd, instead of the traditional ½ MOA.
Parallax and Magnification
The Spitfire 3x and Burris AR 332 both have a 100-yard parallax. After that, I’ve experienced the effects of parallax in both.
They also both offer a fixed 3x magnification.
The prism scope of the Burris 332 is great for people with astigmatism.
The Spitfire 3x, though, can function as a mid-range scope just fine.
If you’re looking for something from the same manufacturers with a little more versatility at close-to-medium range, you might want to try the Vortex Strike Eagle or the Burris MTAC.
Winner: Both. The Vortex Spitfire 3x and Burris AR 332 both have a fixed 3x magnification and 100-yard parallax.
Mounting
I haven’t had trouble mounting my Vortex Spitfire rifle scopes on any of my AR rifles.
It comes with 2 Picatinny rail mounts.
The variable mount heights make it perfect for comfortable shooting.
My Burris 332 is a little smaller, so it takes up less space on the rail.
It’s small enough to co-mount with a red dot sight or long-range scope.
I’ve found a lot of luck with Primary Arms mounts.
The Burris 332 prism scope also mounts on Picatinny rails, so I can use it on several of the firearms in my collection.
It pairs well with Primary Arms mounts, from my experience.
Winner: Burris AR 332. It’s a little smaller and lighter than the Spitfire 3x, so it’s slightly easier to maneuver with.
If you need something for various situations, I’d also recommend the Burris Scout Scope. You might also like to shop around for mounts, though I started with Primary Arms.
Price
Vortex optics came onto the scene as a competitively-priced manufacturer and it still is for the quality that you’re getting.
I got my Spitfire 3x for $400.
- The Spitfire HD Gen II 3x prism scope is built for rapid transitions while still being usable even without illumination. The streamlined look and flush mount turret design makes for a smaller,...
- The updated optical design and fully multi-coated lenses provide improved resolution, and cuts chromatic aberration. The prism design and etched reticle solve the distortion problems for users plagued...
- The BDC-4 reticle is built for holdovers out to 650 yards while offering 12 brightness settings; the lowest two settings being ultra-low for use with night-vision equipment.
The Burris AR 332 prism scope has come down in price to anywhere between $200 and $300, depending on where you look.
While the Vortex is usually at least $100 more, it’s worth the control and range.
- Red-green Ballistic Armalite Rifle reticle
- 10 LED Illumination settings
- Parallax free at 100 yds
Both Vortex and Burris have a lifetime warranty, with a small difference.
Neither one gives the warranty if your scope is stolen or intentionally damaged.
Burris doesn’t offer their warranty on cosmetic damages, though.
Winner: Burris AR 332. Each scope offers fantastic quality for the price point, so the much lower price of the Burris 332 prism scope gives it the win.
Vortex Spitfire 3x vs Burris 332: Which Prism Scope is Better?
There’s no easy answer to this question, but I’d have to go with the Spitfire 3x by a slim margin.
It’s mostly due to preference and how much you want to spend.
- The Spitfire HD Gen II 3x prism scope is built for rapid transitions while still being usable even without illumination. The streamlined look and flush mount turret design makes for a smaller,...
- The updated optical design and fully multi-coated lenses provide improved resolution, and cuts chromatic aberration. The prism design and etched reticle solve the distortion problems for users plagued...
- The BDC-4 reticle is built for holdovers out to 650 yards while offering 12 brightness settings; the lowest two settings being ultra-low for use with night-vision equipment.
The Spitfire 3x and the Burris AR 332 have a lot of the same features, like 3x magnification, 10 brightness levels, red and green illumination, and lenses.
I picked the Spitfire 3x because of the etched reticle and the adjustments.
Being able to see farther only gives an advantage if you can control where your rounds go.
The Burris AR 332 is more affordable for the average shooter, but the quality for each price tag is equal to what you get. If you want a better scope, the Spitfire 3x has more for more.
However, it’s worth noting again that the Burris 332 is a very close second. It all depends what you want to get out of your scope, like prism scopes being better for astigmatism.
If you need a dependable scope for military or police engagements, the Spitfire 3x is better.
If you just want to take your rifle to the range or hunting every now and then, the Burris AR 332 does just fine.