Vortex SPARC Gen II AR Red Dot Review: The Best Budget AR Red Dot?

SPARC stands for Speed Point Aiming for Rapid Combat. But does this optic live up to its name? Find out in our Vortex SPARC AR Red Dot review below.

Bottomline

The SPARC Gen II is one of Vortex’s most reasonably priced red dot sights that offer fast target acquisition at short distances, among its other features. This reliable optic is an all-purpose red dot for ARs and shotguns.

Pros​

• Fully multi-coated optics
• Night vision compatible
• Shockproof
• Comes with a lifetime warranty
• Compact and lightweight

Cons

• 1x magnification
• Lens caps are a little distracting

Here’s a video of our hands-on review:

What Customers Say​

Great sight. Easy to control the brightness. Very easy to sight in. It survived being dropped several times and still worked. Still stayed in sight. Also love how it takes a regular battery and it’s easy to access to change the battery. I highly recommend this sight to anyone with an ar.

Ryan Benjamin

For my first red dot I gotta say, Vortex really left a good first impression. It mounted super easily and stays on tight, holds a zero no problem. The dot is crisp and the auto shutoff feature is honestly really nice since I’ve forgotten to turn it off a few times. Instantly powers on and feels really sturdy, plus the lifetime no questions asked warranty can’t be beat.

Thomas

Better for the Money: Holosun HS403B Compact Micro Red Dot

Check Price on Brownells

The Holosun 403b comes in an all-metal construction and can accommodate several mounting options. It’s made from 6061 T6 Aluminum and comes with a protective rubber cover included in the box.

The fit and finish are comparable with other quality optics of this type. The sight is pretty compact and the glass clarity is good for the price. At first glance, it seems like a great value.

In our hands-on review of the Holosun 403b, it really impressed for a value optic.

Better Performance: Aimpoint PRO Red Dot Reflex Sight

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The Aimpoint Patrol Rifle Optic (PRO) features an efficient circuit that lets you leave the power on for as long as three years.

Its premium housing provides increased protection against impact damage and scratches to the lenses. Its optical system also features reflex collimator technology with a LED dot for quicker acquisition.

Specifications​

• Magnification: 1x
• Objective Lens Diameter: 22 mm
• Reticle: 2 MOA Dot
• Adjustment Graduation: 1 MOA
• Parallax Setting: Parallax Free
• Max Windage Adjustment: 90 MOA
• Max Elevation Adjustment: 90 MOA
• Dot Color: Bright Red
• Dot Size: 2 MOA
• Mount Type:Multi-Height
• Eye Relief: Unlimited
• Length: 2.9 inches
• Weight: 7.5 oz
• Material: Aluminum
• Power Source: AAA batteries

First Impressions: Vortex SPARC AR Red Dot

Vortex Sparc AR Red Dot Features

Night Vision Compatibility

For its price point, having night vision-compatible settings is a great bargain. With the Vortex SPARC Gen II, you’ll get the functions of a crystal-clear red dot during the day and a night vision device at night. This extends your shooting time from dusk to dawn! This feature also makes the SPARC Gen II perfect for your home defense firearm for those that like spending up for NV gear and the capability it brings.

Multi-Height Mount System

The SPARC Gen II comes with a multi-height mount system. This feature is what makes this red dot versatile because the mount’s height can be adjusted to fit almost any platform – from ARs to shotguns.

Easy Access Battery Compartment

Changing batteries won’t be a problem in the middle of a target practice or a hunting expedition because the SPARC’s battery compartment offers quick and easy access, so your red dot sight will be up and running in no time! Not that you’d need to change batteries often though, because the SPARC Gen II has 50,000 hours of battery life (when at middle setting).

Very Important Promise (VIP) Warranty

One of the best things about Vortex optics is the lifetime “no questions asked” warranty. This means Vortex Optics will either repair or, if damaged beyond repair, replace your optic – no matter how it got broken, who broke it, or if you just received a defective unit. How sweet is that?! This just proves that Vortex believes in their products’ durability. 

Vortex SPARC Gen II Score Card

Features	This optic is packed with features that you can mostly find in pricier red dots out there.	5
Reliability	We didn’t expect much from the SPARC’s performance because of its price, but we were taken by surprise by this optic’s reliability at the range. It holds zero even after getting bumped a few times and its controls are also user-friendly.	4.5
Build & Finish	The SPARC is constructed from aircraft-grade aluminum so it’s shockproof. It’s also argon-purged so it’s fog proof and waterproof	4
Accuracy	The SPARC’s range is limited to close distances but its 2 MOA reticle definitely increased shooting efficiency and helped us acquire targets quickly.	4
Value	With the SPARC, Vortex Optics managed to produce an affordable red dot without compromising quality.	5
Overall	Despite its minor downsides, the SPARC Gen II is more than enough for your regular visit to the range or for your home defense firearm.	4.5

Conclusion​

The SPARC is an affordable red dot sight that’s as tough as nails and goes perfectly with any platform, even the powerful ones.