FOG HORN
March 2021 Twobirds Flying Publications
Vortex Optics SPITFIRE™ HD GEN II 5x Prism Scope
Copyright 2021, Towbirds Flying Publications. All Rights Reserved.
SPITFIRE™ HD GEN II - 5X PRISM SCOPE
SPITFIRE™ HD GEN II -
5X PRISM
SCOPE By: Sal Palma
It was 1987 when Trijicon introduced the first roof prism weapon mounted optic, its success is evident in that every military in the world has deployed them in varying quantities and roles. It succeeded for a number of reasons, but its most notable impact was its ability to extend the range at which the infantry soldier could accurately engage their target. In 2021, the commercial space is transitioning, at a rapid pace, from the “Hubble like” variable power magnified optics to the more compact prism sights for tactical, competition and hunting application. In this review I’ll introduce Vortex Optics’ latest offering in prism scopes, the Vortex Optics SPITFIRE™ HD GEN II 2 5x Prism Scope, but before getting into its salient details. I’ll take a brief detour to vist the concept of a prism sight.
2021
behind the objective lens; adding to the complexity of the optic, its weight and overall length taking up quite a bit of rail space. The prism optic does away with that by optically connecting the ocular lense to the objective lense via a prism
The reticle is etched on the prism so it’s readily visible even when battery powered reticle illumination fails. The prism sight is more compact and lighter than the magnified optic but you do give up variable magnification. Prism scopes typically come in 4x, 3.5x, 3.x, and 5x fixed magnification. Vortex Optics is not new to the prism sight business. The company launched its first prism scope offering circa 2014 in a 1x and 3x model. For 2021, they’ve introduced a greatly improved Spitfire HD Gen II in 3x and 5x. This young Wisconsin Company has established a global reputation for superb optical clarity across their entire product line at all price points. A distinction that holds true for their latest prism scope. SPITFIRE™ HD GEN II - 5X PRISM SCOPE was designed from the ground up for the .223 round fired from a 20 inch barrel.
The variable power magnified optic has a series of lenses arranged in a variety of configurations
Copyright 2021, Towbirds Flying Publications. All Rights Reserved.
Vortex Optics SPITFIRE™ HD GEN II 2 5x Prism Scope
2021
We can talk about compactness and weight savings all day long but the working tool is its outstanding reticle. This is the pathway by which we enhance accuracy and extend the engagement range.
Instead of the more traditional rheostat found on the older Spitfires, Vortex Optics went with digital pushbuttons. Press once to illuminate the reticle and press and hold for about 3 seconds to extinguish reticle illumination.
The AR BDC4 reticle provides ballistic drop compensation, wind compensation and you can even get fairly good range estimations.
The Spitfire HD Gen 2 has also been streamlined to improve ergonomics, footprint and weight over the legacy Spitfire prism scope.
For example a 69” tall target bracketed at the 4th subtension measures 14.6 MOA which puts it at a range of 451 yards.
Compared to the Grand Daddy of prism sights, the Trijicon TA01, the Spitfire HD Gen 2 is more compact, equally robust and comes in at 10.3 oz., a savings of 4.1 ounces over the TAO1. You may scoff at 4.3 ounces, but as I’ve found out from my own military service, ounces do count.
The AR BDC 4 is also illuminated and features 12 intensity settings; the 2 lowest being NVG compatible. At the highest illumination, the reticle blinks three times. Size and weight is not the only thing you’ll save with the Spitfire HD Gen 2. You’ll also save Copyright 2020, Twobirds Flying Publications, All Rights Reserved
Vortex Optics SPITFIRE™ HD GEN II 2 5x Prism Scope about $300 USD, the going rate to have your TAO1 reticle recharged. Vortex’s new prism scope is powered by a single CR2032. Run times will vary with environmental conditions but Vortex included an auto shut-off to preserve battery life. This feature will turn off reticle illumination after 14 hours. Vortex did something with their Gen 2 5x variant that I thought was forward thinking. The company’s engineers must have said to themselves 5x is a bit too much magnification for close quarters use; so, they designed the optic to accept a micro red dot sight on top of the scope. The mount is fully compatible with the Vortex Viper and Venom.
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This sights’ optical clarity is exceptional with excellent detail. I did a little digiscoping to give you a sense for just how good this prism scope is. No lack of ingenuity here. As peculiar as my contraption seems, it worked sufficiently well to allow me to convey the sight’s optical prowess.
In the picture above, you see the illuminated reticle against a similar color background. The target is a shipyard crane 616 yards from my point of observation. Enough detail is revealed, even with the Digi-scoping process, to clearly identify the yellow stanchion on the right and the glass enclosed operator station on the left. The human eye’s image is infinitely better than any digiscoping arrangement.
You get sighted in via the recessed wind and elevation turrets which provide adjustments of 1 MOA per click and a 200 MOA range for wind and elevation. Tactile is excellent especially for a sight with its small recessed turrets.
Copyright 2020, Twobirds Flying Publications, All Rights Reserved
Vortex Optics SPITFIRE™ HD GEN II 2 5x Prism Scope In this picture, you’re seeing the illuminated reticle in bright sunlight. The target was the pilot house of an ocean going tug 686 yards from the point of observation. Again the human eye image outperforms the Digi-scoped image. Vortex Optics ships the Spitfire HD Gen 2 Prism Scope with two mounts, one high and one low
2021
platform to the other. If Vortex releases a Gen 3 prism scope, I recommend a Q.D. mount. The camera angle makes the sight look higher than it actually is, but this height, allows for a good cheek height when using the Magpul PRS, it works quite well. Zeroing the sight was a snap as both wind and elevation turrets provide excellent tactile – one click 1 MOA at 100 yards.
I tried both arrangements and decided to go with the short mount, which I then mounted on a riser.
My five round group at 100 yards was equally satisfying. The AR BDC reticle presents an excellent sight picture that allows fast target acquisition.
I took this route for two reasons. I use a Magpul PRS and wanted to be sure I had sufficient flexibility in cheek height. The short mount and riser combination worked extremely well. Second, and least important, I want the ability to easily move the prism scope from one
The only issue that I’ll point out is its limited eye relief of 2.7”; for that reason, your optimal implementation is a platform with a carbine collapsible buttstock; however, it’s far better than the 1.5” of the TAO1. In closing, with the introduction of the Spitfire HD Gen 2 3x and 5x prism scope, Vortex Optics
Copyright 2020, Twobirds Flying Publications, All Rights Reserved
Vortex Optics SPITFIRE™ HD GEN II 2 5x Prism Scope has raised the bar for competing offerings in the commercial space. The sight’s optical clarity is outstanding; reticle illumination is effective in both bright sunlight and under low light conditions. Windage and elevation adjustment provide excellent tactile along with a 200 MOA range in 1 MOA clicks. Vortex also ships the prism scope with two mounting options. Top all this off with a forever warranty and the best customer service in the industry, and what you have is a real winner. -SP
2021
Manufacturer Specifications
Mount Type: Multi-Height Magnification: 5x Objective Lens Diameter: 25 mm Eye Relief: 2.7 inches Field of View: 23.3 feet/100 yds Adjustment Graduation: 1 MOA Max Elevation Adjustment: 200 MOA Max Windage Adjustment: 200 MOA Parallax Setting: 100 yds Length: 3.6 inches Weight: 10.3 oz MSRP: $649.99
Copyright 2020, Twobirds Flying Publications, All Rights Reserved