Scope fell apart at the range

[Boone]

I had the PST 1-4 and like posted above the reticle started rotating the first day I shot it. I also owned the Razor 1-6 which was a nice optic, the reticle was meh. But it was built very well. I will never buy a low end Vortex again, nor would I recommend one. Out of 5 friends who have or have owned a Vortex optic, all 5 of them had, had to send them back for service. One of which being a Gen I Razor. I haven't had any problems with my Nightforce, Leupold, ELCAN or Aimpoint optics.

Hopefully Vortex can start reducing their problems in the near future because they are not a bad company.

[Bearcatrp]

Got it back repaired. In the for sale section now.

[Bearcatrp]

Decided to mount it to check out the repair. Turned on the illumination. Dull at highest setting. Figured the tech drained the battery. Put a new one in. NOPE. Its like its half way up. Also noticed the red dot is not centered as it was when I first bought it. Took it off the for sale section as I would not sell it this way. My last vortex I will ever own. Already emailed vortex on the matter. Won't mail it back again. You would figure the dam teck would go over everything before sending it back. When I can afford another scope, will be using this POS for target practice @100 yards to see if I can put one through the tube!

[Froot]

I would use the warranty than buy a new scope but thats just me.

[Bearcatrp]

Was surprised to get an email from vortex offering me a new scope and mail this one back. Not sure if its a refurb be she said new in the box. Told them will try vortex one more time so it will be here tomorrow.

[UnaStamus]

Keep it new-in-box and sell it that way. Get more money. Put it towards a better optic.

[MJY65]

Keep it new-in-box and sell it that way. Get more money. Put it towards a better optic.

That's what I'd do. Let someone else deal with their "great customer service". I've owned Nightforce scopes for quite a few years and various Leupolds for several decades. I honestly have no idea how good their customer service is because I've never needed to use it.

[Ghost]

That's what I'd do. Let someone else deal with their "great customer service". I've owned Nightforce scopes for quite a few years and various Leupolds for several decades. I honestly have no idea how good their customer service is because I've never needed to use it.

When it comes to scopes you generally get what you pay for up until the diminishing returns starts kicking in.

[Bearcatrp]

Keep it new-in-box and sell it that way. Get more money. Put it towards a better optic.

Thinking of doing this or use it until I can afford a better 1x4 or 1x6 and put this on my S&W 15-22. Unless vortex surprises me with a new 1x6 to convince me to stay with vortex. Not holding my breath though.

[Meta-Prometheus]

I have had many friends who practically destroyed their Vortex scopes both by accident and of their own stupidity, and in the several cases I can remember Vortex replaced every single one of them no questions asked. This would have been several years ago now already.

This is a pretty bad deal altogether it seems and I really hope it was just a bad apple in the batch and not a sign of declining quality at Vortex. At least they are offering to replace your scope. That is more customer service than you will get out of most other companies these days.

[Holland&Holland]

I have had many friends who practically destroyed their Vortex scopes both by accident and of their own stupidity,

Ok that statement begs for more of the story to be told...

[Bearcatrp]

Vortex sent me a brand new Crossfire II 1x4 this morning. Will give this one a shot and see if it holds up. Time to head to the range.

[Meta-Prometheus]

I have had many friends who practically destroyed their Vortex scopes both by accident and of their own stupidity,

Ok that statement begs for more of the story to be told...

They worked at the Sportsman's Warehouse in Casper Wyoming and through the store employee program they were able to get the high end scopes at that time (2011). They eventually became personal dealers of Vortex scopes. One somehow busted the turrets and another dented a tube. From what I remember the scopes were replaced or repaired with literally no hassle.

I don't know if it made a difference that these were the higher end model scopes at that time (Razor and Viper were new back then), but I remember seeing the busted scopes and then a month or so later they had their new replacement scope or repaired scope. Sounded almost too good to be true, but it was real.

So with regard to bearcatrp's experience, there is either declining quality at Vortex or he got the bad apple in the bushel. In any case it seems they are trying to accommodate bearcatrp's misfortune.

[UnaStamus]

Vortex scopes are made overseas, so when you get your scope there is very little done by Vortex besides quality assurance checks, which can only go so far without mounting and shooting with the scopes. When the scope takes a dump, Vortex is generally fixing it in-house. The quality of the assembly is contingent upon where it's assembled. The Crossfire is made in China. The Diamondback, Strike Eagle and Viper/Viper PST are assembled in Philippines with a mix of Chinese and Japanese components (fewer Chinese and more Japanese as you go up to the Vipers). The Razor is made in Japan. As you move up the production food chain to Japan, you get better quality. Japanese manufacturing and assembly has a lot more quality control and they take pride in what they do. Such is why you see a change in quality and a reduction in problems as you move up the ladder to the Razor line.

This is nothing new with Vortex, and they have had significant issues with initial quality since they started. They always stand behind their products and will take care of you no matter what, which speaks positive volumes about them. The only problem is that it also speaks volumes about what kind of product you are getting versus what other companies offer. Leupold for instance is more expensive, but very few scopes are returned for repair because they are built in Oregon and the quality control is extremely high. Bushnell is a good brand and they have very few problems with their non-blisterpack scopes because they're made in Japan and there is also extremely high quality control there.