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Vortex Crossfire II Review: Is It Worth Buying?

Vortex Crossfire II Review

When it comes to reliable performance and excellent value, Vortex Optics does not disappoint.

The Vortex Optics Crossfire II is just one example of their stellar models on the market.

Is it great for hunting, tactical shooting, low-light conditions, etc.?

Let me guide you through everything that makes this Vortex scope so great, and let’s see if it’s the best rifle scope for your needs.

Overview of the Vortex Optics Crossfire II Rifle Scope

Vortex Crossfire II Rifle Scope

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The Vortex Optics Crossfire II was specially made for hunters and shooters looking for reliable performance at a not-so-high price tag.

With a fast-focus eyepiece, fully multi-coated optics, substantial eye relief, and easy-to-reset MOA turrets, what more can you ask for when you’re out in the field?

I couldn’t ask for much else, even if I tried.

Specifications:

  • Magnification range: models range from 2x – 12x
  • Objective lens diameter: 40 mm
  • Length: 12 in.
  • Weight: 15 oz.
  • Tube diameter: 1 in.
  • Eye relief: 3.8 – 4.4 in.
  • Field of view at 100 yards: 12.6 – 34.1 ft
  • Focal plane: Second focal plane
Pros
  • Great entry-level price
  • Lifetime warranty from Vortex
  • Rugged
  • Top-notch clarity
  • Illuminated reticle
Cons
  • Some models may be bulky and heavy
  • The glass quality is not enough for higher magnifications

Vortex Optics Crossfire II Review

The Vortex Crossfire II rifle scope series is packed with features while maintaining a reasonable price.

Main Features:

The series provides reliable scopes made from an aircraft-grade aluminum single-piece tube. 

You can mount this on your gun and not worry about recoil breaking your scope.

When I held it the first time, it felt like holding a diamond! I had no doubts that it was strong and sturdy!

True enough, out on the field, it could handle the harsh outdoors like a champ!

The glass on the Vortex Crossfire II scope is fully multi-coated and will provide an AMAZING bright image on the target.

To me, it kind of felt like looking through a camera lens!

These scopes are classified in the second focal plane, meaning the reticle will appear the same size no matter what zoom range.

I am thankful for the long eye relief because I do not want to repeat what happened last time my scope’s eye relief wasn’t enough.

There’s a fast-focus eyepiece that allows for quick adjustments for quick and easy reticle focusing. I could point and aim in a matter of SECONDS.

Certain models also have an adjustable objective.

Other than the fast-focus eyepiece, the capped turret is also finger adjustable for rapid windage and elevation adjustments.

I’ve never lost sight of my game because of this.

Last but not least, you’re also covered by their Vortex VIP warranty/lifetime warranty.

Variety of Choices

Speaking of the scope’s reticle, the Vortex Crossfire II provides a wide variety of reticle choices.

  • The simplest reticle: Vortex V-Plex
  • The red dot reticle: V-Brite Reticle
  • The BDC reticle: Dead-Hold BDC reticle; closest to a Nikon BDC reticle

Take note that certain models can only have specific reticles.

For example, for the Vortex Crossfire II 3-9×40, you can choose to get the BDC, V-Brite, and the V-Plex installed on this specific scope.

On the other hand, the Vortex Crossfire II 3-9×50 can only have the BDC and V-Brite. You can also get the V-Plex for this model, but it’s only in limited quantities.

There’s a model for almost every use case.

If you’re looking for an affordable scope, this series is more than a good choice. I wholeheartedly recommend it for beginner and intermediate hunters.

Overall Rating: 4.8 out of 5 Stars

4.8 out of 5 stars banner

Things to Consider When Buying a Rifle Scope

Woman shooting rifle

What you need depends on your individual use case. It’s not quite different when shopping for a rifle scope.

I don’t just want you to read through this review — I also want to give you the knowledge to determine the features you’d want in your optics.

Allow me to go over a few important features to consider when choosing the best scope for you.

#1 Magnification Range and Objective Lens

Magnification refers to the scope’s ability to make the target look much closer than it appears.

For example, a scope with 4x means you can see four times closer than you would be able to with the naked eye.

“Let’s get the most magnification we can!” you might think. I wouldn’t recommend it.

Not only will you spend extra money for higher magnification, but you also might not even find any use for it.

To get a feel for the distances, let’s give some examples.

  • If you use your rifle for small critters and in short ranges (around 100 yards), then a scope that can do 1-4x would be appropriate.
  • If you’re hunting big game and hunting in wide-open spaces (200 yards and above), then a scope of around 9-12x would be suitable.

You can identify the magnification level of the scope by the number that’s written next to the product name.

For example, you’ll find 2x50mm right in front of the product name. 50 is the objective lens’s diameter in millimeters, 2x is the magnification.

Meanwhile, the objective lens is the lens on the other end of the scope.

The bigger the lens diameter, the CLEARER the image of your target will be.

Although this doesn’t mean that you should get the biggest lens you could find — a bigger lens means a heavier scope.

It can also mean more sunlight reflection and chances of giving away your position.

There are also lenses with fixed or variable power.

  • Fixed means if you buy a 2x, you only get a 2x.
  • Variable means you can adjust from a certain range, 1-4x, for example.

I’d recommend choosing fixed magnification scopes if you have a set target and engagement distance, and a variable scope if you’re tracking a target across multiple ranges.

#2 Reticles

The reticle is what you use to aim. That would either mean the dot or crosshair on your scope.

The 3 most common types of scope reticles are:

  • Duplex: Simple crosshair pattern. Good for short-range shooting.
  • Mil-Dot: There are dots on the reticle that help you estimate the distance of the target based on the size.
  • BDC (bullet drop compensation): The reticle pattern has bullet drop estimates and is best for long-range shooting. A good example is the Nikon BDC.

Again, your choice in this category would depend on your personal preference and situation.

I’d recommend Duplex reticles for most hunting situations.

#3 Parallax

Parallax is hard to explain in a short, concise manner, but it’s important for the accuracy of your shots. There are videos on YouTube that explain it very simply, like this one:

So if you’ve watched that video, keep in mind that you should choose scopes that have parallax adjustment.

This will give you accurate alignment if you’re shooting long-range. It will be extremely helpful!

#4 Lens Coating

The lens coating determines how much light passes through the scope.

To get bright, clear images, fully multi-coated lenses are ideal, as these reduce glare due to reflected light.

Usually, more coatings mean better light!

Just pretend the image you see on your scope is a television screen, and you want to increase the brightness. The proper lens coating will help you do that!

#5 Adjustments

The windage and elevation adjustment turrets help you adjust your scope to compensate for inaccurate shots.

Windage allows you to change the horizontal impact of the bullet, while elevation does the same but vertical.

When you mount your scope, you want it to be zeroed, meaning the bullet lands right where the center of the reticle is.

Sometimes, it might not be exact, which is what these turrets are for!

#6 Durability

Of course, a good scope is one that can withstand a lot of wear and tear and the harsh elements of the outdoors.

Ideally, you would want a scope that is waterproof, fogproof, and shockproof to prevent any damage.

The best scopes are those made of aircraft-grade aluminum.

About Vortex Optics

Vortex Optics logo

Vortex Optics is an American-owned mom-and-pop shop run by veterans. It’s been around since 1986, and it’s based in Barneveld, Wisconsin.

It’s grown from a small family business to employing over 300 people that are dedicated to giving you the best quality products that they can.

FUN FACT: They started doing binoculars before they hopped on the scopes market.

It’s pretty admirable how far they’ve come in competing with big-name brands such as Nikon, Bushnell, and Leupold!

Vortex Crossfire II Alternatives

As with all products, there are alternatives to everything.

So if you think the Vortex Crossfire II line is not your cup of tea, let me give you some other scopes you can consider:

1. Vortex Diamondback

Vortex Diamondback

If you’re a Vortex fan but want alternatives from the Crossfire II lineup, you can try looking at the Diamondback series from Vortex.

The Vortex Diamondback is the tier-up version of the Crossfire II lineup. Like the Crossfire, the Diamondback uses a sturdy aircraft-grade aluminum single-piece tube for its construction.

You get an increase in quality, but it also costs more money.

That being said, the Crossfire II series does have more variety in its lineup compared to the Diamondback.

You can learn more about them in my Diamondback versus Crossfire II Guide.

You’re probably more likely to find something catered to your use case in the Crossfire II lineup.

The Crossfire II’s scopes should also have more eye relief.

Like the Crossfire II, you also get a lifetime warranty.

This Vortex scope lineup is made with better materials, but in the end, I recommend choosing what’s right for your situation.

2. CVlife Optics Hunting Rifle Scope

CVlife Optics Hunting Rifle Scope

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If you’re looking for a cheap optic for your gun, the CVlife Optics Scope is a very affordable starter scope that will do the job.

For the price, the features this product has are unbeatable.

The CVlife Optics provides multi-colored lenses that allow for 95% light transmission. It also has an illuminated reticle for low-light situations.

It has an easily hand-adjustable turret system. Mounting this to rifles should also be easy; it’s no Nikon, but it’s still a good pick.

3. Leupold VX-Freedom Rifle Scopes

Leupold VX-Freedom Rifle Scopes

I’ve already mentioned above that Leupold optics are a great option with quality features.

Leupold VX-Freedom scopes guarantee high accuracy, excellent light transmission, and reticles that align well.

Frequently Asked Questions

Person holding rifle

Are Vortex Crossfire Scopes Made in China?

In the case of the Vortex Optics Crossfire II scopes, they’re made in China.

Vortex’s scopes are made in different places — the Philippines, Japan, US, and China, depending on the line of rifle scopes.

Is the Vortex Crossfire II Good for Hunting?

YES.

The Vortex Crossfire II scope lineup has a lot of different models, and you can find a particular model that can fit your hunting needs.

There are scopes for hunting small critters at short ranges, and there are high-powered magnification scopes for hunting long distances.

You can still maintain a clear image of your target with the proper windage and elevation adjustment.

In addition to having high power, the Crossfire II also has models with a dead-hold BDC reticle which would be great if you want to shoot at long range.

I’m sure they offer a scope that meets your needs.

Is the Vortex Crossfire II Good for Lowlight or Dusk Conditions?

YES.

Vortex Crossfire II scopes have fully multi-coated lenses, which helps the light transmission come through easier.

The coating also helps eliminate glare from shiny surfaces.

Vortex Crossfire II scopes also come with an illuminated reticle that can light up if you’re having trouble seeing the reticle in lowlight conditions.

I find this is essential if you shoot indoors or in competitions.

Furthermore, there are models on the Crossfire II series that have big lens diameter sizes, up to 50mm!

With that, you will be able to see enough image detail even when it gets a bit darker.

Is Vortex Better Than Leupold?

To answer whether Vortex is better than Leupold, let’s pit the Vortex Optics Crossfire II with Leupold’s closest competitor.

The FX and VX-Freedom series from Leupold would be a good comparison. With regards to the Vortex Crossfire II, it is close in price and would be the appropriate competitor.

The Vortex Crossfire II and the FX and VX-Freedom all offer below $500 rifle scopes.

When it comes to the price, the Vortex Crossfire II offerings definitely are, on average, cheaper than the other scopes from Leupold.

The Vortex Crossfire II also has the upper hand when it comes to variety in its rifle scope lineup.

When it comes to quality, Leupold has the upper hand. The quality of Leupold optics when it comes to their glass is a notch above what the Crossfire II has to offer.

Final Verdict: Is the Vortex Crossfire II a Good Scope?

So, let’s quickly run through this review.

The Vortex Crossfire II line has top-of-the-line optics that offer great quality and is greatly praised in reviews.

It provides accurate performance that allows you to shoot your shot without wasting ammo (at a price that can’t be beaten).

It also has a lifetime warranty for the best customer support.

If that’s not a good scope, I don’t know what is! I WHOLEHEARTEDLY recommend it.

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