Low-power variable optics, known as LPVO for short, have enjoyed a recent surge in popularity.
I took it upon myself to ride this wave but was worried about burning a hole in my wallet.
Luckily, I’d found a great entry-level scope at a lower price point!
Don’t believe me? Let me present you with the Vortex Strike Eagle 1-6×24 LPVO.
Contents
Overview of the Vortex Strike Eagle 1-6×24
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Specifications:
- Objective Diameter: 24mm
- Magnification: 1-6x
- Dimensions: 10.5 x 3.38 x 3.75 inches
- Weight: 18.5 oz
- Eye Relief: 3.5 inches
- Turret Adjustment: ½ MOA
- Internal Elevation Adjustment: 140 MOA
- Internal Windage Adjustment: 140 Moa
- Battery Type: CR2032, Lithium
- Material: Aircraft-Grade Aluminum
The Vortex Strike Eagle 1-6×24 is a budget low-power variable optic.
Please remember that true power scopes can be expensive, so given the price point of this scope, it is important to be realistic with your expectations.
That being said, I’m glad the Vortex Strike Eagle 1-6×24 met all of my expectations and is leagues better than other scopes given its price range!
If you want a good budget scope with a lifetime warranty to shoot at a 0-200 yard range, this is perfect for you.
I was able to excel in plinking AND competitions thanks to the Vortex Optics Strike Eagle, and you can too!
About Vortex Optics
Vortex Optics is a manufacturing company based in Barneveld, Wisconsin, known for its riflescopes, spotting scopes, red dots, and holographic sights.
It is run by a family of American veterans who work hard to give their customers the best.
Their hard work paid off, as they are now considered one of the leaders in the firearm industry.
Their products are trusted even by the military and law enforcement agencies!
They are so good that, just recently, they were awarded a contract by the US Army to produce 250,000 advanced weapons optics to increase the lethality of the close-quarters combat force.
Vortex Optics is also famous for Vortex’s Lifetime Warranty, which guarantees unconditional lifelong service for any Vortex product.
FUN FACT: The original name of Vortex was Eagle Optics, and they originally focused on birdwatching equipment.
If you want to learn more about them, you can also check out our article about Vortex and Leupold.
Vortex Strike Eagle 1-6×24 Review
Overall Rating: 4 out of 5 Stars
Durability – 5/5
The Vortex Strike Eagle 1-6×24 is certified waterproof and fog proof, thanks to O-ring sealing and nitrogen purging.
The one-piece tube is made of aircraft-grade aluminum with a matte black finish to eliminate glare.
I was tempted to test its durability by throwing it out of my vehicle window while driving!
Of course, I didn’t do that, but based on my experience shooting with it, I know it can handle drops and bumps like a pro!
Adjustments – 3/5
The Vortex Strike Eagle riflescope has capped adjustment turrets that move in increments of ½ MOA.
While the low-profile turrets don’t need a tool for adjustments, I’ve found that they can be too stiff to turn at times, so don’t expect a smooth adjustment every time.
Thankfully, the Vortex Strike Eagle 1-6×24 comes with a clamp-on zoom throw lever that helps you make adjustments.
When they do turn, however, you can be assured of any adjustments you make with the audible, tactile clicks of the turrets.
That being said, because it’s so difficult to move the turrets, any adjustments you make with the throw lever will stay ON no matter what.
After all, if you had difficulty with the adjustment knobs, what can a little shaking possibly do?
Glass Clarity – 3.5/5
The glass of the Vortex Strike Eagle features increased light transmission due to the multiple anti-reflective coatings on all air-to-glass surfaces.
The glass quality assures you of a crisp and clear sight picture with deep contrast to help you pick out your target against a background.
True enough, my images were very clear, but it’s not the most awesome glass clarity out there.
I had to dock some points because of the slight fish-eye effect at 6x zoom. Everything looked kinda weird and bulgy, which you don’t want while shooting.
Reticle – 4/5
The Vortex Optics Strike Eagle 1-6×24 features a fast-focus eyepiece and an illuminated AR-BDC second plane reticle etched directly onto the glass.
The bullet drop compensating reticle itself has many features.
It has medium crosshairs and a reticle “horseshoe,” which naturally focuses on the target center.
Built-in ranging helps the shooter confirm sighted distances, while a 5.56 holdover up to 650 yards assists with quick shooting at varying ranges.
It also has a large ring on the reticle that helps quick acquisition with the 1 MOA center dot.
In addition to what I’ve already mentioned, it has windage markings at 5, 10, and 15 MPH.
TAKE NOTE: The reticle has no central crosshair despite having all these features.
Whether or not you’ll appreciate this reticle design is a matter of personal preference.
At first, I found this reticle too busy and cluttered that it became a turn-off to shoot with.
But after trying it, I found all the features extremely helpful! I liked all of these features on the reticle!
I found that it made shooting and targeting easier and quicker than a “simpler” illuminated reticle.
That being said, what applies to me may not necessarily apply to you.
The FFP reticle, on the other hand, works even without illumination, so the Vortex Strike Eagle 1-6×24 can still be used in the event of electronic failure.
Brightness – 3/5
The Vortex Optics Strike Eagle 1-6×24 has 11 brightness settings for its illuminated reticle.
While the illumination is crisp and clear on cloudy days, it can get washed out when the light transmission is too bright.
I had difficulty seeing the illuminated red dot on sunny days, even with the illumination set to maximum.
It was even hard to see the red dot on brightly lit objects.
Vortex makes up for this with the black etched reticle that works without illumination, which you can use under these conditions.
While the black dot is great for brighter lighting situations, it can still be difficult to pick up depending on the target’s color.
Battery – 5/5
This Vortex Optics Strike Eagle 1-6×24 riflescope runs on a single CR2032 battery. At maximum illumination, it has an estimated battery life of 150 hours.
If you’re still worried about running out of battery while on the field, it comes with a spare battery compartment underneath the windage cap.
Eye Box and Eye Relief – 3.5/5
The Vortex Strike Eagle 1-6×24 has an eye relief of about 3.5 inches, which is not a lot but is pretty average for an LPVO.
However, I’ve noticed that you really only get about an inch of relief before you notice the sight picture getting a bit tight.
The eye box can be pretty restrictive and can be even more evident if you’re coming from a red dot.
The eye box gets even tighter at higher magnifications.
You’ll really need to learn to develop a good head position and sight alignment when using the Vortex Strike Eagle 1.
Warranty – 5/5
The Strike Eagle comes with the Vortex lifetime warranty, which gives me a lot of reassurance that I don’t have to worry about damages or repairs!
It’s always nice to have something catch you when you fall.
Included Accessories
When you buy your Vortex Strike Eagle LPVO, you will find the following in the box:
- Vortex Strike Eagle LPVO
- User manual and related literature
- Protective flip lens covers
- Lens cloth
- Two batteries
How to Choose the Right Rifle Scope
How do you know that the scope you want is right for you? Here are several factors I think you should take into consideration:
#1 Magnification
Magnification refers to how much closer the target appears under the scopes than the naked eye.
This means that a scope with 5x magnification makes targets appear 5x closer than they do with the naked eye.
Here’s a quick guide to help you figure out how much magnification you need:
- For target shooting up to 100 yards, stalking small game, and homestead defense: 1-4x
- For target shooting up to 200 yards, stalking large game, and hunting in closed landscapes (mountains, forests, etc.): 5-8x
- For target shooting beyond 200 yards and hunting in open landscapes (fields, deserts, etc.): 9-12x
The magnification on a scope is defined by the first number in the model name.
For example, a scope with 5x30mm in its name has a fixed magnification of 5x.
#2 Type of Magnification
There are two types of magnification: Fixed and Variable Power:
Fixed power means that the scope has only one magnification that won’t change.
If you intend to shoot from one distance, I’d recommend a FIXED power scope for you.
On the other hand, variable power means that the scope has MORE magnification settings.
If you prefer moving around and shooting from various distances, a VARIABLE power scope is better for you.
#3 Objective Lens Size
The objective lens found at the end of the scope is responsible for light transmission.
BIGGER objective lenses generally tend to give BRIGHTER and clearer images.
However, an objective lens too big for your scope may weigh it down and require taller scope rings.
I’ve found that it also makes the scope more likely to reflect sunlight, thus giving away your position.
Here’s a quick guide to deciding what objective lens size is best for you:
- For close quarters with low recoil: 28 mm and under
- For low light hunting with just a bit of recoil: 30 – 44 mm
- For long-distance shooting: 50 mm and up
The objective lens size is described by the number after the x in the scope’s name.
Thus, a scope with 1-4x30mm in its name has a 30mm objective lens.
#4 Lens Coatings
Lens coatings are applied to lenses to enhance sight and reduce glare.
There are 4 basic types of lens coating:
- Coated: At least one lens has one layer of coating
- Fully coated: All exterior lenses have one layer of coating
- Multi-coated: At least one lens has more than one layer of coating
- Fully multi-coated: All exterior lenses have more than one layer of coating.
#5 Reticle
The reticle is the aiming point of the rifle scope that marks where your point of impact should be.
There are 3 most popular types of reticle design:
- Duplex: The simplest crosshair pattern for target shooting or hunting
- Mil-Dot: Which has dots that help estimate the distance based on size and is ideal for military and law enforcement
- Bullet Drop Compensating (BDC): Estimates and compensates for bullet drop and is best for long-range shooting
The kind of reticle you choose for your rifle scopes is just a matter of personal preference.
#6 Focal Plane
There are two focal planes: First Focal Plane (FFP) and Second Focal Plane (SFP).
For a FIRST focal plane optic, the reticle size changes with magnification. FFP is best suited for long-range shooting.
For a SECOND focal plane optic, the reticle size stays the same regardless. If you shoot in shorter distances, you’ll be okay with an SFP.
#7 Eye Relief
The distance between your eye and the lens is called eye relief.
Getting the right amount of relief can spell everything between having one or two functioning eyes.
NOTE: The amount you need depends on the recoil of your firearm.
That being said, the minimum amount recommended for most rifles is between 3-4 inches.
However, if your firearm has higher recoil, like bolt action rifles, I’d caution focusing on getting more relief.
Vortex Strike Eagle 1-6×24 Alternatives
1. Burris RT-6 1-6×24 Riflescope
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The Burris RT-6 1-6×24 is a very close contender to the Vortex Strike Eagle in price and performance.
It’s actually very difficult to tell the difference in clarity between the two scopes.
Features
For starters, the 1x and 6x zoom levels on both scopes have the same distortion.
However, if you look really closely, you can probably tell that the Vortex optic has crisper colors.
That being said, the Burris RT is 1.1 ounces lighter and .2 inches shorter than the Strike Eagle.
The Burris RT is best used with the Burris AR PEPR (Proper Eye Position Ready Mount), sold separately.
However, you can get the Strike Eagle in a bundle with the Vortex mount, resulting in more savings.
The Burris Ballistic AR illuminated reticle has a center circle for quick target acquisition at close range.
Its MIL-based hash marks help with shooting up to 600 yards.
Should You Get This Alternative?
While this is somewhat similar to the Vortex Strike Eagle, I’d still argue that the reticle on the Eagle is slightly better.
To wrap it up, the Bushnell RT-6 is extremely similar to the Vortex Strike Eagle but with minor differences.
I still think that the Strike Eagle is better, but the RT-6 is a great alternative, nevertheless.
2. Primary Arms SLX 1-6x24mm SFP Riflescope
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This is another budget-friendly LPVO that is very similar to the Vortex Strike Eagle 1-6×24. However, there are, of course, a few differences.
Features
While the Primary Arms scope has better pricing than the Strike Eagle, I feel that it falls behind in terms of optical clarity and brightness.
This scope receives high marks for not having edge distortion at 6x magnification.
This clarity at a longer range makes it perfect for hog hunting.
Other than that, they’re practically the same.
However, the Strike Eagle is more rugged and reliable than the Primary Arms.
Should You Get This Alternative?
Do you want a better price tag? Do you anticipate shooting at maximum magnification often?
If so, I’d recommend the Primary Arms scope.
Do you put more value on reliability and ruggedness? Do you worry less about magnification?
If so, I’d recommend the Vortex Strike Eagle.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Is an LPVO?
A low-power variable optic has a zoom range from a true 1x to a maximum of 8x.
At its lowest level, an LPVO is similar to a holographic sight.
What Focal Plane Is the Vortex Strike Eagle 1-6×24?
This scope has a second focal plane design. I also highly recommend it as one of the best 1-6x scopes for its price tag.
Is the Vortex Strike Eagle 1-6×24 a True 1x?
Yes.
The Vortex Strike Eagle is a true 1x on the low end.
Its magnification allows the shooter to engage targets swiftly at various angles.
Furthermore, its AR-BDC3 reticle provides holdover and also helps with ranging references from 0 to 600 yards.
Is the Vortex Strike Eagle 1-6×24 Made in America?
While the Vortex Strike Eagle line is designed and sold in America, it is manufactured in China.
What Mounts Can Be Used With the Vortex Strike Eagle 1-6×24?
Unlike red dot sights, the Vortex Strike Eagle comes solo without an included mount.
I know it’s a little inconvenient since it’s an extra expense, but it allows you the opportunity to customize your application.
Here are some possible mounting options:
1. Vortex Cantilever Mount
The Vortex Cantilever Mount is made specifically for AR platforms and for 30 mm tubes like the one that the Vortex Optics Strike Eagle has.
Since it’s from the same maker as the Strike Eagle, you know for sure that it’s compatible.
In my opinion, this would likely be the best mounting choice for the Strike Eagle.
2. Aero Ultralight Mount
The Aero Ultralight Mount is a compact and lightweight mount compatible with the Vortex Strike Eagle.
It is an affordable scope option that features a cross-slot keyway to protect the optic from recoil.
3. Burris Optics PEPR Riflescope Mount
The Burris Optics Proper Eye Position Ready is a great mount for your Strike Eagle.
It has a quick detach lever to make it easy to mount and unmount your optic.
Final Verdict: Are Vortex Strike Eagle Rifle Scopes Any Good?
A good scope, especially an LPVO, must not break the bank. The Vortex Strike Eagle 1-6×24 is a great example of this!
I’ve actually featured it as one of our top scopes under 500 bucks!
Obviously, it is not perfect, and if you’re nit-picky about certain things, you may want to look elsewhere.
For me, however, the Strike Eagle measures up; I HIGHLY recommend it for a solid LPVO at a great price.
It gives a clear, natural-sight picture at close range, making it perfect for close-quarter combat.
With its wide magnification range, you can also use it for 250+ yards.
However, note that using it at higher levels can result in some distortion in the lens.
