Adam Scepaniak 06.06.24
Vortex Optics has been overhauling their pistol crimson dot lineup for just a few years now, and impressively so, would possibly I add. The primary on this new line was the Defender-CCW. Small in footprint for all of our micro-compact carry weapons, it was a direct hit amongst shooters and hid carry fans. Subsequent, got here the Defender-ST. A extra full-size crimson dot aptly meant for all of our full-size handguns. The subsequent logical step could be one thing even greater. That’s the place we discover ourselves right this moment. Vortex Optics has introduced their latest micro crimson dot within the Defender-XL just a few days in the past that’s match for shotguns, rifles, and our extra-large handguns. So, in right this moment’s AllOutdoor Overview, we’re going to check out the Vortex Optics Defender-XL 5 MOA Micro Crimson Dot to see the way it performs out within the discipline. Let’s dive in!
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Specs – Vortex Optics Defender-XL 5 MOA Micro Crimson Dot
The Vortex Optics Defender-XL 5 MOA Micro Crimson Dot has an MSRP of $599.99 in both of its two dot sizes: 5 MOA or 8 MOA. To permit for widespread adoption throughout a number of platforms, the Vortex Optics Defender-XL has a Leupold DeltaPoint® Professional mounting footprint. The remainder of the specs for the Defender-XL 5 MOA Micro Crimson Dot might be learn beneath as introduced by Vortex Optics:
- Magnification: 1x
- Reticle: 5 MOA Dot
- Adjustment Commencement: 1 MOA
- Parallax Setting: Parallax Free
- Max Windage Adjustment: 115 MOA
- Max Elevation Adjustment: 120 MOA
Apart from its frequent mounting footprint and a number of dot sizes, you additionally get a hefty battery life that final 25,000 hours. There’s additionally a movement activation characteristic paired with a 10-minute shut-off to make sure the battery life lasts even longer. So, even should you flip this crimson dot on from the second you’re taking it out of the field, it would final you an extremely very long time.
- Dot Coloration: Shiny Crimson
- Battery Runtime: 25,000 Hours
- Mounting Footprint: DeltaPoint® Professional
- Mount Kind: Picatinny
- Eye Reduction: Limitless
- Size: 2.03″
- Weight: 1.93 Oz
The Defender-XL, as you could possibly think about, has the biggest window but of any of the Defender crimson dots at 25.5mm x 23.3mm (width x peak). This beneficiant window measurement additionally touts Quick-Rack™ Texturing if you wish to rack the slide of your handgun off of the entrance fringe of the window. Moreover, there’s a protecting ShockShield™ to make sure that the crimson dot at all times outlives any abuse we topic the crimson dot to.
- Window Dimension (Width x Peak): 25.5mm x 23.3mm
- Massive Onerous Coated Aspherical Lens: Massive Distortion Free Sight Image
- Movement Activation With 10 minute Auto-Shutoff: Robotically prompts with movement whereas 10 minute auto-shutoff saves battery life
- ShockShield™: Polymer insert absorbs shock to the 7075 aluminum physique defending it for on a regular basis abuse
- Quick-Rack™ Texturing: Aggressive texturing on face of optic for racking slide off any floor
An incredible angst that many crimson dot house owners share is having to vary the battery understanding it includes re-zeroing the crimson dot as soon as once more (if the battery is saved beneath). With the Defender-XL, you’ve got a top-loading battery so you may change out the battery with ease. Moreover, Vortex Optics has a singular dual-locking system to make sure your battery by no means by accident comes out, will get dislodged, or loses contact; thus, an inconsistent show of your crimson dot.
- Prime Mount Battery: Simple battery change with out having to rezero your optic
- 10 Daylight Shiny Brightness Settings: 10 Daylight Shiny Brightness Settings
- Parallax Free: All crimson dot and holographic sights will exhibit some small quantity of parallax. Matching present trade apply, this small quantity could be thought of “parallax free” and can make a negligible distinction in efficiency.
- Limitless Eye Reduction: Non-critical eye reduction for fast goal acquisition
Another properties that we come to anticipate from all crimson dots in the marketplace right this moment are waterproofing and fogproof attributes which Vortex Optics delivers on with the Defender-XL. Considered one of its extra area of interest traits is its night-vision compatibility. Whereas I’m not a night-vision goon, I admire that Vortex Optics has considered it and supplied that trait on this crimson dot.
- Night time-Imaginative and prescient Compatibility: The bottom 2 settings are night-vision appropriate.
- Waterproof: O-ring seals stop moisture, mud and particles from penetrating for dependable efficiency in all environments.
- Fogproof: Designed to resist a variety of temperatures.
- Low-Glare Matte Black Anodized: Corrosion and put on resistant anodization offers low-glare matte floor and helps camouflage the shooter’s place.
- Single-Piece Chassis: Compact and light-weight.
Barneveld, Wisconsin – Responding to the calls for of significant opponents, Vortex® is happy to introduce a crimson dot that units a better commonplace for pace and accuracy in aggressive taking pictures. Understanding the important function of fast goal engagement and adaptability in dynamic taking pictures environments, the Defender-XL™ is a brand new device for shooters aiming to dominate the competitors.
The ultra-wide sight window of the Defender-XL™ considerably enhances the sector of view. This important characteristic means quicker pace to focus on, faster and extra correct follow-up photographs. It additionally permits better versatility in unconventional taking pictures positions, guaranteeing opponents can adapt swiftly in dynamic situations.
Vortex VIP Guarantee – Vortex Optics Defender-XL 5 MOA Micro Crimson Dot
Within the uncommon occasion that your micro crimson dot ought to ever require service, guarantee, or alternative of any form, Vortex Optics has set the bar for customer support. The Vortex VIP Guarantee that covers all of their optics additionally covers your Defender-XL as a vast lifetime guarantee that’s absolutely transferable to future house owners of merchandise and no receipt is required. So, whether or not you reward one thing to a pal or go it all the way down to a member of the family, the following proprietor in line remains to be coated. Whether or not this micro crimson dot takes a tumble out of a treestand, or down the aspect of a mountain path.
What’s within the Field? – Vortex Optics Defender-XL 5 MOA Micro Crimson Dot
One of many many favourite issues that I like about Vortex is that they freely let you know “what’s within the field” earlier than you dive in on a purchase order. You understand what to anticipate, what you’re getting, what instruments you do/don’t must mount one thing; all of these issues. It’s a peace of thoughts and useful facet of the optic buying course of. For this assessment, I mounted the Defender-XL despatched out to us on a Springfield Armory Echelon. Between what Springfield provides with their pistol and what Vortex provides you, I didn’t want to purchase any extra instruments or screws.
Included within the Field
- Glock MOS Adapter Plate
- Picatinny Rail Mount
- Rubber Cowl
- Lens Fabric
- Battery
- Customized Software
- 5 Units of Widespread Mounting Screws
Discipline Use – Vortex Optics Defender-XL 5 MOA Micro Crimson Dot
So, how did the Vortex Optics Defender-XL 5 MOA micro crimson dot carry out out within the discipline?… I made a decision to run the Defender-XL on a Springfield Armory Echelon pistol in one in all their new OD Inexperienced Cerakote colorways. The Echelon is an excellent pistol for mounting optics to as a result of it doesn’t require dreaded adapter plates forcing you to stack tolerances (including increasingly wiggle room which slowly accumulates to much less accuracy being exuded by your given handgun).
The Springfield Armory Echelon has their swiss cheese slide and arbitrary peg-and-post system to mount optics immediately, and with the entire included screws that include your Vortex Optics Defender-XL, I had the whole lot I wanted to “join the dot.” I didn’t even want a Torx wrench of any form as a result of Vortex provides a Torx key that may tighten down the crimson dot, open the battery hatch, and alter for windage and elevation – an all-in-one device.
As soon as the crimson dot was mounted appropriately to me Echelon slide, I obtained check of the crimson dot as a result of it was both blindingly vibrant exterior on this vary day, or a might would go by and it could be downright gloomy. All through the intermittent change of searing solar and passing marshmallow clouds, I might constantly have a crisp crimson dot image. It’s tough to get a number of fields-of-view in focus on the similar time so my pictures don’t do it justice, however the crimson dot seemed resoundingly clear.
To check the sturdiness of this crimson dot, I did like all crazed idiot on the web and I jacked it in opposition to a hay rack repeatedly till I used to be tired of my futile makes an attempt at dislodging it. The Defender-XL is as strong and robust as its title infers. Apart from after I assessment merchandise, I’m not an “abusive product proprietor.” I’ll grip the entrance of my slide and do press checks very often, however I’m not a type of we’re going to try to destroy this product YouTube personalities. So, the Defender-XL will get flying stars for its sturdiness compared to different crimson dots in the marketplace the place I’d by no means dream of making an attempt to take away the paint off of my hay rack.
Whereas taking pictures this crimson dot on the Echelon, I discovered it straightforward to sight in… it maintained a continuing zero (even with all of my vary shenanigans)… and as Vortex advertises, this crimson dot has a really beneficiant window if you’re working this on a bigger platform like a shotgun or rifle (it solely makes life that a lot simpler on a handgun).
Remaining Ideas – Vortex Optics Defender-XL 5 MOA Micro Crimson Dot
So, what are my remaining ideas on the Vortex Optics Defender-XL 5 MOA micro crimson dot?… General, this giant micro crimson dot performs as marketed, after which some. You’ve the heft of a robust, sturdy crimson dot that isn’t sooo massive that it has some obscure, arbitrary footprint. The Defender-XL additionally checks each different field you could possibly consider: night-vision appropriate, fogproof, waterproof, top-load battery, all of the screws and instruments you’ll ever want, a well-maintained zero as soon as established, and cheap at $599 for what Vortex is providing to the market. In order for you a bigger crimson dot on your shotguns, carbines, rifles, or competition-style handguns, the Vortex Optics Defender-XL will serve you effectively.
In closing, I need to say thanks to Vortex Optics for permitting AllOutdoor and myself the chance to check out their Vortex Optics Defender-XL 5 MOA micro crimson dot. That’s enormously appreciated. Additionally, we want to know what all of you guys and gals suppose? Do you consider that the Vortex Optics Defender-XL 5 MOA micro crimson dot is one thing price spending your cash on? Would you’re taking one with you searching? Shoot a league or competitors? Probably deploy it for EDC (on a regular basis carry)? As at all times, tell us your whole ideas about Vortex Optics and the Defender-XL 5 MOA micro crimson dot in the Feedback beneath! We at all times admire your suggestions.
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