Vortex vs Nikon for my AR10

I'm going to put new glass on my AR10 and my research as pretty much narrowed it down to the Vortex Viper 4-16 x 50 BDC, and the Nikon M Tactical .308 4-16 x 42 BDC (Or maybe the Prostaff 7). What are folks thoughts about these two?

Any others I might consider?

My specs are 30mm body tube ( I already have a mount to use), at least 16x magnification. (my eyes suck), and a budget of around $500. Uses for the AR10 are mainly hunting, blasting, and working on stretching out my target shooting beyond 300yards for fun, but I'm not focused on knob twiddling super long range stuff.

Well the vortex viper glass is meh , and will not be that clear for old age

Budget?

Nikon over Vortex. I wouldn’t buy either one.

Ok, so for $500, what would you buy that meets my criteria?

Your asking the wrong guy.... I’m a Leupold fanboy...... used Leupold or....... Nothing, save my money for a VX-5 or 6 if you watch, you can find a used one.

I have had problems with Nikon and Vortex. I will NOT have problems with either again.

You might look at sightron s-tac or the S-ll's

What about a vx3 wouldn’t that be in the price range?

Take a look at the Athlon Midas TAC. Can be found for $500 on GB.

The Athlons I looked thru I liked. Yes you could find a used VX3. The 5,6 and 7 are better

I have the vortex viper HS 4-16x50 on a .308 bolt gun and it has been great. no complaints here

Eurooptic is closing out the Gen1 PST 4-16x50 for $499. That would be my choice at your price point.

https://www.eurooptic.com/vortex-viper-pst-4-16x50-ffp-rifle-scope-ebr-1-mrad-pst-416f1-m.aspx

I have the vortex viper FFP 2.5X10 on my 308 AR and love it. Tracks perfect, and I think the glass is perfect. I would buy another.

I love my prostaff 5 for the money.

Look at where the scope is made first and foremost. I completely avoid Chinese scopes.

A Phillipino scope like Vortex PST won't be much different than a comparable Phillipino Burris or Athlon or Primary Arms or...... I've had a ton of these scopes and they've all been serviceable. I prefer the Gen 2 PST and Burris XTR II.

A Japanese scope will most likely be made at the LOW plant, and their scopes will be superior to any scope made in the Philippines, and especially China. I have or have had LOW scopes from Vortex, Bushnell, Trijicon, and Nightforce, and they've all been excellent.

This
I’m working on trying to get all Japanese made

That settles it. TEAM IMPACT! has spoken.

I would put out a little more coin for the Burris XTR II 3-15. Built like a tank and very good glass. Tracks well, FFP.

That about sums it up for me too.

Vortex all day.

Vortex is solid, the warranty is legit, and for the price it will be hard to Mach features offered on the vortex. That being said if a budget optic is needed I have been pleasantly surprised by the budget optics primary arms is putting out

I got my first Vortex when it was included with an AR I purchased. After hearing so many good things about it... the performance on mine was very underwhelming. That's comparing it to a lower power Nikon Prostaff I got on Black Friday and the many Leupolds I've had over the years.

Not saying all Vortex is bad. I've only ever used one. Just the class isn't as clear as I had hoped. Still use it though and the rifle it's on is amazingly accurate.

I had a Vortex Viper HS 6-24X50. Compared to other similarly priced scopes in my arsenal (Nikon Monarch Gold 2.5-10x50 and Sightron STAC 4-20X50) the Vortex glass was not nearly as clear or bright. I sold it on eBay and bought another Sightron Siii. I will say the glass on my Nikon Monarch Gold is amazing.

^^^^^^ Agree completely with this.

I think Vortex's value goes up as their price point goes up. I've been a bit underwhelmed by their lower priced stuff, but the PST Gen 2 and Razor lineups are very good for the money.

I recently looked through a Vortex Strike Eagle 1-6 as a possible AR scope and didn't like it at all.