Vortex Sparc 2 VS Vortex Sparc AR : Which One’s the Best Deal for You?

Vortex Sparc 2	Vortex Sparc AR
Find out more	Find out more

	Vortex Sparc 2	Vortex Sparc AR
Pros	Cheaper Sits lower	Glass has less bluish tint Powered by an AAA battery
Cons	Glass has more bluish tint Discontinued Powered by CR2032 battery	More expensive Sits higher

 

Optics Showdown : Sparc 2 VS Sparc AR

Sparc AR glass is clearer with less bluish tint

Comparing head to head, I found that the Sparc 2’s glass performs slightly worse compared to the Sparc AR, as its glass has darker blue tint, which tends to darken your view. The Sparc AR glass color is more natural.

Both the Sparc 2 and Sparc AR have 10 brightness settings with the lowest 2 being night vision compatible. They are both daylight bright and you can easily pick up the red dot on bright sunny days.

Sparc AR brightness control is easier for left-handed people

Vortex Sparc AR’s brightness control is ambidextrous because its “Up” and “Down” buttons are located at the rear of the optics making them easy to navigate with any hand.

On the other hand, the Sparc 2 has its “Up” and “Down” buttons on the left-rear side of the optic, making it a bit hard to control with your right hand.

Pretty much the same battery life

One big advantage for the Sparc AR is its use of AAA batteries which basically can be found anywhere.

Auto Off feature is nice to have, as forgetting to turn off the red dot won’t drain your battery empty.

Sparc 2 can be mounted lower

One big selling point of the Sparc 2 is its ability to mount lower than the Sparc AR, since the Sparc AR is designed specifically for AR platform which needs higher mount. (You cannot fix this issue of the Sparc AR by changing mounts due to its battery compartment design.)

With the Sparc 2, you get a low mount (18mm) and a high mount (37mm) of which you can add a 3mm spacer for further adjustments.

Parallax error is minimal

Reflex sights are known for their ability to mitigate parallax errors, making it ideal for shots with of angle or very fast draw and target acquisition.

Both optics’ parallax errors are larger than high quality models such as the Aimpoint Pro. But for the price, it’s a fine optic where you can fire relatively accurate without a perfect cheek weld.

But if you’re serious about parallax error, a holographic sight will do you good as it uses different underlying technology than reflex sights and give less parallax error.

Sparc 2 is lighter

Battery compartment and brightness controls of the Sparc AR are located at its base (no need to unmount to change batteries), giving it a more streamlined design but higher height.

Vortex Sparc 2, on the other hand has its battery compartment on its right hand side and brightness controls on the left, making the optic fatter. That said, the Sparc 2 is lighter.

Moderate durability, Superb warranty

Both the Sparc 2 and Sparc AR does well in terms of durability considering their price range. They are durable enough for non home-defense or occupational applications. But, if you’re into serious use, consider getting a higher end red dot.

I personally have a great run with both optics and have no durability issues. Furthermore, Vortex Lifetime warranty and Customer Service have great reputation and you can rely on them if any issue arises.

Admittedly, the best warranties are the ones that you *don’t* ever have to use them. But at least you get a peace of mind that your optics will be taken care of for years to come.

Sparc 2 is much cheaper

Price fluctuates due to demand and supply. But at the time of this writing :

• Sparc 2 – $130
• Sparc AR – $200

The Sparc 2 is much cheaper at this point, reflecting its slightly inferior glass.

Crossfire Red Dot Replacement

It’s important to point out that Vortex has discontinued its Vortex Sparc 2 production and replaced it with Vortex Crossfire red dot instead. The Crossfire red dot has better battery life, similar glass, rotary dial brightness design but no Night Vision capability. If you like the Sparc 2, consider getting a Crossfire red dot instead.

Conclusion : Sparc AR is significantly better but also more expensive

Vortex Sparc AR glass has less bluish tint. Sparc AR is powered by a single AAA battery while Sparc 2 uses a CR2032 battery. AAA battery is more convenient for most people. Sparc 2 sits lower than the Sparc AR and is lighter.

One very important note, Vortex has discontinued the Sparc 2 production and replaced it with Vortex Crossfire red dot which has better battery life, similar glass, rotary dial brightness design but no NV capability. The Sparc 2 is becoming harder to find from retailers.

If you want better quality glass and don’t mind the higher mount, go with the Sparc AR. If you want to save money or need low mount, take the Sparc 2 or the Crossfire red dot.