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

Vortex Sparc 2 Vortex Sparc AR

Both Vortex Sparc 2 and Vortex Sparc AR are affordable red dot sights under $200 from Vortex sights. Their names are very similar, causing a lot of people to wonder which optic should one get.

In this article, I’ll help you spot the differences between these 2 optics, so that you don’t regret buying the inferior optic and end up disappointed, saying “I should have known”.

Quick summary

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.

If you want battle-proven red dot for Home Defense or occupational use, you better stick with Aimpoint, Trijicon and EOTech. But for range gun or hunting gun, most people don’t need those super high reliability and can afford to save some money. That said, many Chinese low end red dots are too low quality and unreliable that you’re better off purchasing better brands like Vortex Optics.

Another great thing about Vortex is its warranty, especially for red dot sights. Very few brands would offer Transferable Lifetime Warranty for red dot sights. To compare, even Aimpoint offers 10 years warranty for civilian use. And Leupold offer only 2 years on its DeltaPoint Pro red dot sight. So both Vortex have the warranty advantage.

PROS and CONS breakdown

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

Red dot sights simplicity resize3
Speed and accuracy advantage of red dot sight over iron sights is significant. For red dot sight, you align 2 things : target and red dot. While you align 3 things for iron sights : target, front sight and rear sight.

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

300px-Sea_ice_terrain
Cold weather shortens battery life. Prepare accordingly.

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

Vortex Sparc 2 Vortex Sparc AR
Battery type CR2032 AAA
Battery Life 5,000 hours (Minimum brightness) 5,000 hours (Minimum brightness)
Auto-Off Feature Automatic shut off after 12 hours Automatic shut off after 12 hours

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

Sparc 2 mount
Vortex Sparc 2 Included mount

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

red Notice sign
No optic is truly parallax free. Industry standard for “parallax free” is in the 30 yards to infinity range.

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

Sparc 2 Sparc AR
Weight (oz) 5.9 7.5
Length (Inch) 3.1 2.9
Objective lens (mm) 22 22

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 2 Vortex Sparc AR
Dot, Glass and Lens Coating Glass has more bluish tint Clearer and more natural color glass
Reticle options 2 MOA red dot 2 MOA red dot
Brightness settings 10 brightness settings, with 2 lowest NV compatible 10 brightness settings, with 2 lowest NV compatible
Battery Type CR2032 AAA
Battery Life 5,000 hours (Minimum brightness) 5,000 hours (Minimum brightness)
Auto-Off Feature Automatic shut off after 12 hours Automatic shut off after 12 hours
Night vision compatible Yes Yes
Mount included Yes Yes
Mount height Lower Higher
Weight (oz) 5.9 7.5
Price Cheaper More expensive
Durability On par On par
Warranty Vortex Lifetime Warranty Vortex Lifetime Warranty
Remarks Discontinued, Replaced with Vortex Crossfire Red Dot

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.

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