Features
This scope is feature-rich, boasting a very generous 1x to 10x magnification level in its 30mm aircraft-grade aluminum tube. The first-focal-plane design allows the reticle to adjust accurately between magnification settings, and just having a 1-10x option for at or below $1,000 is very competitive for an FFP scope like this.
That price point puts it well ahead of most similar competitors, which are few and far between in the 1-10x range with FFP designs.
Vortex ships this Strike Eagle with a throw lever, flip caps, 2-inch sunshade, and tools. At closer ranges, the 1-3x magnification turns the EBR-8 BDC reticle into a close-quarters shooter that is more akin to a red dot or prism optic. The reticle also hosts an auto on/off function, and the MRAD model I have offers 0.1 MRAD adjustments with the toolless turrets.
Reaching out to greater distances is easy with the higher magnification levels, and you can pick between an etched EBR-8 BDC reticle featuring MRAD or MOA adjustments. The parallax setting is fixed at 150 yards.
I shot this in heavy fog and rain with a suppressor, and there was minimal shimmering from the hot suppressor.
Eye relief comes in at a very usable 3.7 inches. Overall, as part of Vortex’s value Strike Eagle optics line, this is a great do-all scope that I would be happy to have on even higher-end rifles.
Other features from Vortex include the company’s XD Optical System with fully multi-coated lenses and ArmorTek shielding to make it shockproof and waterproof. The tube is nitrogen gas purged to make it fogproof. If that isn’t enough for you, Vortex backs all its glass with an unlimited, unconditional, lifetime warranty.
Specifications
Here’s a breakdown of the basic specs for this Vortex Strike Eagle 1-10x24 FFP scope:
Weight: 1.35 pounds
Length: 10 inches
Tube Diameter: 30mm
Magnification: 1-10x
Eye Relief: 3.7 inches
Focal Plane: First focal plane
Max Elevation Adjustment: 32 MRAD/110 MOA
Max Windage Adjustment: 32 MRAD/110 MOA
Parallax Setting: Fixed, 150 yards
Linear Field of View (100 Yards): 109.6 feet (1x) – 11.5 feet (10x)
Objective Lens Diameter: 24mm
Reticle Type: EBR-8 BDC (etched), MRAD or MOA options
Illumination: Yes – 9 daylight settings, 2 night-vision options
Motion Activation: Yes, with 10-minute auto shutoff
Nitrogen Gas Purged: Yes
O-Ring Sealed: Yes
Battery Type: CR2032
Auto On/Off: Yes
*Turrets are capped and offer toolless adjustments. Vortex includes a 2-inch sunshade, low-profile scope caps, battery, and tools.
Range Testing
I ran this test optic on a top-notch FN 15 DMR3 rifle sporting a killer full-auto-rated Compact Streamer suppressor from Silent Steel USA. Both the rifle and suppressor have been outstanding for more than 1,500 rounds of testing so far.
This matters because the budget-friendly Vortex Strike Eagle 1-10x24 FFP optic has earned a place on this non-budget rifle setup.
My first testing was done at Vortex’s headquarters in Wisconsin. We shot in snow and rain, and the Strike Eagles had no issues with moisture. I then got this test optic out to my local range, where it again shot through snow and rain in a marshy depression with no issues.
The light transmission has been great for various light conditions, and I can easily run this optic like a high-speed red dot at 1x magnification or a precision shooter at 10x, like it’s a quality hunting rig.
At 1.35 pounds, it adds a noticeable weight to my otherwise lightweight FN 15 DMR3, but it’s well within acceptable limits for an optic that offers 1-10x magnification and solid light transmission.
If I had to toss a wrench at this optic, it would be that it shipped without a scope mount and can be a bit of a battery hog. Shipping scopes without rings is an industry standard, and Vortex has some affordable rings and cantilevers on offer to solve that issue. I ran mine with a Vortex Sport cantilever mount.
As far as the batteries go, I burned through two CR2032s over two days of testing. That could be an issue of using older batteries, but I also carried the rifle extensively with the illuminator on. The etched reticle, however, is always ready to rock when you need it.
One of my favorite things about the Vortex brand, aside from the optics quality, is that it puts in the extra effort for the consumer. My mount has the exact inch-pounds of torque weight, twist directions, and other relevant information marked on the rail. That is incredibly helpful since I routinely move optics at the range to test them on different guns.
Along with hosting double-screw tension points for more even pressure, Vortex just pays attention to the end user right down to the smallest details.
Accuracy
I have tested the FN 15 DMR3 with various optics, including a recent review of the high-end AMG 1-10x37 AMG. I know this gun can shoot sub-MOA groups at 100 yards. I also know it can do that under cold winter conditions with the Silent Steel USA Compact Streamer suppressor attached, which I’ve tested under rainy and snowy conditions below freezing.
These groups were shot through an early, heavy spring fog at my range in the Wisconsin marshes at 100 yards.
And that testing was repeatable with non-match ammo on a later visit.
When it comes to accuracy and predictability, the Strike Eagle 1-10x24 FFP has it in spades. Again, it does this with an illuminated reticle, an auto on/off feature, and a good eye relief, all at a great price point.
Pros & Cons
Here’s my short list of the pros and cons for the Vortex Strike Eagle 1-10x24 FFP scope:
Pros:
- Accurate and rugged
- Affordably priced
- First-focal-plane design
- 9 daylight brightness settings, 2 night-vision options
- Great eye relief of 3.7 inches
- EBR-8 BDC reticle is simple but dynamic
- Illuminated reticle with motion activation
- 10-minute auto shutoff
- Included throw lever and extras
- Anti-glare, anti-fog, anti-shock design
- Warranty is unlimited, unconditional, and lifetime
Cons:
- 1.35-pound weight is notable but decent for a 1-10x scope
- Can burn through batteries if extensively carried
-
Did not ship with a mount
Final Thoughts
I struggled to find things I didn’t like about the Vortex Strike Eagle 1-10x24 FFP scope. It’s a tad heavy, though not for its magnification level and features. It’s affordable, accurate, and comes packed with great features like generous eye relief, an included throw lever, and auto on/off.
This is a better scope than you could have found on the market just a few years ago, and Vortex has it listed inside its budget-friendly Strike Eagle line. Optics have come a long way, and Vortex is on the cutting edge when it comes to offering value and quality glass to consumers.
The Strike Eagle 1-10x24 FFP will be a happy companion on any modern sporting rifle used in competition, home defense, or tactical needs.
