Vortex Spitfire 3x Review {2023 Updated}

Are you looking forward to getting a scope for your weapon? Read through this Vortex Spitfire 3x Review to find out if the sight is compatible with your weapon. Let’s get into the details. 

Prism scopes are a relatively new type of optical sight that has gained popularity among shooters and hunters in recent years. Unlike traditional rifle scopes, which use a series of lenses to magnify the image, prism scopes use a prism to reflect and refract the light, resulting in a compact and lightweight design that is well-suited for use in the field. The Vortex Spitfire 3x is one such prism scope that has received high praise from users for its reliability, durability, and overall performance.

Quick Overview: Vortex Spitfire 3x 

The Vortex Spitfire 3x is a compact and lightweight prism based design rifle scope for use with AR-style rifles. It features a rugged aluminum housing that is both waterproof and fog proof, ensuring that it can withstand the rigors of use in the field. The scope is also shockproof, meaning that it can handle the recoil of even the most powerful rifles without losing zero.

The Spitfire 3x features a multi-coated lens that provides a clear and bright image, even in low-light conditions. The prism design of the scope allows for a wider field of view than traditional rifle scopes, making it easier to acquire and track targets. The scope also features a reticle that is etched directly onto the prism, which provides an added level of durability and precision.

One of the standout features of the Spitfire 3x is its illuminated reticle, which can be set to either red or green depending on the shooter’s preference. The reticle is designed to be simple and easy to use, with a series of hash marks that allow for quick and accurate target acquisition at a range of distances. The illumination can be adjusted to one of five different settings, making it easy to adapt to changing light conditions.

The Spitfire 3x is not so easy to use and adjust, although it has an intuitive control layout. The scope features a quick-focus eyepiece that allows for fast and easy adjustments to the focus of the reticle, while the windage and elevation adjustments are both capped and but you’ll need tools to make adjustments.

With its excellent build quality and features, the Spitfire 3x is sure to be a favorite among shooters for years to come.

Before we proceed, you can check out a list of the best prism scope. You can also check the article on prism scope vs red dot to know more about the difference.

FULL SCOPE REVIEW

Reticle

The Vortex Optics Spitfire 3x comes with the EBR 556B reticle. The reticles are designed for quick and intuitive target acquisition, with the EBR 556B reticle featuring a BDC (bullet drop compensation) system for longer-range shooting. This EBR 556B MOA sight has an etched reticle directly onto the prism, which provides superior durability and accuracy compared to traditional wire reticles. The etched reticle is also illuminated with green or red light, which can be adjusted to five different brightness settings for use in any lighting condition.

The illuminated reticle of the Spitfire 3x is particularly useful for shooting in low-light conditions, such as early morning or late evening. The green or red illumination can be easily adjusted to suit the shooter’s preference and the changing lighting conditions.

Prism System

The Spitfire 3x uses a prism based design and an HD optical system, which provides several advantages over traditional lenses. The prism system allows for a more compact and lightweight design, as well as better image clarity and resolution. The prism system also ensures that the reticle remains in perfect alignment with the shooter’s eye, even when the shooter is not perfectly centered on the scope.

Image Quality

The Spitfire 3x offers excellent image quality, with clear and bright optics that provide a high level of detail and clarity. The prism-based optical system ensures that the image is sharp and free from distortion, even at longer ranges. The reticle is also sharp and easy to see, which helps to improve accuracy and precision when shooting.

Durability

The Vortex Spitfire 3x is built to withstand even the harshest conditions. The scope is made from high-quality materials, including a rugged construction of aluminum housing and scratch-resistant coatings on the lenses. This Vortex optic is also O-ring sealed and nitrogen purged to prevent internal fogging and moisture damage, making it ideal for use in all weather conditions. Additionally, the Spitfire 3x is shockproof and can withstand recoil from even the most powerful rifles.

Mounting

The Vortex Spitfire 3x comes with a mount that is designed to fit most Picatinny rails. This mount is made of high-quality materials and is easy to install, providing a stable and secure platform for the scope. The mount is also compatible with other Vortex optics, making it easy to switch between scopes without having to change the mount. It is worth noting that some users have reported that the mount may need to be adjusted or tightened after initial installation to ensure the scope is properly aligned.

Eye Relief

The Spitfire 3x has an eye relief of 2.8 inches, which is sufficient for most shooters. However, it is important to note that eye relief can be a personal preference and may vary depending on the shooter’s individual physiology and shooting style. If you wear glasses, have a long eye relief, or prefer to shoot with your head closer to the rifle, you may want to test the scope to ensure that it works well for you. One advantage of prism scopes like the Spitfire 3x is that they do not require an eye relief adjustment, which allows the shooter to maintain a consistent head position while using the scope.

Weight

The Spitfire 3x is one of the lightest prism scopes on the market, weighing about 15 ounces. This lightweight design makes it easy to carry and use in the field and can help to reduce fatigue from carrying the sight during extended shooting sessions. The scope’s compact size also makes it a good choice for those who prefer a low profile on their rifle.

Magnification

The scope is a fixed magnification scope, and it has a 3x magnification, which is ideal for medium-range shooting and offers a wide field of view of 31.5 feet at 100 yards.

Warranty

The Vortex Spitfire 3x comes with Vortex’s VIP Warranty, which is one of the best in the industry. This warranty covers any defects in materials or workmanship, and includes free repairs or replacements for the life of the product. This means that if the Spitfire 3x ever experiences any issues, Vortex will repair or replace it at no charge to the user. This warranty applies regardless of whether the product was purchased new or used and is transferable between owners. This gives users peace of mind and confidence in their purchase, knowing that they are covered by a comprehensive and reliable warranty.

Battery Life

The Vortex Spitfire 3x features a battery life of up to 3,000 hours at the lowest illumination setting, making it a reliable and long-lasting option for extended shooting sessions. The battery is located on the scope, which allows for easy and convenient replacement when needed. The Spitfire 3x runs on a single CR2032 battery, which can provide up to 250 hours of continuous use on the highest illumination setting.

Ease of Use

The Spitfire 3x is designed for ease of use and intuitive operation. The scope features a simple and straightforward design, with easily accessible controls and a quick and easy reticle adjustment system. The scope also has a generous eyebox, which allows for quick target acquisition and easy tracking of moving targets. The scope is also parallax-free, which means that the shooter does not need to adjust for parallax error at different distances. The turrets are also graduated in ½ MOA increments, which makes it easy to make precise adjustments to the scope’s settings.

Versatility

The Vortex Spitfire 3x is a versatile optic that can be used for a wide range of shooting applications. Its compact size and lightweight design make it ideal for hunting, while its durable construction and easy-to-use features make it well-suited for tactical and competitive shooting. This Vortex Optic is also compatible with a wide range of rifles and can be easily mounted on most Picatinny rails. Overall, the Vortex Spitfire 3x is a reliable, high-performance prism scope that offers a range of features and benefits that make it an excellent choice for shooters of all levels and interests.

Customer Reviews

The Vortex Spitfire 3x has received many positive customer reviews, with users praising its durability, ease of use, and overall performance. Many users have also noted that the scope offers a good value for the price and that the Vortex VIP Warranty provides additional peace of mind and confidence in their purchase.

Customer Support

Vortex has a reputation for providing excellent customer support, and the Spitfire 3x is no exception. The company offers a range of resources and support services, including product manuals, instructional videos, and a customer support team that is available to answer questions and provide assistance when needed.

Price

The Vortex Spitfire 3x is priced in the mid to high range of the market for prism scopes. While it may not be the most affordable option on the market, it is generally considered to be a good value for the features and performance that it offers. The Spitfire 3x’s durable construction, clear optics, and versatile features make it a popular choice among a wide range of shooters, including hunters, tactical operators, and competitive shooters.

Night Vision Compatibility

This 3x prism scope is not specifically designed for night vision and does not include any night vision technology of its own. This means that the scope may not be the best choice for hunters or shooters who frequently engage in nighttime shooting. For those types of applications, a dedicated night vision scope or thermal imaging device may be a better option. While it lacks Night Vision Compatibility, it is a versatile and reliable option for use in a range of lighting conditions.

If you need a spitfire scope that is night vision compatible, then you can check the VORTEX SPITFIRE HD GEN II 3X PRISM SCOPE. This Vortex Spitfire HD GEN II sight has a prism based design and an HD optical system with a rugged construction and unique reticle designs. It has a total of 12 brightness settings and other amazing construction features.

Downsides

While the Vortex Optics Spitfire 3x is a highly regarded prism scope, there are some potential downsides to consider. Some users have reported that the reticle may appear blurry or distorted at certain angles or lighting conditions and that the eye relief may be too short for some users. 

Additionally, the scope may require some initial adjustment or tightening of the mount to ensure proper alignment. However, these issues are relatively minor and are outweighed by the scope’s many advantages and benefits. Overall, the Vortex Spitfire 3x is an excellent prism scope that offers a range of features and benefits that make it an ideal choice for a wide range of shooting applications.

Overall, the Vortex Spitfire 3x is a top-performing prism scope that offers a range of features and benefits that make it an ideal choice for a wide range of shooting applications. Whether you are a hunter, competitive shooter, or tactical operator, the Spitfire 3x offers excellent image quality, durability, and ease of use, along with a range of other features that help to improve accuracy and precision when shooting. If you are looking for a reliable and high-performance prism scope, the Vortex Spitfire 3x is definitely worth considering.

Check Infographic for quick information:

FAQ

Is it true that the scope is Not compatible with VMX 3T Magnifier?

Yes, this sight is not compatible with VMX 3T Magnifier. Upon further research and experimenting, there may be some compatibility issues between the Vortex Spitfire 3x prism scope and the Vortex VMX-3T magnifier.

While most red dot sights are designed to work with a variety of magnifiers, including some from Vortex Optics, some users have reported that the combination of the Spitfire 3x and VMX-3T can result in some distortion or blurring around the edges of the sight picture.

Can the Spitfire 3x be used for long-range shooting?

The Spitfire 3x is primarily designed for close- to mid-range shooting, but it can be used for longer ranges with some adjustment.

Does the Spitfire 3x come with a warranty?

Yes, the Spitfire 3x comes with Vortex’s VIP lifetime warranty, which covers any defects in materials or workmanship for the lifetime of the product.

What kind of battery does the Spitfire 3x use?

The Spitfire 3x uses one CR2032 battery, which is a common battery that is easy to find and replace.

How does the Spitfire 3x compare to other Vortex scopes?

The Spitfire 3x is a unique prism scope designed for close- to mid-range shooting. It has some similarities to other Vortex scopes, but its compact size and fast target acquisition make it a popular choice for certain shooting scenarios.

Does the Spitfire 3x come with a lens cover?

Yes, the Spitfire 3x comes with a lens cover to protect the lenses from scratches and debris.

Can the reticle on the Spitfire 3x be illuminated?

Yes, both reticle options on the Spitfire 3x can be illuminated in green or red for improved visibility in low-light conditions.

Does the scope come with a lens cloth?

No, this sight does not include a lens cloth out of the box for cleaning the lens surface.