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Vortex Sparc 2 (SPC-402) vs Primary Arms MD-ADS

Product Comparison: Vortex Sparc 2 (SPC-402) vs Primary Arms MD-ADS

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Vortex Sparc 2 (SPC-402) Red Dot MOA Scope

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Best Pick

Primary Arms MD-ADS Waterproof Micro Red Dot Riflescope

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General Specifications

Brand

Vortex

Primary Arms

Model

Sparc 2 (SPC-402)

MD-ADS

Origin

China

About the Product

Get on target fast with the SPARC® II. Ultra-compact and lightweight, the SPARC II (Speed Point Aiming for Rapid Combat) is equally at home mounted on an AR-15 or shotgun. Digital rear facing controls for powering on/off and adjusting the 2 MOA daylight bright red dot brightness at ten intensity levels—automatically returning to the last dot intensity used when powered up. Rugged single-piece body machined from aircraft grade aluminum is o-ring sealed for waterproof and fogproof performance.

The Primary Arms Advanced Micro Red Dot (MD-ADS) is a revolutionary advancement in the field of red dot optics. Our lightweight Micro Dot is the perfect optic for any build.

Key Specs

Type

Closed/Active

Mount

Multi-Height Mount System

Weaver / Picatinny

Objective Lens Diameter

22 mm

Reticles

2 MOA Dot

Reticle Color(s)

Red

Magnification

1 x

What customers say about "Key Specs"

Vortex Sparc 2 (SPC-402) Red Dot MOA Scope

The S2's lens caps flip up nicely, but are just pressed on, and shift easily from side to side if bumped.
It's small, light, and uses little upper real estate. You can have flip up irons up at the same time no problem.
The base that comes with it is actually very nice considering it was free. I expected to have to upgrade, but no concerns now, the optic is held securely in place.
The optic is pretty tough, it's taken some banging around and works just fine.
The red dot will not appear solid if you have astigmatism. It has a slight "starburst" appearance to me, but this can be mitigated by using it in conjunction with back up iron sights, as I did. Not the sight's fault really, just something to keep in mind.

Primary Arms MD-ADS Waterproof Micro Red Dot Riflescope

The lens caps, turrets, adjustment screws,mounting base are all well, cheap so you're not getting top of the line quality with that but the sight itself is rock solid and well worth the price.
This has a 3.9 ounce body which is just a hair rover an Aimpoint H1 or T1.
I have this mounted on an AKM in 7.62x39 on a gas tube rail mount (ultimak). Being mounted in this location the PA RDS gets very warm but has functioned fine the past 800 rounds.
Reticle is small and crisp (a real dot) and has multiple levels of brightness and can work with night vision devices without risking to damage the detector.
GREAT red dot. Super durable and holds a zero. Fired hundred of rounds so far and it's still going strong.
The optic itself is a good deal. The mounting hardware is cheap crap.

Size & Weight

Height

2.5 in.

1.9 in.

Width

3.1 in.

2.4 in.

Depth

2.5 in.

1.93 in.

Weight

5.9 oz.

4.2 oz.

Features

Eye Relief

Unlimited

Adjustment Graduation

1 MOA

0.5 MOA

Travel per Rotation

45 MOA

Max Elevation Adjustment

90 MOA

40 MOA

Max Windage Adjustment

90 MOA

40 MOA

Parallax Setting

Parallax Free

Controls

10 variable illumination settings, Elevation adjustment, Windage adjustment

12 brightness settings, Elevation adjustment, Windage adjustment

Durability

Waterproof, Fogproof, Shockproof, Hard Anodized Finish

Waterproof, Fogproof

Extras

Fully Multi-Coated, Display is highly visible in daylight, Single-Piece Chassis

Night Vision Compatible, Bikini lens cover included, Compatible with standard micro mounts and gives stated co-witness

What customers say about "Features"

Vortex Sparc 2 (SPC-402) Red Dot MOA Scope

The LED is plenty bright, I have no trouble seeing it in sunlight whatsoever.
The glass is as clear as an Aimpoint. This means that the optic has a very slight blue hue just like the Aimpoint, but is not excessively dark. This is part of the red light filtration coatings they put on the glass.
The red dot is very easy to see and the various levels of brightness will fit any lighting situation you encounter.
The glass is crystal clear and won't fog. The quality of this optic far exceeds it's modest price tag.
It's lightweight and compact. Even on my 10.5" blackout there is still plenty of room for my MBUS.
The adjustments (brightness, windage, and elevation) to me, are on the "soft" side. In other words, it can be difficult to feel the "click" when making corrections, or powering on the unit. I'm comparing it to other optics I've owned, from Redfield to Zeiss.

Primary Arms MD-ADS Waterproof Micro Red Dot Riflescope

For the features and the price, yes, I'm switching over to this for the other rifles and carbines in my armory. Highly, highly, highly recommend it. It's ultra reliable and built like a tank.
Adjustments track true and don't shift. For the price point and features it's pretty impressive.
Zeroing the sights are easy. No issues with distortion. No problems in dark or bright conditions.
There are 12 brightness setting adjusted on the top of the sight. That makes for easy ambidextrous use.
I adjusted the brightness to where it was visible but not overwhelming, and I was happy with my accuracy - at least for it being my first time with the gun.

Power

Power Source

CR 2032 battery

CR2032 battery

Battery Life

300 hours

50000 hours

Battery Life

What customers say about "Power"

Vortex Sparc 2 (SPC-402) Red Dot MOA Scope

It uses the Cr 2032 battery. AAA's would be nice, but that would make it bulkier. Can't have it all, I guess.
Excellent battery life. I haven't measured how many hours but what I can say is that I leave it on at night since my rifle is always at the ready.
Nice flip caps are included and the battery life is excellent.
The optic shuts off by itself, saving battery life. It also comes with extra spacers and an extra battery.
The battery life is not that of an Aimpoint but still very good. Just be aware that you will not leave this thing on for 3 years and it still be good to go. Have a spare battery.

Primary Arms MD-ADS Waterproof Micro Red Dot Riflescope

The durability and 50,000 hour battery are fantastic for the value.
The older models only lasted 1000 hours per battery. This new model supposedly with 1 battery supposedly lasts 50,000hours of constant on time but honestly who is going to keep track of that?
Battery life is rated to 50,000 hours. I leave mine on the entire time. In reality, one doesn't have time to turn on an optic if there is an emergency.
Great value red dot. I bought specifically for the 50k hour battery life allowing the optic to always be left on.
I bought it for the 50K hour battery life at constant on.

Warranty / Certifications

Certifications

Manufacturer Warranty

3 year(s)

Other Information

Manufacturer

Link

Manual

Download

MSRP

259.99 $

169.99 $