The red dot sight market has matured dramatically over the last couple of years. An entire generation of optics has been phased out by more modern, feature-rich, and performance-optimized units – the Holosun ARO replaced the 403/503 series, SIG launched the Romeo5 Gen II… In this landscape, does it still make sense to pick up a Vortex Sparc Solar (or the older Sparc AR)? Let’s dive in and set the record straight.
The Problem: “Is My Dot On?”
If you’ve been around gun optics for a couple of years, you know the anxiety – you pull your rifle out of the safe, and for a split second, you panic. Did I leave the dot on? Is the battery dead?
For years, Aimpoint T1 and T2 owned this space. You could leave them on forever. The Vortex Sparc Solar attempted to beat Aimpoint at their own game by adding a solar panel into the mix.
The idea is simple: let the sun power the dot during the day, and save the CR2032 battery for the dark.
VORTEX Sparc Solar 2 MOA Red Dot Sight
Specs:
- Dot Size: 2 MOA, red
- Battery Type: CR2032
- Battery Run Time: 150,000 hrs.
- Eye Relief: Unlimited
- Adjustment Graduation: 1 MOA
- Travel Per Rotation: 42 MOA
- Max Elevation Adjustment: 100 MOA
- Max Windage Adjustment: 100 MOA
- Brightness Settings: 10 (including 2 NV)
- Mounts Included: Lower 1/3 Co-Witness Picatinny Mount, Low Picatinny Mount
- Weight: 5.9 oz.
Solar & Shake Awake
The Sparc Solar uses “Auto D-TEC” technology that switches between solar and battery power. Does it work? Yes. In bright sunlight, you can literally pop the battery out, and the dot stays on.
Even if you find yourself indoors – Vortex runs for 150k hours while running on both solar and its own battery (at least Vortex claims so), keeping your red dot active while the sun is out.
Also, the Vortex Sparc Solar uses motion activation to turn on when you grab your gun. That’s a great feature as it allows to conserve battery power. The optic shuts off after 14 hours of no movement. That’s fine. The problem might be waking it up. Some users report that the motion sensor can be… sleepy. In that case, to get it working, they had to manually press a button. (Mind that if you manually turn the optic off, it won’t wake up when you move it.)
Housing, Glass, Durability
Let’s give credit where it’s due: Vortex knows how to build a tough optic.
First, the glass on the Sparc Solar is fantastic.
If you’ve looked through older budget red dots, you know the dreaded “blue tint.” Manufacturers use notch filters (that blue/green coating) to help the LED reflect back to your eye. It makes the world look like you’re wearing cheap sunglasses.
The Sparc Solar? It is remarkably clear, the tint is almost neutral. The 2 MOA dot is crisp, round, and bright, even for people with slight astigmatism (though this is highly subjective).
The Sparc Solar also features two dedicated NV settings that actually work. And the parallax? Let’s just say you don’t need a perfect cheek weld to make hits.
Now, the red dot comes with a lower 1/3 co-witness mount and a low mount. It uses a robust mounting system that locks onto your rail nice and tight.
Finally, the buttons are on the side (an upgrade from the rear-facing buttons on the older Sparc AR), making them accessible even if you are using a magnifier.
VORTEX Optics SPARC AR Red Dot 2 MOA Sight
Specs:
- Dot Size: 2 MOA, red
- Battery Type: AAA
- Battery Run Time: 50,000 hrs.
- Eye Relief: Unlimited
- Adjustment Graduation: 1 MOA
- Max Elevation Adjustment: 90 MOA
- Max Windage Adjustment: 90 MOA
- Brightness Settings: 10 (including 2 NV)
- Mounts Included: Lower 1/3 Co-Witness Picatinny Mount, Low Picatinny Mount
- Weight: 5.9 oz.
The Verdict: Is it Worth It?
For a price below $150, this red dot is an absolute steal, largely because of the Vortex “no questions asked” VIP warranty. For a higher price, however, you’d probably want to consider the Holosun ARO EVO (a solar version of the original ARO). If you don’t care about solar, consider SIG Sauer Romeo5 Gen II.
