Vortex Defender CCW, 6 MOA Redet full review: By LK
I personally purchased this optic to mount on a Kimber KDS9C. I've had several range sessions and a couple hundred rounds of ammunition through it to date. I've not noticed any of the "refresh" rate blinking other reviewers mention, but it could just be my old eyes.
1. APPEARANCE
The front of the lens shroud is textured, assuming this if for traction to rack the slide using the red dot. I'm neither here nor there on it. Vortex logo is laser etched on the right side and model and dot size laser etched on the left side. Nothing jumps out as special looking at it.
4 POINTS
2. CONSTRUCTION
It feels solid out of the box. The buttons are large and have a raised area around them to prevent inadvertent activation. They feel solid and there's a tactile click when pressing them. The lens coating appears evenly applied.
4.5 POINTS
3. MOUNTING OPTIONS
The Defender CCW has a Shield RMS foot print. Also included is a pic rail adapter.
4 POINTS
4. DOT SETTINGS
8 daylight/2 night vision for a total of 10. I have an astigmatism so there was a minor bit of starring, but that's no fault of the optic and I found the dot still very usable. My first outing was on bright day with lots of snow on the ground. I started off with the dot on high, but had to turn it down because it was too bright. It doesn't have shake awake and if enabled, the dot shuts off after 14 hours. I don't find this setting useful so I just turn it on off, which is somewhat frustrating because I'm used to just leaving my dots on.
3 POINTS
5. BATTERY ACCESS
Top mounted, nothing special. I prefer this to the small pull out trays and you don't have to remove the dot to install a new battery.
4 POINTS
6. SIGHT IN
As other reviewers have mentioned the adjustment clicks aren't always audible, but they serve the purpose. I was sighted in a shooting sub 2" at twenty five yards from a rest with 12 rounds.
3.5 POINTS
7. INCLUDED ACCESSORIES
The Defender comes with six bags of screws for various platforms, each bag has four screws. A shim plate. A pic rail adapter. A rubber cover. A lens wipe. A CR1632 battery and a tool to tighten the mountain screws and remove and install the battery cover. For whatever reason I wasn't able to use it on the sight adjustment screws. Instructions were clear and easy to understand as well.
5 POINTS
8. PRICNING
Retail on this wast $250.00. Not cheap by no means, but right at the halfway mark of more expensive brands that as best as I can tell don't do anything this one doesn't.
5 POINTS
CONCLUSION
33 points out of 40 points equates to a score of 83%
Quality? YES
Is it affordable? YES
Would I recommend it? ABSOLUTELY
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