I purchased the Vortex Defender CCW in May 2024 and can confirm the auto sleep timer was changed from 14 hours to 10 minutes. It states this on the packaging. The new version also has a better refresh rate. 👍🏼
Nothing worse than waiting and waiting to finally recieve your red dot then realizing you now need to order new screws and wait another week.. *cough cough* holosun eps
I've had one for over a year, still going strong. Lots of folks hate it bc the older ones now on sale for 210$ are the older 14hr shut offs. That and refresh rate. It was annoying to zero but it's held the zero fantastically.
I've heard mixed reviews. This settles my decision. Having the lifetime warranty was catching my eye and with this drop test and torture test ik which one imma get for my p365. Thanks for a great review. You got a new follower 💪🏼🤘🏼
Would appreciate a comparison between the Vortex and the Holosun once you’ve completed testing both. I’ve always been very satisfied with Vortex products. Thanks for the review.
I’m glad that Vortex made rolling updates to shorten the auto shutoff time to ten minutes and to fix the refresh rate. Makes this red dot so much better of an option
I had the EPS Carry and front screen got a crack after having it for about 800 Rounds or 2 months time of carrying and switched to the Defender CCW and so far the one glass just generally seems more durable and love the texture on the front of the sight!
The lower refresh rate is something I actually never even thought about until it was brought up tbh. I don't think that would bother me much in my personal opinion. Top loading battery is a big selling point for me. Having to re-zero after every time you change the battery never made sense to me.
The shim plate is actually a 1 degree slope, some optic cuts need it to allow zero'ing if there's not enough travel on the optic's adjustment screws. I needed one to get a Vortex Razor to work on a EAA Girsan MC1911.
I have the Vortex Viper and Venom on some of my pistols and actually looking for one with a shake awake feature in which the two doesn't have. I'll get this one because of that feature and their excellent lifetime warranty.
It's not a refresh rate Mike, it's known in the industry as Pulse Width Modulation. It's cheap and easy to implement as there are many "off-the-shelf" drivers available and so the electronics can usually be had for pennies per board.
@@douglasm3310 same here. Holosun uses better tech for this in all of the optics of theirs that I own and this is the deciding factor for me over Vortex in the more budget friendly red dots.
@MegadethTillDeth If the pulse is slow enough, you will see it as a flicker when moving quickly, say when moving to shoot two separate targets in rapid succession. It appears as a strobing effect and can be really difficult to over come. Current controlled optics don't do this at all.
Never been a big fan of Vortex pistol optics but this one looks promising. They’ve done some great things with rifle red dots, LPVO’s and magnifiers. I like the Vortex Micro 3x flip magnifier. Had one for a few years and it’s held up well as I’ve beat the shit out of it lol
I sent my viper in because the emitter got messed up. While their warranty is nice and replaced it for free, I would rather wait to get an enclosed optic rather than another slightly better open top for my other pistols. Wonder why they didn't...
Mine arrived today. Now I have to wait for a mounting plate for my SigXFive. Until then I amp going to put it on my S&W Victory PC.22lr. Thanks for the review.
I wish their shake awake feature was shorter and better like holosun. Shake awake means you do not need 14hrs of constant on 3min is just fine and saves a lot of battery life.
The EPSc has been great, I had to carry a dust bowl of an open emitter for a couple of days, and I don't think I would be able to deal with the build-up after a week. The EPSc is so easy to clean.
My EPS carry died within two mags on my 48. 50+ days later I’m still waiting on a replacement and they said I “might” get allocated one from their shipment at the end of next week.
I know the cover photo was a close up shot, but I wanted to see more close up photos, during the film. Because I think this one has some knurling on the window frame, to allow for a good grip when table racking!
I've seen some crying on the 14 hour shut off but its a non issue if you replace your batteries annually **like we all do anyway** its a non issue with this optic. 9500 hours is 395 days if left on full time. I just don't see the issue here. And with the top battery cap, there is no excuse!
forget the comments section! Test the guns with a loaded magazine or equivalent weight in them! If my gun drops off a tailgate at the outdoor range or gets torn out of my holster defending myself from an ambush (or in some sort of Shivworks-style training I'd like to take in the future) I want to know if the optic I'm running is gonna hold up if the full loaded weight hits the ground. Why would people think the only time they have to worry about when their gun could take an impact is when it's unloaded?
The choice between a 3 MOA dot and a 6 MOA dot for a red dot sight comes down to the intended use and personal preference. Here’s a comparison: 3 MOA Dot • Size: Smaller dot. • Precision: Better for longer distances or more precise shooting. The smaller size covers less of the target. • Use Case: Ideal for competition shooting, target practice, or when accuracy at distance is prioritized. • Drawback: Can be harder to pick up quickly in close-range or fast-paced scenarios. 6 MOA Dot • Size: Larger dot. • Speed: Easier to see and acquire quickly, making it great for rapid target acquisition at close ranges. • Use Case: Perfect for self-defense, concealed carry, or short-range shooting. • Drawback: May obscure more of the target, making it less suitable for precision shooting at longer distances. Summary: • Choose 3 MOA for precision and versatility. • Choose 6 MOA for speed and close-range efficiency.
I can see why the commenters would get butthurt, but you're more likely to drop your gun fully loaded than you would without any rounds in there. Plus, its a good way to test that drop safety!
First of all, great video. Really appreciated the content. Now that you had eight months to sit with it, is your opinion still that it’s a great site? I’ve got a Glock 17 that I’m looking at adding it to. Thanks again for all your content.
Hey Mike, I really appreciate your reviews covering a multitude of weapons and accessories! You're always in-depth and honest with your comments. I recently purchased the Vortex Defender CCW and didn't think to check my slide on my Glock 19 gen 3 (non mos). Consequently, I have a mounting issue. My question is: Do you have any issues with using an adapter plate for mounting in the dovetail rear sight or would you just recommend purchasing a cut slide or have mine cut to the proper footprint? The videos I've seen on the adapter plates SEEM secure but I don't have any experience with said adapters so I don't know if they would move or stay put. Appreciate your input. Thanks Mike!
@Three60Crusader how do you know it was perfectly fine? Plenty of optics crack the lense but still hold zero. Nobody is hating, people just want to know if an optic is reliable enough for duty use. Most optics on the market aren't.
Does Vortex have a limited warranty on the electronics on this optic. Reason why I am asking is because I have a buddy who got a razor about 6 or 7 years ago and the electronics stopped working on it. He sent it back to Vortex and they said the electronics only had a 5 year limited warranty on electronics
I purchased the Vortex Defender CCW in May 2024 and can confirm the auto sleep timer was changed from 14 hours to 10 minutes. It states this on the packaging. The new version also has a better refresh rate. 👍🏼
This makes HUGE sense, Now I can go buy a couple thanks for the update. 14 hours was a killer for me and made ZERO sense
Does this have an auto brightness adjustment?
@@tg2757 No. Just auto shutoff.
I recently got one because of this and love it.
I just bought one and they had 2 options . 14 hour shutoff demo and 10 minute shutoff
the redundant screws is something so small, inexpensive and yet incredibly important.
Props for them on their foresight.
Nothing worse than waiting and waiting to finally recieve your red dot then realizing you now need to order new screws and wait another week.. *cough cough* holosun eps
@@matthewshelton9573>he doesn't have a file
You're a pillar of our community and I appreciate the "authentic" testing. The weight of the rounds alone makes a huge difference!
This is the only positive review I've seen so far. Several others say it's junk.
I've had one for over a year, still going strong. Lots of folks hate it bc the older ones now on sale for 210$ are the older 14hr shut offs. That and refresh rate. It was annoying to zero but it's held the zero fantastically.
You get what you pay for. I am please with mine so far.
I got mine yesterday. Digging it so far. It's a big step up from the old Viper/Venom red dots.
Indeed
I've heard mixed reviews. This settles my decision. Having the lifetime warranty was catching my eye and with this drop test and torture test ik which one imma get for my p365. Thanks for a great review. You got a new follower 💪🏼🤘🏼
Would appreciate a comparison between the Vortex and the Holosun once you’ve completed testing both. I’ve always been very satisfied with Vortex products. Thanks for the review.
Sure seems like a holosun for vortex people. Probably made by by the holosun peoples cousins down the road.
Holosun is better for sure
@@PkwyDrive13Both made in the exact same factory in China….go figure
Both come from the same factory type
Steven says try the Walther! 😂 I can’t wait to see what’s up coming with that collaboration.
Somehow you managed to get a shirt more based than your regular ones.
Fight like hell!
Great customer Service, my 35 Whelen recoil broke my Cross hairs in my scope, and they replaced it no questions!
nice
I’m glad that Vortex made rolling updates to shorten the auto shutoff time to ten minutes and to fix the refresh rate. Makes this red dot so much better of an option
Good to hear ! Will be picking one up for my hellcat pro comp now
Bro I’m so freaking stoked that your gonna be one mug club hopefully you won’t have to deal with the UA-cam suppression crap anymore
I was on the fence with this one, but I think Mike just pushed me with this video!
I had the EPS Carry and front screen got a crack after having it for about 800 Rounds or 2 months time of carrying and switched to the Defender CCW and so far the one glass just generally seems more durable and love the texture on the front of the sight!
Finally a new intro song. No shade. Love the content 🫶
The lower refresh rate is something I actually never even thought about until it was brought up tbh. I don't think that would bother me much in my personal opinion. Top loading battery is a big selling point for me. Having to re-zero after every time you change the battery never made sense to me.
"lets make sure we are zero'd"..proceeds to shoot mirror of his taco lol. great video!
Looks promising. Those two drops on a steel plate were impressive.
Louder with Crowder YEAH BUDDY!
Awesome man. Congrats on the New gig with Crowder.
The shim plate is actually a 1 degree slope, some optic cuts need it to allow zero'ing if there's not enough travel on the optic's adjustment screws. I needed one to get a Vortex Razor to work on a EAA Girsan MC1911.
I see someone else read the manual! : )
Being a big Vortex guy, b4 you even started dropping it,I went looking for prices. Absolutely delighted to find it for $249.00👏
My problem is battery life. This thing almost lasts as long as an Eotech.
Heard the news on Crowder man congrats looking forward to the future segments Good luck and thank you for your service, Sacrifice.
Congrats on the new show!! Can't wait to see you on Crowder's network man God bless you!
Congratulations on partnering with Steven crowder I’m super pumped for you
I love the shirts. Louder With Crowder.
I have the Vortex Viper and Venom on some of my pistols and actually looking for one with a shake awake feature in which the two doesn't have. I'll get this one because of that feature and their excellent lifetime warranty.
🔴
Louder with Crowder! Great video, thanks
Thanks brother glad your back!!
Just came to say I see you man. Good stuff going with Steven.
Good job on the video of Louder with Crowder that dropped today.
It's not a refresh rate Mike, it's known in the industry as Pulse Width Modulation. It's cheap and easy to implement as there are many "off-the-shelf" drivers available and so the electronics can usually be had for pennies per board.
This is the correct answer vortex is well known for using PWM in their dots. One reason I really don’t like their red dots.
@@douglasm3310 same here. Holosun uses better tech for this in all of the optics of theirs that I own and this is the deciding factor for me over Vortex in the more budget friendly red dots.
Oh that's really interesting I didn't know that. What are some of the major differences between the two that you're aware of?
@MegadethTillDeth If the pulse is slow enough, you will see it as a flicker when moving quickly, say when moving to shoot two separate targets in rapid succession. It appears as a strobing effect and can be really difficult to over come. Current controlled optics don't do this at all.
They definitely have a winner, now we just need a bigger one with an RMR footprint.
Never been a big fan of Vortex pistol optics but this one looks promising. They’ve done some great things with rifle red dots, LPVO’s and magnifiers. I like the Vortex Micro 3x flip magnifier. Had one for a few years and it’s held up well as I’ve beat the shit out of it lol
I have the vortex micro magnifier. The eye relief is horrible.
I sent my viper in because the emitter got messed up. While their warranty is nice and replaced it for free, I would rather wait to get an enclosed optic rather than another slightly better open top for my other pistols. Wonder why they didn't...
Congrats on the crowder move!! Very exciting to see you over there🦅
I'm digging this from what I've seen. And the price seems really reasonable. Love your channel brother
F off and get a life🫡
Vortex fixed the defender. I love mine. The auto shutoff is now only 10min and the refresh rate problem is gone. And you get the vortex warranty.
Props on the crowder shirt. Props to Crowder propping you in his latest interviews...
Just got this from one of your daily deal... thank you sir
Mine arrived today. Now I have to wait for a mounting plate for my SigXFive. Until then I amp going to put it on my S&W Victory PC.22lr. Thanks for the review.
Never realised you were a Taco guy. The best truck ever made. (In my opinion)
Thanks for the review!
Very helpful review because I was seriously considering one. Thanks.
You're welcome 👍🏽
Mine will be here Thursday, got it for my P365 X Macro. My first red dot for a pistol.
nice
Top notch review! Thanks
I wish their shake awake feature was shorter and better like holosun. Shake awake means you do not need 14hrs of constant on 3min is just fine and saves a lot of battery life.
Awesome to see the crowder merch. Guy is a true believer.
Ordered one today for my 43X. Thanks for your review.
U definitely put that to the test, I'm impressed
GNARLY… Word of the day…
Happy to hear you're apart of mug club!
I'm really interested in seeing you do a torture test/review on the new Holosun EPS carry man. They've been flyinggggg off shelves.
holosun is bombproof, other than the issues with some quality control
Haven't had any issues with any of my holosuns. I have 3 rmrs and 9 holosuns. Started to prefer the 507cs and 507ks.
The EPSc has been great, I had to carry a dust bowl of an open emitter for a couple of days, and I don't think I would be able to deal with the build-up after a week. The EPSc is so easy to clean.
My EPS carry died within two mags on my 48. 50+ days later I’m still waiting on a replacement and they said I “might” get allocated one from their shipment at the end of next week.
As always a perfect review. I'm now considering it for my G 43
I know the cover photo was a close up shot, but I wanted to see more close up photos, during the film. Because I think this one has some knurling on the window frame, to allow for a good grip when table racking!
I appreciate the drop testing.
Great review as always. I just picked up my mete mc9 and been debating on which optic to add to it. This may be the one.
Same, my mc9 is on order to the local gun shop. Can't wait. Need an optic. Let me know how ya like it.
Glad your joining crowder buddy
Definitely looking foward to seeing you on mugclub
I’m definitely gonna give it a try , great vid as usual thanks
Dude, you're going to be on Crowder?
Freakin cool!
I have one coming for my Hellcat. Thanks for the review.
Put one on mine. It’s a beast
Looks good but when will they make a different full size pistol dot?
Looks good, but since PA came out with the RS-10 w the Autolive/7075 construction for under 200, it's hard to beat.
I heard the refresh rate on that one is really bad.
@@Three60Crusader I've heard ups and down. Would like to test one.
Nice looks like I will be buying a vortex for the first time. Great video ..
CONGRATS ON JOINING MUG CLUB!!!!
Gnarly video brother 🇺🇸🇺🇸🫡
I've seen some crying on the 14 hour shut off but its a non issue if you replace your batteries annually **like we all do anyway** its a non issue with this optic. 9500 hours is 395 days if left on full time. I just don't see the issue here. And with the top battery cap, there is no excuse!
Great test , great video
Super excited to see you working with Steven! Let's go!
forget the comments section! Test the guns with a loaded magazine or equivalent weight in them! If my gun drops off a tailgate at the outdoor range or gets torn out of my holster defending myself from an ambush (or in some sort of Shivworks-style training I'd like to take in the future) I want to know if the optic I'm running is gonna hold up if the full loaded weight hits the ground. Why would people think the only time they have to worry about when their gun could take an impact is when it's unloaded?
You could also say how often is a gun dropped on a hard metal surface vs dirt?
Expected that to be a louder with powder shirt hahaha
He would be sued by that crossdressing grifter
@@jigsawpulse1139 parody falls under fair use
@@jigsawpulse1139 crowder isn’t a grifter ya daft boomer
Same thing I thought, was waiting on the joke. Nope, it's actually the mug club shirt now here comes a no no for this channel.
Louder with Crowder!
I’m looking forward to you and Steven Crowder’s collaboration. Been following both you guys for a long time now.
same here, very excited.
I wonder if they'll shoot some Walthers
Crowder is a clown who wears dresses 💃
😂😂😂
Whaaat?! When is this happening?!
Great video bro. Can you do a video on how you zero a pistol red dot? I'm kinda old school and just now getting into installing a redot on my M&P9.
What’s the difference between the 3MOA and 6MOA versions?
The choice between a 3 MOA dot and a 6 MOA dot for a red dot sight comes down to the intended use and personal preference. Here’s a comparison:
3 MOA Dot
• Size: Smaller dot.
• Precision: Better for longer distances or more precise shooting. The smaller size covers less of the target.
• Use Case: Ideal for competition shooting, target practice, or when accuracy at distance is prioritized.
• Drawback: Can be harder to pick up quickly in close-range or fast-paced scenarios.
6 MOA Dot
• Size: Larger dot.
• Speed: Easier to see and acquire quickly, making it great for rapid target acquisition at close ranges.
• Use Case: Perfect for self-defense, concealed carry, or short-range shooting.
• Drawback: May obscure more of the target, making it less suitable for precision shooting at longer distances.
Summary:
• Choose 3 MOA for precision and versatility.
• Choose 6 MOA for speed and close-range efficiency.
Love the top loading battery vs tray
This costs more than the Canik was when it came out... What part of chinastan is it made in?
I like the housing design on it, but I'll stick with Holosun for now.
It’s about time Vortex came out with an RMSc footprint, not maybe they’ll upgrade their dated Viper and Venom.
Inshallah
I can see why the commenters would get butthurt, but you're more likely to drop your gun fully loaded than you would without any rounds in there. Plus, its a good way to test that drop safety!
Can you review the cyelee cat pro optic?
I just purchased this red dot from my Benelli M4. hope its a good one
Good testing!
I think I just found my a replacement for my Swampfox sentinel
Very nice optic for 250. I got one coming for my shield plus.
How do you like it. I'm thinking of this dot or the Crimson Trace RAD Micro Pro for my shield
First of all, great video. Really appreciated the content. Now that you had eight months to sit with it, is your opinion still that it’s a great site? I’ve got a Glock 17 that I’m looking at adding it to.
Thanks again for all your content.
Thanks for the awesome content 👏
You're welcome 👍🏽
This is not closed emitter? Does vortex make one like this that is? Wouldn’t that be better ?
Hey Mike, I really appreciate your reviews covering a multitude of weapons and accessories! You're always in-depth and honest with your comments. I recently purchased the Vortex Defender CCW and didn't think to check my slide on my Glock 19 gen 3 (non mos). Consequently, I have a mounting issue. My question is: Do you have any issues with using an adapter plate for mounting in the dovetail rear sight or would you just recommend purchasing a cut slide or have mine cut to the proper footprint? The videos I've seen on the adapter plates SEEM secure but I don't have any experience with said adapters so I don't know if they would move or stay put. Appreciate your input. Thanks Mike!
I just picked up my Canik mc9 too !
Peepin that shirt!!🧐🧐🧐
I'm assuming the glass didn't crack from the two drops? He never shows it. Pretty impressive if it held up to those drops with that big of a window.
it was perfectly fine and maintained zero. Hopefully the haters can stfu now.
@@Three60Crusader Who are the haters?
@Three60Crusader how do you know it was perfectly fine? Plenty of optics crack the lense but still hold zero. Nobody is hating, people just want to know if an optic is reliable enough for duty use. Most optics on the market aren't.
Nice review!!
Does Vortex have a limited warranty on the electronics on this optic. Reason why I am asking is because I have a buddy who got a razor about 6 or 7 years ago and the electronics stopped working on it. He sent it back to Vortex and they said the electronics only had a 5 year limited warranty on electronics
Nice option. Thank you
Hellcat Micro , does it need a mounting adapter? 3 or 6 red 🔴 what do you recommend??
Enjoyed the optic test but...I need know more about those pants. What camo pattern is that?
You Tube has disabled alerts for your channel. Following on Rumble.
What about the dot being cut off in the lower 20-30% of the window? Has this issue been resolved?