As an avid hunter and night vision enthusiast, I’ve had the pleasure of testing numerous riflescopes over the years. When it comes to finding the perfect balance between performance and affordability, the Vortex Strike Eagle 5-25×56 FFP consistently stands out from the crowd. In this review, I’ll dive deep into the features, performance, and real-world applications of this impressive optic.
First Impressions and Build Quality
Upon unboxing the Strike Eagle, you’re immediately struck by its solid construction. The 34mm main tube is crafted from a single piece of aircraft-grade aluminum, giving it a robust feel that instills confidence. At 30.4 ounces, it’s not the lightest scope on the market, but the extra weight translates to improved stability when mounted. The matte black anodized finish not only looks sleek but also provides excellent protection against corrosion and glare.
Vortex has clearly put thought into the package as a whole. The scope comes with a sunshade, lens cloth, CR2032 battery, turret cover removal tool, 2mm hex wrench, throw lever, and rubber bikini-style lens covers. This comprehensive set of accessories ensures you have everything you need to get started right out of the box.
Optical Performance
The heart of any riflescope is its glass, and the Strike Eagle doesn’t disappoint. The extra-low dispersion (XD) glass provides excellent clarity and color fidelity across the entire magnification range. The 56mm objective lens gathers plenty of light, resulting in bright, crisp images even in challenging low-light conditions.
- The Strike Eagle 5-25×56 First Focal Plane (MOA) scope provides the features needed to improve your long distance performance.
- XD Optical System delivers impressive resolution, edge-to-edge sharpness and greatly reduces chromatic abberation. Anti-reflective coatings on all air-to-glass surfaces provide superior light transmission for exceptional clarity and low-light performance.
I’ve put this scope through its paces in various scenarios, from bright sunny days to overcast evenings, and I’m consistently impressed by how well it resolves targets. The multi-coated lenses do an excellent job of reducing glare and maximizing light transmission. While it may not quite match the optical clarity of scopes costing three times as much, the Strike Eagle holds its own remarkably well.
One area where I noticed some limitations was at the extreme high end of the magnification range. At 25x, there is some visible chromatic aberration, particularly when viewing high-contrast targets. However, this is common in scopes at this price point and doesn’t significantly detract from the overall performance.
Magnification and Field of View
The 5-25x magnification range of the Strike Eagle is incredibly versatile. At 5x, you have a generous field of view of 24 feet at 100 yards, perfect for closer shots and quick target acquisition. When cranked up to 25x, the field of view narrows to 5.6 feet at 100 yards, allowing for precise shot placement at extended ranges.
I’ve used this scope for everything from rimfire competitions to long-range big game hunting, and it’s proven capable in all scenarios. The included throw lever makes for quick and easy magnification changes, which is particularly useful in dynamic shooting situations.
The Reticle: EBR-7C MOA
One of the standout features of the Strike Eagle is its EBR-7C MOA reticle. Located in the first focal plane (FFP), the reticle scales with magnification changes, allowing for consistent holdovers regardless of your zoom level. This is a significant advantage for long-range shooting, as your ballistic calculations remain valid across the entire magnification range.
The Christmas tree-style design of the reticle provides a wealth of reference points for windage and elevation holds. I’ve found it particularly useful for making quick follow-up shots in windy conditions. The floating center dot is just the right size for precision aiming without obscuring small targets.
The illuminated reticle is a nice touch, with 11 brightness settings to choose from. While it may not be daylight bright, it performs admirably in low light conditions. I appreciate the “off” positions between each brightness setting, making it easy to return to your preferred illumination level quickly.
Adjustments and Tracking
When it comes to adjustments, the Strike Eagle doesn’t disappoint. The turrets provide positive, tactile clicks, with each click representing 1/4 MOA. The zero stop feature prevents you from dialing below your established zero, which is a godsend when making large adjustments in the field.
The RevStop Zero System makes it easy to re-index your turrets after sighting in. To set it up, simply remove the turret cap, drop in the zero stop mechanism, and twist it until it stops. This system offers a bit of play to go slightly past zero, which I find useful for fine-tuning.
I’ve put this scope through its paces with tall target tests, and the tracking has proven to be reliable and repeatable. Over the course of hundreds of rounds, I’ve yet to experience any significant shift in zero or inconsistency in adjustments.
Close Focus and Parallax Adjustment
One area where the Strike Eagle really stands out is its close focus capability. With a parallax adjustment down to 15 yards, this scope is equally at home on a precision rimfire rifle as it is on a long-range centerfire. I’ve used it in rimfire tactical matches where targets ranged from 15 to 200 yards, and the Strike Eagle handled it all with ease.
The parallax adjustment knob is located on the left side of the scope, making it easy to adjust without breaking your shooting position. While I found the knob to be a tad stiff initially, it has smoothed out with use.
Durability and Weather Resistance
For those of us who spend a lot of time in the field, durability is a crucial consideration. The Strike Eagle is nitrogen purged and O-ring sealed, making it fogproof and waterproof. I’ve used this scope in driving rain and bitter cold without any issues. The IPX7 waterproof rating means it can withstand immersion in water up to 1 meter for 30 minutes, though I haven’t personally tested this limit.
The ArmorTek coating on the exterior lenses helps protect against scratches, oil, and dirt. This is particularly useful when using the scope in harsh environments or when you might not have the luxury of carefully cleaning your optic.
Real-World Performance
To really put the Strike Eagle through its paces, I took it to a local long-range competition. The day started cool and overcast, with temperatures around 45°F and a tricky 11 o’clock wind at 3-5 mph. As the day progressed, the temperature rose, and mirage became a factor.
Starting at 400 yards, the Strike Eagle performed flawlessly. Targets were crisp and clear, and making hits on steel was almost too easy. As we moved back to 600 yards, I began to appreciate the fine-tuned elevation adjustments and the useful wind holds provided by the reticle.
At 800 yards, the challenge increased, but the scope was still up to the task. The clarity of the glass allowed me to spot my own impacts, even on the smaller targets. It was at 1000 yards where I really pushed the limits of the scope. While the mirage was dancing, I was still able to make consistent hits on a 10″ plate by dialing for elevation and using the reticle for wind holds.
Throughout the day, the scope tracked perfectly, returning to zero without issue. The illuminated reticle proved its worth as the light began to fade towards the end of the competition.
Potential Drawbacks
While the Strike Eagle 5-25×56 FFP is an impressive scope, especially considering its price point, it’s not without its limitations. The eye box can be a bit unforgiving at higher magnifications, requiring a consistent and precise cheek weld. This is something that can be overcome with practice, but it’s worth noting for those new to high-magnification scopes.
Additionally, while the optical quality is very good for the price, it doesn’t quite match the clarity and low-light performance of higher-end optics when pushed to the extremes of magnification and light conditions. This is most noticeable in the last hour of daylight or when trying to resolve fine details at maximum magnification.
Lastly, while the illuminated reticle is a useful feature, it’s not quite bright enough for use in full daylight conditions. This is a minor quibble for most users, but something to be aware of if you frequently shoot in very bright environments.
Conclusion
After extensive use in various conditions, I can confidently say that the Vortex Strike Eagle 5-25×56 FFP riflescope offers an outstanding combination of features, performance, and value. For shooters looking to explore long-range shooting, compete in precision rifle matches, or simply enhance their hunting capabilities without breaking the bank, this scope is hard to beat.
The Strike Eagle delivers where it counts: reliable tracking, clear glass, a useful reticle, and robust construction. While it may not have the absolute top-tier optical quality of scopes costing three or four times as much, it performs admirably in real-world conditions.
Whether you’re a seasoned shooter looking for a reliable optic for your backup rifle or a newcomer to the world of long-range shooting, the Vortex Strike Eagle 5-25×56 FFP deserves serious consideration. It’s a scope that can grow with you as your skills improve, capable of everything from close-range rimfire competitions to reaching out to 1000 yards and beyond.
Remember, the best scope is the one that meets your specific needs and budget. While the Strike Eagle has served me well across a variety of applications, I encourage you to get hands-on with any optic before making a purchase. Visit your local gun shop or attend a shooting event where you can look through different scopes side by side.
In the end, the Vortex Strike Eagle 5-25×56 FFP represents an excellent value in the world of long-range optics. It’s a scope that punches above its weight class, delivering performance that will satisfy all but the most demanding shooters. Whether you’re ringing steel at the range or pursuing game in the field, this scope has the optical quality and versatility to help you push your limits and achieve your shooting goals.