Vortex Strike Eagle 1-8X24 Review – 2022 Report

Whether you're hunting or target shooting, a precision scope is essential. The company behind the Strike Eagle is Vortex, one of the world's top scope manufacturers. The Strike Eagle comes with features you'd typically see in costlier scopes.

Choosing the right scope for your needs is important. In this review, we'll help you decide if the Strike Eagle is the best scope for you. 

IMAGEPRODUCT
  • Illuminated, glass-etched second focal plane reticle
  • Extra low dispersion, fully multi-coated lenses
  • Quick acquisition and a thread-in throw lever
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Vortex Strike Eagle 1-8x24 Riflescope

Pros

  • Aircraft grade aluminum construction
  • Magnification ideal for short-mid range
  • Versatile AR-BDC2 reticle
  • High-quality multicoated lenses
  • Weatherproof design

Cons

  • 24.4 oz including mount
  • No parallax adjustment

Vortex Strike Eagle 1-8X24 Specs

Magnification: 1-8x

Objective Lens Diameter: 24 mm

Eye Relief: 3.5 inches

Field of View: 109 -14.4 ft @100 yds

Tube Size: 30 mm

Turret Style: Low Capped

Adjustment Graduation: 1/2 MOA

Travel Per Rotation:  44 MOA

Max Elevation Adjustment: 140 MOA

Max Windage Adjustment: 140 MOA

Parallax Setting: Fixed @100 yds

Length: 10.0 inches

Weight:  17.6 oz

Reticle:

Pros

This is one of our favorite scopes, and below we will show you why. We've put together a list of the Vortex Strike Eagle 1-8X24's top features.

High-Quality Lenses

The Strike Eagle features an impressive set of lenses with a sharp image at each zoom level, featuring excellent eye relief and clarity. These lenses are paired with an illuminated reticle that boasts 11 illumination settings, ensuring accuracy no matter the lighting conditions.

The lens is fully multi-coated, which enhances light transmissions through the lens. The glass also resists harsh weather conditions, doesn't fog up, and is scratch-resistant. 

Magnification

The scope's multifaceted magnification powers are best in class. Adjusting the magnification power is effortless using the rings on the scope. The 1-8x magnification allows for accurate short to medium-range shooting. 

You will experience some blurriness and distortion the higher the magnification gets, but it doesn't excessively inhibit the scope's effectiveness. The image tends to remain clear in the center of the scope, even at higher magnifications.  

Weatherproof Design

You want to be able to use your scope in all weather conditions, and with the Strike Eagle, you can do just that. The scope is waterproof, and its performance won't degrade in rough weather conditions. Nitrogen purging and O-rings are what make the Strike Eagle waterproof while protecting it from damage. You can take this scope with you regardless of the season. 

Durability

Constructed with aircraft-grade aluminum, the Strike Eagle is strong. You won't have to worry about dropping this shock-resistant scope; it can take a beating without denting. Two layers protect the glass-etched reticle maximizing its ability to withstand rough handling. You can feel at ease taking this scope with you wherever you may go. 

Outstanding Reticle

The Strike Eagle comes equipped with a versatile AR-BDC2 reticle. It is a non-clutter style reticle with a centered halo to speed up target acquisition. The turns read as you increase the brightness settings. 

Since it is visible on the optic, the Strike Eagle's reticle helps save battery power because it doesn't need to use its maximum brightness level in well-lit situations. The reticle does a great job at projecting illumination with a fast focus dial that guarantees the reticle's sharpness. 

Cons

Though this scope has many incredible features, there are a few improvements we feel could be made. Nothing is perfect, and unfortunately, that includes the Strike Eagle (though it comes pretty close!).

Weight

The scope is a bit heavy and bulky for its size. The scope weighs in at 17.6 ounces but adding the scope's mount increases the Strike Eagle's weight to 24.3 ounces. Carrying this weight may become cumbersome if you're out hunting and need to do a lot of walking, running, or hiking. 

If you are in a static position where you can rifle or use a bipod to mount your rifle, the scope's weight won't be a problem. 

Parallax

The biggest drawback to the Strike Eagle is that the optic is set to be parallax-free at 100 yards. It is not possible to compensate for parallax. Far away targets may require you to make adjustments to hit them with the highest degree of accuracy. Given the scope's excellent optics, there is room to work around the parallax issue. 

Best Uses For the Vortex Strike Eagle 1-8X24

People buy and use the Strike Eagle for many reasons. The scope is versatile, stands up to harsh weather, and has an excellent reticle. In this section, we'll examine some of the best uses for the Strike Eagle. 

Hunting

Without a doubt, the Strike Eagle is an outstanding choice for hunting. The Strike Eagle is so good that it's the top choice of many hunters. Many of the scope's features make it especially suitable for hunting. The Strike Eagle offers many customization options, such as tailoring setup based on distance, whether ten yards or 150 yards. 

The scope is glare-resistant thanks to its matte finish, which helps hunters hide their position. Illumination makes this scope an excellent choice for hunting, allowing hunters to focus on their prey quickly. The scope's fast focus dial ensures the reticle's sharpness.  

Sports Competitions

The Strike Eagle is ideal for 3-Gun competitive shooters. Many like the scope's weight because it helps reduce muzzle rise. Many clubs are increasing target distances or making them harder to hit. It is not uncommon to see targets ranging from distances between 100 and 400 yards. 

Hitting a target at that range requires a powerful scope. Having a 1-8 scope is becoming more and more necessary if you want to win in the competitive 3-Gun world.  

Is the Vortex Strike Eagle 1-8X24 Hard to Use? 

No, the Strike Eagle is not hard to use. It is a very user-friendly scope. Making adjustments to the scope is simple. Also, You don't need any tools to reindex the turrets, making this easy to do. Learning how to use the scope takes little time, and once you understand its features, you'll be ready to take it out on the range. 

Is the Vortex Strike Eagle 1-8X24 Compatible With Any Rifle?

Yes. The product is compatible with all rifles and works especially well with automatic rifles such as AR-10s and AR-15s. The scope is also compatible with any weapon that uses 5.56 cartridges. 

What Do I Need to Know About Mounting the Vortex Strike Eagle 1-8X24?

The Strike Eagle doesn't come with mounting hardware. Recommended mounts for this scope include the Vortex 30mm cantilever Riflescope Ring mount for AR15, the Aero lightweight SPR mount, or a QD mount. 

Properly mounting the Strike Eagle is critical for ensuring optimal performance. Mounting the Strike Eagle isn't particularly difficult; however, you must follow the instructions to the letter. You will need the following tools to mount the Strike Eagle: 

  • Gun vise or a solid platform/rest for your rifle
  • Scope rings
  • Torque wrench
  • Reticle leveling tool, feeler gauges, or weight on a rope

The Strike Eagle has a 30mm main tube. Take care to choose a base and matching rings that are appropriate for your rifle. Follow the manufacturer's instructions to mount the scope. If you are not confident in your scope mounting abilities, it's best to enlist the services of a gunsmith.

What Makes the Vortex Strike Eagle 1-8X24 Stand Out From the Competition?

With the Strike Eagle, you get a lot of bang for your buck, making it stand head and shoulders above similar scopes in its class. Above all, the Strike Eagle is a budget scope that has features usually only available in pricier models. 

You get features such as a glass etched reticle with bullet drop compensator, very clear lenses, adjustable zoom, and windage pillars, all for a reasonable price. This is a high-quality scope. 

Vortex Strike Eagle 1-8 vs Primary Arms 1-8

These riflescopes are similar in many ways. They're both made from air-craft grade aluminum, fog proof, waterproof, and shock-resistant. They stand up well to the elements and are nearly impossible to break. One crucial difference is the Strike Eagle comes with a VIP lifetime warranty. 

The Primary Arms 1-8 scope uses an ACSS reticle, their version of a bullet drop compensator (BDC). In addition to the BDC, you get a range estimator and a wind hold. The Strike Eagle's AR-BDC is similar to the ACSS, but which is better comes down to personal preference. Overall, both scopes are solid choices. 

Vortex Strike Eagle 1-8 vs 1-6

The Strike Eagle 1-8 and the Strike Eagle 1-6 have different reticles, with the 1-8 sporting the AR-BDC2 version that works better than the 1-6's smaller AR-BDC reticle. Both scopes handle the same, with the 1-8 being slightly smaller, 10" vs 10.5", making the 1-8 a bit lighter than the 1-6. 

They both have an identical field of view at 100 yards. The 1-6 is less expensive than the 1-8 if price is a concern. Overall, they're both high-quality scopes, with the 1-8 being a slight upgrade over the 1-6. 

Conclusion

Whether you need a scope for hunting, sports competitions, or target practice, the Vortex Strike Eagle 1-8 is worth considering. This riflescope comes with features often found on much more expensive models. 

The scope is durable, with crystal clear lenses, a great reticle, and Vortex guarantees its workmanship with a VIP lifetime warranty. With the Vortex Strike Eagle 1-8, you get a solid scope that will last you for many years to come. 

People Also Ask

We know that looking for a new scope can be overwhelming. We've covered a lot in this article, from specifications to comparisons, but, in case we haven't answered all of your questions above, we've put together a list of the most frequently asked questions below. 

What Kind of Warranty Does the Vortex Strike Eagle 1-8X24 Come With?

The Strike Eagle comes with Vortex's VIP, which is an unlimited lifetime warranty.  They will fix or replace your Vortex product if anything happens to it, whether it's your fault or a product defect. 

How Much Does the Vortex Strike Eagle 1-8X24 Weigh?

The Strike Eagle weighs 16.5 oz, and a little over 24oz with the mount.

Can You Use Vortex Strike Eagle 1-8X24 in Low Light?

You could. Operating the Strike Eagle in low light isn't a problem thanks to its 11-setting illumination feature. However the lens is not very large so it's not ideal.

How Long Does the Battery Last on the Vortex Strike Eagle 1-8X24?

The battery will last for up to 10,000 hours using a CR2032 battery. It will last up to 150 hours while using it at its maximum brightness level. 



Michael Lutes

Michael Lutes is the managing editor and owner at Gun Mann. He is a veteran, gun enthusiast, 3 gun competitor, and 2a advocate. Mike has a passion for innovation and education across the industry to create great content, training, and insights from the best and brightest.