FOG HORN March 2021

Twobirds Flying Publications

Vortex Optics SPITFIRE™ HD GEN II

5x Prism Scope

Copyright 2021, Towbirds Flying Publications. All Rights Reserved.

 SPITFIRE™ HD GEN II - 5X PRISM SCOPE
SPITFIRE™ HD GEN II - 5X PRISM
SCOPE
By: Sal Palma
It was 1987 when Trijicon introduced the first
roof prism weapon mounted optic, its success is
evident in that every military in the world has
deployed them in varying quantities and roles.
It succeeded for a number of reasons, but its
most notable impact was its ability to extend
the range at which the infantry soldier could
accurately engage their target.
In 2021, the commercial space is transitioning,
at a rapid pace, from the “Hubble like” variable
power magnified optics to the more compact
prism sights for tactical, competition and
hunting application. In this review I’ll introduce
Vortex Optics’ latest offering in prism scopes,
the Vortex Optics SPITFIRE™ HD GEN II 2 5x
Prism Scope, but before getting into its salient
details. I’ll take a brief detour to vist the
concept of a prism sight.
The variable power magnified optic has a series
of lenses arranged in a variety of configurations
2021
behind the objective lens; adding to the
complexity of the optic, its weight and overall
length taking up quite a bit of rail space. The
prism optic does away with that by optically
connecting the ocular lense to the objective
lense via a prism
The reticle is etched on the prism so it’s readily
visible even when battery powered reticle
illumination fails.
The prism sight is more compact and lighter
than the magnified optic but you do give up
variable magnification. Prism scopes typically
come in 4x, 3.5x, 3.x, and 5x fixed
magnification.
Vortex Optics is not new to the prism sight
business. The company launched its first prism
scope offering circa 2014 in a 1x and 3x model.
For 2021, they’ve introduced a greatly
improved Spitfire HD Gen II in 3x and 5x.
This young Wisconsin Company has established
a global reputation for superb optical clarity
across their entire product line at all price
points. A distinction that holds true for their
latest prism scope.
SPITFIRE™ HD GEN II - 5X
PRISM SCOPE was
designed from the
ground up for the .223
round fired from a 20
inch barrel.
Copyright 2021, Towbirds Flying Publications. All Rights Reserved.
 Vortex Optics SPITFIRE™ HD GEN II 2
We can talk about compactness and weight
savings all day long but the working tool is its
outstanding reticle. This is the pathway by
which we enhance accuracy and extend the
engagement range.
The AR BDC4 reticle provides ballistic drop
compensation, wind compensation and you can
even get fairly good range estimations.
For example a 69” tall target bracketed at
the 4th subtension measures 14.6 MOA
which puts it at a range of 451 yards.
The AR BDC 4
is also
illuminated
and features
12 intensity
settings; the
2 lowest
being NVG compatible. At the highest
illumination, the reticle blinks three times.
Copyright 2020, Twobirds Flying Publications, All Rights Reserved
2021
5x Prism Scope
Instead of the more traditional rheostat found
on the older Spitfires, Vortex Optics went with
digital pushbuttons. Press once to illuminate
the reticle and press and hold for about 3
seconds to extinguish reticle illumination.
The Spitfire HD Gen 2 has also been streamlined
to improve ergonomics, footprint and weight
over the legacy Spitfire prism scope.
Compared to the Grand Daddy of prism sights,
the Trijicon TA01, the Spitfire HD Gen 2 is more
compact, equally robust and comes in at 10.3
oz., a savings of 4.1 ounces over the TAO1. You
may scoff at 4.3 ounces, but as I’ve found out
from my own military service, ounces do count.
Size and weight is not the only thing you’ll save
with the Spitfire HD Gen 2. You’ll also save
 Vortex Optics SPITFIRE™ HD GEN II 2 2021
5x Prism Scope

about $300 USD, the going rate to have your This sights’ optical
TAO1 reticle recharged. clarity is exceptional
with excellent detail. I
Vortex’s new prism scope is powered by a single did a little digiscoping
CR2032. Run times will vary with environmental to give you a sense for
conditions but Vortex included an auto shut-off just how good this
to preserve battery life. This feature will turn off
prism scope is.
reticle illumination after 14 hours.
No lack of ingenuity
Vortex did here. As peculiar as my contraption seems, it
something worked sufficiently well to allow me to convey
with their
the sight’s optical prowess.
Gen 2 5x
variant that I
thought was
forward
thinking. The
company’s
engineers must have said to themselves 5x is a
bit too much magnification for close quarters
use; so, they designed the optic to accept a
micro red dot sight on top of the scope. The
mount is fully compatible with the Vortex Viper
and Venom. In the picture above, you see the illuminated
reticle against a similar color background. The
target is a shipyard crane 616 yards from my
point of observation. Enough detail is revealed,
even with the Digi-scoping process, to clearly
identify the yellow stanchion on the right and
the glass enclosed operator station on the left.
The human eye’s image is infinitely better than
any digiscoping arrangement.

You get sighted in via the recessed wind and

elevation turrets which provide adjustments of
1 MOA per click and a 200 MOA range for wind
and elevation. Tactile is excellent especially for
a sight with its small recessed turrets.

Copyright 2020, Twobirds Flying Publications, All Rights Reserved

 Vortex Optics SPITFIRE™ HD GEN II 2 2021
5x Prism Scope

In this picture, you’re seeing the illuminated platform to the other. If Vortex releases a Gen 3
reticle in bright sunlight. The target was the prism scope, I recommend a Q.D. mount.
pilot house of an ocean going tug 686 yards
from the point of observation. Again the human The camera angle
eye image outperforms the Digi-scoped image. makes the sight look
higher than it actually
Vortex Optics ships the Spitfire HD Gen 2 Prism is, but this height,
Scope with two mounts, one high and one low allows for a good cheek
height when using the
Magpul PRS, it works
quite well.

Zeroing the sight was a snap as both wind and

elevation turrets provide excellent tactile – one
click 1 MOA at 100 yards.

I tried both arrangements and decided to go

with the short mount, which I then mounted on
a riser.

My five round group at 100 yards was equally

satisfying. The AR BDC reticle presents an
excellent sight picture that allows fast target
acquisition.

I took this route for two reasons. I use a
Magpul PRS and wanted to be sure I had
sufficient flexibility in cheek height. The short
mount and riser combination worked extremely
well. Second, and least important, I want the
ability to easily move the prism scope from one
The only issue that I’ll point out is its limited eye
relief of 2.7”; for that reason, your optimal
implementation is a platform with a carbine
collapsible buttstock; however, it’s far better
than the 1.5” of the TAO1.
In closing, with the introduction of the Spitfire
HD Gen 2 3x and 5x prism scope, Vortex Optics

Copyright 2020, Twobirds Flying Publications, All Rights Reserved

 Vortex Optics SPITFIRE™ HD GEN II 2 2021
5x Prism Scope

has raised the bar for competing offerings in the
commercial space.
The sight’s optical clarity is outstanding; reticle
illumination is effective in both bright sunlight
and under low light conditions. Windage and
elevation adjustment provide excellent tactile
along with a 200 MOA range in 1 MOA clicks.
Vortex also ships the prism scope with two
mounting options. Top all this off with a forever
warranty and the best customer service in the
industry, and what you have is a real winner.
-SP
Manufacturer Specifications
 Mount Type: Multi-Height
 Magnification: 5x
 Objective Lens Diameter: 25 mm
 Eye Relief: 2.7 inches
 Field of View: 23.3 feet/100 yds
 Adjustment Graduation: 1 MOA
 Max Elevation Adjustment: 200 MOA
 Max Windage Adjustment: 200 MOA
 Parallax Setting: 100 yds
 Length: 3.6 inches
 Weight: 10.3 oz
 MSRP: $649.99

Copyright 2020, Twobirds Flying Publications, All Rights Reserved