The Vortex Strike Eagle FFP LPVO: Maximum Flexibility

Low Power Variable Optics (LPVO) are all the rage in some circles, and with good reason. Used properly, a good LPVO provides many of the advantages afforded by a red dot. This, while allowing the shooter to easily range far beyond a standard red dot’s capabilities, offers maximum flexibility in dynamic environments. A recent high-profile police incident featured an effective LPVO employment, which seemed to be doctrinal, as in the officer in charge yelling “Push the LPVO!”

LPVOs are reportedly performing well in Ukraine, providing soldiers with options they’ve seldom experienced before now. Civilian shooters have embraced them for hunting, self-defense, and competition. The LPVO market is full of great choices, and when Vortex offered a 1-8 First Focal Plane (FFP) Strike Eagle for testing, I jumped at the chance.

First Focal Plane vs. Second Focal Plane

I’ve been running a Vortex Strike Eagle LPVO for about three years now. My first Strike Eagle was a 1-6x Second Focal Plane (SFP) scope that I liked quite a bit. However, once I researched the difference between first and second focal plane scopes, I knew I wanted to try the FFP.

This article isn’t about the ins and outs of FFP vs. SFP, so I’ll keep it simple, based on my experience and why I ultimately chose one over the other. My SFP Strike Eagle was great, but the bullet drop compensator (BDC) reticle’s etched elevation and windage adjustments were only valid when the scope was at full power. That’s because the reticle stays the same size no matter where you set it. So, the holds can only be valid at one setting. That setting is, and should be, at full power. Honestly, that’s when you need them the most, but I wanted the option to change magnification and still use the BDC if I wanted.

The FFP Strike Eagle allows me to do that. The reticle changes size as I adjust the magnification. The higher the setting, the larger the reticle, and vice versa. Honestly, the reticle is so small at 1x that I can barely make out the hold markers, but since I don’t need them at 1x…not a problem. The only small issue is that the dot is also very small and hard to pick up. But Vortex eased that problem with three posts, from the three, six, and nine o’clock positions, in which the shooter centers the target at low power. If you center a man-sized target in those lines, you’re golden. So, there is a trade-off, but it’s one that I can live with, and I prefer the FFP.

It doesn’t hurt that FFP scopes require better-quality glass than SFP models. It’s not a night and day difference, but comparing the two, the FFP is a bit clearer than the SFP. That’s a big reason why the FFP Strike Eagle costs more than the SFP version.

Vortex Strike Eagle FFP Specifications

Now that FFP and SFP are out of the way, let’s look at the FFP Strike Eagle’s specs:

• Magnification: 1-8x
• Objective Lens Diameter: 24mm
• Reticle: Vortex EBR-8 (MOA)
• Turret Style: Capped
• Tube Size: 30mm
• Adjustment Graduation: ¼ MOA
• Parallax Setting: 125 yards
• Ultra-hard, scratch-resistant coating to protect against scratches, oil, and dirt
• Anti-fog
• Max Windage Adjustment: 145 MOA
• Max Elevation Adjustment: 145 MOA
• Travel Per Rotation: 25 MOA
• Field of View: 1x = 113.6 feet, 21.4 degrees; 8x = 14.1 feet, 2.7 degrees
• Eye Relief: 3.9 inches
• Length: 10.4 inches
• Weight: 23.9 ounces

Features

The Strike Eagle has some very nice features, even though some consider it a “budget” optic. If you compare it to the high-end stuff in the $3-4,000 range, I guess it is. But I think Vortex gives you a lot for your money. Here’s what I like best about my Strike Eagle FFP:

• Solid, rugged construction. The aircraft-grade aluminum is light but strong. The manual says it’s “shockproof” to withstand recoil and impact. I haven’t beaten my scope around to find out, but I’ve run a couple thousand rounds since mounting the Strike Eagle, and it’s held zero perfectly. I could also say it’s probably knocked around like any other rifle that people actually use. No scratches and no dings.
• The fast focus eye ring is very nice, especially since my eyes aren’t that great. I know that modern scopes are expected to have that, but I’m kind of an old guy, and I don’t always expect it. I like that once I set the focus, I haven’t had to adjust it. It holds very well.
• The optional throw lever. I like the throw lever because it allows me to change magnification quickly on the fly. But some folks might not like it because it could possibly hang up on clothing or gear. Never fear, the ring’s serrations are very positive and can be easily operated without the lever. And installation is a breeze.
• The tactile, finger-adjustable windage and elevation turrets. These are easy to adjust, and I love that I don’t need a tool. I also like that I can see the numbers and adjustment direction from behind the scope. I don’t have to come off the gun to adjust it. Not much, anyway. I know some people can do that anyhow, but I can’t. I have to see it, so I really love that. And the screw caps protect the settings once you’re done.

  

• Lots of brightness settings on the illuminated reticle. Nine, to be exact, not including the two night-vision settings. Those are easily set with the left-hand knob, and, again, I can see the numbers without coming off the gun. And because the Strike Eagle has an etched reticle, I don’t have to use illumination if I don’t want to. In fact, I almost never use it in daylight. I don’t run night vision, so I can’t comment on how the Strike Eagle performs in those modes. The illumination knob is also the battery compartment, which is easy to reach. I appreciate that. The Strike Eagle uses a common CR2032 battery, with 47 hours of life at intensity 5. That’s not exactly long-lived, but I rarely use the illumination anyway. Your mileage may vary.
• The eye relief is pretty generous. You can see the number above, but I judge it by how it works for me. Most of us have likely experienced scopes with truly horrendous eye relief. I’ve shot with a couple that were almost useless to me because I couldn’t get it right. The Strike Eagle has been very easy for me to use. It didn’t take long to set it up with my length of pull and I quickly nailed the muscle memory on the range. That’s important since I transition between the Strike Eagle and an offset Vortex Venom red dot. I usually keep the Strike Eagle set at about 3.5x but I can hit the throw lever to quickly go longer if I want.
• The sunshade attachment. I know it’s just a length of tube, but I appreciate it and I sometimes use it.

The EBR-8 BDC Reticle

The Vortex EBR-8 BDC Reticle is optimized for the 5.56 NATO/.223 Remington and 7.62 NATO/.308 Winchester cartridges. But it can be used with other cartridges, the instructions for which Vortex helpfully includes in the reticle manual. But my rifle is chambered for 5.56, so we’ll go with that. Vortex recommends a 50-yard zero.

I won’t go deep into the weeds since the manual does that, and it’s unnecessary here. But the display features a 0.75 MOA dot, with a half-circle ring on top. The dot and ring illuminate if you choose to use that function. I like the dot inside the ring concept. It draws my eyes, and, despite my vision issues, can usually see the ring between the posts when at 1x. It helps.

There’s a rangefinder at the top, which is pretty standard. Place the bottom horizontal hashmark at the target’s bottom, or waist. Whichever reference line is at the target’s top, or head, represents the target’s approximate range in hundreds of yards. Not meters. Yards. Those lines decrease in width as the range increases, which simulates the target’s shoulder width, which can also aid in judging range.

The BDC reticle also aids with elevation and windage holds in hundreds of yards and 5 mph wind increments, respectively. Those are the numbers and dots below the center dot. The manual explains how to do all that. Vortex strongly recommends learning bullet drop numbers in MOA to maximize the reticle’s effectiveness. You should also have a firm grasp on your preferred load’s ballistic performance for correct windage adjustment.

Final Thoughts About the Vortex Strike Eagle FFP

I really like my FFP Strike Eagle. The changing reticle took a little getting used to, but mainly from a vision standpoint. The 1x reticle is very small, but the posts help a lot. I shoot very well with the Strike Eagle. I shot well with the SFP version too, but the FFP gives me more confidence in the mid-magnification ranges.

It only took a little practice to effectively transition between the scope and the offset red dot, and to efficiently operate the throw lever. Even though I usually keep it at 3.5x, I still deliberately practice using the throw lever.

I’m certainly no combat soldier, or even a competition shooter, but the Vortex Strike Eagle does what I ask it to do, helping me become more proficient with my rifle. It’s held up well and I’ve had no problems with it holding zero. I’ll admit to not being as up on ballistic information as I should be. But that’s me, not the scope. And my long history with “Kentucky Windage” means it puts me on target more often than not. The etched adjustments aid my estimates, even if I’m not a human ballistic computer.

I mentioned that Vortex gives you an awful lot for your money, and I think it’s worth every penny, and more. If all this sounds good to you, GunMag Warehouse has the Vortex Strike Eagle FFP in stock. Maybe slide on over and check it out for yourself.