Vortex Spitfire 1X VS 3X [Which One is The Right Optic For You!]

This is getting out of hand. Now there are two of them! Memes aside, Vortex outdid them with the Spitfire series. We all heard of Spitfire 1x, some of you reading this are probably using that as well. If you are considering upgrading to the 3x, this is exactly what you need.

Should you upgrade to the 3x? If you are new here, which one should you choose? Vortex Spitfire 1x vs 3x, which one is the better one? So many questions to answer. Let’s try our best to find answers to all.

Key Differences

• 3x is bigger in size and height.
• 1x is much lighter than 3x.
• 3x has an EBR-556B reticle, where 1x has DRT MOA reticle.
• 1x has a bigger field of view than 3x.
• 1x is parallax free where 3x has 100 yards parallax.

Head To Head

Quality

Spitfire 1x: Anything made by Vortex always has top-notch quality. If your unit falls under QC issue, it’s bad luck. 1x is made with durable aluminum which has a matte black anodization over it. The sight is durable and sturdy. The lens of this sight is fully multi-coated with different chemicals. It’s scratch-resistant and fogproof.

Spitfire 3x: This is also made by Vortex. Quality is on par with much more expensive sights out there. The sight is constructed with high-quality anodized aluminum. The finish is similar to 1x. It’s sturdy and durable. The lenses are fully multi-coated.

Both of these sights are made amazingly. They will last you for a long time. From the housing to the lens, everything is good in them.

Durability

Spitfire 1x: The obvious question will arise about the construction of the sight and how good is it. 1x is constructed from high-quality anodized aluminum that is coated to perfection. It is also waterproof and fogproof. As the construction is durable, it’s also shockproof and can take quite a bit of a hit. Vortex will also support you with good customer service and warranty.

Spitfire 3x: It’s also made quite similarly to the 1x. Meaning, it has high-quality aluminum and glass-etched reticle. Even if you drop your gun or the sight, the reticle won’t move anywhere. It will stay where it is. The reticle is also protected from scratch thanks to coatings.

Both of these are quite durable and well-made. Their housing is water and scratch-proof. There is no rubber coating around it like you see in some plastic scopes or sights. But it still can withstand scratches and drops.

Performance

Spitfire 1x: As the name suggests, the magnification of this sight is 1x. It’s fixed and you can’t change that. There are benefits to it being locked to 1x. You get a parallax-free sight with a higher field of view at 100 yards. You will also get unlimited eye relief. One of the benefits of having a reflex sight.

Spitfire 3x: One of the key differences between Spitfire 1x and 3x is the magnification. It has 2x more magnification on the lens. Which helps you see the target larger. That can be useful on many occasions. That does give 3x a bit of edge over 1x in terms of performance. It does lack a bit as well. It has a fixed parallax at 100 yards.

For performance, both of them are on par but 3x is slightly ahead due to the magnification. But it still lacks in the parallax department and has a smaller field of view. If you want a bit of extra magnification instead of a field of view, 3x is the obvious choice.

Size

Spitfire 1x: Total length of 1x is 4.3 inches. It’s not too big. Just the perfect size and weight for most guns. An AR rifle can easily add a magnifier in front of the 1x. You can even add NVD if you are feeling like trying out something new.

Spitfire 3x: It’s a bit bigger than 1x. Not by much, but it’s still bigger. The length of this sight is 5.5 inches. Just a bit over an inch longer. That shouldn’t be a deal breaker to most out there. It’s nearly the same size and shape as the 1x.

I would say, you can’t go wrong with either one. Their size is perfect to be paired up with a magnifier. Vortex did a good job in designing the two.

Weight

Spitfire 1x: From the specification chart you can see this is the lighter of the two. The weight difference is over 100 grams. 100 grams of difference is no joke. Clearly, for weight alone, Spitfire 1x has 3x beaten by a long margin. The weight of 1x Spitfire is 318 grams. Which converts 11.2oz.

Spitfire 3x: The weight of 3x is roughly 437 grams. Heavier than 1x by 119 grams. It does make a huge difference in how the final weight of your gun turns out. Both of them are not the most lightweight crossbows, but 3x is heavy.

For weight alone, 1x should have the highest priority on your list. It’s lighter than 3x. If you have a smaller gun where lightweight sight will suit the best, then 1x is the obvious choice for you.

Summary

The winner of the argument is you. Yes, you are the one who is planning to grab this sight. You are the true winner here. What am I trying to say? Both of these sights are excellent and have advantages that attract different people.

If you require magnification, go for 3x. If you don’t require magnification and want a wider field of view, go for 1x. You see, there is no wrong choice here.