New Product Highlight: Vortex Defender Green Dots
The entire line of Vortex Defender pistol optics is going green, and we got our hands on the whole group to see how they work.
PPT Editor. Marine vet, hunter, and long-range shooter. Articles in 10+ major publications
We review products independently. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn a commission to help support our testing. Learn more.
Got astigmatism? Want something different from the usual red dots? You’re in luck, because Vortex micro optics are going green.
We got our hands on the new line of Vortex Defender green dots - a Defender-CCW, Defender-ST, and Defender-XL to see how they compare to the original red dots.
Trending: Best AR-15s & CCW Guns Under $400
Vortex Defender-CCW Green Dot Specs & Features
Specs
- Reticle: 3-MOA green dot
- Illumination Settings: 8 day, 2 night
- Footprint: 1.1” x 1” x 1.6”
- Battery: Shield RMS
- Battery Run Time: CR1632
- Dimensions: 9,500 hrs (setting 6)
- Weight: 1 oz
- MSRP: $249.99
Features
- Designed for concealed carry
- Motion activation
- Button lockout
The Vortex Defender-CCW green dot is a purpose-built concealed carry optic.
It’s compact – measuring 1.1 inches wide, one inch high, and 1.6 inches long – and uses the Shield RMS footprint.
The 3-MOA green dot has eight daytime settings and two nighttime settings. The CR1632 battery will last 9,500 hours of continuous use on setting six.
As my current carry optic, it maintains my Springfield Armory Hellcat Pro’s compact profile and adds minimal weight; just a single ounce.
Vortex Defender-ST Green Dot Specs & Features
Specs
- Reticle: 3-MOA green dot
- Illumination Settings: 10 day, 2 night
- Footprint: DeltaPoint Pro
- Battery: CR2032
- Battery Run Time: 25,000 hrs (setting 6)
- Dimensions: 1.2” x 1.2” x 1.8”
- Weight: 1.5 oz
- MSRP: $299.99
Features
- Designed for tactical recreational shooting
- Picatinny and Glock MOS adapters
- Motion activation
Moving up in size is the midsize option, the Defender-ST. This one is perfect for full-size pistols, and it works great on shotguns or as a backup optic for a carbine’s LPVO with the included Picatinny mount.
This time, Vortex opted for the DeltaPoint Pro footprint. The Defender-ST measures 1.2 inches wide, 1.2 inches high, and 1.8 inches long. Weight takes a slight bump to 1.5ounces.
The 3-MOA green dot has more brightness settings than the Defender-CCW: 10 for daytime and two that are compatible with night vision. The Defender-ST uses a larger CR2032 battery, which extends battery run time to 25,000 hours.
I got to shoot this optic on a bunch of pistols, ranging from a Glock 17 to a Walther PDP, where it felt right at home. It strikes a great balance between physical size and field of view.
Vortex Defender-XL Green Dot Specs & Features
Specs
- Reticle: 3-MOA green dot
- Illumination Settings: 10 day, 2 night
- Footprint: DeltaPoint Pro
- Battery: CR2032
- Battery Run Time: 25,000 hrs (setting 6)
- Dimensions: 1.4” x 1.4” x 2”
- Weight: 1.9 oz
- MSRP: $399.99
Features
- Designed for competitive shooting
- Picatinny and Glock MOS adapters
- Massive window
This is the big hoss of the bunch! The Defender-XL is a competition optic that offers the biggest viewing window possible.
How big? The optic measures 1.4 inches wide, 1.4 inches tall, and two inches long. I’m pretty sure the entire Defender-CCW could fit through the window of the Defender-XL. Like the Defender-ST, it uses the DeltaPont Pro mounting footprint.
The Defender-XL also shares the Defender-ST’s 10 daytime and two nighttime brightness settings and 25,000-hour CR2032 battery run time on setting six.
It’s hard to visualize just how big this window is until you use it. I acquire targets much faster with the Defender-XL than any other pistol optic I’ve used. Combine that with the crystal-clear glass all these optics have, and you’ve got a real winner on your hands.
The Defender-XL comes with a Picatinny adapter, so it can upgrade your shotgun or carbine just as well as your competition pistol or nightstand gun.
Initial Impressions
All three of the new optics feature a 3-MOA green dot reticle, motion activation, and Fast-Rack texture. None of them require you to remove the optic to replace the battery.
At first, I saw some blooming with the green dots and thought my eyes were struggling with a green dot the same way some people’s eyes struggle with red dots. It turns out the reticles are just incredibly bright indoors, even on the lowest settings.
In the bright midday Nevada sun, these dots cleaned right up. They were all incredibly crisp and brighter than their red counterparts. If you spend a lot of time outside in direct sunlight, I think these dots will be easier to see.
Vortex typically does optical systems well, and that’s true for the Defender series. Every time I shoot one of these back-to-back with another manufacturer’s pistol optic, I’m reminded of that. No tint, no edge distortion, just a dot floating in space.
As usual, Vortex provides all the mounting hardware and instructions for a pro-level installation. That includes a tool for the screws, reticle adjustments, and battery compartment, although I recommend using a torque wrench and marking your screws with a paint pen for the best results.
These green dots expand on a growing family of micro optics that spans all three models, reticles ranging from 2 MOA to 8 MOA, and red and green options.
Vortex lists an MSRP of $249.99 for the Defender-CCW, $299.99 for the Defender-ST, and $399.99 for the Defender-XL.
What do you think of the new Vortex Defender green dots? Let us know below. For more ways to upgrade your optic-ready pistol, check out our guide to the Best Pistol Red Dot Sights!