New Product Highlight: Vortex Defender-XL Competition Pistol Red Dot

Vortex is trying to cut hundredths off your split times and add points to every stage you shoot with a fast, accurate, and rugged pistol red dot bred for the competitive circuit.

The first thing you’ll notice about the all-new Vortex Defender-XL is its size; the Defender-XL is indeed extra large. By my unscientific measurements, the viewing window is an inch wide and 7/8-inch tall.

That’s a huge viewing area that’ll get you on target fast, even in awkward, unconventional shooting positions. The aspherical lens minimizes distortion and provides a tint-free sight picture.

Vortex Defender-XL

$399

at BattleHawk Armory

Prices accurate at time of writing

$399 at BattleHawk Armory

• BattleHawk Armory (See Price)
• OpticsPlanet (See Price)
• Kygunco (See Price)

Prices accurate at time of writing

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• 25% off all OAKLEY products - OAKLEY25
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Take your pick from a sharp 5- or 8-MOA red dot. Toggle through 12 brightness settings that cover everything from pitch dark to the brightest days with one button on each side.

Button lockout can be programmed to avoid unintentional changes. An optional auto-shutoff feature will power the optic down after 10 minutes and reactivate it with shake-awake.

This isn’t a fragile optic that you have to baby, either. It carries over Defender-series features like the Fast-Rack textured grip, ShockShield polymer insert, and a waterproof aluminum housing that can take a beating (my Defender-CCW has the scars to prove it).

The optic comes with a Picatinny mount, an installation multitool, a rubber cover, one CR2032 battery, a lens cloth, a Glock MOS adapter plate, and individually labeled and packaged screw sets. I ended up straying from those kits and mounting this one on a Springfield Armory Prodigy with a C&H Precision adapter plate and shorter-than-stock screws.

Oh – and don’t forget the Vortex VIP Warranty.

This is the third optic in Vortex’s Defender series. The first to break onto the scene was the tiny Defender-CCW, an optic for concealed carry guns that need to keep a low profile. Then came the Defender-ST, a midsize optic that’s perfect for duty pistols.

It also has the potential to be a shotgun red dot or a backup optic on your carbine. Come to think of it, the Defender-XL would make a pretty sweet turkey optic, too. It does come with a Picatinny mount – just saying.

The Defender-XL rounds out a product family that now has just about all the bases covered.

Vortex lists an MSRP of $599.99 for the Defender-XL.

What do you think of the new Vortex Defender-XL? Let us know below. Ready to kick off your first pistol match? Check out our guide to the best target pistols for competition shooting.