Vortex Optics’ “Defender Tan” Lineup

Most of us regard our firearms as serious tools, and as such, their function is of far higher importance than their form. In the same breath, I think I can say that most of us appreciate a good-looking gun. Certainly, the product line of Springfield Armory is proof that uncompromising performance can go hand in hand with head-turning design. Today, some of the most popular color options on firearms are ones like coyote brown, flat dark earth and desert sand. Tan, if you want to get fancy.

The Defender-ST in tan blends function with style on the Desert FDE Springfield Armory Hellcat Pro. Rugged features make it a go-anywhere optic.

Again, form should follow function. However, the modern landscape of firearm color choice has introduced an aesthetic vexation: black accessories on a brown gun can be a bit of an eyesore. For some shooters, the color mismatch “just looks wrong.”

Vortex has stepped up to the plate. By the time you read this, the optics manufacturer will have brought to market all three of the red dot sights in its “Defender” series in an anodized tan finish.

Side view of the tan Vortex Defender-XL red dot sight showing its full-size housing. The coyote brown finish is consistent across the body. The oversized aspherical viewing window dominates the frame. You can spot the Fast-Rack peaks above and below the lens. CR2032 battery cap and tool-less windage turret are visible. — The Defender-XL offers a generous sight picture without excessive bulk or weight. Competition shooters will appreciate that large window. It is shown here on the Desert FDE Springfield Echelon 4.5F.

These are good products for the aesthetes among us, but make no mistake: they’re also excellent optics in their own right. Simply put, the Defender series is a line worth paying attention to.

Shared Features

Each one of the models in Vortex’ Defender line is bursting at the gills with features tailor-made for discriminating shooters. They range in size from smallest (CCW) to mid-size (ST) to full-size (XL).

First, these red dots have been sufficiently ruggedized. Each of the optics features a front face with a repeating series of aggressive peaks. Vortex refers to this as their “Fast-Rack” texturing, and it’s clear they’re not afraid of their customers mashing these units into a variety of surfaces to rack slides. No need to baby these red dots.

Close-up of a tan Vortex Defender CCW red dot sight mounted on a concealed-carry pistol slide. The coyote brown anodized finish shows a matte texture with tiny machining marks. Fast-Rack texturing peaks ring the front of the housing. The small aspherical micro red dot optic lens reflects a greenish hue from the ArmorTek coating. The CR1632 battery cap is visible on the side for quick swaps. — The tan Defender-CCW keeps the profile slim while delivering rugged performance. It’s perfect for concealed-carry set-ups. Image: Vortex

To aid with a philosophy of dynamic use, Vortex has engineered each of the Defender optics with what they call a “shock shield.” This is a polymer insert that protects the unit against the forces of impact and vibration. The lenses themselves also receive Vortex’s “ArmorTek” coating, which makes them resistant to scratches, oil and dirt.

Across the Defender line, Vortex utilizes aspherical lenses — that is, lenses that are flat rather than contoured. According to Vortex, this manufacturing decision not only results in less visual distortion, but also truer perception of colors as viewed through the optic window. As for the windows, Vortex made it a design priority to offer one of the best-in-class viewing areas regardless of the size of the optic body.

The Defender series also incorporates a novel “auto shutoff” feature. If the sight unit is left undisturbed for 10 minutes, it will turn off the dot to preserve battery life. However, if the unit detects any motion or vibration, the sight will turn on once again. Users have their choice of dialing in the optics to any one of 10 different brightness levels, and button lock-outs can ensure each optic’s settings remain just how a user prefers even if unintentionally bumped or pressed.

Lastly, each of the Defender models comes backed by Vortex’s “VIP” lifetime warranty. In the unlikely event the unit should fail, even when subjected to the use cases and round counts of competition shooters and soldiers, the company can be trusted to make things right.

Defender-ST

A good number of shooters will love this tan version of Vortex’s all-around micro red dot. A “goldilocks”-sized product if there ever was one, the mid-sized Defender-ST is designed to fit the roles of as many users as possible. It’s not too big and not too small, with a length of 1.83” and a weight of 1.48 oz.

Macro shot of Fast-Rack texturing on a tan Vortex Defender housing. Peaks and valleys in the anodized surface are in sharp focus. The finish reads as desert sand but leans toward brown. You almost feel the grip if you reach out. Tiny tool marks show during manufacturing. — The Fast-Rack texture on the Vortex red dots gives you traction when racking a slide. No need to worry about it slipping under stress. Image: Vortex

The Defender-ST utilizes the same footprint as the Leupold DeltaPoint Pro. Vortex notes that the Defender-ST is a good choice for most tactical applications and is suitable to mount on rifles, shotguns and handguns alike. The unit is powered by easily sourced CR2032 batteries and, when set to a brightness level of “6”, it will run for a continuous 25,000 hours. The Tan Defender ST additionally features a 3 MOA dot size.

[Be sure to read Justin Opinion’s Vortex Defender-ST review for additional information about these sights.]

Pricing for the Tan Defender-ST is set at $299.

Defender-XL

The tan treatment has also been given to the largest red dot in the Defender series: the XL. Vortex designed this unit around the needs and wants of the world’s best competition shooters, made most evident by its extremely generous viewing window. In comparison to the Defender-ST, the XL features a 27% larger viewing area. Despite the upgrade, the optic weighs less than 2 oz.

Auto-shutoff on a tan Vortex Defender sight. The red dot is off against a dark background. The housing sits still on a bench, showing the unit powers down after inactivity. You see the dot reappear faintly when the sight jiggles. Matte finish and texturing are clearly visible around the window. — The included auto-shutoff feature saves battery life when the sight sits idle. Any movement brings the dot back instantly. Defender-XL model in tan shown. Image: Vortex

Like the Defender-ST, the Defender-XL utilizes the same DeltaPoint Pro footprint and has an identical battery life of 25,000 hours when the dot is set at a brightness setting of 6. The XL also utilizes CR2032 batteries as a power source, making it just as easy to feed.

Separating it from the ST and the CCW in the tan colorway, the Defender-XL has a larger 5 MOA dot. I find this is a good pairing for a recreational or competition-oriented setup. Though a 5 MOA dot will cover up a little more of the target than a 3 MOA equivalent (mathematically, it’s 67% larger), most shooters find it’s faster to acquire in the window and center on target. If you’re looking to shave whatever time you can from your stages, the larger reference point is a bit of “secret sauce” to achieving some slight (but measurable) performance improvements.

Close-up of the ArmorTek-coated lens on a tan Vortex Defender sight. The glass shows a faint reflection but no scratches or smudges. Surrounding housing is in coyote brown, and you catch a hint of green in the coating. Fast-Rack texture frames the glass. Button lock-outs are visible to prevent accidental presses. — The optics’ ArmorTek coating keeps the window clear of oil and dirt. Note the easily accessible battery compartment in this Defender-XL. Image: Vortex

While Vortex has positioned the Defender-XL to meet the needs of competition shooters, it’s still part of the Defender series, and therefore remains an excellent choice for tactical and defensive arms. Especially as my eyes get noticeably crappier with each passing decade, I’m a fan of anything that gives me a fast, clear aiming point.

[For additional information on this RDS, catch our Vortex Defender-XL review.]

The price for the Tan Defender-XL is set at $399.

Defender-CCW

Rounding out these new tan models is Vortex’s smallest offering in the line-up: the Defender-CCW. As the name would imply, Vortex designed this micro red dot around the needs of Concealed Carry permit holders, keeping the dimensions as small as possible while trying to minimize the sacrifices to viewing area and ruggedness. That’s always a tall order, but I think they’ve pulled it off.

The Defender-ST is trim already, but the Defender-CCW goes even more micro. Compared to the mid-sized sight, the Defender-CCW is nearly a quarter-inch shorter and about a half-ounce lighter. In fact, the total weight of the red dot sight is less than one ounce. Despite the reduced dimensions, the 3 MOA red dot is still quick to acquire, and the viewing window is still bigger than most would expect in the class.

Hand adjusting dot brightness on a tan Vortex Defender sight. Finger presses the plus button, showing the click detent. The lock-out ring sits just below the controls. Matte anodized finish doesn’t slip under pressure. You catch the greenish ArmorTek lens reflection in the corner. — Adjusting brightness is simple, even with gloves on, due to the well-placed controls. Clicks are positive and not overly stiff. Defender-CCW in tan shown. Image: Vortex

Unlike its bigger brothers, there are a few dimensional differences that lead to differences in the specs. The Defender-CCW has the same footprint as the Shield RMSc and utilizes a CR1632 battery. The battery life is a little less than the larger sights in the Defender lineup — but at 9,500 hours from a single battery (again on the “6” brightness setting), it’s an academic difference. Even if a user were constantly moving to keep the dot continuously engaged, that’s over a year of run time. Set a reminder on your phone to switch the battery out every New Year’s Day, and you won’t have to think about it.

[Get additional information on these optics in our Vortex Defender-CCW review.]

Pricing for the Tan Defender-CCW is set at $249.

Final Thoughts

I think we’re all well past the point of wondering if “micro” red dot optics — let alone red dot sights in general — are here to stay. Today, I know a lot of shooters who only run their guns with red dots, whether for recreation or more serious contexts.

For Vortex to have designed a series of micro red dot sights that stand out in this crowded consumer landscape is a laudable achievement. Regardless of your needs, I think there’s a Defender model that will work for you. And, supposing that part of your wants involved having these same durable, affordable and well-designed optics in a brown colorway, Vortex now has you covered.

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