Vortex Optics has been a dominant force in the hunting and outdoor optics industry, specializing in high-end scopes, sights, binoculars and rangefinders. In 2024, they launched a line of distances designed specifically for the golfer. Featuring three models with different prices and features, coupled with their unconditional lifetime warranty, have they established themselves as a major player in a different sports category?
Their line of golf clubs consists of three models: blade, The slope of the blade AND Anarchy. The Blade is the basic version and includes a cart magnet and pin-spotter mode. Blade Tilt builds on those features by adding a tilt function. The Anarch, their premium model, adds a red screen and image stabilization. All models are tournament legal, shockproof and waterproof.
Four members of the MyGolfSpy Forum were selected to put the Vortex line of distances through rigorous testing. Read on to see what they have to say and whether the Vortex is worth considering when you’re shopping for an upgrade.
Vortex Rangefinder Test Highlights
- The quality of the optics: Testers raved about the crystal-clear optics across the rangefinder line. The 6X zoom made it easy to find targets, and Anarch testers noted that the image stabilization feature made it easy to lock onto pins and hazards along the way.
- Construction and Durability: Testers noted how well the entire line of fascinators felt, saying they felt heavy in terms of build quality, not overly heavy. They fit well in the hand, had a premium feel, and the “Magnesium Quantity with Comfort Guard” helped maintain a secure grip in all conditions.
- A personal touch: All testers received a handwritten letter from the Vortex team along with Vortex’s Flight Pack accessory kit, including tees, ball markers, branded golf balls, a hat and towel. They loved the personal touch it brought to their testing experience.
- Exact Yardage: When it comes to club selection, accuracy cannot be compromised. All Vortex models were second with all testers comparing these rangefinders to other leading competitors. Large differences of up to eight meters were observed, which could lead to the wrong club being pulled.
Initial thoughts and impressions
Our testers were eager to get started with testing Vortex’s Diaspora line, with two testers putting the Anarch through its paces and one tester working the Blade and Blade Slope respectively. Initial impressions were overwhelmingly positive.
Hosel_Rockets was impressed with the lengths Vortex went to, saying: “They went above and beyond to make me feel like part of the Vortex team. Along with the rangefinder, they also sent an extra box filled with goodies, including a hat, spare tools, golf balls, a towel and two special handwritten notes.
Aesthetics
Within the landscape of distances, you will see all kinds of patterns. From bright and bold to subtle and somewhat overwhelming, the landscape is packed with looks. In the eyes of our testers, the Vortex hit the nail on the head. It’s worth noting that Anarch and Blade/Blade Slope have different colors.
Sirchunksalot summed it up well with Anarch, saying, “It’s not trying to stand out from the crowd in bright colors shouting ‘look at me!’ but instead it’s wrapped in a nice, subtle camo pattern that recognizes their hunting heritage.”
The Blade and Blade Slope received equally high praise. PrismFlopper summed it up well, saying of the Slope of the Blade, “It keeps the design super simple with a clean green coyote gray color with a black top. The neon green metering button keeps the button easy to find. The tour legal lights on the front make it fantastic for being able to use it on tour or off with no questions about using the slop.”
Quality construction and durability
Vortex is known for their prowess in the hunting industry with high-quality, rugged and durable optics, so it should come as no surprise that testers came away impressed with the construction of the Anarch, Blade Slope and Blade.
Vortex also boasts one of the best warranties in any business: unconditional and lifetime. They cover anything and everything outside of loss, theft, intentional damage or cosmetic damage that doesn’t affect the product’s performance. Testers were eager to test the durability of these distances and did not hold back. Drop, water immersion and shock tests were performed.
(Spoiler Alert: All models shined.)
Sirchunksalot had early first-hand evidence of the build quality when his Anarch crashed on a cart path. “I’ve had it fall off the cart twice and the second time it rolled aggressively on a paved cart path with only cosmetic damage and nothing that affected performance.”
After submerging his unit AND throwing his Anarch across the lawn, Shrek74 found “The numbers never wavered. What I hit before the test from a point to a target was exactly the same number I was given from the same point to the same target.”
The comments made about the strength of the magnet were that, although it was strong, it was prone to some slippage on the pole of a golf cart. If the testers had one area to dig, it was this. While no significant damage was sustained in the fall, there is a risk of losing the rangefinder if it falls unnoticed.
The accuracy
A rangefinder that works right the first time and every use after that is all we can hope for. If you’re like me, you’ve had one that gives you three different readings in a row or the flat won’t hit your target, instead giving you the treeline behind the flagstick. No surprises here, Vortex once again excelled.
PrismFlopper tested his Blade Slope against his Bushnell gauge and a popular phone app. “Accordingly, at the third point in the straight-line measurement, the Vortex Blade Slope read 119 yds with no slope and the competitor read 124. For some, that’s not a great comparison; but when I put it in slope mode I got a measurement of 96 yds. This is a massive difference where I would probably have to guess the scale with the competitor. With the slant, I can really pick my shot.”
Final Thoughts – A solid newcomer to the distance ranks
The Vortex Blade, Blade Slope, and Anarch (winner of the Editors’ Choice award in 2024 testing) all performed extremely well in our testing, proven by an average score of 95.75/100.
Durability and solid construction, combined with excellent optical clarity and repeatedly accurate numbers, make it an attractive option in a crowded distance category. Testers also liked the personal touch provided by Vortex, with handwritten notes and inspection cards, a testament to the person-to-person care you get when you buy from them. Coupled with an unconditional lifetime warranty, you have a product designed to last absolutely as long as you need it to. To take a deep dive into our member testing, check out their full reviews and insights here: Vortex Optics Rangefinders – 2024 Forum Member Review.
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