VORTEX RECON R/T SOLO TACTICAL R/T RANGING MONOCULARS REVIEW
Warning these Vortex ranging monoculars will end up on your “stuff I need” list. Let me sum this up quick and then I will work through the features. The Vortex Recon R/T and Solo Tactical R/T deliver the shooter a compact, quick and robust observation, scouting and ranging solution that starts at only $169. It is a “damn it, I wish I would have thought of it” idea that combines an offset MRAD/MilDot ranging reticle with a simple-to-use high quality monocular. Vortex is offering these monocular models in 8x, 10x, and 15x magnifications. All the R/T (Ranging and Tactical) models feature the mil-dot reticle and pre-ranged 300, 400, 500 and 600 meter standard man sized silhouettes. Look, range, adjust turrets and shoot. The Mil-Based reticle also allows ranging via a standard mil-dot grid system.Line up the silhouette with a human sized silhouette for immediate ranging or use the Mil-Dots for measurement and you can quickly calculate the range all without batteries. This method also prevents rangefinder errors because grass was waving in front of you while you were snuggled into a prone position. Ahh, good old fashioned manual ranging technology paired with enough magnification power to actually see details that an electronic 4x rangefinder would fail to deliver. In my opinion, this was one of the top optic products of the 2016 SHOT Show this year and after testing, I believe it should be in everyone’s kit.
A great pair of binoculars are handy, however there are a lot of times that they seem a bit too cumbersome or heavy and this is where a quality monocular makes perfect sense. Monoculars can be tucked into a jacket pocket or in the case of the Vortex Recon and Tactical R/T they can be clipped to the belt. Technically you are getting better optics in a monocular for the money than you would with binoculars simply because you are paying for just one eye-full of optics and not two. The clarity of these Vortex Monoculars is really outstanding considering the price. The only shortcoming in the lineup is a focus-free model, but all the current models do feature easy-to-use focusing and ocular adjustment.If you are using a Mil-Dot ranging system, regular scouting optics would require you to find what you are looking for and then get behind your rifle to relocate the target and use the rifle optics’ reticle to measure objects in order to calculate the distance for the shooting solution. With both the Vortex RECON R/T and Vortex SOLO R/T you or a shooting partner can find and range a target and the rifle only needs to be used to deliver the shooting solution. Some people would say “why do I care?” The main reason is that the Vortex Monoculars get the measurement tool off a potentially loaded gun so that you can range all sorts of stuff at football games, golfing, and keeping an eye on that car down the street all without waving a gun muzzle around. The other valid reason is that it gives you a ranging and scouting tool which will never require batteries. Once you start burning into your brain the mil-dot sizes of typical animals, human, and environmental objects, ranging can be really fast without any math involved.
Vortex has though each of these monoculars out very well. Both have belt clips to make it easy and simple to clip to a belt or pack. Other accessories include lens covers, lanyards, and neoprene covers which are compact and protective. The larger RECON R/T also includes a hand strap, picatinny rail, tripod adapter, and mini tripod.
Vortex Recon R/T - Vortex’s Recon is basically a compact spotting scope with 40 mils of positive and negative ranging ability from center. The 10X magnification does require some type of stabilization or the image starts to jump around. Vortex does include a small flexi-leg tripod which mounts quickly via the included multi-mount. The included tripod is just barely strong enough to hold up the Recon’s weight, but it does work if you get the legs bent the right way. 
The Recon R/T also can be mounted to any screw-on type tripod on either side which would be a preferable mounting if used on a bench. At $689 the assumption is correct that the Vortex Recon R/T is a significantly better optic than its little brother. Notably the Recon is a significantly higher tier of optic with greatly improved clarity and brightness all around. It feels more rugged and is a more featured packed kit compared to the slimmed down Solo. Where I see the primary use of the Recon R/T 10x and 15x models is taking the place of compact spotting scopes in the field while also reducing the weight burden of also carrying binoculars and ranging devices.
Vortex Solo R/T - The Vortex Solo is the little brother of the Recon but with 60 Mils of positive and negative of ranging front center due to the broader field of view 8x magnification. The Solo does not have the extra lens covers, the tripod, or the hand strap, however it is the perfect compromise of small compact usefulness that would make you carry it everywhere. 
It does not look “tactical” which I think is important as a multi-tool optics for residential, urban, and even public sporting environments. It does not scream hey I am ranging you “mother-f&&*er”. The Solo R/T still packs in the ranging reticle, silhouette ranging, and pocket clip all protected by a simple slip in neoprene case. The 8x magnification is more forgiving and easily used unsupported single-handed while still delivering a stable image picture. I can say that I use the Solo so much I will likely buy at least another one. It gets used a lot at the range to see “Now where exactly did I hit that steel?” or just to check targets. FINAL THOUGHTS
It is easy to whip out your laser range finder, but there are many situations where I have found these tools to deliver false or unreliable readings. Mil-based ranging may not give you the perfect accuracy of a laser range finder, but the Recon and Solo do provide a tool which can validate a range and double as a scouting tool. A brilliant idea by Vortex of offering this concept in an affordable package to the consumer markets.
SPECS
VORTEX RECON R/T
Magnification10 x
Objective Lens Diameter50 mm
Eye Relief19.5 mm
Exit Pupil5 mm
Linear Field of View280 feet/1000 yards
Angular Field of View5.3 degrees
Close Focus12 feet
Length7 inches
Width3 inches
Hand Grip Width2.4 inches
Weight15.2 ounces
$689
VORTEX SOLO R/T
Magnification8 x
Objective Lens Diameter36 mm
Eye Relief18 mm
Exit Pupil4.5 mm
Linear Field of View393 feet/1000 yards
Angular Field of View7.5 degrees
Close Focus16.4 feet
Length5.3 inches
Width2.3 inches
Hand Grip Width2 inches
Weight10.2 ounces
$159
SOURCES
Vortex Optics - http://www.vortexoptics.com