My eyes started betraying me at forty—astigmatism turning red dots into fuzzy starbursts that made precise shooting impossible. That’s when I discovered prism scopes. My primary AR wore a Vortex Spitfire 3x while my truck gun carried a Burris 332, both solving my vision issues while creating new considerations. After four years running these side-by-side through Montana’s extremes and training scenarios with local law enforcement, I’ve learned that choosing between them depends less on specifications than on understanding their design philosophy.
Why Prism Scopes Matter More Than Ever
My grandfather would’ve called needing special optics for bad eyes “getting soft.” He shot iron sights into his eighties, never complaining. But when a coyote at 150 yards looks like three coyotes through a traditional red dot, you need solutions that work, not stubborn pride.
Prism scopes use etched reticles viewed through a prism system—essentially compact traditional scopes with illumination added. For those of us with astigmatism, they’re game-changers. The Spitfire 3x and Burris 332 represent two approaches to this solution.
Testing Protocol: Four Years of Reality
Both optics underwent identical testing:
Environmental Exposure
- Temperature range: -38°F to 99°F
- Altitude: 4,200 to 11,000 feet
- Weather: Everything Montana offers
- Duration: Four years continuous use
Durability Assessment
- Round count: 7,200 through Spitfire, 6,800 through 332
- Drop testing: Documented impacts
- Water testing: Full submersion plus rain
- Vehicle testing: Thousands of ranch road miles
Practical Applications
- Ranch predator control
- Competition (3-Gun, tactical matches)
- Law enforcement training assistance
- Loaner rifles for visiting hunters
- Home defense setup
Glass Quality: Different Coatings, Different Results
Vortex Spitfire 3x: Modern Clarity
The fully multi-coated lenses deliver exceptional clarity for a prism scope. During a dawn coyote hunt last February, distinguishing targets against snow-covered backgrounds proved effortless. The coating reduces glare effectively—critical when shooting toward sunrise.
- The Spitfire HD Gen II 3x prism scope is built for rapid transitions while still being usable even without illumination. The streamlined look and flush mount turret design makes for a smaller, lighter, and faster optic.
- The updated optical design and fully multi-coated lenses provide improved resolution, and cuts chromatic aberration. The prism design and etched reticle solve the distortion problems for users plagued by astigmatism.
The etched reticle changes everything. When batteries died during a November training session (my fault—ignored the warning signs), the black etched reticle remained perfectly visible. Try that with a red dot. The BDC markings to 500 yards seem optimistic for 3x magnification, but they work for torso-sized targets.
Field Performance: The 5.56-specific BDC proves accurate with 55-grain ammunition. Heavier bullets require mental adjustment, but the system works. During prairie dog shoots, consistent hits to 300 yards validated the reticle design.
Burris 332: Traditional Approach
The 332’s glass coating emphasizes light transmission over fancy anti-reflective properties. In deep timber where light struggles to penetrate, this philosophy pays dividends. My wife Sarah borrowed it for her research work, noting superior performance in heavy canopy conditions.
The Ballistic CQ reticle offers holdovers to 600 yards—ambitious for 3x but surprisingly functional on steel targets. The thicker reticle posts frame targets naturally, speeding acquisition in close quarters. Check Price
Reality Check: That 600-yard capability requires perfect conditions and known-distance targets. Practical maximum for unknown distance targets sits around 400 yards.
Illumination Systems: Battery Life vs Features
Spitfire’s Dual-Color Flexibility
Red or green illumination with five intensity levels provides options for various backgrounds. Green excels against brown/tan backgrounds common in Montana’s grasslands. Red cuts through green foliage better during summer months.
The CR1632 battery annoys me. Less common than CR2032s, I’ve driven forty miles to find replacements. Battery life matches claims—250 hours maximum brightness, 3,000 on lowest. Real-world: six months of regular use at medium settings.
Burris 332: Simplicity Wins
Same dual-color system, similar brightness range, but using common CR2032 batteries. After running out of CR1632s before a match, finding CR2032s in a gas station saved the day. Small advantages matter in rural areas.
The illumination switch feels more positive on the 332—important with gloved hands during winter. Both remembered the last settings when turned off, a feature I didn’t appreciate until I needed it.
Eye Relief: Critical Differences
Spitfire 3x: Extra Room Matters
That 2.8 inches of eye relief provides crucial clearance for dynamic shooting. During vehicle training with deputies, shooting through windshields from awkward positions, the extra relief prevented scope bite consistently.
Winter changes everything. Heavy parkas alter stock position, pushing your eye forward. The Spitfire’s relief accommodates this without losing sight picture. Learned this during a -38°F predator hunt when normal positioning proved impossible.
Burris 332: Adequate but Tight
At 2.5 inches, the 332’s eye relief works for controlled shooting but challenges dynamic use. My nephew bloodied his eyebrow learning this lesson—the scope didn’t move, his face did.
For bench shooting or static positions, perfectly adequate. For running and gunning, that missing 0.3 inches matters more than specifications suggest.
Field of View: Small Differences, Big Impact
Burris 332: Slightly Wider Picture
The 32-foot field of view at 100 yards beats the Spitfire’s 31.5 feet marginally. During a barn clearing exercise (training scenario), that extra coverage revealed targets slightly faster in peripheral vision.
Tracking moving targets—running coyotes, fleeing deer—benefits from every inch of visibility. The difference seems minimal until you miss seeing something important.
Spitfire 3x: Close Enough
Half a foot less coverage rarely impacts practical shooting. During competition, I’ve never lost targets due to field of view limitations. The slightly narrower view concentrates attention on the reticle area, potentially improving precision.
Durability: Four Years of Abuse
Spitfire 3x Torture Test
My Spitfire survived:
- Falling from tree stand (15 feet onto frozen ground)
- Complete ice encasement during freezing rain
- Direct .308 muzzle blast (adjacent shooter error)
- 7,200 rounds of mixed 5.56/.223
- Teenager learning to shoot (worst abuse possible)
Results: Cosmetic damage only, perfect function maintained
Notable Failure: Selector switch failed after four years—stuck on green illumination. Still functional but annoying. The vortex warranty covered it immediately.
Burris 332 Punishment
My 332 endured:
- Ejection from moving truck bed (25 mph onto gravel)
- Week underwater (flooded creek crossing)
- Used as improvised hammer (fence repair emergency)
- 6,800 rounds including hot handloads
- Loan to multiple new shooters
Results: Objective lens scratched (my fault with hammer incident), otherwise perfect
Surprise Discovery: Despite simpler construction, the 332 proved equally robust. Both exceeded expectations for sub-$500 optics.
Adjustment Systems: Precision vs Protection
Spitfire 3x: More Range, Finer Control
Half-MOA clicks with 120 MOA total adjustment range provides excellent flexibility. Zeroing at various distances for different ammunition proved straightforward. The additional adjustment range matters for extreme distance shooting or unusual mounting situations.
Aluminum turret caps protect adjustments from accidental changes. During a horseback hunt (borrowed horse—mine are too skittish), those caps prevented zero shift despite constant rifle movement.
Burris 332: Odd but Adequate
The 0.4 MOA clicks confuse initially—why not standard 0.5 or 0.25? After four years, I still occasionally miscount adjustments. The 60 MOA total range suffices for most applications but limits extreme adjustments.
Plastic caps feel cheap but survived everything I threw at them. They’re also easier to remove with cold fingers—discovered during a February coyote hunt.
Weight and Mounting: Practical Considerations
Spitfire 3x: Slightly Heavier
At 15.4 ounces, the Spitfire adds noticeable weight to lightweight builds. On my competition rifle, acceptable. On my minimalist hunting AR, it changed balance enough to matter.
The included Picatinny mounts with variable heights accommodate different rifle configurations. Higher mount worked better with my preferred cheek weld. Installation proved straightforward with proper torque values.
Burris 332: Compact Advantage
At 14.2 ounces, the weight difference seems minimal but affects handling over long days. During all-day training sessions, that 1.2 ounces less fatigue matters.
The compact footprint allows mounting with backup sights or additional accessories. My truck gun runs the 332 with offset iron sights—versatility for various scenarios.
Real-World Applications
Competition Use
Spitfire 3x: Superior reticle and adjustments win matches. The finer control and etched BDC enable consistent hits on smaller targets.
Burris 332: Adequate but not optimal. The odd adjustment values and simpler reticle handicap precision stages.
Defensive Applications
Spitfire 3x: Extra eye relief and better illumination control excel for dynamic shooting.
Burris 332: Compact size and simplicity work well for basic defensive needs.
Hunting
Both work adequately for shots within 300 yards. Beyond that, 3x magnification limits both regardless of reticle quality.
Ranch/Truck Gun
Spitfire 3x: Feature-rich option when weight doesn’t matter.
Burris 332: Simpler, lighter, uses common batteries—practical advantages for utility rifles.
Cost Analysis: Value Equations
Current Pricing Reality
- Spitfire 3x: ~$400 street price
- Burris 332: ~$200-300 depending on sales
That $100-200 difference buys significant capability improvements with the Spitfire.
Four-Year Ownership Perspective
Spitfire 3x: $400 ÷ 1,460 days = $0.27 per day Burris 332: $250 ÷ 1,460 days = $0.17 per day
Both represent excellent value for solving astigmatism issues while providing magnified capability.
Making the Decision: Honest Recommendations
Choose the Spitfire 3x If:
- Competition accuracy matters
- Maximum adjustment range needed
- Better eye relief required
- Feature set justifies cost
- Warranty reputation important
Choose the Burris 332 If:
- Budget constraints exist
- Simplicity appeals
- Common batteries matter
- Compact size needed
- Basic functionality suffices
My Personal Approach
Primary AR: Spitfire 3x for versatility and precision Truck Gun: Burris 332 for simplicity and durability Loaner Rifles: Burris 332 (less to explain) Competition Gun: Spitfire 3x exclusively Wife’s Rifle: Neither—she doesn’t have astigmatism (lucky)
The Bottom Line from Montana
After four years running both prism scopes, each proves its worth for astigmatism sufferers. The Spitfire 3x delivers superior features and precision at higher cost. The Burris 332 provides basic functionality at attractive pricing.
For those of us watching red dots turn into sparklers, either scope restores shooting capability. The choice depends on budget and intended use more than absolute quality differences.
Both scopes enabled me to continue shooting effectively despite vision changes. That capability matters more than specification differences or brand preferences. Choose based on your needs, train with your selection, and stop obsessing over minutiae.
Remember: fancy optics don’t fix fundamentals, but the right tool removes physical limitations.
Ready to solve your astigmatism issues? Explore more field-tested optics reviews and vision solutions at Moosir.com, where experience meets practical instruction.
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