Vortex Crossfire II Solar Red Dot: Green Option, Under $250

Last updated July 2026 · By Nick Hall, covers optics and red-dot sights for USA Gun Shop

Quick take: Vortex has rebooted its budget-friendly Crossfire II red dot with a solar panel, motion-wake electronics, and a first-ever green-dot option for the line. The standard red-dot model holds at $219.99, while the solar versions land at $249.99, which keeps the whole family under the $250 mark. It is aimed at high-volume shooters who want a dependable rifle or shotgun optic without spending big.

Vortex Crossfire II solar red dot sight with a solar panel on top and a green 2 MOA dot, mounted on a Picatinny rail

What it is: A 2 MOA compact red dot in red or green, with a 25mm lens and a solar-assisted option.
Key detail: Solar power plus motion activation, with a 10-minute auto-shutoff to save the CR2032 battery.
Specs: 12 brightness levels, two night-vision settings, Aimpoint T1/T2 footprint, magnifier compatible.
Price: $219.99 for the standard red dot, $249.99 for solar red, solar tan, or solar green.

What Vortex changed on the Crossfire II

Vortex took a proven entry-level red dot and bolted on power features you usually pay a lot more to get. The optic still uses a 2 MOA dot, which means the aiming point covers about two inches of your target at 100 yards, so it stays small enough for precise work but bright enough to grab fast. What is new is the electronics package wrapped around that dot.

The headline addition is a green-dot version, the first ever offered in the Crossfire II line. Many shooters find a green reticle easier to pick up against dark or cluttered backgrounds, since the human eye is more sensitive to green light. Red remains available for anyone who prefers it or already runs red across their other guns.

How the solar and motion features work

Solar-assisted means a small panel on top of the sight helps power the dot using ambient light. Vortex calls the system Auto D-TEC, and it automatically decides whether to pull energy from the solar panel or the CR2032 coin-cell battery inside. On a medium brightness setting, that partnership stretches runtime to roughly 150,000 hours, well past the 50,000 hours of the non-solar version.

Motion activation is the second trick. The dot wakes the instant you move the rifle and then shuts itself off after 10 minutes of stillness, a feature you can disable if you prefer. Because the solar panel sits on top, Vortex moved the push-button controls to the side of the housing. There are 12 brightness levels in total, and two of them are dim enough to pair with night-vision gear without washing out the image.

Mounting, footprint, and magnifiers

The Crossfire II uses the Aimpoint T1/T2 footprint, one of the most common mounting patterns in the red-dot world. A footprint is just the bolt-hole pattern on the bottom of the optic, and matching a popular one means you can swap in a huge range of aftermarket mounts and risers instead of being locked to a single bracket. Vortex ships the sight with a low mount and a lower-third co-witness mount in the box.

The optic is also magnifier compatible, so you can drop a flip-to-side 3x unit behind it for better target identification at distance. At 2.60 inches long and 4.47 ounces, it stays light enough for a carbine, a rimfire, or a defensive shotgun. If you are still weighing your options, our guide to the best AR-15 red dot sights lines the Crossfire II up against the rest of the field.

Price and where it fits

The pricing is the real story: solar and motion-wake at a sub-$250 MSRP is uncommon. The standard 2 MOA red dot lists at $219.99, while the three solar models, black red, tan red, and green, each list at $249.99. Street prices already sit lower, so the practical cost of entry is friendly for a first optic or a truck-gun build.

Backing all of it is the Vortex VIP warranty, which is unlimited and unconditional, meaning Vortex will repair or replace the sight regardless of fault and without a receipt. For a home-defense carbine or shotgun that sits ready for years at a time, the always-on solar power and hands-off wake behavior make a lot of sense. Shooters kitting out a bedside long gun can cross-check it against our roundup of the best home defense optics before buying.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does the new Vortex Crossfire II solar red dot cost?

The standard 2 MOA red-dot model lists at an MSRP of $219.99. The three solar versions, black red dot, tan red dot, and green dot, each list at $249.99, which keeps the entire family under $250. Street prices are typically lower.

Can I get the Crossfire II with a green dot?

Yes. This reboot adds a green-dot option for the first time in the Crossfire II line. Green reticles are often easier to see against dark or busy backgrounds because the eye is more sensitive to green light. Red is still offered for shooters who prefer it.

What does solar-assisted power mean on this sight?

A small panel on top of the optic captures ambient light to help run the dot. Vortex calls the system Auto D-TEC, and it automatically chooses whether to draw from the solar panel or the CR2032 battery. On a medium setting that extends runtime to roughly 150,000 hours.

How does the motion activation feature work?

Motion activation wakes the dot the moment you move the rifle, so it is ready when you are. After 10 minutes of no movement it shuts off to preserve the battery, and you can turn the feature off if you want the dot to stay on.

Will the Crossfire II fit my existing red-dot mount?

It uses the widely adopted Aimpoint T1/T2 footprint, which is the bolt pattern on the base of the optic. That match opens up a large range of aftermarket mounts and risers. Vortex also includes a low mount and a lower-third co-witness mount in the box.

Is the Crossfire II good for home defense?

It fits home-defense duty well. The solar assist keeps it powered for years, motion activation wakes it instantly, and two night-vision brightness settings help in low light. At 2.60 inches and 4.47 ounces it mounts cleanly on a carbine or defensive shotgun.