When Vectronix Shooting Solutions released their Vector X range finding binoculars in 2024, VSS also released an accessory dubbed the Range Enhancers. The Vectronix Shooting Solutions Range Enhancers are 1.4x magnifiers for the Vector X line of binoculars.
With the Range Enhancers the Vector X 8×42, 10×42, and 12×42 effectively become 11×42, 14×42, and 17×42, respectively. A 40% magnification increase is an enticing option for many who want to increase the reach of their Vector X binoculars in specific use cases such as spotting from a tripod.
The initial run of the Vectronix Range Enhancers in 2024 sold out relatively quickly and were nearly non-existent for several months. It appears that issues were observed in real-world applications that resulted in the Range Enhancer production being halted.
More specifically, reports surfaced where people were unable to get a distance reading from the laser rangefinder in the Vector X with the Range Enhancers installed. Since the laser return is picked up by the left barrel of the binocular, the Range Enhancers were causing the ranging failures.
Nearly a year later, Vectronix Shooting Solutions resumed shipping the Range Enhancer units and I acquired a set in October 2025 by way of CS Tactical at a price of $599 USD. CS Tactical is an online retailer based Northern California where I also acquired my Vectronix Shooting Solutions Vector X 10×42 MSR-DMR binoculars.
Disclaimer: I am not sponsored by or otherwise affiliated with CS Tactical. CS Tactical is one of a few different vendors that I am a repeat customer of because I find them trustworthy.
Breaking open the box reveals a green nylon (possibly Cordura) storage case.
Inside this case are the set of Range Enhancers.
While Safran Vectronix AG, parent company of Vectronix Shootin Solutions, is located in Switzerland, the Vector X and the Range Enhancers are made in Slovakia.
As you can see, the Range Enhancers come with end caps. However, these are slip fit and do not thread onto threads of the Range Enhancers (M46 x 0.75).
Installing the Range Enhancers is as simple as threading them onto to the objective end of the Vector X binoculars. However, I do wish they used a coarser thread because I can imagine that one could damage the threads if trying to get the Range Enhancer threaded on very quickly in the field.
The Range Enhancers change the effective magnification (of course) and the field of view of the Vector X binoculars they are installed on.
In the case of the Vector X 10×42 MSR-DMR that I own, the 330 ft @ 1000 yd field of view at 10x is reduced to 236 ft @ 1000 yd at 14x. The Range Enhancers also add an additional ~2.8 oz (78 grams) in weight and ~2.76 in (70 mm) in length to the Vector X.
It is important to note that the Range Enhancers will change the ratio of the reticle, which is why you will need the Dual Magnification Reticle (MSR-DMR) if you are going to also make use of the reticle for conducting MIL measurements.
The MSR-DMR version of the Vector X has the Dual Magnification Reticle seen in the above diagram. The left MRAD reticle is calibrated for the base magnification of the binocular, while the right MRAD reticle is calibrated for use with the Range Enhancers.
If you were to use the Range Enhancers with the Single Magnification Reticle, the reticle will not give you the correct MIL measurements with the Range Enhancers installed. Of course, if you only want the Range Enhancers for the extra magnification and will not rely on the reticle for milling or corrections, then you can use the Range Enhancers with the MSR-SMR.
After some time using the Vectronix Shooting Solutions Range Enhancers, I will say that there is no discernible difference in image clarity with the Range Enhancers installed. In full sunlight there is no detectable loss in light transmission. In lower light situations (e.g., dusk), it is dimmer with the Range Enhancers installed which is to be expected given you go from an exit pupil of 4.2 to 3 (10×42 to 14×42, respectively).
As far as the range finder with the Range Enhancers installed, I have not come across any performance degradation and the laser appears to provide a proper reading every time.
Field of view is reduced, of course, but for range use it is certainly usable.
Disclaimer: Do not use the digiscope photos in this article as a metric for evaluating image quality. These were taken with the Mountain Mag Digiscope system using an iPhone 17 Pro with the native iOS camera which does not manually focus.
The above shows the same range area with the Vectronix Vector X 10×42 without Range Enhancers (left) and with the Range Enhancers (right). The white steel target in the center is at 300 yards line of sight.
The following photos are the same as the previous, but cropped for more emphasis on the details visible between 10×42 and 14×42.
The additional weight and length of the Range Enhancers does make the Vector X less portable while installed. While the weight can be dealt with relatively easily, the longer form factor means carrying in a binocular chest harness is much less feasible.
Tangentially related to transport, the caps the end caps that come with the Range Enhancers are very poor when it comes to effectiveness. They are a slip fit design, albeit loose. They come off very easily and I do not see them staying on securely while in transport. I really wish Vectronix had end caps that threaded on or were more snug when slipping onto to the ends.
Are the Vectronix Range Enhancers worth acquiring?
I will have to say that I personally do not need the Range Enhancers since I have the SWAROVSKI OPTIK NL Pure 14×52 and can simply opt to use the NL Pure 14×52 for more reach.
However, I feel that the Vectronix Shooting Solutions Range Enhancers are worth having in your kit if one of these apply:
- The Vector X is your only binocular / spotting optic.
- You have multiple optics to use, but choose to only pack the Vector X as your sole optic for the trip.
- You want to have a low and mid, or a mid and high magnification glassing kit with minimal footprint.
- You already own the Vector X and want more magnification with them.
The Vectronix Range Enhancers pack small enough that you can include them in your range or field kit so that if you need to get more distance / reach with your Vector X binoculars, you can thread them on and run with it. Much less footprint is taken up by the Range Enhancers as opposed to another set of binoculars.
Thus, the Range Enhancers for the Vectronix Shooting Solutions Vector X can be viewed as supplement or complementary piece of equipment in a single-optic (Vector X) kit or load out. The Range Enhancers allow you to use the base Vector X magnification for regular use, and extend the capability of the binocular on-the-fly.
The caps that come with the Range Enhancers do not function well and slip off way too easily. I wish Vectronix provide either threaded caps or just a bikini-style cover where both caps attached to each other with a bungee or elastic cord to keep the covers attached. I might epoxy shock cord to the caps to accomplish this effect.
With the Range Enhancers are installed, the overall length of the Vector X 10×42 (with eye cups compressed) is around 8.6 inches. This is quite long when it comes to binoculars and if one were to carry the Vector X + Range Enhancers in a chest harness, the pouch size will need to be considered. Granted, I feel like most people will carry the Vector X in a chest harness without the Range Enhancers installed.
Pros:
- 1.4x (40%) magnification increase when needed
- No noticeable degradation in optical clarity while installed
- Accurate and reliable rangefinder capability retained
- Less expensive than a new / additional binocular
- Packs with relatively small footprint; Doesn’t take much space in a pack
- Reticle still scales while installed (with MSR-DMR)
Cons:
- End caps / covers fit poorly
- Low light performance decrease (smaller exit pupil)
- Adds extra length (and weight); Could impact carry method while installed
While I did say earlier that I technically do not need the Vectronix Shooting Solutions Range Enhancers, I am going to hang on to them for the time being. Sometime I do not carry multiple optics and I think it will be convenient to simply grab the Range Enhancer case to put in my pack or range bag/box to have more reach in on hand in reserve.
As mentioned earlier, I acquired the Vectronix Shooting Solutions Range Enhancers from CS Tactical for $599 USD and is the current MSRP at the time this is being written. The price of the Range Enhancers is supposedly going to increase as well as the Vector X, following the price increases of other optics manufacturers (e.g., SWAROVSKI OPTIK), especially those in Europe due to tariffs.
$599 can be viewed as a cost-effective way of getting longer distance optics capability with an existing Vector X, without having to spend more money on another set of binoculars with more magnification (e.g., 12x, 14x, 15x).
If you own the Vectronix Shooting Solutions Vector X rangefinding binoculars and want additional versatility with this optic in terms of getting more magnification on-the-fly for varying scenarios, consider getting the 1.4x Range Enhancers. You will get a 40% increase in magnification (11x, 14x, and 17x effective) for a nominal expenditure compared to the cost of the binocular.
In particular, if you own the Vector X and plan on using it as the sole optic in your load out, you should strongly consider the Range Enhancers.
However, if you already own other higher magnification optics with arguably better optical quality that you prefer to use for spotting, then you can pass on the Vectronix Shooting Solutions Range Enhancers.
You can get the Vectronix Shooting Solutions Range Enhancers from CS Tactical and other retailers dealing in Vectronix Shooting Solutions products, or check out the Vectronix Shooting Solutions website for more information on the Range Enhancers and the other VSS products.
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