I have a couple VX-1’s and though I haven’t done a direct comparison I would say they are similar in quality to the Freedom. I have a handful of the VX freedom and have been pretty happy with them. Recently I was at the range shooting two rifles, one with a VX Freedom 3-9 and a VX3 2.5-8. When switching from the Freedom to the VX3 there is a slight improvement in brightness and clarity, mostly around the edges. However, when I went the opposite way VX3 to the Freedom, I really couldn’t tell a difference. If that makes sense... My only real complaint about the Freedom is that the clicks are sort of mushy, they are there but not really strong. This isn’t a big deal if you are a set it and forget it type of shooter. All my Freedoms have held zero quite well.
On Black Friday I picked up a Vortex Crossfire II. It’s my first Vortex but with the sales I got it shipped to my door for about $100. I think they are usually about $175. Anyway it had great reviews and was cheap enough to try it out without much risk. It too has pretty mushy clicks, but the clarity and brightness doesn’t compete with my Leupolds. I took it out at sunset the other day for a quick test. I was comparing the Vortex CFII to my also new Leupold BX4 binoculars which is NOT a fair comparison. However, with the BX4 I was able to see detail quite well and if there had been a deer there I could likely have still had enough detail to count points. With the Vortex CFII I really couldn’t see anything. Definitely could not have taken a shot with it.
These were not “scientific” experiments just my observations. I’m not a Vortex hater as this is there budget line and I don’t have experience with any other vortex optic. However, between the CFII and the Freedom, I would hands down go with the Freedom.