Vortex viper vs Vortex Viper PST?

Seb C

Seb C

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Is there a difference in the quality of lense between the Vortex viper and vortex PST? I've been looking at some review on the vortex and some say that the Viper is close or as good as some VX-3 and some other big name. I'm woundering if they are talking about the viper or the viper PST? So basicly is the PST the same w/ more bling or they have different quality lenses?

Thanks!
 
I have both scopes, a PST 4-16X50, a Viper 6.5-20X50, and a Viper 2-7X32. All three have similar quality glass, but I can not say with absolute honesty if they are all made to the same standards. I like all three scopes for their intended purposes, they offer very good quality for the $$ invested, and they are back by an extremely good warranty.
 
I believe the glass in all Vipers is the same - pst or not. The PST just gives you extra features (uncapped turrets, illumination, reticle options).

For the record, I own a PST 6-24x50, Viper 8x42 bins, and a Razor HD 1-4x. The Razor glass is clearly tops, and the vipers are (as expected) second. Either way, I have not yet regretted any Vortex purchase I've made - nice glass for the price.
 
difference is in the reticules and turrent features. the spotting scopes have a new HD with a different lense coating on them that you pay extra for that is supposed to enhance the image. This is a standard on the Razor scopes as well.

Again, tremendous value for dollars spent. I own Vipers, Diamondbacks and Crossfires on an assortment of rifles from 17hmr, 22, 308(M-14), to 300 Win Mag.

Eagerly awaiting the new Viper HS to be available in early June for my 6.5-06 build.
 
Crashman said:
I have both scopes, a PST 4-16X50, a Viper 6.5-20X50, and a Viper 2-7X32. All three have similar quality glass, but I can not say with absolute honesty if they are all made to the same standards. I like all three scopes for their intended purposes, they offer very good quality for the $$ invested, and they are back by an extremely good warranty.
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Man that’s disappointing!

I have a Viper 6.5-20X50 and I ordered the 6-24X50 PST thinking it was going to have better glass on top of the other features.

Double the price and same 1/2 ass glass...

I'll buy a Sightron next.
 
K0na_stinky said:
Man that’s disappointing!

I have a Viper 6.5-20X50 and I ordered the 6-24X50 PST thinking it was going to have better glass on top of the other features.

Double the price and same 1/2 ass glass...

I'll buy a Sightron next.
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That is an interesting statement as I have been nothing but completely impressed with the quality of the Viper glass, and so has all who have looked through my scopes. If your scope is sub standard, send it back, it may have an issue. And if Sightron is really that much better, I guess I better look through one soon to see what I have been missing!

And yes FFP reticles add quite a bit to the price of a scope, they are harder to manufacture and require a few more bits inside the scope=more $$$.
 
Crashman said:
That is an interesting statement as I have been nothing but completely impressed with the quality of the Viper glass, and so has all who have looked through my scopes. If your scope is sub standard, send it back, it may have an issue. And if Sightron is really that much better, I guess I better look through one soon to see what I have been missing!

And yes FFP reticles add quite a bit to the price of a scope, they are harder to manufacture and require a few more bits inside the scope=more $$$.
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I ordered a second focal plane PST.

So far I own a Crossfire 6-24x50, Viper 3-9x40 and a Viper 6.5-20x50. I am very impressed with all them. Thats why I decided to order a PST. I'm not disapointed with the glass in my Vipers for what I payed. But for about double the price I just expected alittle nicer glass.

I guess I will find out what it is like in a few more weeks.
 
I was very interested in carrying the Vortex lineup given all the positive posts.

Had a chance to look through several from local shooters and decided to stay with Sightron.

Alot of shooters are perfectly happy with the optics. Not bad and certainly better then some of the new gen Bushnell Elites (but not as good as the old gen 4200's).

But compared to the Sightrons, not in the same league.

Simplest way to see the difference is in side by side comparison.

Or you can look at a chimney at 1000yds and decide what you can see clearly.

Straw grass or saplings will also work. Can you resolve each strand or is it a patch of colour with shadows?

Most everything looks great up close but the further you go, the more obvious it becomes.

Car license plates is a great item to look at too. How far away can you clearly read the letter? Not squint and guess but just read it.

These are some of the basic tests I use to get a quick feel for optical quality of any scope. MOST scopes aren't all that good regardless of price under these conditions.

Jerry
 
Last weekend was the first weekend that I looked threw my Viper 6.5-20x50 at 600 yards. The reticle was blurry at 600 yards. No matter what I did. I tried the parallax adjustment and the focus knob and I could not get the reticle to focus.

It was fine at 500 yards. I really really hope that my PST will be better. Maybe I will contact vortex about my problem.

Has anyone else noticed this problem?
 
K0na_stinky said:
Last weekend was the first weekend that I looked threw my Viper 6.5-20x50 at 600 yards. The reticle was blurry at 600 yards. No matter what I did. I tried the parallax adjustment and the focus knob and I could not get the reticle to focus.

It was fine at 500 yards. I really really hope that my PST will be better. Maybe I will contact vortex about my problem.

Has anyone else noticed this problem?
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I called vortex and they said it should not have this problem and I can send it to them and they will send me a new one. They said that with this scope they just send out a new one right away.
 
K0na_stinky said:
Last weekend was the first weekend that I looked threw my Viper 6.5-20x50 at 600 yards. The reticle was blurry at 600 yards. No matter what I did. I tried the parallax adjustment and the focus knob and I could not get the reticle to focus.

It was fine at 500 yards. I really really hope that my PST will be better. Maybe I will contact vortex about my problem.

Has anyone else noticed this problem?
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Absolutely not. I casually shoot out to a thousand with mine and the reticle is well defined at all ranges. You need to contact Vortex about the problem you're experiencing.

As to the sightron S-III vs vortex viper debate heres an opinion from someone who has owned and used two viper 6.5-20 as well as sightron S-III 8-32 and a 10-50 scopes.
The S-III glass is brighter with less edge to edge distortion than the viper.
The eyebox is also slightly more forgiving. They both track well and are repeatable. IMHO the Viper is more robust...possibly a thicker maintube?

I feel both of these scopes are the best value in thier respective price bracket. I can tell you however that although the Sightron S-III is nearly double the price of the Viper 6.5-20 you do not get anything close to double the optical performance. Whether the tracking is more durable and reliable on the S-III than the viper is debatable as well...and only time will tell.
At the end of the day an S-III 8-32X sits atop my long-range rifle, but if I was forced to plop my Viper back on the rail I wouldn't be shattered.
 
K0na_stinky said:
Read all the posts before posting.

I called and they said I can get a new one.
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I was writing my post in the time between your posted question and your follow-up, no need to get stinky.
When you post on a public forum asking for help or opinion don't be alarmed if that's just what you get.
 
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