Vortex Viper HS 4-16x44 with BDC reticle~is Vortex going to mess with this scope?

[.22LRGUY]

Hey guys, question for the Vortex authorities here. I own one of these scopes with the BDC reticle and more recently, ordered a Crossfire II with the SAME reticle for one of my rimfires. Before doing so, I contacted a local dealer and asked if the reticle was the same, specifically, as "fine" as the Viper HS. "Yes" was the reply, so I ordered it. The scope is nicer than I expected for the money, but NO, the reticle was about 2-3x heavier than the Viper HS. I contacted Vortex Canada and asked them if their dealers have access to better info./specs on such matters and in the course of the conversation, they mentioned that the new Viper HS scopes this year will have HEAVIER reticles than the earlier generation.

I was ready to make the same Viper HS model my next scope for another rifle, but I'm wondering;

1. Is there a dealer out there with this model in stock, WITH the older/fine crosshairs (not the LR version)
2. Is there a Vortex dealer who has seen the newer versions (if they exist yet) and can say whether or not the change is significant?
3. Why would Vortex mess with this scope, when it seems popular enough that nobody ever has them on the shelf?

Really appreciate any input you guys might have.

Thanks!

 

[curt7mm]

I looked at the Vortex Viper HS and thought the redicle was to thin for my liking. I wonder when the next generation of HS with the thicker redicle will be on the shelf?