Vortex Viper PST 1-4 or Leatherwood Hi-Lux CMR? HELP PLEASE!

A.R.X-D

A.R.X-D

Member
EE Expired
Rating - 0%
0   0   0
I am debating between Leatherwood Hi-Lux CMR (hard to find reviews on it) and Vortex Viper PST 1-4 (lots of reviews, all positive!)
*price is not a factor here as they are both in my price budget.

I really like the Hi-Lux features, but I also like the Vortex warranty!

Which one has a better build? (glass, quality and etc)

Also, anyone know where I can find any of this scopes for a fair price?

Thanks.

Leatherwood Hi-Lux CMR

725900.jpg


VS

Vortex Viper PST 1-4

rfl_pst_1-4x24_moa_c_fr-t.jpg
 
Last edited:
The research i have done shows that the CMR doesnt have as forgiving an eye box as the viper when cheek isn't solid.. However i haven't fondled the CMR yet. The viper is everywhere around here so I've take several glances at it.

My impression on the PST, is that the glass and reticle are top notch. Illumination is perfect for real hunting situation where the background makes it difficult to make out the reticle.

Its NOT like a red dot, compared to the eotech 512, the eotech is just way more flexible in terms of cheek rest and eye releif.

However, the viper has an excellent zoom up ti 4 that is very usable even at close range - which is where I have noticed most cheaper scopes are garbage at doing.
 
Wish I could offer first hand impression of the Hi Lux, but I can say my PST is working very well, zero complaints, consider it money well spent.
Since buying it, I've bought 2x more Vortex scopes...that says something.
 
Hi Lux are made in China so take a pass on that.
Vortex is overpriced for what it is, made in the Philippines same as Burris, and I'd say look at Burris over Vortex. They make a couple nice 1-4 scopes.
 
I am enjoying my Vortex immensely. Overpriced? Personally I think it's priced reasonably. It is definitely a decent scope and has very good glass. Is it comparable to my NF or S&B.. no but I would certainly take a Vortex over any Burris or Bushnell out there.
 
I like my viper, i first thought looking at the crosshairs that it was a little cluttered but after shooting it that wasnt a concern. When eye relief and focus is set I have no problems shooting both eyes open at 1x magnification.
 
Hilux are my go to scope, i have a one Vortex 1X4 but 6 Hilux... 4 CMR and 2 CMR-AK, they are make like tank even if they are made in China, i suspect when they get to Kali the QC is very thight... JP.
 
Boomer686 said:
I am enjoying my Vortex immensely. Overpriced? Personally I think it's priced reasonably. It is definitely a decent scope and has very good glass. Is it comparable to my NF or S&B.. no but I would certainly take a Vortex over any Burris or Bushnell out there.
Click to expand...
You have to at least compare apple's to apple's here. Burris, some Nikon, old Bushnell Legends are made in the Philippines, and retailed much less then the comparable vortex. The Burris Tac30 1-4 is about $350....how much is the vortex above?
The low end vortex are made in China and are definitely wayyy over priced. Viper are kind of mid range in price but made in Philippines which is decent, but not great quality no matter who puts their name on it.
The higher end vortex are made in japan and again way overpriced compared to the Bushnell competition also made their.
People can say they don't give a #### where a scope is made as long as it works. But where its made dictates the quality of the scope, there is no denying that. It also should dictate the price people should be willing to pay.
 
I've used both and each one has features I like.
Optically I'd give the Vortex a slight nod as its a proper 1x magnification on one power as apposed to the Hi-Lux's approximate 1.3x on its lowest setting. Additionally my Hi-Lux has a bit of fisheye distortion at the very edge of the FOV when set at its lowest setting. The Vortex also gets better marks for the brightness of its reticle illumination as it is a bit brighter plus it has a power off setting between its brightness settings. With the Hi-Lux you have to rotate the brightness dial around to off whenever your done where with the Vortex off is always one click away.
Both have useful reticules but for me the one in the Hi-Lux is better suited to variable range shooting. Where the Hi-Lux really shines for me is the turrets. The Hi-Lux turrets are much lower and the zero stop is much easier to set and without the use of shims. Because the turrets are taller on the Vortex I found I would have to be careful when pulling my rifle out of the case as the turrets were so much taller and the click-stops offered much less resistance to adjustment. Not a big deal as I would just check to make sure everything was zeroed before shooting but I'm not sure I could trust then when carried across my back well hiking through the bush.
Both are heavy when compared to a red dot but that's the price you pay for having old eyes and getting that extra magnification.
Just my (inflation adjusted and rounded up) 5cents.
 
Last edited:
Wolverine and Wanstalls carry the hi-lux scopes.
I just traded my 223 reticle CMR for the same one with an AK reticle to use on my 300 blackout.
For the price I don't think they can be beat. When I was shopping for a scope for my AR I looked at every scope I could find for $1000 or less and the CMR is the one I went with. Nothing else compared to the features like zero-stop, calibrated reticle, nice turrets, and the clarity is surprisingly good for a $400 scope.
I'm definitely not saying there is anything wrong with the vortex but unless you go with the high end line I wouldn't bother, and they are expensive.
 
Vortex is overpriced.
I went with Burris. Also made in the Philippines. I got 1-4x Tac30, with the PEPR Mount and a Fastfire III for LESS than the vortex. Same Qaulity
 
for the same price bracket ill throw in a couple options:
Leupold VX-R 1.25-4 - i have this scope and its amazing, glass is very clear, the one downfall is the red dot although advertised as daylight bright is very hard to see in the snow.
Burris makes a 1-4 with illuminated red dot, i tried the tac30 which is the cheaper one(vs mtac). the burris glass is nice but not as nice as the leupold (marginal) , but the red dot is far better, much brighter and bigger.

i was also looking at the vortex but due to availability at the time and not able to see it hands on i passed, now ive seen one i think for the money ide still go for the burris wit P.E.P.R mount and fastfire reflex sight/red dot. its about the same price as the vortex is by itself, more bang for the buck. (im using the P.E.P.R qd mount and it does return to 0 when removed and re installed.)
 
I have two of the CMR hilux 1-4x. I looked at the Vortex. Price was the main issue. Both have similar features. The only issue with the CMR is the so called eye box, or field of view at low settings. The glass looked very good (Just initial thoughts when looking, haven't done resolution tests or anything though, but looks like high end glass at first look) and I liked the reticle. I also added the quick change lever with mine. Poor man's Elcan with quick flip from 1x (approximate 1x) to 4x with the extended lever.

I used QR rings for my LMT mrp but it's just a tiny bit too low. It's useable but I want perfect height. I used a burris PEPR QR mount on my ADCOR. But... while I love that mount for larger scopes it's too big and heavy for this rifle/optic combo. Perfect height but a bit too big. I have a couple ADM scout mounts on the way. Should do the job nicely.

I looked at both the Vortex and the CMR. The vortex has a few advantages in key areas. The eyebox or field of view on the low setting being the biggest. I only looked at it in the store but optics looked good. At first glance though the CMR looks up there too. Both have nice etched glass illuminated reticles. The Votex has more eye relief but the CMR is ample for a 223 rifle. I'd go with the Vortex though for 308 as it has 4" of eye relief vs the 3" for the CMR.

CMR Hi-Lux 1-4:

Technical Information

Tube Diameter: 30mm
Adjustment Click Value: 1/2 MOA
Adjustment Type: Click
Exposed Turrets: Yes
Finger Adjustable Turrets: Yes
Turrets Resettable to Zero: Yes
Zero Stop: Yes
Turret Height: Medium
Fast Focus Eyepiece: Yes
Lens Coating: Fully multi-coated
Warranty: Limited lifetime warranty
Rings Included: No
Sunshade Included: No
Sunshade Length: No
Lens Covers Included: Yes
Power Variability: Variable
Min power: 1x
Max power: 4x
Reticle Construction: Glass-etched
Reticle: CMR Ballistic Reticle
Illuminated Reticle: Yes
Battery Type: CR2032
Holdover reticle: Yes
Reticle Focal Plane Location: 2nd
Parallax Adjustment: No
Finish: Matte
Water/Fogproof: Yes
Shockproof: Yes
Airgun Rated: No
Objective Bell Diameter: 30mm
Ocular Bell Diameter: 39.6
Eye Relief: 3"
Max Internal Adjustment: 70 moa but can't confirm.
Exit Pupil Diameter: 11.1-6mm
Weight: 16.5 oz

Field of View at 100 Yards:
94.8' @ 1x
26.2' @ 4x


Vortex PST 1-4 :

Objective Lens Diameter 24 mm
Eye Relief 4.0 inches
Field of View 98-27.5 feet/100 yards
Tube Size 30 mm
Turret Style Exposed Target-Style
CRS Zero Stop
Adjustment Graduation 1/2 MOA
Travel per Rotation 24 MOA
Max Elevation Adjustment 220 MOA
Max Windage Adjustment 220 MOA
Parallax Setting 100 yards
Length 9.7 inches
Weight 16.2 ounces

 
Last edited:
rivetc78 said:
Vortex is overpriced.
I went with Burris. Also made in the Philippines. I got 1-4x Tac30, with the PEPR Mount and a Fastfire III for LESS than the vortex. Same Qaulity
Click to expand...

I like Burris as well. There were a few options on the CMR though that I liked better. The turrets and the reticle being the main items. Also the quick change lever which was a $15 addition. The CMR was a bit shorter and I actually liked the illumination location a bit better. The glass looked like Burris glass on the CMR (ie 95% light transmission). Burris gives excellent value for the money and I use their Fullfield II scopes on other rifles. The XTR has the better field of view / eye box that is the one real weakness of the CMR.
 
Last edited:
Would not be shy to mount one of my CMR's on a brand new KAC SR-25 EC 16 inch, they maybe better out there, but the reticule of the CMR is just very compatible with my eyesight... JP.
 
Fish eye at low power is a result of low quality glass and improper grinding. They shouldn't even be on the shelf
 
Hitzy said:
Fish eye at low power is a result of low quality glass and improper grinding. They shouldn't even be on the shelf
Click to expand...

Not everyone wants to or can afford to spend $1000+ on a 1-4 scope, especially for a range only AR, the Hi-Lux CMR is a great scope for the money and fills big a gap in the market. I don't notice fish eye with mine.
If money was no object I would probably go with a Nightforce or Trijicon but I actually like the reticle on the CMR better than all the other options available. Yes there are better scopes out there but not for under $1000.
I prefer to spend the big dollars on my long range optics, for under 300yds it isn't as critical to have the best glass available.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom