Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Hunting Optics Opinions on Vortex Viper.

I guess the PST hasn't even came out yet.

Any opinions on the Vortex Viper 6.5-20x50?

Thank you in advance for your help.

Do you really need the 50mm?

I have a 6.5-20 44mm, and for the life of me can't see as why I would need the 50mm bell on there.... maybe that's just me.

Great glass for the money spent.

froggy, it ain't just you....

I have a 4-12x40, it's great. Super sharp and no complaints. Tracks equally well also.

Brett (Mac)

Got one of those as well, on my coyote gun = Savage 10 Max1 22-250. Nice stuff.

Also have the Viper 2-7x. Compares very well (if not better than) my Leup 15yr old Vari-X III, and on the heels of my VX-3.

I took full advantage of Doug's Viper close out sale!

BlackFrog, Have you compared the 44mm to the 50mm? Is the light transmission just that good on the 44 that you don't think the 50mm would step it enough?

Brett00mac, Thank you for your input, I haven't really heard anything bad about Vortex.

Side by side, never compared the two...... that said, I haven't seen any conditions for shooting where it would warrant a 50mm vs a 44mm (regardless of make and model). And the downside being the higher mounting height you would need for such a big bell out there, making for a less secure cheek weld and poorer eye-to-scope alignement. Especially if you have a bull-barrel type of contour that runs straight out from the reciever. That doesn't allow any lowering of the scope mounting height for the bell to clear.

I don't hunt hogs at night (not that a 50mm would be a hog scope), but I just don't see where having a 50mm is *needed*. Now if you run into a killer deal where the 50mm is way cheaper than other models and sort of fits your intended purpose- that I can understand. I've "budgeted" plenty of equipment into certain usage. But if the price is comparable, and my money is being spent (which it was btw) I'll go for the 44mm bell (plenty) and have lower mount height, more compact and portable package every time.

Just my opinion....

Here ya go, I snapped a pic comparing all three that I have together.

On the gun is the Viper 4-12x 40mm.

Above that is the 6.5-20x 44mm (30mm tube), and then on top is the 2-7x 32mm. All fine glass, and with Doug's blowout prices on them I think it is about the best optics 'bang fer yer buck' I've seen in quite a while.

Thanks Doug!

The 50mm is 1/4" bigger in diameter, and would require an additional 1/8" mounting height...it's not a deal breaker either way.

TC

Here's mine. I previously had a Leupold VX-I on this rifle and it stomps that scope into the ground. I don't have anything higher quality to compare it to.

When I first put my scope on this guy the power was on 4x and it was so clear and sharp that I thought it was 12x. I shot this guy at 185yds on Sunday.


Brett (Mac)

I've got the 50mm on a long range rifle and the 44 on a medium range target rifle. Both are excellent for their class of scope. Mil Dot on the 50 and BDC on the 44. Both are mounted with medium rings so height is not an issue. Both are clear, track right on and as I said for their class of scope they are top of the heap in my opinion. Weight between the two is about 6 OZ, length is equal all in all, get what you want and be happy with it.

I asked an optics professional about the effect the 50 objective would have on mirage and he said it has the potential depending on the rest of the scope to slightly reduce the effect of the mirage and let you read it better. Might be something to think about although honestly, I've not noticed the difference.

I bought 3 from Doug, Wish I had bought more. Outstanding scopes!!

I have a 4x12-40 , 6.5x20-44 and a 3.5x10-50 and in lowlight the 50 really stands out, I just wish it was a sf model.

I thought PST came out several months ago.

Yes, they did a few dozen or so, some had canted reticles (designed by out of work Leupold engineers, maybe), way too easy rotating turrets, and somewhat insipid tracking.

Back to the Filipino drawing board they went. I'm sure Vortex will get them right this time.......

Bob

Thank you all for your help. I have on Vortex scope but it is the Diamondback series. The Vipers really have my attention though.

Don't know much about the 'higher power' Viper scopes, but I have the Vortex Viper 2x7/32 mounted on a couple of my rifles.. (Shown below)

I've used a lot of different scopes over the years and the Viper 2x7/32 rates right up there with the best of them. Good tracking and excellent clear optics.

I am with you. They are a great combination of perfect form factor, very good glass and good mechanicals. I ended up buying 3 of them. I also have Kahles, Zeiss Conquests, and others, but more often than not I go for the little Viper. It just feels right.

I just got one of the 4-12 by 40 vipers. The scope is slightly heavier than I would like and I think that the field of view is slightly smaller than other 4-12 scopes that I have tried.

That said the scope is really clear.

They are a decent quality, overpriced trade named import scope. Similar in quality to most imports in the same range. Shop around alot of them are being sold out for 1/2 price. That should give some indication of them being extremely over priced. Don't expect a great resale value down the road. But if you are looking for a decent scope they will due. But don't look for any in my safe. I always consider resale value when I purchase a firearm or scope, and I see no good resale future for those scopes. Just an opinion, you asked. Tom.