Vortex Rifle Scopes

hhunter318 · June 15, 2011, 09:14 PM

Has anyone had any experience with these relatively new high-scopes? I read an article with one guy stating that after shooting with one and admiring the clarity and quality of the scope that he sold, not only his Leupold Mark 4 L/RT, but his NIGHTFORCES to buy another Vortex!! If the quality is that of a Nightforce for this price, then they must be something worth talking about.

NWdude83 · June 15, 2011, 10:19 PM

From all that I've read, heard, and seen for myself I was sold. I went and bought a Viper 2-7x32 for my AR. Have yet to shoot with it yet, but will post a mini-review once I do.

Poodleshooter · June 16, 2011, 11:37 AM

Yes. I own a Vortex Viper 6.5-20x-44mm, have a 3-9x 40mm Viper on order (clearance pricing!), and have handled a few examples of the low end Crossfire series. No hands on experience with the low-middle end Diamondback or the top end Razor series though. The Diamondbacks turrets appear to me to be very similar to the Nikon Buckmaster turrets. They're likely approximate in quality. Reviews online have listed them favorably against the Redfields, Elite 3200s and Burris Fullfield IIs at similar price points.
The Crossfires are bright and have great glass that is clear edge to edge, but their internals are suspect according to most reviews I've seen online. I've seen (relatively) a lot of failure reports. The examples I've handled were nice,but were also very new. I'm not sure I'd recommend a Crossfire.

On to Vipers:

Plusses: Glass on my Viper is extremely clear (fully multicoated with ED lenses), comparable to my dad's Bushnell 4200 and to my eyes slightly preferable to the Nikon Monarch 5-20x that I compared before buying the Viper. It's bright and clear out to the edges. There's also less tunnel vision than I get with Nikon scopes. Resolution is good enough to sometimes see .223 bullet holes at 300yds at 20x if the light conditions are extremely favorable.
The adjustments are very consistent. I can dial elevation from 100-300yds with no apparent loss of zero. I really like their resettable turret system and the click feel of the mechanism. Their side focus is pretty good, though it doesn't match up perfectly with range. The fast focus is handy, and the power ring arrangement is very easy to see while shooting prone.

Downsides: they don't have as forgiving of an eye box as the Monarch or a big eyebox scope such as most Leupolds. Eye relief is shortened to add more FOV, but is quite adequate for a .223 or .308.
Weight is also very high on my 30mm tube model, and it's still pretty high on the 1" model that I have coming to me. These are very sturdy scopes.

All in all, the compromises that Vortex took are more in the opposite direction from Leupold. If you like a lightweight scope with a big eyebox and long eye relief, then the Vortex Viper might not be your best bet. If resolution and very good turrets are what you're looking for, then the Viper might fit the bill.

ronl · June 16, 2011, 05:34 PM

I have two and am considering another. Both scopes I own are very well done.

DaveN3BUO · June 19, 2011, 03:25 PM

Vortex has been in Business since 1994. They are a manufacture of mid-priced to high priced, high quality Rifle Scopes and binoculars. The VIP warranty is similar to Leupolds. Their new Viper PST line is getting great press from the Tactical people. The Razor Riflescopes and Spotting scopes are becoming the choice of snipers.

June 15, 2011, 09:14 PM	#1
hhunter318 Senior Member Join Date: September 15, 2010 Posts: 163	Vortex Rifle Scopes Has anyone had any experience with these relatively new high-scopes? I read an article with one guy stating that after shooting with one and admiring the clarity and quality of the scope that he sold, not only his Leupold Mark 4 L/RT, but his NIGHTFORCES to buy another Vortex!! If the quality is that of a Nightforce for this price, then they must be something worth talking about.

June 15, 2011, 10:19 PM	#2
NWdude83 Senior Member Join Date: March 20, 2008 Location: Tacoma, WA Posts: 351	From all that I've read, heard, and seen for myself I was sold. I went and bought a Viper 2-7x32 for my AR. Have yet to shoot with it yet, but will post a mini-review once I do.

June 16, 2011, 11:37 AM	#3
Poodleshooter Senior Member Join Date: August 7, 2000 Location: Floating down the James River in VA Posts: 2,599	Yes. I own a Vortex Viper 6.5-20x-44mm, have a 3-9x 40mm Viper on order (clearance pricing!), and have handled a few examples of the low end Crossfire series. No hands on experience with the low-middle end Diamondback or the top end Razor series though. The Diamondbacks turrets appear to me to be very similar to the Nikon Buckmaster turrets. They're likely approximate in quality. Reviews online have listed them favorably against the Redfields, Elite 3200s and Burris Fullfield IIs at similar price points. The Crossfires are bright and have great glass that is clear edge to edge, but their internals are suspect according to most reviews I've seen online. I've seen (relatively) a lot of failure reports. The examples I've handled were nice,but were also very new. I'm not sure I'd recommend a Crossfire. On to Vipers: Plusses: Glass on my Viper is extremely clear (fully multicoated with ED lenses), comparable to my dad's Bushnell 4200 and to my eyes slightly preferable to the Nikon Monarch 5-20x that I compared before buying the Viper. It's bright and clear out to the edges. There's also less tunnel vision than I get with Nikon scopes. Resolution is good enough to sometimes see .223 bullet holes at 300yds at 20x if the light conditions are extremely favorable. The adjustments are very consistent. I can dial elevation from 100-300yds with no apparent loss of zero. I really like their resettable turret system and the click feel of the mechanism. Their side focus is pretty good, though it doesn't match up perfectly with range. The fast focus is handy, and the power ring arrangement is very easy to see while shooting prone. Downsides: they don't have as forgiving of an eye box as the Monarch or a big eyebox scope such as most Leupolds. Eye relief is shortened to add more FOV, but is quite adequate for a .223 or .308. Weight is also very high on my 30mm tube model, and it's still pretty high on the 1" model that I have coming to me. These are very sturdy scopes. All in all, the compromises that Vortex took are more in the opposite direction from Leupold. If you like a lightweight scope with a big eyebox and long eye relief, then the Vortex Viper might not be your best bet. If resolution and very good turrets are what you're looking for, then the Viper might fit the bill.

June 16, 2011, 05:34 PM	#4
ronl Senior Member Join Date: December 2, 2007 Posts: 1,100	I have two and am considering another. Both scopes I own are very well done.

June 19, 2011, 03:25 PM	#5
DaveN3BUO Junior Member Join Date: June 19, 2011 Location: Mansfield, TX Posts: 1	Vortex has been in Business since 1994. They are a manufacture of mid-priced to high priced, high quality Rifle Scopes and binoculars. The VIP warranty is similar to Leupolds. Their new Viper PST line is getting great press from the Tactical people. The Razor Riflescopes and Spotting scopes are becoming the choice of snipers.