Got my rifle sighted in today and spent a little time on a Hog Stand this evening. Was wanting to 'snipe' a few Raccoon's that have been raiding my feeder. Can't live trap them anymore (they are wise to that). They have learned to jump up onto the feeder legs to avoid the 'leg hold' traps I have set, so 'sniping' them (until they get the message) is about all I can do.

Anyway, got to semi-evaluate the Vortex (Viper PST 2.5 x 10 x 44mm illuminated).

This afternoon while sighting it in...I was able to take a good look at the glass. As previously stated...it is just 'OK'. Certainly serviceable, but nothing to write home to Mom about. This evening I had several hours to spend looking through it from dusk until way after dark (under LED lights).

Here are what I think the strong points are:

1. Feels well built, rugged construction
2. All of the adjustments (Elevation, Windage, Magnification Ring, Rheostat, Eye Piece Focus) are very positive. You can feel the quality there.
3. The etched glass reticle is very nicely done, very precise and crisp looking.
4. The reticle remains sharp at every setting of the rheostat (illuminated).

Some things that could be better:

1. The glass is just 'so-so'. For the life of me...I cannot understand all the 'hoopla' you read about in reviews, except those folks must not have looked through optics with truly 'good' glass before.
2. The eye relief is OK, but the scope seems very sensitive to eye placement/cheek weld... or you will quickly experience shadowing around the edges. This is particularly true at night when there is less light.

I don't want to be overly critical of the Sight...since at this price point ($600.00 range) it's an 'alright' optic...but IMO no particular bargain. If it were a $400.00 Scope...yes, it would be offering a lot for the money.

I am left thinking that because of the VIP warranty Vortex offers, they are basically including the price (their cost) of a replacement scope...in the retail price, instead of offering a limited warranty and putting that money into the Optic. Good marketing strategy...(most folks will never break one), but they could offer an even better scope..if they wanted to.

One feature I would like to see on their illuminated models would be a choice between Red and Green Reticles. This evening under the Red hog lights, the red reticle had a tendency to 'wash out' my target, even on the lowest setting. Green would have showed up nicely. I have a scope with the ability to choose either color and it has proven a useful feature.

I will probably keep this scope...but it doesn't really thrill me.

Would like to hear from others about their Vortex products. I know there are MANY satisfied users out there. The more we contribute here...the easier it will be for someone else to make a choice.

Thanks,

Flint.

I've actually found the more money you have, the more you care about resale.

Its still perplexing to me, just like the guy who frets over purchases and spends $5 to save a nickel.

)

I disagree when it comes to guns. I could not care about the resale when I choose to buy a firearm or related accessory, this is probably because I have only sold 2 guns in my life, I am gun buyer.

If you were really being intellectually honest with yourself you would be doing a ROIC or similar metrics around part worth utility on every purchase. Resale? Meh...

I'm with flint knapper on the illuminated reticle. Even at the lowest level it's still too bright to suit me.

As for the scope and value, I have the PST 4-16 FFP. If all the specs, including weight, are considered, what other company offers this much quality for a lower price than this?

I'm with flint knapper on the illuminated reticle. Even at the lowest level it's still too bright to suit me.

As for the scope and value, I have the PST 4-16 FFP. If all the specs, including weight, are considered, what other company offers this much quality for a lower price than this?

For the life of me, I've never gotten the need for IR & I do a lot of low light, out of the reach of qbeam hog shooting.

Newest fad. More than useless for most hunting. Irony is most of them are at the peak of their uselessness in low-light situations.

The VXR turns down very low and is a tiny dot. It is great for nighttime pig hunting. I have found no other time when I turn it on. My wife uses hers in full daylight. She feels it helps her. I know she don't miss.

The reticle would not present a problem for me if I could turn it down just a bit more. Also, on larger game (hogs, coyotes, etc) it would not matter. But in this case...I have it on a .17 HMR for the purpose of 'sniping' some raccoons at a distance of about 100 yds.

The reticle being in the second focal plane..is a good thing, since it doesn't 'grow' along with the magnification, but the subtensions (hash marks) are close enough together that it has the effect of 'washing out' your target. What is actually taking place..is that your eye is 'competing' for the focal attention.

I knew it might be a problem...before purchasing the Optic. It does not render the Scope 'unusable' for me, it is somewhat a hindrance when very 'fine' shot placement is required in low light conditions.

I have a scope (with excellent glass) that has a German # 4 reticle, that is pretty much ideal for what I do. The pic below is at 4 power (through a scant 24mm objective) looking at a distance of about 90 yards.



It is much superior to the Vortex. I will take some photos of the Vortex, next time I am out.

Again, the Vortex is 'Serviceable', but there is certainly room for improvement. I hope this does not come across as a wholly disparaging report of it.

Flint.

Am I missing something? What's the point of editing the colors in the pic?

Oversaturation of everything else in the pic.