VORTEX VIPER RIFLESCOPE 6.5 – 20 x 44 PA
Having received a Vortex Viper 6.5-20 x 44 PA riflescope in the mail yesterday for review from Antony Goyen at Vortex Australia. I could not help but do a quick comparison with my Leupold Vari X-III 6.5-20 x 40, even before mounting them up and commencing range and field testing.
I opened the Vortex box to find a scope which appeared solidly constructed and well finished, also included was a Vortex labeled cloth and solid scope covers. A lifetime warranty card, which does no more than explain that the item is covered for life regardless of number of owners, and does not need to be filled in or returned was also included as was a set of instructions for use.
The Vortex Viper 6.5-20 x 44 PA as received
A quick inspection revealed that the Viper scope was of similar length to my VX-III despite having a larger tube and front objective lens than the VX III. The overall weight difference is only 4 ounces which is not relevant to anyone but Benchrest shooters who must find the 4 ounces somewhere else in their rifle.
The Vortex Viper and Leupold VX III side by side, the Viper is slightly larger due to its 30mm tube
Further investigations found that the Vortex scope adjustments are finger adjustments on tall target style turrets making them very easy to use. I found the elevation and windage adjustments to be very positive with clear audible clicks. They are able to be reset to the zero point after sight-in, this allows for easy return to your chosen zero point should you make adjustment in the field.
The side focus adjusts from 50 yards to infinity and is smooth and easy to operate, allowing for fast focusing from the firing position. This is a marked advantage over scopes with the adjustable objective on the front bell in my opinion.
The Vortex Viper 6.5 – 20 PA adjustments are positive and easy to use
The magnification adjustments on the Viper are controlled by a knurled ring with a very positive thumb bar (see below) which I found very easy to locate and use without having to search for it from behind the scope. Its movement is smooth and easy making adjustment a breeze.
Vortex Viper and VX III magnification adjustments the Viper having a large thumb grip
Having a quick look through the Viper showed a clear sharp image with a good field of view. The Fine plex crosshairs are thicker than those on the Leupold III, but are easy to see and will not be lost in the background as some of the very fine crosshairs can be. Field and range testing will show whether they are too thick, although I feel confident they will be excellent for hunting and spotlighting, target shooting might be beyond the crosshairs but as I say we will see.
The Viper also has a second focal plane reticle which is particularly beneficial with a reasonably thick crosshair. The second focal plane reticle is an advantage in a variable scope in my opinion. If the reticle is located in the first focal plane, the reticle size will change according to magnification setting. As the Viper has the reticle located in the second focal plane it will remain constant and not change regardless of the magnification setting.
The clarity of picture at low light was excellent and was clearly superior to the VX III. That said the Viper has a 30mm tube and 44mm objective giving it an advantage in light gathering ability during those low light periods of dawn and dusk. Further checks during the day showed very little discernible difference between the Vortex Viper and the Leupold VX III.
If there is a winner, I cannot at this early stage say which scope it is. Any advantage would be only a slight one. As such I will not make a call as yet as to which I think is better, until the scopes have been mounted and compared on steady rests. The Lifetime transferable warranty applies equally to both scopes so there is no advantage there to aid in splitting them.
The only area in which I feel either scope has an advantage is in price. The Leupold VX-III 6.5-20 x 40 retails for anywhere between $1000 – $1100 in Australia depending on where you get your price whilst the Vortex Viper in 6.5-20 x 44 will sell for about $790. imilar Weaver and Sightron scopes also retail in the $950 - $1100 market depending on model.
A quick check of specifications revealed little difference between the Vortex and the Leupold VX-III AO (current model)
Further information on Vortex Optics may be obtained from the Vortex Australia website opening on the 1st July 2007
http://www.vortexoptics.com.au
