New Vortex Viper HD FFP

[LRHFox]

I like what I’m seeing from Vortex on the new Viper HD scopes.

However I feel like they missed on not making the 3x15x44 in a FFP.

Any rumblings on whether there is a plan for a FFP version in the reduced magnification?

 

[racerman56]

They seem to add more as time goes. I expect to see them.

 

[Kurts86]

It has always seemed to me that Vortex always raced UP in magnification and not down. My favorite vortex scope was the Razor LH 1.5-8x32 and they killed that off. It’s possible but I don’t seem them doing it.

 

[LRHFox]

I like the premise of the new scopes. I just feel the 5-25 is a bit too big for most of my uses.

I’ve really gravitated to the 2-18 range.

Be it I’ve kinda told myself to buy FFP only.


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[Beetroot]

I like what I’m seeing from Vortex on the new Viper HD scopes.

However I feel like they missed on not making the 3x15x44 in a FFP.

Any rumblings on whether there is a plan for a FFP version in the reduced magnification?

Doesn't sound like it, if they thought there was a market for it they would've done that model now.

People have been asking for an FFP 3-15 LHT ever since that was launched, but I'm guessing it's a very small number otherwise an FFP version of this 3-15 would've been a nice alternative.

 

[LRHFox]

Doesn't sound like it, if they thought there was a market for it they would've done that model now.

People have been asking for an FFP 3-15 LHT ever since that was launched, but I'm guessing it's a very small number otherwise an FFP version of this 3-15 would've been a nice alternative.

Well I might just bite the bullet and go SFP.

The deal they are running right now on optics planet puts them right at $500. Which is pretty ridiculous.


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[Dualsight]

Well I might just bite the bullet and go SFP.

The deal they are running right now on optics planet puts them right at $500. Which is pretty ridiculous.


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At Optics Planet I see the $85 off for purchases over $550 through Memorial Day weekend, and the 10% off when subscribing to their email list. Is there something else that brings the total cost down to $500? The 3-15x44mm is listed at $699.99.

Cabela's has an online only 15% off going on right now and they are offering either the MOA or BDC reticle in the 3-15x44mm. Looks like Optics Planet only has the BDC reticle option for this scope.

I ended up going through Cabela's with the 15% off online purchase and shipping is free. They have a 60 day return policy, and there is a Cabela's store near me so it will save a return shipping cost if a return is in order.

 

[LRHFox]

At Optics Planet I see the $85 off for purchases over $550 through Memorial Day weekend, and the 10% off when subscribing to their email list. Is there something else that brings the total cost down to $500? The 3-15x44mm is listed at $699.99.

Cabela's has an online only 15% off going on right now and they are offering either the MOA or BDC reticle in the 3-15x44mm. Looks like Optics Planet only has the BDC reticle option for this scope.

I ended up going through Cabela's with the 15% off online purchase and shipping is free. They have a 60 day return policy, and there is a Cabela's store near me so it will save a return shipping cost if a return is in order.

I’ve been really impressed with my viper HD. Super impressive optic for the price.


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[ranger2131]

I’ve been really impressed with my viper HD. Super impressive optic for the price.


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Which model do you have?

 

[ranger2131]

And what else does it compare to glass-wise that you've used?

 

[ranger2131]

I ask because I am really interested in something pst gen 2-ish for one rifle I have. There are a lot of options in that space and the competition seems to keep prices reasonable there. I'm not opposed to any of them really, though obviously the less weight the better for a scope I'd hunt with. And I'm a bit shy of the mped just because of negative stories about Bushnell warranty, although many people say it's slightly better than the pst gen 2.

I've heard several people say the new Viper HD is noticeably better glass than the gen 2. If true that sounds pretty good to me. Many folks like the strike eagle but I prefer the glass on the gen 2, as it has less CA to my eyes than strike eagle.

I've also noticed slightly more CA on the razor LHT when looking thru them (limited sample size), but its not terribly bad and I otherwise like the LHT. I think maybe the shorter length scopes just struggle with it more, and I guess I'm just a little more sensitive to it than some people. Plus I'm in the camp who'd prefer an FFP version of the 3-15 LHT that they don't make, and for that money I sorta want what I want, you know? It'd be easier for me to "settle" for SFP on the Viper HD since it's less $$$. Anyhow to me the LHT is better glass than the gen 2 in terms of clarity/resolution at distance, and I could put up with noticing slightly more CA in it as its not terribly bad and the trade-off in size and weight would be worth it for hunting. I'm just not sold on it as my best option for the $$$.

Anyone with a Viper HD who has used some of these other scopes can comment on how it compares to scopes such as the pst gen 2, mped, razor LHT, Ares etr, vx3, vx5, mk4hd, optika 6, SHV, etc?

Most specifically the glass, but all info is appreciated.

 

[LRHFox]

I have a PST gen II, I need to compare glass to give you an apples to apples comparison. Honestly, glass is so subjective, why my eyes tell me for you could be totally different.

The Viper HD seems to have all the features for the LHT with half the cost. To me I can’t imagine a situation where if you are hunting the glass is what inhibits your ability to make a shot.

Between the PST gen II and the Viper HD, ones more set up for target and does really well there, the other is more hunting. At that point it’s whether FFP and SFP really matter. I tried to switch to all FFP, but went with the SFP Viper, honestly, if you are within 600yds and understand you holdovers. SFP does great.


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[ranger2131]

I have a PST gen II, I need to compare glass to give you an apples to apples comparison. Honestly, glass is so subjective, why my eyes tell me for you could be totally different.

The Viper HD seems to have all the features for the LHT with half the cost. To me I can’t imagine a situation where if you are hunting the glass is what inhibits your ability to make a shot.

Between the PST gen II and the Viper HD, ones more set up for target and does really well there, the other is more hunting. At that point it’s whether FFP and SFP really matter. I tried to switch to all FFP, but went with the SFP Viper, honestly, if you are within 600yds and understand you holdovers. SFP does great.


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I prefer FFP. I'll mostly dial elevation when hunting, but still prefer the ability to take a quick shot with accurate holds without dialing or having to think about what power I'm on. It does make illumination almost mandatory especially with higher mag ranges. That's why I'd kinda like a 3-15 instead of 5-25, just wish they made it in FFP.

I have no issues with an SFP for hunting out to about 400, or roughly the point where you can just hold at the top of the back. But in that scenario I'd rather just use a 2x8 or 3x9 leupold and save a ton of weight. I don't see much reason for anything other than a simple duplex for that. If I'm gonna have mil holds in the reticle I'd rather have FFP. Again, just my preference and everyone is different.

 

[ranger2131]

The pst gen 2 glass has always played well with my eyes. It's not as good as my gen 2 razor, but it works and the razor is way too heavy for my intended hunting use.

I agree about the general use case b/w the pst gen 2 and the viper HD, but this scope would be a sort of a 'tweener for me like the old bushnell lrhs. I think the viper HD in FFP looks promising in that crossover role. Just wish it were 3-15.

To sum up my likes/dislikes, I much prefer the illumination dial of the pst gen 2 to the push button of the razor LHT and viper HD. The gen 2 glass is good enough for me for hunting, but if the HD is better as most people seem to say that's definitely a plus. I think I'll prefer (admittedly I haven't used one yet) the vmr-4 reticle to the ebr7c, which is more cluttered than I like for hunting. I really like the looks of the vmr-4, which appears similar to the reticle in the razor LHT (xlr-2 i think?) which I also really like.

I agree totally about it being an "almost LHT" for a lot less cash. Basically, if the viper HD has better glass that's closer to the LHT then it checks a lot of boxes for me at a weight that slots right b/w the pst gen 2 and the LHT. I can live with slightly more weight than LHT for the price difference. And I can live with push button illumination for the slightly less weight, better glass and better (to me) reticle compared to the pst gen 2.

 

[ranger2131]

As I said I'd really prefer a 3-15 FFP but that doesn't seem to be happening anytime soon. I'd probably have already bought the 5-25 except I kinda want to wait and see what what a forthcoming pst gen 3 looks like.

In terms of glass quality I agree none of these would make someone miss an animal. But I do think the better glass makes me less likely to miss an accurate ID in classifying an animal, which is one of the nice things about having a high mag scope if I'm only carrying binocs for glassing.

Comparing some of the scopes I mentioned earlier, in my eyes, the Ares ETR is slightly better glass than the pst gen 2 (which itself is better than the strike eagle) but not as good as the razor LHT (except for controlling CA). None of the scopes I mentioned originally are equal to the razor gen 2, except for the mk4hd which is similar.

If the viper HD is on par with the Ares ETR then I'd be really happy with it. Unfortunately I've only looked through an HD in a Cabelas so far. Sort of worthless except for checking CA in a dark-ish environment, and to a slight degree checking fov and dof on the farthest sight lines available. The Viper HD looked fine, but that's nothing like looking thru one in the field at farther distances. I just haven't had the chance yet.

 

[Dualsight]

As I said I'd really prefer a 3-15 FFP but that doesn't seem to be happening anytime soon. I'd probably have already bought the 5-25 except I kinda want to wait and see what what a forthcoming pst gen 3 looks like.

In terms of glass quality I agree none of these would make someone miss an animal. But I do think the better glass makes me less likely to miss an accurate ID in classifying an animal, which is one of the nice things about having a high mag scope if I'm only carrying binocs for glassing.

Comparing some of the scopes I mentioned earlier, in my eyes, the Ares ETR is slightly better glass than the pst gen 2 (which itself is better than the strike eagle) but not as good as the razor LHT (except for controlling CA). None of the scopes I mentioned originally are equal to the razor gen 2, except for the mk4hd which is similar.

If the viper HD is on par with the Ares ETR then I'd be really happy with it. Unfortunately I've only looked through an HD in a Cabelas so far. Sort of worthless except for checking CA in a dark-ish environment, and to a slight degree checking fov and dof on the farthest sight lines available. The Viper HD looked fine, but that's nothing like looking thru one in the field at farther distances. I just haven't had the chance yet.

Sounds like you have a Cabela's nearby you. If that is the case the scope can be purchased online from Cabela's at a lower price. A person has 60 days to evaluate the scope and if not satisfied can return it, mailed or drop it off in person at the Cabela's store to save shipping costs, for a full refund; just don't mount it.

I did that. It really gave me plenty of time to look through it at all times of the day and in varying degrees of cloud conditions. It also gave me the opportunity to compare the Viper HD to other scopes I have (Tract Toric UHD 3-15x42 and a Burris Signature HD 3-15x44, both SFP, my preference). The FOV on the Viper is considerably bigger than the other two. I thought the colors are more vibrant on my Tract Toric UHD scope than the Viper HD, but the sharpness is equal in both. I like the Burris HD scope, but it is not equal to the Viper HD; the Viper HD is notably better.

In my opinion, for the money, the Vortex Viper HD is well worth the value it provides. With the constant improvements in optics, in a 20-year cycle I would rather spend $600 every 5 years than $3000 once. That is why I am not a fan of the saying "buy once cry once". If this was the case, would there really be over 800 pages of high-quality optics for sale on ROKSLIDE?

 

[ranger2131]

Thanks for the reply. Unfortunately for me I haven't used either of those scopes, but nice to hear it compares very favorably. I've heard a lot of good stuff about Tract.

Another scope that's in a similar price range (as the FFP version) is the Burris xtr3. So that's one I'm definitely cross shopping. Curious how it compares with that one, along with an Athlon ares etr and meopta optima 6 (and even a Bushnell MPED, although I assume the viper HD glass is better if it's truly better than a pst gen 2)

 

[ranger2131]

** optika not optima

Stupid autocorrect. I don't see an option anywhere to edit my post. I've lurked for years but am new to posting here, is that not a feature of this forum? Or maybe it opens up after x number of posts?

 

[ranger2131]

I'll look into Cabela's thing you mentioned too. Though if there wasn't something wrong with it I'd feel bad about returning an opened item, unmounted or not. Not unless it was horribly below expectations for the $$

 

[Dualsight]

I'll look into Cabela's thing you mentioned too. Though if there wasn't something wrong with it I'd feel bad about returning an opened item, unmounted or not. Not unless it was horribly below expectations for the $$

When I went to Cabela's to look at the Viper HD and asked about the return policy, the person behind the counter said to ask the people at the service desk. The service desk people were the ones who advised me to buy online then explained the generous timeline for returns. They assured me there are no hassles with returns. It's their policy, you shouldn't feel bad if wanting to return it.

If this makes a difference regarding glass: All Burris glass comes from their sister company Steiner Optics according to the optics engineer I contacted; from what is found online, the new 2024 Vortex Viper HD (made in the Philippines), the glass is made in Japan.

I'm the type of person that worries to death every purchase decision, so an Excel spreadsheet is made up to compare and contrast everything about the product in question. Notes are also put in my spreadsheets to remind myself features I really like and don't want to stray from. If FFP riflescopes is important to me, that is noted, if I started looking at SFP scopes my notes tell me, "Bad dog, stop looking at those".

The OP, LRHFox, said the same thing about wanting to stick with FFP, but sounds like the Viper worked out anyway. You are the only one who can answer how important FFP is.