Vortex Viper PST 1-6 - AR15

[blackd24]

Looking for some advice. It’s on sale at cabelas and I can get it for $486. Thinking this is a good price.

I plan to build a sort of Goldilocks rifle - somewhere in between a precision and 1x. I’d like to use more premium parts. Would this scope fit the bill for a do it all rifle?

 

[TonyAngel]

Yes, it's a good scope. Not for precision though. I mean, it's a 6X. It'll do a good job of banging steel.

 

[blackd24]

Would you significantly better than the strike eagle 1-8?

 

[TonyAngel]

Yes, I think it's better than the strike eagle.

 

[TonyAngel]

If you're interested in getting into a 2-10x, I have a Gen 2 Vortex PST that I'm gonna be selling. Lemme know if you're interested.

 

[HKGuns]

I own one and its a good solid scope, but it pales in comparison to the Burris RT-6 in a side by side comparison.

The glass and eye releif of the Burris is hands down better than the Vortex. You can pick up the RT-6 at EuroOptic for only $315.99 today.

Trust me, you'll thank me for saving you nearly $200. Cabelas should have the Burris as well if you are using points.

 

[TonyAngel]

I own one and its a good solid scope, but it pales in comparison to the Burris RT-6 in a side by side comparison.

The glass and eye releif of the Burris is hands down better than the Vortex. You can pick up the RT-6 at EuroOptic for only $315.99 today.

Trust me, you'll thank me for saving you nearly $200. Cabelas should have the Burris as well if you are using points.

Which Vortex is it that you think the RT6 beats out? If you're referring to the Strike Eagle, I'd have to agree. If you're referring to the PST, I would have to differ. I was directly comparing the RT6 to the PST two days ago and choosing the PST was an easy choice.

 

[HKGuns]

Which Vortex is it that you think the RT6 beats out? If you're referring to the Strike Eagle, I'd have to agree. If you're referring to the PST, I would have to differ. I was directly comparing the RT6 to the PST two days ago and choosing the PST was an easy choice.

I wouldn't own a strike eagle. I own four RT6's and the glass on all of them is noticably clearer and brighter than the PST. The eye releif at 6x is more forgiving as well. Its really not even close in the examples I own.

ETA: I went down to look at the boxes after thinking about it a bit, I have three PST's. All are 1-4 and not 1-6. I'd have sworn I had at least one 1-6, but was mistaken, all three are 1-4x.

So it is possible the 1-6X is far better than the 1-4X. I'd still buy the Burris for the money however.

 

[LiveLife]

plan to build a sort of Goldilocks rifle - somewhere in between a precision and 1x ... do it all rifle?

Sounds like a DMR to me.

How about Burris Fullfield E1 4.5-14x42mm? https://www.burrisoptics.com/riflescopes/fullfield-e1-riflescope-45-14x42mm

The Fullfield E1 4.5-14x42mm is a great option for those looking for a little more magnification over the 3-9x, but still looking for a wide field-of-view. Perfect for the hunter looking to extend shots such as hunting a field edge, or being extra precise when the moment of the shot presents itself.​

​

On sale for $154 with free shipping - https://www.ebay.com/itm/275444514320

 

[IALoder]

Would you significantly better than the strike eagle 1-8?

Absolutely, the 1-6 PST is a much better optic than the strike eagle! $486 is a good price, and it's definitely worth it.

 

[Peakbagger46]

I had a Viper 1-6 on my personal rifle for a while. I had to send it back twice to vortex for focus issues before they fixed it. Ended up loosing faith in its durability and went with something else.

That being said when it worked it was a really nice scope with daylight bright dot, forgiving eye box, decent glass, and good reticle. Kind of big and heavy but not terrible.

We run the Strike Eagle 1-8 at work. The Viper is a big step up (assuming yours proves reliable).

I personally went with a Nightforce NX8 and really like/trust it but it was obviously not cheap.

A Goldilocks rifle optic should start at 1X for optimal close range function. 6X at the top end should be plenty for a 0-400y rifle.

 

[IndianaBoy]

Would you significantly better than the strike eagle 1-8?

It is significantly better than the Strike Eagle 1-8. In fact, the Strike Eagle 1-6 is better than the Strike Eagle 1-8.

There are optical compromises made to get a wider magnification range, that can be mitigated somewhat by engineering, design or using better lenses. The 1-8 strike eagle was made to offer more magnification at a given price point, but IMHO the compromises of clarity, depth of field, field of view and exit pupil are not worth the extra money. A PST2 1-6 for under $500 is a great deal on an excellent optic.

 

[blackd24]

delete

 

[gotboostvr]

It is significantly better than the Strike Eagle 1-8. In fact, the Strike Eagle 1-6 is better than the Strike Eagle 1-8.

I'll agree with this 100%

The 1-8x was unusable over 6x as it had extreme fish bowling and a noticeably tighter eye box.

The 1-6x was rough, but not nearly as bad.

I sold my 1-6x SE off and picked up a PA micro 3x prism and am much happier.

 

[mavracer]

I'll echo others on the 1-8X Strike Eagle it's barely useable above 5-6X.
I have a US Optics TS8X that I really like the glass is much better than the Strike Eagle was, Eurooptics had them for $400, I love that they're FFP so mil=mil at any power and at 1X it's like a big red dot.
I've never used a PST 1-6x but I have one of the reintroduced PST 1-4X that's very good, I use it for my service rifle.

 

[sevt_chevelle]

The 1-4 pst is not the same as the 1-6 pst, have both. The 1-6 is a 2nd gen optic with better glass.

 

[TonyAngel]

Looking for some advice. It’s on sale at cabelas and I can get it for $486. Thinking this is a good price.

I plan to build a sort of Goldilocks rifle - somewhere in between a precision and 1x. I’d like to use more premium parts. Would this scope fit the bill for a do it all rifle?

With all of the talk of LPVOs, I had to revisit the original post. If you're looking for a goldilocks setup, sort of a jack of all trades, I really don't think an LPVO is the answer.

On short shots, it takes a lot of training to get as fast with an LPVO on 1X as a red dot. I also have difficulties with the focus on LPVOs. If I set the diopter for a flat, in focus, image for 1x, its out of focus at longer distances. On longer shots, you're gonna find yourself wishing for more magnification and/or a parallax adjustment.

I've found that I made the fewest compromises in performance by going with a piggy back red dot. My goto wears a 4x ACOG with a piggyback and my longer range rig wears a 2-10x with a red dot. Nice heads up shooting for up close and I can hunker down for the long shots.

 

[IndianaBoy]

With all of the talk of LPVOs, I had to revisit the original post. If you're looking for a goldilocks setup, sort of a jack of all trades, I really don't think an LPVO is the answer.

On short shots, it takes a lot of training to get as fast with an LPVO on 1X as a red dot. I also have difficulties with the focus on LPVOs. If I set the diopter for a flat, in focus, image for 1x, its out of focus at longer distances. On longer shots, you're gonna find yourself wishing for more magnification and/or a parallax adjustment.

I've found that I made the fewest compromises in performance by going with a piggy back red dot. My goto wears a 4x ACOG with a piggyback and my longer range rig wears a 2-10x with a red dot. Nice heads up shooting for up close and I can hunker down for the long shots.

This has not been my experience in a large part. I have a couple Vortex Razor 1-6 LPVOs. Very usable at all magnification ranges. I bought a used Burris RT6 and it did have the issue that you describe. I contacted Burris and sent the scope in, they sent me a new one that is usable at all magnification ranges. The original used optic was defective. Excellent customer service.


Delving further, many shooters with high levels of experience do indeed prefer an Acog with an additional offset red dot. A very good option, and some shooters find it preferential. I also recognize that it does indeed offer some advantages in certain circumstances.

 

[dranrab]

This is a surprisingly good LVPO. https://www.sportsmans.com/hunting-...nell-ar-optics-1-6x24mm-rifle-scope/p/1710849

When I looked at the reticle online, I thought it'd be fine, but I didn't expect that it'd allow for exceptional precision.

Out of a plain jane Ruger AR, these are the last two groups I shot during an old school inch and a half high at 100 yards sight in session.