First impression of Vortex 6.5-20x50

[Sky]

Warranty says; In the event that your scope requires service, no matter the cause*, Vortex Optics will repair or replace it (at our discretion) at no charge to you.

With no warranty cards to fill out, the VIP warranty is completely transferable. There is no time limit on our promise**.

* The VIP warranty does not include occurrences of loss, theft, deliberate damage, and damage as a result of unauthorized repair, modification, or disassembly.

The scope came in the usual well made Green Vortex heavy box and came with lens covers and a nice black with logo cleaning cloth.

Matte Finish


X-Factor Vision
Precision optics feature our exclusive XR anti-reflective coatings for exceptional image clarity, and XD premium high-density glass to provide the edge-to-edge sharpness needed to differentiate details at any distance. It was dusk when I got to look through the scope but the definition and clarity was as good as anything I have looked through. I have Nikons ( the new 223), Simmons, Bushnell and got rid of the Ncstars.

6.5-20x50 riflescope is ideal for Predator/Varmint, Target, and Long Range hunting. My only concern is the my eye position and cheek weld at higher magnifications. 20x really brings in the target; not really just looks closer.


Target Dot reticle uses fine wires (not etched) and a small central dot for the aiming point. Good for target and varmint shooting under fairly well-lit conditions. notice it says under fairly well lit conditions and fine wire. Cross hairs are thin and lite. In the next weeks I will be doing some serious shooting with this scope and new Bushmaster 24" Varmintator and will be doing so in all types of lighting conditions. Further report on cross hairs to follow.

The Viper's Precision-Force Spring System is a patented system that uses an ultra-performance copper alloy / cobalt-beryllium spring. Not only does this greatly increase the fatigue life of the erector support system over more commonly used materials, but changes in spring pressure over time are virtually eliminated because the spring maintains a constant force throughout the entire range of motion. And, most importantly, windage and elevation adjustments are consistently smooth thanks to the spring's resistance to galling against the erector tube.Adjustments are smooth and constant

Side Knob Parallax Adjust provides quick and easy parallax adjustments with range numbers visible while in the shooting position. These numbers on mine go from 60, 75, 100 then 100 increments to 500 and then the next setting is infinity.

MAG-View adjustment lever allows rapid, easy changes in the magnification - even when you're wearing bulky gloves. Raised, rear-facing numbers make the referencing fast. I do like this feature) This for people with decent eye sight is really a nice feature for you can always go to a setting without guess work. The function is smooth and feels substantial as the whole scope does.


Fast focus eyepiece is quick and easy to use. It really is but most others are too) The instructions just said look at a distance object for a few moments but not through the scope, then bring the scope up and adjust so the sharpness of the reticle is clear, crisp, sharp, and in focus. I may not like the fine wire reticle of the scope I purchased and would have purchased a different reticle but it was $200 more. Neither do I like a fat etched/wire cross hair target reticle. This reticle fine line cross hair may be a problem in low light but we will see.


Pop-up dials let you easily set elevation and windage back to zero. b When you pull the adjustment knobs up all it does is do away with the 1/4 moa clicks and allows you to set the zero indices back to a new zero setting. If later on you needed to adjust after initial zero and forgot how many clicks you moved the windage or elevation knob you would always be able to go back to you initial zero if you had set it.

Audible clicks are easily counted for fast, precise adjustment of elevation and windage. I did not go through the full range of motion on both knobs but I did go plus 10 and minus 10 on both and the precision of the clicks were audible and very precise. The scope will not be mounted until tomorrow so I will have to wait to be sure the cross hairs return to original setting by clicks.

The Viper's Precision-Glide Erector System features premium-grade fluoropolymer teflon resin bushings that provide exceptional resistance to stress cracking, temperature change, corrosion, and fiction-induced wear. In addition, these bushings have an ultra-low coefficient of friction for the smoothest possible operation of the magnification adjustment. All knobs and rings on this scope do not feel cheap and are obviously made for precision and a smooth function.

On track for a long life.
Vortex engineered the Viper riflescope to stand the test of time and rough abuse. The solid one-piece main tube of the Viper is incredibly tough and constructed out of 6061 T6 aircraft-grade aluminum. Vortex goes even further and purges the Viper with the highly-prized argon gas, targeting corrosion in an unchallenged way: Tube does not feel lite or cheap.

Argon gas does not absorb or react chemically with water.
Argon gas eliminates internal fogging.
Argon gas maintains its protective properties over a wider temperature range.
Argon gas does not diffuse as quickly as other elements, extending the service life of the optics longer.

This scope is 14.4 inches long and advertises a eye relief of 3.1 to 3.3. As of yet I have seen no visible distortion (to my eyes) either at low power or 20x. As with all higher power scopes cheek weld and proper mounting height and distance to my eye ball will be rather critical for satisfactory results at high power.

At this time I am pleased with the form and function of the scope and the fine cross hair reticle will either work or won't. If not I will send it to Vortex and pay whatever for a different reticle. Hopefully tomorrow after mounting I will determine in low light if the cross hairs will be satisfactory.

Hope this helps. http://www.cameralandny.com/optics/vortex.pl?

 

[TonyAngel]

Be sure to let us know how that "target" reticle works out. I almost grabbed one of these just because of the price, but wasn't sure about that reticle.

 

[Sky]

will do just want to try it a dusk or o dark thirty?

 

[JoeMal]

Thanks for the update. I have one of these coming...and also wondered about the target reticle, but as you mentioned I didn't want to spend another $130 on something else. I will have mine tomorrow and will let you know what I come up with

 

[Sky]

Just ordered another scope the Simmons 6.5-20x50 to go on another 20" Bushy from Midway..Will be able to compare them side by side sometime next week. Paid $109 for the scope and got some lens covers for $8.95 which usually cost $10.95 around here.

 

[stsimons]

I would be VERY interested in the Simmons WTC vs Vortex comparison.

 

[Sky]

http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=548040

 

[Walkalong]

Be sure to let us know how that "target" reticle works out.

Personally, I like them. I shot one in Benchrest. The dot was very fine, as were the crosshairs. I have shot it in low light and, even a heavy rain, and it was fine. Of course that was a Leupold target scope with very good glass, but the glass in the Viper seems to be very good as well. I have a fine crosshair target dot Buckmaster 6X18, but the 1/4" dot on the Nikon BM is a bit big to suit me. It covers a whole bullet hole at 100 yards. I am used to being able to aim at one side or the other of a bullet hole with the finer dot.

I have to order some 30MM rings to fit the bases on my .222 Mag so I can wring out the Vortex Viper 6.5X20.

 

[Sky]

Yes was not sure I would like the fine cross hairs either; but they are now my favorite type reticle!!

 

[Walkalong]

The Leupold 30MM Sako ring mounts came today. (High) With any luck I'll get to shoot the Sako .222 Mag with the Vortex this weekend.
.

 

[Walkalong]

Made it to the range with some thrown together rounds using a bullet and a powder I have never shot in the Sako. (Hmm )

Shot a couple of rounds at 25 yards, then dialed it in at 100 on a big target, and then shot a group. The glare was so bad the target was not very focused. The sun was in front, to my right, and low. I could not see bullet holes in the black at 100 yards it was so bad. Both the Vortex and the Simmons had the same problem. I wish I had brought my 36X Leupold to compare. My Celestron 20X60X80 spotting scope had no trouble with the glare, but there was a little bit of mirage going on, so I kept it dialed to 45X and no higher. Any higher and clarity suffered a bit. It easily picked up .22 bullet holes in the black.

After sighting in I shot 5 shots on a small target. I could not see the first shot, so assumed it was in the black and let four more rip with no regard to wind or mirage. After I shot them I checked it out through the spotter and saw they were all in the black.

.908ish. Boring. This rifle is capable of much better, but not bad for just throwing five shots of an unknown load downrange without paying attention to the light winds.

The Vortex would not focus at 25 yards on 20X. The Simmons would and was very clear. (Considering it is on a .22 LR, that is a good thing, as it will be shot anywhere form 25 yards on out.) Both scopes suffered at 100 yards with the glare from the sun. I could see the target OK enough to aim precisely, but could not distinguish .22 bullet holes in the black with either scope.

Adjusting the parallax with the Vortex at 100 yards ended up with the dial at almost exactly 100 yards. I found the same to be true with the Simmons. The Simmons was less finicky about eye location at 20X than the Vortex.

The Simmons compared very favorably with the Vortex in sunlight. I have not tried them in low light to see if the Vortex does better, but did look deep into some shady areas and the Vortex did a little better. In all fairness the glare was so bad I could not really get a fair comparison of clarity at a distance. I need to take them out again in better conditions.

The fine cross hair dot on the Viper is nice for target shooting and will be great for varmints as well. The dot (about .5 at 100 at 20X) is a bit big for true precision shooting, but not bad. The Simmons cross hairs are a bit thick for a target type scope, but not too bad, and something I can live with. They are more akin to thick cross hairs suited to heavy woods.

So far, in limited testing, and at the sale prices I bought these scopes for ($110 & $250), I am very happy with the Vortex, and extremely pleased with the Simmons.

 

[Sky]

Walkalong have you been back out in normal lighting conditions for a comparison?

I still have not mounted my Simmons for all my shooting has been at night with the night scope! Was out last night and am toast with no jelly today.

 

[Walkalong]

Yes.

Still looking into the sun a bit, but better. I shot at 300 yards with the .222 Mag. Both scopes made out the target pretty well. I could not make out .22 bullet holes at 300 with either scope. My Celestron 20X60X80 spotting scope could though. It could even pick them up in the black, but just barely. The .22 LR dropped so badly at 300 it was like mortar practice. I ordered a sun shade for the Viper. I'll see if it helps. 300 yards is a tough test in the best light, much less where there is some glare. I am still tickled pink with the Simmons. I wish I had brought a couple more scopes to try side by side. The best scope(s) I own are my two 36X Leupolds. I wish I had brought one of them.

Any way, the Viper, even with some glare, was good enough to shoot well at 300, just not good enough to make out .22 bullet holes, at least not looking into the sun a bit. Perhaps with the sun to the back it could. Our range is set up so the best I can do is get the sun up high, but not behind me.

When I put up the targets at 300 (same target as above), the fellow next to me with his Swarovski asked if I was going to be able to even see them at 300 yards. He did not think I would be able to. The dot on the Viper covered most of the black center of the target at 300. AT 100 it just did fit inside the 10 ring.

 

[Sky]

I guess I am going to have to pull one of my scopes and mount the Simmons. Really glad you got to mount and try it out.

I will have to go back and see at what distance I was able to see the holes on the black target. When struck it turned the holes green and the sun was at my 6 so I was under almost ideal lighting conditions; but if I remember all three of us could make out the shot placements. Thanks for the reply!

Went back and checked the above eval on the 4 scopes and I originally posted we did indeed see the holes at 300 but again there was good lighting and the targets were made to show holes punched.

 

[Olympus]

I just ordered the Viper 6.5-20x44 but I haven't got it mounted yet. It's going on my .25-06. I know you mean about the reticle. Very fine hairs. It took me a while to get the eye relief set right. If I don't keep the eye relief completely screwed in, the hairs become invisible. But I can screw the relief all the way in and I get some pretty good definition on the hairs and the target dot. I haven't got it mounted yet and obviously haven't tried it in a hunting situation, but I'll add to this thread as I can. Hunting season is less than a month away and I plan on using it then.