Vortex Viper PST 2.5-10 Question

[EdLaver]

Hi guys,

I'm looking to get this scope...
http://swfa.com/Vortex-25-10x44-Viper-PST-30mm-Rifle-Scope-P44568.aspx

Mounting it on a Remington R25 in .308

My question is has anyone used/own it? What's the difference between the first and second focal plane? Pros and Cons? I've never used a second focal plane scope. Thanks.

 

[HOOfan_1]

My guess is you mean the opposite and that you've never used first focal plane.

The reticle on FFP scopes changes size with magnification which means that the ranging capabilities of the reticle are the same for any magnification.

 

[MErl]

If you'll be using the hash marks for exact holdover at different ranges without dialing then you really want to use a first focal scope. If you'll be dialing each range in then it does not matter.

I have a 4-12 vortex (not PST) with a plain crosshair that I'm happy with but have never looked through that one you linked.

 

[arizona98tj]

My first Vortex was a Viper PST 4-16x50 FFP mil/mil. I'm waiting on my 2nd Vortex but it won't be a FFP....can't justify the additional cost for the amount of use it will most likely get. IMO, you can't go wrong with a Viper PST "anything" optic.

 

[Z-Michigan]

I've owned that scope, sold it and don't miss it. It wasn't sharp at any magnification and was really quite bad at 10x. The fixed parallax (focus) was a factor. This is generally considered the dog of the PST lineup.

If you just hae to go PST, the FFP 2.5-10x32 model, which costs more, has much better glass. MUCH better. But it also has FFP, which isn't needed in that magnification range and makes the reticle extremely thin at 2.5x. I've also owned and sold that one!

If you like that general magnification and size range, the SWFA SS 3-9x42mm is a much nicer scope for $599. Link below. I own three and am not trying to sell mine.

http://swfa.com/SWFA-SS-3-9x42-Tactical-30mm-Riflescope-P50716.aspx

If your budget is a bit more and you like really nice scopes, the Bushnell Elite Tactical 3-12x44mm is an AWESOME scope for $750 or so. It's in a whole league above the PST's if you ask me - glass quality, construction quality, reticle, turrets, everything.

http://www.opticsplanet.com/bushnell-elite-tactical-3-12x44mm-rifle-scope.html

There are also various other good options, even the much lower priced Burris FF-E1 3-9x40 is a pretty nice scope with clear glass and a good reticle, for a street price around $200 or less. I may sound like I'm piling on, but the PST line has been the biggest disappointment of any scope line I've tried, and I've had four (the two above and both SFP and FFP versions of the 4-16x50, which have murky glass above 13x. However, I recently got to look through a 6-24x50 PST and it had pretty good glass.)

 

[EdLaver]

Thanks Z-Michigan!