Vortex - the new scope value leader - Vortex Viper PA 6.5-20x50mm Rifle Scope, 30mm Tube, Second Focal Plane

For the last couple of years, I've been recommending Sightron scopes as excellent quality scopes at a very attractive price. Firearms enthusiasts are now aware of the Sightron quality, and the cost is starting to rise to reflect that market understanding. I believe Vortex has now taken the place of Sightron in the high quality value niche.

The Vortron scopes are made in the Philippines, to the standards of the American company, and those standards are quite high. I'd put the Vortex up against similarly featured name brand scopes at twice the price. The Vortex Viper optics are crisp and clear, even at the edges at high magnification, and the adjustments are crisp with the perfect trade off between easy adjustment and tactile feedback. Even the details, such as the aggressive knurling on the turret caps is impressive. I have two minor issues. The eye relief is about half an inch shorter than most similar scopes, and that might be an issue for lightweight high power bolt action rifles with a lot of recoil, but it's not an issue with my semi-automatic .308 FNAR rifle. The other issue is the use of the Vortex sun shade with the Vortex front lens cap. The lens cap is properly sized for the objective end of the scope, but the sun shield has a slightly smaller outer diameter. To ensure a tight fit that retained the lens cap, I needed to wrap three layers of electrical tape at the front of the sun shade, under the lens cap. While very minor issues, they're noticeable, because everything else about the Vortex products seems of the highest quality with great attention to detail.
Pros: High quality at a low price

This review was written in the old system and had content requirements that are different than reviews written today.