Burris Fastfire 3 vs Vortex Venom [Full Comparison Review]

Burris and Vortex Optics are two of the leaders in the firearms optics market, known for making some of the best optics available.

I’ve also had the pleasure of using a product from each of them: Vortex Venom and the Burris Fastfire 3.

With these two sights competing neck to neck, which is better?

Let’s find out.

Overview of the Burris Fastfire 3 Red Dot Sight

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Specifications:

• Objective Lens Size :21 x 15 mm
• Length: 1.9 inches
• Weight: 0.9 oz
• Reticle: 3 MOA dot or 8 MOA dot

Burris Optics is a well-established, highly trusted brand for quality firearms sights and attachments. 

One of their bestsellers is the Burris Fastfire 3, a small red dot sight for pistols, rifles, and shotguns.

I’ve even mounted it on top of larger sights!

With its lightweight design and low profile, I can sight easily without the added weight on my firearm!

While this works with a Weaver or Picatinny mount, it is also compatible with other custom mounts, such as the Glock MOS system.

Special Features:

• Automatic brightness sensor: The intensity of the red dot automatically adjusts with the lighting conditions you’re shooting in.
• Automatic time out feature: Automatically shuts down the sight after 8 hours of idle time
• Choice of 2 dot sizes: You can choose between a 3 MOA dot for precise shots at longer ranges or an 8 MOA dot for rapid target acquisition at close range. 

Overview of the Vortex Venom Red Dot Sight

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Specifications:

• Objective Lens Size: 26.5 mm
• Length: 1.9 inches
• Weight: 1.1 oz
• Reticle: 3 MOA dot or 6 MOA dot

Vortex Optics is one of the leading producers of firearms optics with their Venom red dot sight being one of my favorites to use!

This lightweight single-piece chassis can be used with a Weaver or Picatinny mount.

I’ve found it to be VERSATILE and reliable regardless of what gun you use it with.

With clear glass and a multi-coated lens that will enable you with quick target acquisition, this is a quality red dot sight for your money.

Special Features:

• Widefield lens: One of the widest lenses available for a clear picture
• Automatic brightness sensor: Automatically adjusts the intensity of the red dot depending on your shooting conditions
• Auto shut down: The red dot sight automatically shuts down after 14 hours of idle time
• Choice of 2 reticles: You can choose between a 3 MOA dot for precise shots at longer ranges or a 6 MOA dot for rapid target acquisition at close range. 

Burris Fastfire 3 vs Vortex Venom: The Similarities

The Burris Fastfire III and the Vortex Venom are two of the BEST red dots.

Despite being two very distinct products from two amazing optics manufacturers, they are surprisingly similar in many aspects.

For one, I can confidently use both of them on my rifles AND pistols. I think that says a lot about their versatility.

They can serve as either a primary sight or work with an existing sight. I’ve found them to rest easily on top of primary scopes like the Trijicon ACOG.

They also come with a choice of 2 sizes of a bright red dot for more versatility, one of those being a 3 MOA dot.

Here are some of their similarities at a glance:

• Dot color: Red
• Magnification: 1x
• Length: 1.9 inches
• Battery: CR1632
• Mounting: Picatinny/Weaver
• Adjustment per click: 1 MOA
• Parallax-free
• Unlimited eye relief
• Fogproof
• Waterproof
• Shockproof

An impressive feature that both red dot sights have is the automatic brightness sensor or an auto-brightness mode.

These can change the brightness setting depending on lighting conditions without any manual adjustments.

Both red dot sights are incredibly lightweight and won’t burden you on long hunting trips. I’d use them even when concealed-carrying pistols!

Additionally, both can be mounted on most firearms with Picatinny or Weaver mounts to help you lock in on your target fast.

Burris Fastfire 3 vs. Vortex Venom: The Differences

#1 Durability

They are constructed with anodized aluminum alloys made to withstand all weather conditions. 

Both models are rugged, waterproof, and fogproof. They can handle the heavy recoil of weapons AND general bumps and bangs!

I can be quite clumsy sometimes, so it’s reassuring that these dots don’t have to suffer because of it!

I noticed a big difference in lens coating, though.

I consider glass resistance to be one of the most important things for getting a clear sight picture.

While the Burris has normal coated optics, the ArmorTek coating of the Venom allows for ultra-hard, scratch-resistant lenses.

WINNER: Vortex 

#2 Illumination Settings

Both red dot sights come with an ambient light sensor that allows dot intensity to adapt to its surroundings.

If you would prefer a manual mode over automatic mode, both of them also come with the choice of various manual brightness settings.

Dot intensity controls can be accessed through quick side buttons on both models.

The Fastfire 3 has three manual brightness settings, while the Venom has 10.

In my experience, the one with MORE settings allows me to stay in the fight longer.

WINNER: Vortex 

#3 Weight

I like that both red dot sights are nice and lightweight, making them suitable for long hunting trips.

However, the Venom weighs just 1.1 oz, while the slightly heavier Burris comes in at 1.5 oz.

Beginners might not feel the difference in weight at first, but more advanced shooters will feel the slight advantage of the Vortex.

I’m pretty sure anyone would prefer the lighter of the two.

WINNER: Vortex 

#4 Reticle Size

The two red dot sights come with a bright red dot in two reticle sizes.

The Fastfire 3 comes with either a 3 MOA dot or 8 MOA dot, while the Venom comes with either a 3 MOA red dot or a 6 MOA red dot.

I have an in-depth guide about 3 and 6 MOA dots if you’re interested in learning more.

I found barely any difference between the 3 MOA dots of both models, which is perfect for pinpoint accuracy with handguns and rifles.

Let’s look at the other reticle sizes, starting with the Burris Fastfire III:

The Burris Fastfire III comes with an 8 MOA dot, perfect for speedy target acquisition at short range.

If you plan to shoot in close quarters or at short range, I recommend the 8 MOA dot for its distinct advantage over the 3 MOA dot.

This 8 MOA dot is great on its own, but let’s compare it to the 6 MOA dot of the Venom:

The Venom’s 6 MOA dot offers a more precise point than the 8 MOA dot. 

While it is better at short range, just like the 8 MOA dot, it is CRISPER and easier to use.

The smaller dot on the Vortex Venom offers a slight advantage over the slightly larger dot on the Burris Fastfire III.

WINNER: Vortex

#5 Windage and Elevation Adjustments

The Fastfire III has a maximum elevation adjustment of 115 MOA and a maximum windage adjustment of 86 MOA. 

Compared to this, the Venom has a total elevation range of 130 MOA and a total windage range of 100 MOA.

You can see that the Venom has a greater range for both windage and elevation than the Burris Fastfire III.

WINNER: Vortex

#6 Battery

Both the Vortex Venom and Burris Fastfire use a CR 1632 battery.

However, the Vortex Venom has a battery life of up to 30,000 hours if consistently used on the lowest setting.

If used on the highest setting, it can last for up to 150 hours.

While the Burris Fastfire advertises a battery life of 5 years, it can only last a maximum of 11,000 hours if kept consistently on lower settings.

Thus, the Venom has a longer battery life than the Fastfire III.

I’ve found longer battery life to be a major factor when choosing red dots, and I’d always recommend the longer-lasting sight.

WINNER: Vortex

#7 Battery Change

I like that both sighs eliminate the need to remove the sight to change the battery.

However, you can access the battery of the Vortex Venom through the top of the sight.

On the other hand, the Burris Fastfire 3 has a side tray on its left side for the battery compartment.

Both of these methods allow you to keep on shooting. I guarantee it.

WINNER: Tie

#8 Optics

Both optics have a high-grade optical glass with a fully multi-coated lens for the highest light transmission and reflective protection level.

What makes the optics of the Vortex Venom stand out is its wide lens that allows for amazing edge-to-edge resolution with NO blurring or fading.

On top of this, the lenses are coated with a special Armortek coating to protect them from damage. 

The lens on the Burris red dot sight is index-matched optical glass for optimal clarity and brightness. 

It boasts Hi-Lume multi-coating to eliminate glare and improve low-light performance.

While the Burris lenses are of high quality and protected with special coatings, they still fall behind the Vortex lenses, which offer a wider field of view.

The Vortex even comes with a lifetime lens coating warranty to sweeten the deal.

To find the best optics for your shotgun, you can check out this buying guide I made!

WINNER: Vortex

#9 Warranty

Both Burris and Vortex offer a lifetime warranty on their sights.

However, the VIP warranty of Vortex Venom red dot sight covers ANY damage or problem that you have with your sight.

On the other hand, the Burris warranty does not cover deliberate or cosmetic damage. I have to give this round to Vortex.

WINNER: Vortex

Frequently Asked Questions

Will a Vortex Venom Fit a Burris Speed Bead Mount?

Yes.

The Burris Fastfire 3 has the same hole pattern as the Vortex Venom.

Thus, the Burris Speed Mount, which was designed to work with the Burris Fastfire 3, will also work for the Vortex Venom.

How Long Does the Battery Last on a Burris Fastfire 3?

While the Burris Fastfire 3 is advertised to have a battery life of 5 years, it lasts 5,000 hours if left consistently on at maximum settings.

Is the Burris Fastfire 3 Waterproof?

Yes.

It is rugged and waterproof, even without any additional attachments.

If you prefer more protection, it comes with an optional weatherproof roof.

Does the Vortex Venom Have Shake Awake?

Unfortunately not.

The Vortex Venom offers no “shake awake.”

The only way to turn it on is by pressing the little button on its side.

Does Vortex Venom Have a Mount?

The Vortex Venom does not come with a mount upon purchase.

However, the Vortex Optics Venom Red Dot Sight Quick-Release Mount Riser, sold separately, is made to work with it.

Final Verdict: Which Is Better — Burris Fastfire 3 vs Vortex Venom

The Vortex Venom Red Dot and Burris Fastfire III are similar, high-quality red dot sights for shotguns, pistols, and rifles.

They have many similarities, like their durability, fast target acquisition, multiple brightness settings, and so on.

It could be very difficult to spot the difference between these two, but in the end, I’d have to say that the Vortex Venom is better.

In summary, these Vortex Venom features are why it’s our winner:

• More lightweight
• Easier to adjust
• Longer battery life
• More illumination settings
• Wider field of view
• Higher total windage range
• Higher total elevation range

I don’t mean to discredit the Burris Fastfire 3, but if I had to choose, I’d pick the Vortex Venom Red Dot, no questions asked.

FINAL TIP: If you’re looking for more good budget options for red dots, you can take a look at our buying guide on red dot sights around $100.