It’s no secret that Vortex makes awesome scopes, and the Vortex Viper PST is no exception!
If you are wondering if this scope is the right one for you, you’ve come to the right place!
I’ll explain all the important details in this Vortex Viper PST Gen II 5-25×50 review. I’ll talk about its pros and cons as well as the build, ease of use, performance, and pricing.
Contents
Overview of Vortex Viper PST Gen II 5-25×50
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The Vortex Viper PST Gen II is a first focal plane scope for long-range shooting with many features up the sleeve that allow it to reach those distances.
The Vortex scope comes with an MRAD reticle, 50mm objective lens, 5x-25x magnification, XD fully multi-coated glass, waterproof, shockproof, and fog proof.
These features all work together to give the Viper PST Gen II great long-range capabilities.
However, the VIP warranty is the standout feature compared to other scopes in the same category.
This is an unlimited, unconditional lifetime warranty that ensures you can use your scope FOR LIFE without worrying about it at all.
Main Features and Specifications
The illuminated MRAD reticle on this scope is located on the first focal plane, meaning the reticle stays constant with every magnification level you’re at.
The controls for the illuminated reticle are located near the parallax adjustment on the left side of the Viper.
It also comes with a large 50mm objective lens, which is crucial in nighttime shooting or low-light performance.
The PST comes with an extra low dispersion glass (XD glass), giving you fantastic CLARITY and SHARPNESS.
The tactical-style turrets on the Viper include a windage knob and elevation turret, which comes with a zero-stop feature.
You also get fog, shock, and waterproof features also ensure that it won’t break down in less-than-ideal environmental situations.
- Has zero-stop technology
- Simple but useful MRAD reticle
- First focal plane
- Easy-to-turn knobs
- Smooth adjustment clicks
- Illuminated reticle
- Generous 3.4-inch eye relief
- Zero stop feature can be confusing for beginners
- Quite heavy
- Scope caps don't come shipped with the optic
Full Review of Viper PST Gen II 5-25×50 Rifle Scope
Let’s get into the full review of the Vortex Viper PST Gen II scope. I’ll discuss the build and design, ease of use, performance, and pricing.
By the end, I’ll give a rating out of five stars and give a recommendation.
Build and Design
The aircraft-grade aluminum that makes up most of this build, including the single-piece tube, is made of good quality.
When I held it, it felt STURDY and like it could take a beating!
It definitely can because it’s fog, water, and shockproof, making lugging it around worry-free.
I must add, however, that the scope is quite heavy.
It wasn’t a huge problem, especially since I was shooting long-range, meaning I didn’t have to carry it too much.
However, the best durability feature of this scope isn’t even physical!
The UNLIMITED warranty on this scope and all Vortex scopes make it a no-brainer for those that are hard on their scopes.
This is a fantastic scope for people who need a durable workhorse for long-range.
PRO TIP: I recommend getting scope caps for this optic, as it doesn’t come shipped with any. This will keep the optic glass clean and scratch-free for an unobstructed sight picture.
Ease of Use
The Vortex Viper PST Gen II is mixed regarding ease of use. Eye relief is generous at over three inches.
On the one hand, the reticle it comes with isn’t too busy and has easy to read Christmas tree-style design, making moving target holdoffs and windage adjustments easier.
The RZR zero stop is where it gets a bit complicated.
While it is a nice feature and convenient to use once set up, the process of setting it up isn’t.
Adjusting the zero stop was quite difficult, and it may take some getting used to. I’ll try to break it down into easy-to-understand steps.
- The first step is to rotate the turret clockwise until you feel a hard stop. Next, loosen three set screws that hold the zero stop.
- You will need an Allen wrench to unscrew them, which will allow you to pull the knob up and off.
- Afterward, more set screws on the turret lock need to be loosened. When this is done, shoot and adjust elevation until you reach your preferred zero.
- Next, you need to put it back together. Tighten the lock screws, and slide the zero stop back on.
- Align the zero/radius bar with the zero mark on the scope body. Finally, tighten those set screws, and the zero stop is adjusted.
Confusing, right? As you can see, it’s complicated to even explain the setup process for this feature.
Doing this process once should be good until the scope loses zero, but it may be daunting for beginners.