Vortex Viper (PST?) 1-4x - First magnified optic?

Tactical Gear Optics & Mounts
1

I found a refurb at Cabela’s for $267, which is after a 20% discount and is as low as they will go.

Checking reviews, it seems this scope was the mid-range scope to have just a couple years ago. The reviews I’ve been reading have some grabbing the PST 1-4x over the Strike Eagle 1-6x, which I’ve also been considering.

If I can mine the wisdom here, what do you think? $300 is the just about max I am budgeting for a first LPVO, besides the mount. I don’t shoot enough right now to justify picking up a Razor, though I think that would be a consideration if I found I liked the LPVO thing.

Use: Extending my experience beyond irons and red dots without wasting money on junk. 12.5” and 16” barrels. Generally 0-200 meters.

2

They are tanks, not the greatest glass in the world but pretty good for the money, if $300 is your budget I doubt you’ll do much better.

3

In the same boat as you. I want to check out the magnified optics deal. Max I can shoot is 300 yards. I almost bought the PST 1-4 about 6 weeks ago when Cabelas was clearance but them for or something silly cheap. Out of stock by the time I got home.

I back ordered a P4xi last week for a very reasonable price. It’s had great reviews so that’s what I’m going to try out. I think you made a good choice for an f around figure things out optic.

4

I don’t have any time behind the Strike Eagle but based off of reviews, I think the 1-4 Viper is a better starting point. I began there but then quickly transitioned to the P4Xi. If you can swing the extra money for the Steiner, I think its the best option in the sub-$500 range. But, at that price, the Viper would be a great deal.

5

Yep, 100% every word.

6

Old, trusty PST 1-4x is very good glass for it’s price class. Much better glass than Strike Eagle 1-6x has, so if no real need of 6x magnification it will be better choice. Glass etched reticle allows for good precision if needed, while still good for fast shooting on 1x. Personally I would prefer it in HS flavour due to capped turrets (I prefer them on LPVO), but still PST is a great scope, even if a bit dated in world of 1-6/8/10x

7

Dang. Got back to Cabela’s today (60 miles away) and this was gone, despite being under the counter since December. Thanks for the input everyone. I’ll keep looking.

8

I wasn’t a fan of the PST gen1, the gen2 is a Razor for 60% the price with likely less durable

I’d save the $$$ for a gen2 as everything about it is better except size/weight.

4x really isn’t very useful, that last 2x to 6x gets you to see better at 200/300.

when the targets are smaller than a torso… it makes a difference

also sucks to not be able to spot your misses

Steiner may be better, but I’ve never used a lv version, only the higher mag scopes

9

I have always been kind of underwhelmed by 4x. For some reason it always felt like it should have more zoom than it does, and that’s just at 100m.

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10

Actually found this at another Cabela’s for $296. With a couple gift cards I got 20% off, I’m happy with the price. At least gets me some experience with something better than a Bushnell AR 1-4x.

11

The primary differences between the Strike Eagle and the Viper PST is that the Strike Eagle can zoom further, offers a wider field of view, has a shorter eye relief, and has a slightly better reticle.

The shorter eye relief gives you the wider field of view, but will make it slightly more difficult to reacquire targets, depending on how much recoil your rifle has.

The reticle has wider posts, which make for easier target acquisition. The reticle is also a bullet drop compensator (BDC) style reticle, which makes it easier to shoot at longer ranges.