Manufactured by one of the world's top scope producers, the Vortex Viper PST Gen II 5-25X50 is a feature-rich riflescope. Vortex is known for producing outstanding scopes at great price points.
The company continues that trend with the Vortex Viper PST Gen II 5-25X50. In this review, we'll help you decide if this is the right riflescope for you.
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Vortex Viper PST Gen II 5-25x50
Pros
Cons
Vortex Viper PST Gen II 5-25X50 Specs
Magnification: 5-25x
Objective Lens Diameter: 50 mm
Eye Relief: 3.4 inches
Field of View: 24.1-4.8 ft/100 yds
Tube Size: 30 mm
Turret Style: Tactical
Adjustment Graduation: 1/4 MOA
Travel Per Rotation: 25 MOA
Max Elevation Adjustment: 70 MOA
Max Windage Adjustment: 35 MOA
Parallax Setting: 25 yards to infinity
Length: 15.79 inches
Weight: 31.2 oz
Reticle:
Pros
The Vortex Viper PST Gen has so many features; it's easy to understand why it's one of the most popular scopes on the market. Let's take a look at what makes this riflescope so unique.
High-Quality Glass
The Vortex Viper PST Gen II 5-25X50 has superb glass quality at all magnification levels. The image is very clear when looking through the glass. Thus you will have no issues seeing a target. Vortex uses extra-low dispersion glass in this riflescope, which ensures color fidelity with sharp downrange vision.
Eye Relief
Vortex has equipped the Vortex Viper PST Gen II 5-25X50 with substantial eye relief that spans the power range, although it only has 3.4 inches of eye relief at the highest setting. The generous eye relief minimizes image loss during recoil. The main reticle structure is strong, allowing for fast targeting stability and natural focus in lowlight conditions.
Weatherproof Design
This is an all-weather scope, enabling you to shoot in almost all weather conditions. The Vortex Viper PST Gen II 5-25X50 is waterproof, so water will never be a worry. It is also fog proof, being purged with Argon to prevent internal fogging. Poor weather conditions won't be a hindrance to hitting accurate shots using this scope.
Durability
With the Viper PST Gen II 5-25X50, you're getting a scope made from air-craft grade aluminum. The construction maximizes the toughness of the scope, ensuring it will withstand extreme conditions without a problem. The scope is also shockproof, with Vortex saying it can stand up to the same rigors as military equipment.
Turret
The scope features click positive and audible turrets. The Viper PST Gen II 5-25X50 employs tactical style turrets that are easy to read. The turrets provide the right amount of resistance when adjusted, ensuring favorable changes to elevation and windage.
Cons
There are very few negatives regarding the Viper PST Gen II 5-25X50, although there is room for improvement. Vortex could improve in two ways: installing the zero stop feature and daytime reticle illumination.
Zero Stop Feature
Although the Viper PST Gen II 5-25X50 turret is excellent, trying to zero the scope can be challenging. The Zero stop is less intuitive to install than other optics at this price, resulting in a frustrating experience. Be prepared to spend anywhere from a few minutes to several hours trying to figure out how it works. Once you have zeroed the scope, it holds well.
Reticle
There is only one reticle option for the Viper PST Gen II 5-25X50, and they're all illuminated. At this price range, we'd expect a greater selection of reticles at this price point. The reticle isn't bad, but Vortex could offer more options.
The illuminated reticle is not bright enough for shooting during the day. If you're hunting at sunset, the reticle provides near perfect illumination. You'll be able to keep your crosshairs on your target and take a shot at dusk with the crosshair section of the reticle illuminated.
Best Uses For the Vortex Viper PST Gen II 5-25X50
The Viper PST Gen II 5-25X50 is a versatile riflescope that people purchase for diverse uses. The most common uses for this scope are hunting and sports competitions.
Hunting
The Viper PST Gen II 5-25X50 is ideal for hunting. The scope's matte surface allows hunters to keep a low profile by maximizing concealment during a hunt. The scope works well for long-range hunting with its clear scope enabling the hunter to see prey clearly at a distance. The scope's eye relief allows for quick shots, something essential when hunting.
With the Viper PST Gen II 5-25X50's many customization options, you have the option to tailor your set up based on distance. The scope is waterproof and fog proof making it practical to hunt during less than optimal weather conditions.
Competitive Shooting
This rifle scope is a favorite among precision rifle series (PRS) competitors. The Viper PST Gen II 5-25X50 allows shooters to hit small targets at 600 yards and further accurately. The magnification works well to help with hitting plates at a distance. Competitors won't have problems reading the mirage for wind calls while using this scope.
Long-range shooting requires a better optic and this rifle scope performs well. The Viper PST Gen II 5-25X50's reticle looks the same on five power as it does on 25 power; there's no distortion. Therefore, when shooting long-range, the amount of coverage you have on the target remains the same throughout your magnification range.
Is the Vortex Viper PST Gen II 5-25X50 Hard to Use?
No. The Viper PST Gen II 5-25X50 is a user-friendly rifle scope. The adjustments are manageable. The turret is sounds positive and easy to read. Some people experience problems setting up the zero stop feature, but using the scope is not difficult.
Is the Vortex Viper PST Gen II 5-25X50 Compatible With Any Rifle?
Yes, the Viper PST Gen II 5-25X50 is compatible with any rifle, although most buyers use it with automatic rifles such as the AR-10s and AR-15s. You will have to take care to mount the scope properly. Vortex recommends their mounts, which isn't surprising.
What Do I Need to Know About Mounting the Vortex Viper PST Gen II 5-25X50?
The Viper PST Gen II 5-25X50 doesn't come with mounting hardware. Recommended mounts for this scope include the Precision Extended Cantilever Mount 30 MM 20 MOA, the Sport Cantilever 30 MM Mount, and the Pro Extended Cantilever Mount 30MM. Vortex manufactures and recommends these mounts but using a different brand's mounts is fine too.
Properly mounting the Viper PST Gen II 5-25X50 is critical to ensure optimal performance. Mounting the Viper PST Gen II 5-25X50 isn't incredibly difficult; however, you must follow the instructions to the letter. You will need the following tools to mount:
- Gun vise or a solid platform/rest for your rifle
- Scope rings
- Torque wrench
- Reticle leveling tool, feeler gauges, or weight on a rope
The Viper PST Gen II 5-25X50 has a 30mm main tube. Take care to choose a base and matching rings compatible with the rifle you are using. Follow the manufacturer's instructions to mount the scope. If you are not confident in your scope mounting abilities, consider letting a gunsmith mount the scope for you.
How to Zero Vortex Viper PST Gen 2
Vortex Viper PST Gen 2 riflescopes use the RZR Zero stop feature. You'll want to do initial boresighting of the riflescope, which will save you time and money at the range. To do this, remove the bolt and sighting through the barrel on a bolt action rifle, or you can use a mechanical or laser boresighter.
After boresighting the rifle, final sight-in and RZR Zero Stop needs to be done at the range with the ammunition you expect to use in the field. Most commonly, 100 yards is the zero distance; 200 yards may be used for long-distance uses. Full instructions on how to zero this riflescope can be found on pages 12-15 of the user manual.
What Makes the Vortex Viper PST Gen II 5-25X50 Stand Out From the Competition?
The Viper PST Gen II 5-25X50 ticks all of the boxes and more when it comes to a riflescope in this class. The Vortex VIP all-inclusive lifetime warranty is hard to beat, plus it's an excellent value for the money. Its performance in low light conditions is ideal; the glass's crystal clear quality is unparalleled; the reticle and turret are both easy to use.
That's not all; the eye relief is excellent. It also has a large viewing box allowing you to bring the reticle to the target quickly. The scope is also highly durable. You won't have to worry about it denting easily if it's dropped.
Vortex Viper PST Gen 2 vs Burris XTR II
There are many similarities between the Viper PST Gen II 5-25X50 and the Burris XTR II. They are both durable scopes backed by lifetime warranties. Both scope's turrets track repeatable, tactile, and true. The differences between the scopes are often subtle but significant enough to note.
- Viper PST Gen II has a Christmas tree reticle, an option not available on the Burris XTR II
- Viper PST Gen II glass has slightly better resolution with less distortion on higher magnification than the Burris XTR II
- The Burris XTR II illumination is a bit dimmer than the Viper PST Gen II
- The Burris XTR II turrets have a slightly larger adjustment range than the Viper PST Gen II
Conclusion
The Viper PST Gen II 5-25X50 does its job, and it does it well. Whether you're a competitive shooter or a hunter, this scope will serve you well. Although it's not a perfect scope, the array of features it offers makes it well worth considering.
People Also Ask
We know that looking for a new scope can be overwhelming. We've covered a lot in this article, from specifications to comparisons, but, in case we haven't answered all of your questions above, we've put together a list of the most frequently asked questions below.
What Kind of Warranty Does the Vortex Viper PST Gen II 5-25X50 Come With?
The Viper Pst comes with Vortex's VIP (very important promise), an unlimited lifetime warranty. They will fix or replace your Vortex product if anything happens to it, whether it's your fault or a product defect.
How Much Does the Vortex Viper PST Gen II 5-25X50 Weigh?
The Viper PST Gen II 5-25X50 weighs 31.2 oz.
Can You Use Vortex Viper PST Gen II 5-25X50 in Low Light?
Yes. The Viper PST Gen II 5-25X50 excels in low light conditions thanks to its illuminated reticle.
How Long Does the Battery Last on the Vortex Viper PST Gen II 5-25X50?
With regular use, the battery will last for approximately 250 hours.
