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Rifle Scopes vortex pst 4-16(lack of) glass quality

B

bodywerks

Gunny Sergeant
Full Member
Minuteman
Jan 19, 2010
1,683
67
50
Tucson,Arizona
#1
I just took my viper pst 4-16 ffp scope to the range and i have to say, i am extremely unimpressed with the glass quality. Id put a millet trs-1 up against it any day.
Question is, are there any former owners of the vortex 4-16 scope that were able to trade their scope in for the 6-24? I hear that it has much higher quality glass.
Yes, i read about a few complaints on here about the 4-16 glass quality, but i didn't think it would be this bad.
Do you think i should contact bear basin, where i bought it, or go to vortex direct to try to trade up?
Would hate to think that I'm stuck with a $900 scope with $300 scope glass...
 
#2
Re: vortex pst 4-16(lack of) glass quality

On a positive, the glass is better than a bsa sweet 223
smirk.gif

I'll be honest, I've been out of the game for almost a year, so maybe I don't remember how bad mirage can be at 100 yards, but it seemed about as bad as i remember it being at 500 yards...
 
#3
Re: vortex pst 4-16(lack of) glass quality

Call Vortex and see what they'll do for you, they have a very good rep for responsive customer service.
 
#4
Re: vortex pst 4-16(lack of) glass quality

I would contact Bear Basin first.

See if they will refund the money and buy a weaver 3-15x edmr.

If they won't (it's been mounted), contact Vortex, they will most likely replace the scope.
Sell the replacement scope in the PX and buy the weaver 3-15x edmr.
 
#5
Re: vortex pst 4-16(lack of) glass quality

Isn't the weaver mil-based reticle with MOA turrets? I'm an MOA guy and want my turrets to match the reticle. I had a weaver tactical ffp. It was an ok scope but lacked some features.
 
#6
Re: vortex pst 4-16(lack of) glass quality

No, the weaver edmr is a mil/mil, illuminated ffp scope, made in Japan with very good glass.

Doesn't have a zero stop, but would you rather be able to see the target or have a shim style zero stop?
 
#8
Re: vortex pst 4-16(lack of) glass quality

Falcon has moa/moa reticles now.

To be honest, moa/moa are hard to come by.
You have Falcon Menace, then Vortex (which you have found lacking), then IOR, which is another 900+ bucks.
 
#10
Re: vortex pst 4-16(lack of) glass quality

With it's current reputation, i don't want to be the one to take the hit. It's 3 days old...gonna call bear basin first to see what they can do. Id be fine with paying an extra 50 for the 6-24. Just didn't go that route originally because i don't need all that magnification.
 
#13
Re: vortex pst 4-16(lack of) glass quality

We have two and have no problems even with small targets to 1000 yards. Well, not totally true. The crosshairs nearly cover our 8" circle at the 1000 yard line but that is my only complaint.

Topstrap
 
#14
Re: vortex pst 4-16(lack of) glass quality

Is there really that much of a difference in the 4-16 vs the 6-24? My 4-16 seems to be on par with my SIII, which isn't a high end scope, but it's not exactly shitty glass.
 
#15
Re: vortex pst 4-16(lack of) glass quality

They are inconsistent (the 4-16x).
I looked through one and would not have traded it for my Falcon Menace. The image was considerably brighter and resolution much crisper on the Menace.

I looked through a different one and the glass seemed just fine.
 
#17
Re: vortex pst 4-16(lack of) glass quality

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: locobob</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Call Vortex and see what they'll do for you, they have a very good rep for responsive customer service. </div></div>


What he said. Their customer service is outstanding. I'm surprised you're having glass quality problems.
 
#19
Re: vortex pst 4-16(lack of) glass quality

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Santo</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I guess I have been lucky. Both my 4-16's have good glass. They are no means Nightforce scopes but good for the money and features. </div></div>

same thing on my 3
 
#20
Re: vortex pst 4-16(lack of) glass quality

Is there a way for optics companies to scientifically test light emission and clarity? I would think so. I love everything else about the scope, but i am seriously wondering if there's a film on the glass that I'm supposed to remove prior to use!
I got done shooting coming up in the next couple weeks so I'll deal with it for now and then see what vortex can do for me.
 
#21
Re: vortex pst 4-16(lack of) glass quality

I HAVE 2 AND HAVE NO PROBLEMS WITH EITHER ONE. MY BUDDY IS A SWAT TEAM SNIPER AND WAS ISSUED A LEUPOLD MARK4 AND IN FAILING LIGHT HIS IS LIKE A $200 SCOPE COMPARED TO MINE. I NEW GOING INTO BUYING THIS OPTIC THAT THERE WERE SOME COMPLAINTS BUT THAT HAPPENS WITH ALL OF THEM EVEN THE HIGHEND ONES. THE MAIN REASON I CHOSE THIS ONE WAS FOR THE CUSTOMER SERVICE. CALL VORTEX AND THEY WILL FIX THE PROBLEM NO QUESTIONS ASKED. THE ONLY THING I HAVE A QUESTION ABOUT IS WHAT U ARE COMPARING IT TO.
 
#23
Re: vortex pst 4-16(lack of) glass quality

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: FIREMAN34</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I HAVE 2 AND HAVE NO PROBLEMS WITH EITHER ONE. MY BUDDY IS A SWAT TEAM SNIPER AND WAS ISSUED A LEUPOLD MARK4 AND IN FAILING LIGHT HIS IS LIKE A $200 SCOPE COMPARED TO MINE. I NEW GOING INTO BUYING THIS OPTIC THAT THERE WERE SOME COMPLAINTS BUT THAT HAPPENS WITH ALL OF THEM EVEN THE HIGHEND ONES. THE MAIN REASON I CHOSE THIS ONE WAS FOR THE CUSTOMER SERVICE. CALL VORTEX AND THEY WILL FIX THE PROBLEM NO QUESTIONS ASKED. THE ONLY THING I HAVE A QUESTION ABOUT IS WHAT U ARE COMPARING IT TOo. </div></div>
I'm comparing it to two millet trs-1 scopes that i had experience with, as well as experience with a weaver tactical. Side by aside comparison is with a bsa 'tactical'. Compared to it, the pst is slightly better. Mind you, that's comparing a $50 scope to a 900 one.
 
#25
Re: vortex pst 4-16(lack of) glass quality

To say that PST glass is even remotely comparable to Mark 4 glass is a far stretch of the imagination. Every 4-16x Pst I have ever examined had lack luster glass. I have never looked through the 6-24x, but I am hopeful that it is better from everthing I have read.
 
#26
Re: vortex pst 4-16(lack of) glass quality

I'm going to send it to them right after xmas to have them make sure it is on par with other 4-16 pst's. I sure hope they have a way to scientifically test it, rather than just looking through it and saying "looks fine to us".
 
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