seems the midway vortex scopes are wire and not etched reticle scopes. that has put a few guys off them. educate me. i think i can see why etched would be superior. i am guessing ruggedness? does a wire reticle necessarily make a scope a second class citizen? in what use context? i am thinking of one for paper punching and hunting backup. where does this difference fall as far as price point goes? the assembled in phillipines doesn't bother me. nikon is likewise and i have been happy with my nikons. glass quality issues have been raised as well. how do the moderatly priced vortex scopes compare there with nikon monarchs and VX2s for example?
Rifle Scopes wire vs etched reticle-new vortex scope
- Thread starter mosin46
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Re: wire vs etched reticle-new vortex scope
There are very large differences between Vortex's model lines, which do you mean? I have a Viper 3-9x40, and for $300 it's awesome. I have two other hunting rifles, one wearing a Zeiss Conquest 3-9x40, and the other a Leupold VX-2(the new VX-2, not VX-II) so I've been able to directly compare.
The Zeiss is by far the clearest and brightest, but for the price it should be. The adjustment knobs suck.
The Vortex Viper has great adjustment knobs and a very clear and bright image, not quite up to the Zeiss, but noticeably better than the VX-2. The glass etched reticle means that the reticle is black all the time, I don't know anything about durability differences between different types of reticle construction.
The VX-2 is a 2-7x33. The image quality is in 3rd place in my hunting scopes. It is perfectly adequate as a scope, but there is noticeable distortion at the edges(the other two have none that I can see), and it's generally not as sharp as the Vortex. Brightness seems on par with the Vortex. It's wire reticle I don't like as much because it changes color depending on lighting conditions. Ever looked through a Leupold with backlight and saw the reticle as brown-tan, I don't care for that. Leupold's sure seem to be tough enough, and have a good warranty if you need it. I am also a person that gives a shit that it's built in the US. I bought the Leupold because I wanted something light. For more money than the Vortex I'm disappointed with what it is though. 2 piece scope body and wire reticle, what year is this, 1970?
Anyway, if you're looking at Vortex's Viper line I recommend them. They're nice scopes, with good glass. I at one time had a Diamondback and it was more on par with the VX-2 above, and their Crossfire line is undergoing changes now as the old ones were very unreliable.
There are very large differences between Vortex's model lines, which do you mean? I have a Viper 3-9x40, and for $300 it's awesome. I have two other hunting rifles, one wearing a Zeiss Conquest 3-9x40, and the other a Leupold VX-2(the new VX-2, not VX-II) so I've been able to directly compare.
The Zeiss is by far the clearest and brightest, but for the price it should be. The adjustment knobs suck.
The Vortex Viper has great adjustment knobs and a very clear and bright image, not quite up to the Zeiss, but noticeably better than the VX-2. The glass etched reticle means that the reticle is black all the time, I don't know anything about durability differences between different types of reticle construction.
The VX-2 is a 2-7x33. The image quality is in 3rd place in my hunting scopes. It is perfectly adequate as a scope, but there is noticeable distortion at the edges(the other two have none that I can see), and it's generally not as sharp as the Vortex. Brightness seems on par with the Vortex. It's wire reticle I don't like as much because it changes color depending on lighting conditions. Ever looked through a Leupold with backlight and saw the reticle as brown-tan, I don't care for that. Leupold's sure seem to be tough enough, and have a good warranty if you need it. I am also a person that gives a shit that it's built in the US. I bought the Leupold because I wanted something light. For more money than the Vortex I'm disappointed with what it is though. 2 piece scope body and wire reticle, what year is this, 1970?
Anyway, if you're looking at Vortex's Viper line I recommend them. They're nice scopes, with good glass. I at one time had a Diamondback and it was more on par with the VX-2 above, and their Crossfire line is undergoing changes now as the old ones were very unreliable.
Re: wire vs etched reticle-new vortex scope
thanks. i am talking about the 5-15x44 HS which is being shown as a midway "exclusive".
thanks. i am talking about the 5-15x44 HS which is being shown as a midway "exclusive".
Re: wire vs etched reticle-new vortex scope
why would anyone want a 5-15 viper hs over a 4-16 viper hs? i think i remember reading that the midway scope came in at roughly 500 bucks witch is the same as the 44mm 4-16. wire reticle asside somone please educate me as to the benifit
why would anyone want a 5-15 viper hs over a 4-16 viper hs? i think i remember reading that the midway scope came in at roughly 500 bucks witch is the same as the 44mm 4-16. wire reticle asside somone please educate me as to the benifit
Re: wire vs etched reticle-new vortex scope
The Midway Vortex exclusive has mil adjustments, mildot reticle, and both turrets are PST (not just elevation). I think other than that it's a standard HS.
FYI-All Viper's are not the same. HS and standard both have wire reticles. PST has glass etched.
The Midway Vortex exclusive has mil adjustments, mildot reticle, and both turrets are PST (not just elevation). I think other than that it's a standard HS.
FYI-All Viper's are not the same. HS and standard both have wire reticles. PST has glass etched.
Re: wire vs etched reticle-new vortex scope
To the question of wire vs. etched, my understanding is that an etched lense is more durable. At the same time, any dust particle that lands on the lense will be noticible---doesn't happen often. Frustrating when it does.
To the question of wire vs. etched, my understanding is that an etched lense is more durable. At the same time, any dust particle that lands on the lense will be noticible---doesn't happen often. Frustrating when it does.
Re: wire vs etched reticle-new vortex scope
http://www.snipershide.com/forum/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=3088139&gonew=1#UNREAD
Scott from Vortex responded to this thread reguarding this.
http://www.snipershide.com/forum/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=3088139&gonew=1#UNREAD
Scott from Vortex responded to this thread reguarding this.
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