Vortex Viper 6.5-20×50 Review – An All-Weather Riflescope With Premium Features
Rifle scopes have become indispensable these days. Every shooter has a precise sighting device installed on his rifle. So it goes without saying that not having a good rifle scope like the Vortex viper 6.5-20×50 might be a drawback at the field. Even if you have a lot of experience, you would be surprised at how easy spotting your target can be when you have the right riflescope. Even the smallest errors can be avoided and the whole process gets a lot convenient and quick.
Talking about riflescopes the Mil-dot reticle is one of the most popular choices. This is even used by the military. Range estimation is made simpler in this type of reticle with the tiny dots that are lined along the crosshairs. These have been the popular choices as they also make it easy to estimate the distance to the target that comes in handy. Blending the benefits of a Mil-dot reticle on an easy to use design comes this riflescope from Vortex. This is definitely what one would categorize as affordable but it packs an ample amount of features to suit every type of shooter. And the best part is that you can use it in every type of weather, so with this in your bag, you have a dependable companion for your rifle.
This Vortex Viper 6.5-20×50 review aims at answering all the questions you might have before buying the product.
Vortex viper 6.5-20×50 Features and Specs
- Comes with a convenient Mil-dot reticle for better range estimation
- A single-piece design of the 30mm tube makes it easy to align the riflescope in no time
- Designed for long-range applications in all weather conditions
- Easier adjustments possible thanks to the presence of the tall capped turrets
- Parallax setting allowed – 50 yards to infinity
- A lightweight design weighing merely 21.6 ounces
- Comes with a maximum elevation adjustment of 65 MOA and maximum elevation adjustment of 65 MOA
- The field of view allowed is 17.4-6.2 feet/100 yards
- The objective lens included is of 50mm diameter
Is Vortex viper 6.5-20×50 the best riflescope for the long-range hunters?
There are many riflescopes in the market. For a casual user for whom a long-range and precise range estimation is not very important, there are numerous ones priced really low. But for the serious shooter, for long-range hunting, nothing beats the efficiency of a great riflescope like the Vortex viper 6.5-20×50 with quick and crystal magnification. It can provide long-range visibility with a magnification of up to 14x. The 50mm lens is wide enough to collect all the light that is transmitted and thus provide a better image resolution.
With a robust and durable build, this one can be mounted and adjusted in no time. The focus also happens smoothly without any delays. This one comes with a Mil-dot reticle. But you also have the option to choose other reticle styles if required.
The Mil-dot advantage
Snipers in the military have always preferred the Mil-dot reticle for the range estimation capabilities. With the precise spotting, these can improve the shooting skills even when the target is far away. If you are able to predict the trajectory of the bullet then you could easily use this reticle for holdover.
Better visibility of the target
To improve the visibility and to offer crisper images the Vortex viper 6.5-20×50 comes with XD (extra-low dispersion) lens elements. These are known for the very low dispersion that causes the image to be displayed with a better resolution and sharpness. While the dispersion is reduced the transmission is maximized. So capturing the details would be easy even when the target is very far. Most riflescopes can offer stunning images in a normal range. The real problem starts at the higher magnification. But the Vortex viper 6.5-20×50 offers blur-free images even in a maximum zoom of the lens. And the glares are avoided even on a sunny day, thanks to the anti-reflective coating.
A clutter-free sturdy build
The 30mm tube of the riflescope comes as a single tube without any loose parts. So aligning the tube on any rifle can be done in moments. This perfection in alignment results in a better focus and precise viewing of the target as well. And a single body design means that there is no way for water seepage. And the sturdy build can be credited to the solid design made of aircraft grade aluminum.
Complementing the tough construction the riflescope is equipped with an O-ring. This helps prevent the accumulation of dust and moisture. So the external elements would not be allowed to reach the lens and reduce the performance.
Keeping in mind the power of the rifle, this one withstands any type of vibration that might occur during a recoil or impact. And the anodized matte finish with a scratch-resistant coating on the top can also withstand scratches and external damage. It also ensures that there is no sheen to cause a glare or give away the location of the shooter. The external lens would also be protected from scratches and oily films and smudges.
It is not just the external moisture that is a problem in riflescopes. Fogging on the inside of the tube also might hamper the visibility. So this riflescope from Vortex comes with Argon gas purging that prevents internal fogging.
Easy adjustments
Keeping in mind the position of the rifle and the placement of the shooter’s hands the adjustment buttons are all placed on the left side. This makes it easy to reach them in a shooting position. The parallax removal, as well as image focus, can be quickly adjusted. While adjusting the parallax there are visible numbers to make it easy especially when you are using this riflescope for the first time. It can thus rule out all assumptions and provide accurate readings for adjustments in the position. While all this happens the tube stays in place without the slightest movements and thus you would never miss a target when you have this riflescope mounted. And the fit would also not be impacted by the recoil force or when you apply pressure on the adjustment knobs.
State of the art optics
The zoom lens included in the Precision-glide erector system is the best in the class and it allows easy magnification. The process is also smooth without hampering the view. To make the adjustments simpler there is a precision-force spring system. The spring system is also designed so as to bear the pressure that is exerted constantly.
Pros
- Accuracy remains impressive even at the maximum magnification of 14x
- The rugged design and the tough build quality makes this a durable option to consider
- With a bright light transmission ability, this can display vivid images with acceptable brightness
- The eyepiece allows quick focus
- Magnification settings can be changed easily on the MAG-Bar
- The efficiency of the reticle is elevated by the quick focus eyepiece
- Capped resets allow turret re-indexing without the need for any additional tool. This reduces the time taken and also helps shield the turret.
Cons
- For long range shooting, there are very few riflescopes that can match the performance of this one. But this riflescope is not the best choice for short range shooting. So when you set the zoom at the lowest range you might find that it is not as an exception as it is when the maximum zoom is set.
- The eye relief provided, 3.1 inches, is not the best when the magnification is set to the maximum level
Conclusion
The price of this product is something that causes the beginners to hesitate but then once you use the Vortex viper 6.5-20×50 you would not have the idea of going back to any other riflescope. There might be a few glitches here and there. But the product does exactly what it is designed for. Any type of long-range shooter would find this a go-to option irrespective of the weather and the lighting conditions.
True to the promise this one performs without fogging issues on the lens. And the tight O-ring prevents water from entering and makes the tube waterproof and thus extending its life. For the bright days there is the anti-reflective coating that prevents glares and for the darker scenes, there is a scope cover that is included. So irrespective of the light you would find the accuracy to be maintained.
Given the fact that this one packs some professional features on a simple design it is perfect for beginners and pros alike. Even for high windage adjustments, this one works perfectly. And every adjustment would be accompanied by a click sound which helps you tune better.