This is an excellent scope for several reasons. First, the optics are very good. I compared them to the whole family of Zeiss scopes (Terra, Conquest DL and Victory HT) and I'd place it just below the Conquest-- which is a compliment considering the DL is/was a $1,300 scope. Good resolution, sharpness and edge detail with no blue/yellow aberration. The color rendition is really good, too, passing a full spectrum that doesn't seem especially cool or warm (as some scopes are). The image doesn't have quite the three-dimensional quality that the higher end Zeiss scopes have but, again, I don't hold that against Vortex at all, this is a moderately priced scope.
The form factor of this scope, along with great glass, is a big selling point for me. It's12" long and weighs (I believe) about 16oz. That's pretty darn compact for a 2-10x44. The 44mm objective lens is a compromise between compactness and light gathering, and you do get a pretty tight eye box at 10x, which is to be expected given a 4.4(ish)mm exit pupil. The eye relief is fully restored going down to 8x or 9x so not a big deal, and my dial lives in the 4-8 range. The reticle is quite nice as well. I'm not a fan of the super complicated tactical reticles that seem to be getting harder and harder to avoid, but this one isn't obtrusive or cluttered at all. The crosshairs are very thin and I appreciate the lightness of center cross hairs, even with the dots. My favorite reticle is the German 4A and this comes quite close-- having a nice open area in the middle with lines that can still be seen in the twilight minutes.
The turrets click smartly, the tube is 30mm, the coating seems pretty tough, and a lifetime warranty. Really, for the money, it's hard to go wrong with this scope. It's a standout in the Vortex line where most below are kind of cheap and most above are really heavy, long, or expensive.
| Item Package Dimensions L x W x H | 16.61 x 4.49 x 4.29 inches |
|---|---|
| Package Weight | 1.03 Kilograms |
| Item Dimensions LxWxH | 16 x 4.5 x 4.5 inches |
| Item Weight | 16.5 Ounces |
| Brand Name | Vortex |
| Warranty Description | Unlimited, unconditional, lifetime warranty. |
| Model Name | Viper HS Second Focal Plane Riflescope |
| Color | Black |
| Material | Aluminum |
| Suggested Users | unisex-adult |
| Number of Items | 4 |
| Manufacturer | Vortex Optics |
| Part Number | VHS-4303 |
| Model Year | 2015 |
| Style | Dead-Hold BDC |
| Included Components | Riflescope, Protective lens caps, 4-inch sunshade, Lens cloth |
| Size | 2.5-10x44 |
| Sport Type | Hunting |
