Vortex Viper HST Review : In-Depth Review with Pros & Cons
When you have an AR or bolt gun, you need a rifle scope that can deliver according to your shooting application under all conditions. At the top of the list of such scopes is the Vortex Optics Viper HS-T Second Focal Plane Rifle scopes. Whether you are perched on a tree stand or lying down on a mountain top, this scope can make all the difference you need.
In case you are wondering what makes it so unique, this rifle scope blends many of the top features from the reputable Viper HS and Viper PST rifle scopes, both produced by Vortex. Check out this vortex viper HST review to discover why many shooting enthusiasts' new favorite toy.
Contents
Features:
Construction
The Vortex Optics Viper HS-T 4-16x44 has a 30 mm tube with higher strength and broader adjustment latitude. The machine is made of aircraft-grade aluminum and is a type-3 hard-iodized coated, increasing its strength and durability. The scope is a bit heavy, but you do not have to worry since the weight is mostly contributed to by the quality materials and construction. A one-piece tube ensures maximum alignment for enhanced accuracy and optimized visual performance.
Suitable for All Weather Situations
This rifles cope is suited for all types of environments. It can be used uninterruptedly across all changing conditions. The O-ring seals also contribute to the overall strength and waterproof characteristic and prevent dust, moisture, and debris from entering. It is a construction that makes it reliable in all types of environments and weather conditions. The low-glare matte finish help camouflage your position as you take the shot.
Glass and Reticle
The glass is one of the essential parts of any reticles, and should, therefore, choose it wisely. In this area, the Vortex Optics Viper HS-T 4-16x44 has passed our tests excessively. Glass clarity and reticle are two fundamental ingredients in a superior rifle scope. The manufacturer did well in creating a proper scope by these parts. The scope gives a clear and bright image; a quality largely attributed to its glass features a fully multi-coated lens.
The technology provides enhanced light gathering capability. The multiple lens coatings also serve in extra low-light dispersion, improving the resolution and color fidelity in the user's sight. The riflescope has a VMR-1 reticle, which is most effective when you use it for moving targets leads and wind.
Windage and elevation
The windage and elevation adjustments of the rifle scope suits both beginners and experienced shooters. The HS-T 4 has size able tactical style turrets that utilize a precision-force spring system. And what does that mean? This means adjusting your settings is made easier and repeatable. When you dial in your temporary elevation setting, you can use the CRS Zero Stop to return to the zero.
Likewise, the turrets boast a Radius Bar Fiber-optic turret rotation indicator, which provides easy visibility and tactile reference point for the turret rotations. It gives you an adjustment range of 75 MOA, and each click equals 1/4 MOA.
Eye Relief, Magnification, and Parallax
The Viper HS-T 4-16x44 gives you a generous eye relief of 4 inches. This eye relief is more than enough to handle the recoil of most guns. This equipment also presents an eye box that is sufficient for most shooting applications. With a magnification of 4-16x, it performs excellently for targets 800 yards out or closer ranges.
The side focus parallax adjustment of this device ranges from 50 yards to infinity. A typical shooter will find this rifle scope very reliable and convenient, making it the perfect choice for more serious shooting applications. The generous eye relief, together with its powerful magnification and parallax, makes targeting easier and greatly increases your accuracy.
What We Like:
- It has a practical and uncluttered reticle
- Made of high-quality materials and parts
- Excels with medium to long-range targets
- Offer generous eye relief of four inches
- It's a good value for your money
- Features solid construction and intuitive adjustments
- The turrets provide audible clicks for quicker tuning
- Greater value for experienced shooters though even armatures will love it
What We Don’t Like
- It is heavier than necessary for outdoor usage
- In some cases, the magnification adjustment may be stiff and inefficient.
Frequently Asked Questions
How durable are the lenses? Is the tube durable too?
Both the tube and the lenses are designed with top technology to be durable. For the lenses, the Armortek coating is meant to keep them protected at all times. For the tube, it is made of aircraft-grade aluminum, which is very tough. The tube is further hard anodized coated for more protection.
To the turrets have caps?
No. The turrets are cap-less, which is one of the things that many experienced shooters love about it, especially those who shoot daily.
Who is the Vortex Optics Viper HS-T 4-16x44 designed for?
This rifle scope is a solid multipurpose piece of innovation that is meant to serve you in target shooting, hunting, and tactical situations.
Should I be worried about any scope bite?
Not. It offers a 4-inch eye relief, which is more than enough to protect you from the much-dreaded scope bite.
Can I use it in a low light situation?
Yes. It boasts an extra-low dispersion that increases the color fidelity allowing you to view quality images.
Final Verdict
As you have seen, the Vortex Optics Viper HS-T Second Focal Plane Rifle scopes are still some of the best. They are perfect for a wide range of uses, including shooting, hunting, and tactical use. Its all-round design allows it to excel with medium to long-range targets regardless of the environment, whether, or settings.
To get the best out of this equipment, you need to understand how it works. If you are new to it, go through the user manual, or let someone more experienced teach you how to use it. Once you master the second focal plane reticle, you will make the perfect shots.
