FOG HORN
April 2021 Twobirds Flying Publications
Vortex Optics Viper Micro Red Dot
Copyright 2021, Towbirds Flying Publications. All Rights Reserved.
Vortex Optics Viper Micro Red Dot
2021
Vortex Optics Viper Micro Red Dot By: Sal Palma
The sight is adjustable for both windage and elevation in 1 MOA increments.
Vortex Optics is one of few premier purveyors of outstanding optics. The HD line of optical accessories requires no introduction; enjoying a global reputation for superb optical clarity and construction. Vortex offers a full line of red dot sights of which the Viper and Venom are two. In the micro red dot line, the senior citizen is definitely the Viper, having been introduced in 2015. But, do not underestimate its senior status, the Viper is very capable. The Viper is powered by a single CR2032 that keeps its 6 MOA dot illuminated for 150 hours in the brightest setting and up to 30,000 hours in its lowest setting.
Vortex has included two locking screws, one for each wind and elevation. The screws prevent any loss of zero from recoil or impact. You’ll need to loosen the locking screws to zero the sight, but once zeroed you’ll need to tighten the locking screws to maintain zero during firing. Copyright 2020, Twobirds Flying Publications, All Rights Reserved
Vortex Optics Viper Micro Red Dot
2021
3. The Viper shares the same footprint as the Company’s Venom Red dot, the Burris Fastfire and the Docter red dot, so finding a mounting plate won’t require scouring the planet.
My range session consisted of firing 50 rounds of .45 ACP 230 gr ball through the FN FNX 45 Tactical – it would have been 100 rounds had I been able to find .45 ACP 230 gr ball, I’ll leave it at that. Throughout my shooting, there was no shift in zero from recoil and a slight impact I included in the interest of thoroughness.
Having identified those positives points, the Viper’s senior status is revealed by its battery placement and the use of locking screws to maintain zero, both designs commonly found on the original micro red dot sights entering the market. Replacing the battery requires removing the sight from the slide or its Picatinny mount. Adjusting zero on a pistol where the rear sight is retained requires removing the sight.
There were three features that I truly appreciate in the Viper. 1. The 6 MOA dot is very visible and in my opinion ideal for pistol work or PDW platforms. Target acquisition is extremely fast and will keep you in the black. 2. The sight sits low on a competently machined slide. This makes a cowitnessing arrangement possible, as there’s nothing like quick access to your iron sights when your red dot goes dark.
I felt that the Viper’s ideal platform is a PDW like the FN P90 or PS90. Here, locking screws are easily accessible making adjusting zero less laborious. The Vortex Optics Viper is a robust, waterproof and shockproof micro red dot that will serve you well. When combined with the Vortex Optics VIP warranty for life program it’s a winning proposition regardless of where it is used. -SP
Copyright 2020, Twobirds Flying Publications, All Rights Reserved
Vortex Optics Viper Micro Red Dot
2021
Copyright 2020, Twobirds Flying Publications, All Rights Reserved