Rifle Scopes Viper PST 2nd time sending back

[slapdud]

I have a vortex viper pst 6-24x50 second focal plane scope and it is going back to them for the second time. The first time it went back was for an abberation on one of the interior lens that looked like a drop of water. It was only visible on 6x and even though I rarely use any power less than 24x it was still annoying knowing I had an $800 riflescope that had an issue. First time costumer experience was awesome I overnighted the scope to them, they sent it back 2 days later repaired. I went out Hard Rock shooting range in Alabama and praised their customer service and product. I shot the practice day for the match and the scope did really well. I got home to clean the rifle and notice the abberation is back on the lens. I called Vortex today and they want me to send it back for a replacement, here is where I am frustrated. I think with a scope of this cost that Vortex should send me a brand new scope with a return shipping label for mine, this is not how they do business though. They emailed me a shipping label to send it back to them first, not to mention I still have to pay for shipping materials. I was also informed by the customer service rep that they have taken in many scopes with a similar issue to mine. She stated "we talked about it up here last week and we are wondering if it is a poor anodizing job inside the tube." Im not comparing this scope to a nightforce, or a S&B because it isnt on the same level as scopes in that price range, but a scope that is in the $800 range should not experience $70 riflescope problems.

 

[redneckbmxer24]

Re: Viper PST 2nd time sending back

Sell it after they replace it and buy a Bushnell Elite for the same money or a SSHD for a little more. Japanese > Phillipino.

 

[coldboremiracle]

Re: Viper PST 2nd time sending back

FWIW, I've had the same problem with Swarovsky, so just because it an 800$ scope doesnt mean it cant happen to a more expensive scope.

 

[slapdud]

Re: Viper PST 2nd time sending back

I would be twice as mad if it were a Swarovsky.

 

[Outdoorsman9]

Re: Viper PST 2nd time sending back

It happens to any company out there. Luckily yours is a Vortex and they will take care of you fast and not make you pay shipping.

 

[redneckbmxer24]

Re: Viper PST 2nd time sending back

No doubt that there's not a company out there that makes perfect scopes 100% of the time. However there is no denying some companies have a lot more problems than others.

 

[slapdud]

Re: Viper PST 2nd time sending back

This was just an informative type post. Not bashing any companies because as said Vortex will correct the issue it may just not be how I wanted it to go down. It is just concerning that I was told that this has been a common problem with their riflescopes.

 

[BCP]

Re: Viper PST 2nd time sending back

It's lubricant from the turrets I had that happen with an IOR scope. I'd ask for a replacement scope as it's obviously a lemon.

 

[jwp6114]

Re: Viper PST 2nd time sending back

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: slapdud</div><div class="ubbcode-body">but a scope that is in the $800 range should not experience $70 riflescope problems.</div></div>

Agree...

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: BCP</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I'd ask for a replacement scope as it's obviously a lemon.</div></div>

Agree...

Obviously Vortex is not as proud of their product and stand behind their name as well as other companies. There has to be a disconnect between QC and product testing. I have delt with other companies that bent over backwards to satify a customer that uses their product at events where there are multiple potential customers(I.E. Surefire, NF).

Votex optics have awsome glass and features for the money and would fill a large gap in the market if they can hammer out these QC issues. It wouldn't be that hard to mount and test fire a repair'd unit. Find out what the problem is and corect it in future builds.

Thanks for the heads up, I was contemplating purchasing one of these scopes and now i beleive i will just save up for another Night Force.

 

[Sc0]

Re: Viper PST 2nd time sending back

I have a $2000 ST-17 USO with a loose piece of dust that floats around on the inside... Sometimes it gets on the reticle lense and sometimes it's somewhere else. If that makes you feel better?

(No I haven't sent it in for repair, a shake or bump then it disappears.) To make things worse I have a PST on order and would really like to get one that is not defective......

 

[coach4christ]

Re: Viper PST 2nd time sending back

I have 3 vipers. Not one problem with them.

 

[I'm in]

Re: Viper PST 2nd time sending back

USO's customer service is second to none.
I was told, "we will stand behind all our products
whether or not you are the original owner." They meant it.
My Vortex Razor has be flawless FWIW. Tracks perfectly.
Best of luck in the repair.

 

[Jethro3898]

Re: Viper PST 2nd time sending back

Unfortunately bro, I think you have a lemon. I'm sure every company makes a few.
I would think Vortex will make it right, especially after this is the 2nd return. If for some reason they do not make it right, I think it would be the first time I've heard of it.

I have a 6-24 PST and haven't had an issue with it yet.

I hope they get you fixed up because I know how aggravating things like this are.

 

[kaotic504]

Re: Viper PST 2nd time sending back

wow, i have the exact same issue. i'm glad i'm not the only one. let me know if you get a replacement.

 

[the once-ler]

Re: Viper PST 2nd time sending back

I had this happen with 2 BRAND NEW Premier Light Tactical scopes except it had at least a DOZEN oil droplets all on the inner lens.
I bought them from optics planet and they sent me a new one in exchange and the second one had it too. And everyone is bitching me out about returning a "perfectly good scope"
If you pay for something new you should not get a repaired scope you should get a new "Virgin" scope in return

 

[slapdud]

Re: Viper PST 2nd time sending back

Again not bashing Vortex. They were very pleasant to work with the first time. I am going to ship it off tommorrow and I know I will get a replacement like they promised. I started this thread to see if others out there had experienced this issue with vortex scopes. Companies like Vortex watch these forums and hopefully they will find the disconnect in QA.

 

[LRRPF52]

Re: Viper PST 2nd time sending back

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: JWP6114</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: slapdud</div><div class="ubbcode-body">but a scope that is in the $800 range should not experience $70 riflescope problems.</div></div>

Agree...

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: BCP</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I'd ask for a replacement scope as it's obviously a lemon.</div></div>

Agree...

<span style="color: #FF0000">suctomer (can I use this term, I like it!-very appropriate for the discussion)</span>

Votex optics have awsome glass and features for the money and would fill a large gap in the market if they can hammer out these QC issues. It wouldn't be that hard to mount and test fire a repair'd unit. Find out what the problem is and corect it in future builds.

Thanks for the heads up, I was contemplating purchasing one of these scopes and now i beleive i will just save up for another Night Force. </div></div>

I'll take Vortex's customer service over NF any day, any month, any year. I know several shooters who can't even get a response from NightForce, and they own several NF tubes, one even is sponsored on the US Shooting Team for a certain major rifle maker, and has won against foreign teams on their own turf.

Last time I saw him, he had ditched the NF in favor of Vortex Razor HD. Having purchased an NXS 5-22x56 before, I started wondering what service little old me (suctomer) would get if a sponsored shooter who's entire US team's rifles are topped with NF can't get service.

I waited for my USO for 17 months, and it had a piece of debris in the FOV, in addition to a smudge on the Cerakote finish. I was told to beat the scope on a phonebook until the debris moved. After paying $2700+ for a top-tier rifle optic for competition, and I find it defectve upon opening the package, is it really a good idea to tell the <span style="font-style: italic">suctomer</span> to aggressively beat something with the scope??? (I swung away like Babe Ruth, I must admit.) I was fuming mad, while being encouraged to lash out violently on the scope...good combo!

When I blew out the side focus on an S&B PMII 5-25x56, I got to experience the full shebang that S&B's service is. When it finally was returned half a year later, the side focus was reversed, so that your 100m focus was infinity, and infinity was up close! Nice!

Don't get me wrong, as I appreciate S&B, USO, and NF glass for what they are, but Vortex responds promptly, honors their warranty (which can't be beat), and makes a great product line. As I see it, the service line-up is this:

<span style="font-weight: bold">Vortex:</span> Quick, responsive, their product, they'll fix it, customer needs to be happy.

<span style="font-weight: bold">NightForce:</span> Crickets

<span style="font-weight: bold">S&B:</span> $3200-$3400 scope, critical component breaks, long wait for repair, repair is done like a Chinese new scope, which is beyond shameful for a German company.

 

[slapdud]

Re: Viper PST 2nd time sending back

So once again Vortex is making it right. The customer service rep sent me an email this morning stating that she has a scope waiting for me and as soon as she sees the shipping information confirmed she will send that one on its way.
They may not be the most expensive scopes on the market but they have all of the features a precision shooter needs at an average guy price.

Im wondering why rifle scopes would need lubrication on the turret assembly inside of the main body though. If the bodies are purged with nitrogen there shouldnt be any oxidation of the moving parts to warrant any type of liquid lubrication.

Just a question because it seems Vortex is not the only scope with the lube issue.

 

[jwp6114]

Re: Viper PST 2nd time sending back

a grease would be a better chioce than an oil that can splatter.

I supose i have just had good luck with NF but theres something to be said for a company that has a warranty like Vortex but not need it

 

[jeffersonv]

Re: Viper PST 2nd time sending back

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: JWP6114</div><div class="ubbcode-body">
Obviously Vortex is not as proud of their product and stand behind their name as well as other companies. </div></div>

Yeah, dang. Wouldn't it be nice if Vortex stood behind their scopes.

Thanks for clearing this up for us.

There sure is lots to learn on this forum.

 

[jwp6114]

Re: Viper PST 2nd time sending back

I would'nt be supprised to see more of these issues poping up

 

[samnev]

Re: Viper PST 2nd time sending back

I have 2 Vortex Viper PST 4-16X50 FFP scopes and have not had a problem with either.

 

[ollie]

Re: Viper PST 2nd time sending back

I have switched all my scopes to vortex and can say except for one small issue they have all worked excellent. on the one "issue" there was a speck of black dust on the reticle that bothered me. I called them and sent it back at there cost as it had not been mounted yet. I sent it on a friday and had it back within a week. I am running 2 ffp pst's and 3 vipers.

 

[Early Cuyler]

Re: Viper PST 2nd time sending back

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: LRRPF52</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I'll take Vortex's customer service over NF any day, any month, any year. I know several shooters who can't even get a response from NightForce, and they own several NF tubes, one even is sponsored on the US Shooting Team for a certain major rifle maker, and has won against foreign teams on their own turf.

Last time I saw him, he had ditched the NF in favor of Vortex Razor HD. Having purchased an NXS 5-22x56 before, I started wondering what service little old me (suctomer) would get if a sponsored shooter who's entire US team's rifles are topped with NF can't get service.

I waited for my USO for 17 months, and it had a piece of debris in the FOV, in addition to a smudge on the Cerakote finish. I was told to beat the scope on a phonebook until the debris moved. After paying $2700+ for a top-tier rifle optic for competition, and I find it defectve upon opening the package, is it really a good idea to tell the <span style="font-style: italic">suctomer</span> to aggressively beat something with the scope??? (I swung away like Babe Ruth, I must admit.) I was fuming mad, while being encouraged to lash out violently on the scope...good combo!

When I blew out the side focus on an S&B PMII 5-25x56, I got to experience the full shebang that S&B's service is. When it finally was returned half a year later, the side focus was reversed, so that your 100m focus was infinity, and infinity was up close! Nice!

Don't get me wrong, as I appreciate S&B, USO, and NF glass for what they are, but Vortex responds promptly, honors their warranty (which can't be beat), and makes a great product line. As I see it, the service line-up is this:

<span style="font-weight: bold">Vortex:</span> Quick, responsive, their product, they'll fix it, customer needs to be happy.

<span style="font-weight: bold">NightForce:</span> Crickets

<span style="font-weight: bold">S&B:</span> $3200-$3400 scope, critical component breaks, long wait for repair, repair is done like a Chinese new scope, which is beyond shameful for a German company.

</div></div>

I've got to say, I feel sorry for your luck! I have two Vortex PSTs (2.5-10x an 4-16x FFP), two NFs (8-32x BR and 12-42x NXS), and one S&B (5-25x). I've also had "issues" (most were embarassing rookie mistakes like zero-stop settings

) with all three manufacturers. EVERY time I have contacted Vortex (through email), NF (email), and S&B (PMed Jerry R here) I was contacted within 24hrs. EVERY time they either gave me correct instruction on how to fix my "problems" or how to send the scope back to them.

The only scope I had to send back was my Vortex 4-16x50 FFP due to the reticle rotating when I rotated the magnification ring. Sure it was frustrating but shit happens and I had it back in a week which was just fine with me.

All three manufacturers and their customer service departments are great in my opinion. While things may go wrong and bad components may get used accidentally, all three companies stood by their products and were committed to making it right. I couldn't ask for more.

Again, I am sorry for your experiences and if you're ever in the Augusta, GA area, hit me up and I'll buy you a beer!