Rifle Scopes Vortex PST 1-4x Reticle... Ease of use?

[Amerigo]

I'm looking to get a good tactical scope in the 1-4x range to mount on an AR15. I'll be shooting torso-sized steel (or other similarly sized targets) from close range out to 500 meters or so.

The only two scopes I own (and have experience with) are a Viper PST 6-24x FFP and a Burris Fullfield II 4.5-14. Both of these have reticles with heavier bars/lines at the 3, 6, and 9 o'clock position (and 12 in the case of the Burris).

I'm seriously considering the Vortex PST 1-4x, but I'm concerned about having a reticle with no thick 3, 6, and 9 o'clock cross hairs. From "through-the-scope" photos I see online, it seems like the reticle "information" being just a tiny little area right in the center of the FOV would make it hard to acquire your target quickly and fire off your shot.

For those with experience with this reticle (or other similar reticles), is it harder to quickly acquire your target? I know the SWFA 1-4x reticle has what I'm looking for (the thick cross hairs), but since this is more of a "fun-gun" scope, I'd prefer to stick around the $500 mark (and put the extra money toward a long-range S&B one day!).

 

[limamike56]

I have this scope and you are right about the reticle issues. At the range about half of the people who try it make the same comments. I have very good vision and still have problems with it. I have talked to Vortex about it and they said it is the number one complaint about the scope. On the plus side, it is good glass for the money with nice turrets and you have Vortex guarantee. Would I buy it again? No.

 

[Amerigo]

I have this scope and you are right about the reticle issues. At the range about half of the people who try it make the same comments. I have very good vision and still have problems with it. I have talked to Vortex about it and they said it is the number one complaint about the scope. On the plus side, it is good glass for the money with nice turrets and you have Vortex guarantee. Would I buy it again? No.

You probably just saved me $500. But then again, you might have just cost me $800!

Anyone else have any thoughts? I absolutely love my Vortex 6-24x - I know the 1-4x will be good glass with great quality, and a great company backing it.

 

[LibertyOptics]

The MOA version is easier to use, the entire reticle is spread out vs. the MRAD and encompasses a broader range inside the scope's FOV.

Scott

 

[mzvarner]

Isn't this optic a FFP, so the reticle should increase in size with magnification right?

 

[SomeOtherGuy]

The 1-4x Viper PST is second focal plane.

The 1-4x Razor HD is FFP, but to confuse things the newer 1-6x Razor HD is SFP.

 

[jrob300]

I'll be shooting torso-sized steel (or other similarly sized targets) from close range out to 500 meters or so.

I just did this last weekend. I was using a Viper PST 2.5-10 and would not have wanted anything less to be sure. The 1-4 is a good scope, but after about 350-400 yds. you're going to want more magnification.... for target identification if nothing else.

John

 

[Tall Pine]

Great topic for my first post!

At what range does this problem show up? Im a noob to these 1-4s but was ASSuming the big red broken circle reticle would act like a huge red dot for real close up work. Is it more a problem for fast shooting drills/competition at the longer than CQC range?

I have this scope and you are right about the reticle issues. At the range about half of the people who try it make the same comments. I have very good vision and still have problems with it. I have talked to Vortex about it and they said it is the number one complaint about the scope. On the plus side, it is good glass for the money with nice turrets and you have Vortex guarantee. Would I buy it again? No.

 

[khallmark]

The moa reticle is very quick to use up close and I have shot 12" plates out to 600 yards. 4x ain't ideal at that distance but it is doable on torso sized targets.

 

[1slow01z71]

I like mine, its probably not the best reticle for fast accusation but for my hobbyist uses it works well and I enjoy the glass clarity along with the illumination for dark time hunting. For 500yd shots, I like the 2.5-10x32FFP I just got. The glass is nice and clear on it too, and the extra magnification really helps for those longer shots. The eyebox gets a little tight on the high end but Im not a tacticool guy so it doesn't bother me much. Either scope is good in my book but Ive never looked through the SWFA youre talking about.

 

[limamike56]

Great topic for my first post!

At what range does this problem show up? Im a noob to these 1-4s but was ASSuming the big red broken circle reticle would act like a huge red dot for real close up work. Is it more a problem for fast shooting drills/competition at the longer than CQC range?

It is actually very fast and functional at CQB distances when set at one power with illumination on and using both eyes open-almost as fast as my Aimpoints.

It is when you are trying to use the reticle for any kind of accurate ranging, holdovers and quick compensation for wind that the problems quickly begin to show up. If you use the mil/mil version of the scope it is just about useless to do these things in any sort of accurate and efficient manner.

 

[Tall Pine]

Thanks Mike. I am after the MOA model and appreciate your feedback. For my slow paced shooting, sounds like it will work well on the bench, as well for home defense. It will be replacing my Aimpoint PRO which I like, but I have been yurning for some magnification.

Thx

It is actually very fast and functional at CQB distances when set at one power with illumination on and using both eyes open-almost as fast as my Aimpoints.

It is when you are trying to use the reticle for any kind of accurate ranging, holdovers and quick compensation for wind that the problems quickly begin to show up. If you use the mil/mil version of the scope it is just about useless to do these things in any sort of accurate and efficient manner.

 

[limamike56]

If you are sure you want a MOA vs Mil scope then you will definitely see an improvement in ease of use over the mil version of this scope. MOA or Mil there are much better reticles out there IMHO. I just wish Vortex offered some of them in this scope.

 

[Tall Pine]

Yeah I am beginning to spot this trend about reticle preference. I am also looking for a 16x or 24x and to get moa/moa AND the reticle I like its tough to find one in my price range. So far the PST's seem to give the best mix of all these criterion for my inexperienced eye anyway. Its just tough to pull the trigger. Lol

Thx again for your help.
Tall

 

[1slow01z71]

Ive got the tal turret model, but that's only because I got it in a trade. This scope for the IMO relatively short range that itll be used the capped turret option would be better. Im not going to dial windage or elevation with a 4x scope. Im just not going to use it to shoot far enough to need to compensate. If I need a little elevation that's what the reticle subtensions are for. You can find either version in the PX for mid 400s delivered all the time. Good bang for the buck option IMO. The illumination is also perfect along with it having off spots between each level of illumination.

I too hope that Vortex revamps their reticle lineup. They must have a monkey making those kind of decisions. Why the hell companies continue to screw up good scopes with BDC reticles is beyond me. Also not quite sure why a scope with a tree reticle is worth the same as scope that's FFP and has illumination.

 

[limamike56]

Tall Pine,

Vortex makes a Viper PST 2.5-10x32 FFP Riflescope that can be had with MOA or MRAD reticles for 899.00 list. It is one hell of scope for the price. The reticle is fast to acquire, easy use for ranging and hold overs and offers a lot of features over the PST 1-4x24 line. You can use a 2.5 power scope at most CQB distances pretty damn well once you adapt to it and the 10 power is a big improvement over 4 power when you need magnification.