Vortex PST Vs HST:  Which Is The Better Option?

The Vortex Precision shooting tactical and the viper Hunting shooting tactical are both reputable and powerful scopes manufactured by the vortex. Both are – Class scopes that have found a liking among different shooters.

This post will perform a Vortex PST vs. HST comparison by seven parameters: the focal plane, glass quality, eye relief, zero stop, warranty, size, and cost. We will also outline the Pros and Cons of both scopes.

Let’s dive into it.

Comparison Of The Vortex Viper HST And Viper PST Gen II

Vortex Viper HST Scopes

Features 

Vortex Viper HS-T is a versatile Rifle Scope. It is precise, durable, and offers long-range performance.

In addition to its military applications, the Viper HST may be used for hunting. This means that it can withstand more shock and adverse weather conditions.

The key features include the following:

• A 30mm long body constructed from a single piece of machined aluminum housing which is hard anodized and purged with Argon gas to avoid fogging.
• Each XD lens is fully Multi-coated with XRtm and Armotek technology, which enhances light transmission via several anti-reflective properties. The XR coatings provide enhanced light-gathering capability while Armortek coating protects the lenses.
• The multi-coated optics and O-ring sealed housing ensures reliable waterproofing, scratch resistance, and anti-reflection. Its armored coating enables the lenses to be scratch-proof.
• The length of the model is approximately 16 inches long, making the scope a bit bulky. Besides, it is a heavy-duty product that can resist all the impact when you are out for a hunting trip.

• The glass design provides you with a crystal-clear sight.
• Illuminated Reticle – The Viper HST has a VMR-1 (MOA) reticle mounted on a second focal plane. It is a classic cross-hair design that works at any magnification level to have precise and accurate timing control. In analytics, the reticle effectively moves target leads and windage corrections. The second focal plane reticle is perfect for accurate holds at extended ranges.
• A spacious eye box and 4-inch eye relief.
• The optics use XDTM Lens Elements made from extra-low dispersion glass to improve clarity and color accuracy.
• The magnification properties are good enough for all sectors, whether short-range, mid-range, or long-range hunting.
• The model has a 50mm lens that ensures incredible image clarity and field view. The clarity is questionable when zooming up to 24X; however, it delivers much better optical performance than other riflescopes.

• The viper HST features a Second focal plane (SFP) reticle near the scope’s eyepiece behind the image erecting and magnifying lenses. This reticle style does not visually change in size when you change the magnification.
• The advantage of an SFP reticle is that it always maintains the same appearance. Listed reticle subtensions for estimating range, holdover, and wind drift correction are only accurate at one particular magnification.
• The exposed tactical turrets of the Vortex Viper HST are constructed for precise and repeatable finger-adjustable clicks. A CRS Zero Stop allows for a reliable return to zero capability after dialing temporary elevation corrections.
• The turrets are also flat-topped minor points for some, but it makes setting using a bubble spirit level easier and reduces unwanted camber.
• The field of view of a Vortex viper HST is between 27.4 and 7.4 feet at 100 yards.

• 20-yard to infinity parallax adjustment on the Vortex HST scopes.
• 4-inch sunshade attribute that helps out in shooting while there is scorching heat outside. And a leather cloth, which you can use to clean up your lenses every day.
• The viper HST is equipped with the MAG-View Fiber Optic, which Provides an obvious reference point for the magnification setting, and the Radius Bar: a Fiber optic turret rotation indicator that provides a noticeable and tactile point of reference for turret rotations.
• Similar to the Viper PST gen ii, the viper HS features the Precision-Force Spring System, and precision glide erector system. The precision force spring Uses premium components in the erector-spring system to ensure maximum repeatability and ease of adjustment. The Precision-Glide Erector System uses premium components in the zoom lens mechanism to ensure smooth magnification changes under the harshest conditions.

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Vortex Viper PST Scopes

The increased resolution, color correction, audible and reliable turrets, and a Philippine ED glass are the major distinguishing features of a vortex viper pst. Other features include:

Features 

• The 30mm of the Vortex Viper PST’s aluminum alloy is hard anodized, and the scope is purged with Argon gas to prevent fogging. The multi-coated optics and O-rings in the housing make this device completely waterproof, scratch-proof, and reflection-free.
• The Viper PST Gen II’s illuminated reticle has 10 different brightness levels with the ability to adjust to any environment.
• Vortex XR coatings on extra-low dispersion glass lenses. Their anti-reflective and light-transmitting qualities are both enhanced. This increases resolution and color fidelity. XR fully multi-coated lenses enhance light transmission while the Armortek coatings protect the lenses from scratches, oil, and dirt.
• Consistent 3.4-inch eye relief which makes it ideal for rifles with significant recoil. 
• The field of view varies between 41.2 and 8.6 feet at a distance of 100 yards.

• You get a first focal plane scope and a second focal plane reticle with the Viper PST Gen II. The first focal plane sight has an EBR-2C or EBR-7C reticle in either MOA or MRAD, while the SFP scope has an EBR-4 reticle. The Range, holdover, and wind drift correction are approximated with the use of the Second Focal Plane Reticle.
• The precision force spring and precision glide systems are utilized in the Vortex Pst gen, the force spring utilizes premium components in the erector-spring system to ensure optimum repeatability and ease of adjustment.
• The Precision-Glide Erector System, in contrast, employs high-quality components in the zoom lens mechanism to guarantee silent and precise magnification adjustments, even in the most demanding environments.

• Twenty yards to infinity parallax.
• A fiber optic rotation indicator that ensures you keep track of your turret position with ease.

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Vortex Viper PST Gen II Scopes

Tube Diameter

The scope tube of the Vortex Viper PST Gen II 3-15×44 measures 30 mm in diameter. The 30mm tube offers a much more comprehensive range of windage and elevation adjustments than the smaller 25 mm tube.

Construction

The viper PST models have unique construction features that enhance their durability.

• Shockproof with rugged construction that withstands recoil and impact.
• Hard Anodized Finish: Highly durable low-glare matte finish aids in camouflaging the shooter’s position.
• Tactical-Style Turrets: Exposed turrets provide fast, accurate, and easily read elevation and windage adjustments.

Glass Quality

The PST Gen II models’ glass quality is better than the HST’s. The lenses of the scopes are made from extra-low dispersion glass. All air-to-glass surfaces are coated with Vortex’s XR proprietary coatings. The XR technology increases light transmission and anti-reflective characteristics.

Illuminated Reticle Options

The Illuminated Reticle provides precise aiming under low-light conditions.

For the PST scopes, the FFP scope models are equipped with the EBR-7C in MOA or MRAD, while the SFP scope models are available with the EBR-4 MOA reticle. The EBR-7C is a Hash-marked ranging reticle using MRAD-based subtension lines with floating wind hold dots for ranging, holdover, and windage corrections.

An unfair advantage to shooters who seek to keep the upper hand in every situation, from close quarters to long-range shots. The illumination dial is cleanly integrated into the side focus adjustment knob for easy access and streamlined performance.

The glass-etched reticle offers shooters highly functional, intuitive, and detailed hold points yet remain uncluttered for optimal viewing and features ten intensity levels with off positions between each setting.

Dual use for Shooting Tactical Hunting.

Focal Plane Reticle

While the first focal plane scope design has only recently gained general acceptance, it has gained a significant following in the long-distance shooting world. Before the last 5-7 years, The second focal plane was commonly used.

The first focal plane (FFP) reticles are near the windage and elevation turrets in front of the image-erecting and magnifying lenses. This reticle style visually grows and shrinks as you change the magnification.

The main advantage of an FFP reticle is that the reticle subtensions used for ranging, holdovers, and wind drift corrections are consistent at all magnifications. The reticle is heavier at higher magnifications and finer at lower magnifications.

Before the last 5-7 years, The second focal plane was commonly used. The first focal plane scope arrangement excels at long-distance shooting because the reticle remains at scale. Therefore a 4MOA adjustment at five power is the same at 20 power. That is a benefit that a second focal plane reticle cannot provide.

The disadvantage of a first focal plane reticle is that it starts relatively tiny at low powers and gradually grows more prominent as the power magnification increases. Because the reticle is so narrow at low power, it takes some getting accustomed to and may only be suitable for someone.

Eye Relief

The PST Gen II scope has an eye relief of 3.2″ to 3.4″, which is reasonably accurate. The 3.2″ to 3.4″ range in eye relief is still enough eye relief for most any caliber.

That’s in line with many other modern scopes and is usually enough for rifles with heavy recoil.

Zero Stop

The Viper HST and PST gen models feature a zero-stop feature. However, there are different zero-stop variations within the Vortex scopes.

The HST comes equipped with Vortex’s CRS Zero Stop system, with the CRS being an acronym for Custom Rotation Stop. This setup is not an accurate mechanical stop system but a system that utilizes shims. The elevation turret can be dialed back past the original zero point because it’s not a mechanical stop setup when installed.

Still, the shooter must manually turn the turret back to the original zero point.

The Viper PST Gen II models are equipped with the RZR Zero Stop. Which is an actual mechanical zero; once the RZR Zero Stop is correctly set, the shooter cannot dial the elevation turret back past the original zero point. The RZR system stops right on the assigned zero point.

The RZR Zero Stop system found on the PST Gen II series is an actual mechanical zero stop and feels more robust than the CRS system found on the HST scopes.

Warranty

The Viper PST series is covered under the Vortex’s Lifetime Warranty program, one of the business’s best optical warranties.

The Vortex Worldwide Lifetime VIP Warranty covers your purchase worldwide through the distributor or dealer in the country where you purchased your product.

However, it is essential to note that Products not imported into your country by the Vortex Authorized Distributor, including items brought to a country without having paid the necessary taxes and duties, are considered “Grey Market Products” and are not covered by this warranty.

Cost

In terms of cost, the Viper PST gen II is more costly than the Vortex viper hit by a few hundred bucks. However, considering the features of the Viper PST, the value for your money is guaranteed.

Vortex PST Vs HST, Which Is Better?

Viper HST Is Best For

1. The Vortex viper hunting shooting tactical (HST) is a nice scope, which makes it a great tactical scope.
2. The HST models are a better choice as they are typically less expensive.
3. The Hunting shooting tactical series is a better hunting rifle choice as they are built for versatility. The Viper Hst is known as a perfect hunting scope, and it is ideal for long-range shooting.

Viper PST Is Best For

1. The Vortex precision shooting tactical is a classic mid-range scope with excellent magnification features. It is priced considerably and has a better scope, known for its versatility in different shooting situations.
2. The Vortex Viper PST is an excellent scope if you intend on shooting in low-light conditions. It features both the first focal plane (FFP) scope and the second focal plane scope, and awesome optical quality.
3. The vortex PST is equipped with a 50 mm objective lens, so you will have more light control for accurately gauging those long-distance shots.
4. The PST is designed with an illuminated etched reticle. This means the PST outperforms target acquisition in different versatile environments.
5. The Vortex PST scopes come in 7 different configurations, which means you get more versatility when deciding on an actual PST model.

Conclusion

The Vortex HST and the PST scopes are both excellent scopes. The Vortex PST gen ii stood out regarding its focal plane reticle options, lens clarity, the rzr zero stop system, and illuminated reticle options. In contrast, the Viper HST was a perfect scope in terms of its lower cost, lightweight, Eye relief, and parallax settings. So, it’s a draw for both scopes.

Which of the two scopes did you love? And what did you love about them? Leave a comment in the comment section below and remember to share the post with your friends.