Vortex Viper vs Venom : Which One To Choose [Know Differences]

The Vortex Optical company is famous for building some of the best rifle and pistol optics available across the whole world. It is a fact that choosing the perfect optics for your gun can be very confusing.

It becomes quite hassling especially when the range of pistols and rifles that are equipped with mini red dots get considered. Among the vast range of excellent performance, the two m models which strike the most and have gained their popularity, are the Vortex Venom and the Vortex Viper. 

These two models are Red Dot sights for handguns and rifle usages. But when it comes to pistol and rifle scopes, the overall margin of choices begins to narrow down for a customer.

Basically, the Vortex Venom and Vortex Viper sights both are placed right at the top of that shortlist of choices. There might still be some difference in between these two and those slight distinguishing factors might prove a point for you to decide which is the best fit for your guns. 

To make it easier for shooters to find out the best fit for their handguns, pistols or rifles a detailed comparison article of Vortex Viper vs Venom is brought here while mentioning most of their features, specifications, durability, pricings and applications etc.     

Which Is Better, Vortex Venom Or Viper?

Vortex Venom is one of the most convenient red dots available in the market. It offers both the 3 MOA and 6 MOA red dots. On the other hand, Vortex Viper comes with only the 6 MOA version of it.

The Venom is slightly bigger in size than the Viper. Such advantage makes the Venom a great choice for rifles whereas it makes the Viper a perfect option for pistols and small weapons.

In Spite of their excellent performances and quality as well as great features there are some disadvantages too. The battery changes on the Viper are more difficult. But because of its design the viper has a more compact profile.

Compared to the viper, Vortex venom comes with a top-load battery system which makes it easier for Venom battery replacement. It also offers 10 brightness levels that makes it a great optic regardless of lighting conditions and adversities.

The perfect fit for your guns always depends on what you’re shooting and at what distance. Considering your preferences you then pick the most suitable one.

But mentioning the advantages & disadvantages, Vortex Venom review and Vortex Viper review respectively and slight differences in them, it can be said that both of these red dots are great optics but when it particularly comes to Vortex Viper vs Venom red dot comparison, then Vortex Venom somehow manages to go a notch up than the Viper red dot.

Vortex Venom vs Viper Difference Table

Vortex	Vortex Venom Red Dot Sight- 3 MOA	Vortex Viper Red Dot Sight- 6 MOA
Dimensions	1.9 x 1.02 x 1.11 (inches)    48 x 28 x 26 (mm)	1.81 x 1.02 x 1.06 (inches)   46 x 27 x 26 (mm)
Weight	1.6 oz	2.1 oz
Material Type	Aluminum	Aluminum
Coating	On Par (multi-coated)	On Par (multi-coated)
Battery	CR-1632	CR-2032
Battery Life	Min 150 hours (highest setting)   Up to 30000 hours (lower setting)	Min 150 hours (highest setting)   Up to 30000 hours (lower setting)
Durability	On Par (93%)	On Par (96%)
Auto Brightness	Yes	Yes
Night Vision	10 levels or auto mode	Adjustable Illumination
Waterproofing	Yes	Yes
Lens Cover Type	ArmorTek®	ArmorTek®
Eye Relief	Unlimited	Unlimited
Dot Size	3 MOA	6 MOA
Dot Colour	Bright Red	Bright Red
Max Elevation Adjustment	130	120
Max Windage Adjustment	100	120
Parallax Setting	Parallax Free	Parallax Free
Mount Type	Weaver/Picatinny	Weaver/Picatinny
Magnification	1x	1x
Price	$249.00	$229.99

Minute Of Angle (MOA) 

When it is about discussing the details of shooting, MOA is an abbreviation that rises pretty often. MOA stands for Minute Of Angle which is an angular measurement. Basically, MOA is 1/60th of a degree.

1 MOA spreads about 1” ( 1.047” to be exact) for a 100 yards of distance that you would be shooting at. It is a different size at different distances such as, a spread of 8” at 800 yards of distance would still be 1 MOA.    

According to the NSSF there are a few tips for using MOA while making the adjustments. You should always pay your focus on the increments of 1 MOA for whatever distance you would be shooting at.

If you are shooting at 300 yards of distance then 1 MOA at 300 yards is 3” as an MOA spreads 1” per 100 yards. If the calculation of such increments seems troubling then, all you have to do is to divide the distance you are shooting at by 100 and thus you can know how big 1 MOA is in inches that you need.

The determination of how many increments of 1 MOA would fit into your desired adjustment is important too. There are formulas to do such measurements quite easily.

Otherwise you can also try dividing the number of inches you want to make the adjustment by the number of 1 MOA at the target distance. Suppose, you want to move the impact of the bullet by 18” for shooting at a distance of 600 yards and you know it already that for 600 yards 1 MOA is 6”.

So an adjustment of (18/6 = 3) 3 MOA for 600 yards will move the bullet 18”. Above all, you should always think in MOA rather than the clicks on your scope. The majority of the retail scopes come with an adjustment of ¼ MOA per click.

Some even adjust in ⅛, ½, 1 MOA per click. But if you know how many MOA to adjust then you can make the adjustment on your scope more easily while not totally depending on the particular clicks.

There are a few formulas for calculating such MOA measurements. These formulas will make it easier for the shooters to make the adjustments on their own for any target distance.

Target distance in yards / 100 = Inches per MOA at that exact distance.

Number of inches for required adjustment / inches per MOA at that very distance = MOA Adjustment.

Number of clicks per 1 MOA on the scope  x  MOA Adjustment = Clicks’ adjustment on the scope.

Source: theshootersoptics

What Is 3 MOA Dot?

MOA is basically the size of the dot at a specific target distance. A 3 MOA dot covers about 0.31 inches (8mm) of area at 10 yards and at 100 yards of distance it covers an area of about 3.1 inches (8cm).

Basically, a 3 MOA red dot offers precision and is a very perfect choice for balancing between shooting distant targets. It offers top-notch efficiency & accuracy while used on shotguns, pistols. 

What Is 6 MOA Dot?

A 6 MOA dot is larger in dot size hence it helps with fast picking up and aiming at the target. It covers a 3” inches circle at 100 yards of distance. 6 MOA dots are usually suitable for long-range guns & rifles. It is used for hunting, IPSC training, dog handling etc. 

Vortex Venom 6 MOA vs 3 MOA Difference 

Both the 3 MOA & 6 MOA red dots are easy to see in daylight and paint on the target even with bad lighting conditions or background. You can choose among 10 levels of brightness in manual mood or you can switch to auto mood. 

You can use them for about 150 hours with the highest settings and for about 30000 hours in lower settings. Despite that Vortex Venom 6 MOA Red Dot and Vortex Venom 3 MOA Red Dot have got few differences between them.

Therefore, a Vortex Venom 6 MOA vs 3 MOA difference table is plotted below;

Entity	3 MOA	6 MOA
Dot Size	Smaller than the 6 MOA	Larger than the 3 MOA
Covering Area	3” circle at 100 yards of distance	6” circle at 100 yards of distance
Advantage	Precision	Fast picking & aiming
Used For	Target shooting	Hunting, IPSC training, Dog handling,
Accuracy & Preference	Efficient and accurate for shotguns and pistols	Suitable for long guns and rifles

Vortex Optics Venom Red Dot Sights – 3 MOA

Vortex Venom Red Dot offers both 3 MOA & 6 MOA reticles. Here we are going to have a brief about the features and performance of 3 MOA only.

MOA means the Minutes Of Angle which is nothing of a rocket science related term rather it is a common thing in angular measurement of shooting aspects.

A 3 M0A red dot promotes fast target acquisition with ensuring best possible accuracy at a certain target distance. It offers a precise point of aim and to get down range shooting. 

Vortex Venom Red Dot 3 MOA is basically a perfect rifle scope for target shooting and to balance between targets at a shooting distance. It is proved to be quite efficient and precise when used with shotguns and pistols as it provides an optimal flexibility as well. 

Its high quality aluminium housing makes it withstand all kinds of adversity. It has got a fully multi-coated lens that offers a clear and wide field of view. It provides 10 levels of brightness levels to choose from.

It has parallax free design and also comes with an auto brightness mood. It uses an ambient light sensor that controls the intensity of the dot. Venom Red Dot 3 MOA has a CR-1632 battery with the top load system which helps in changing the power source without removing the sight. 

Vortex Venom Red Dot 3 MOA has a very sleek design where the Flush 1 MOA elevation and windage adjustment make the sighting in a breeze. It comes with a Picatinny mount weighing 1.6 ounces.  

Vortex Venom Review

Considering the comparison of Vortex Venom vs Viper in all the aspects that include features and performances of both, Vortex Venom is claimed to be the better one by offering both the 3 MOA and 6 MOA versions in the market.

Such an offering makes it a great choice for both the  long guns, pistols and handguns. It will fit very well on your rifle for its sleeker size that helps with an easier handling of it.

It has a parallax free design and also offers unlimited and non-critical eye relief.       

Dot, Lens, And Glass Coating 

Vortex Venom is available with two kinds of red dots. These are Vortex Venom Red Dot 3 MOA & Vortex Venom Red Dot 6 MOA. The 3 MOA is a finer choice for hitting the target while maintaining a high level of precision. 

It has a fully multi-coated lens with multiple anti-reflective coatings on its air to glass surface. It helps with the increasing light transmission. It provides a premium Wide-field lens having edge to edge resolution. The ArmorTek coating protects it from accidental scratches and repels oil, dirt etc.   

Vortex Venom Accuracy

3 MOA is quite a finer red dot for precise target acquisition than 6 MOA. Hence Vortex Venom 3 MOA has a better accuracy rate. But 6 MOA takes a larger area on the target.

Several reviewers have also said the same thing about the accuracy of a vortex venom red dot after using it on their rifles, pistols and handguns.

Vortex Venom Run Time

Vortex Venom has a run time of about 550 hours.  Although depending on the levels of  brightness and settings (higher or lower) it may vary. 

Vortex Venom Battery

Battery is an important factor when it comes to the comparison of optics. Vortex Venom Red Dot has a CR 1632 battery that has auto shut-off features in it after the usage of 14 hours.

The Vortex Venom Battery placement is a top loaded system that changes its breeze so the removal of sight will not be needed for the venom battery replacement. 

The Vortex Venom Battery has a duration up to 150 hours when it is on the highest setting and while on the lower setting the battery life extends up to 30000 hours. Compared to the Vortex Viper Red Dot, the Vortex Venom battery is larger in size. 

However, some users also got a few complaints about the design of the battery cover which makes it a bit difficult to close when replacing the battery.      

Durability Of The Scope

While purchasing any scope the durability of it becomes an essential factor which distinguishes it from the other ones. The vortex optics venom red dot is a single piece chassis that is compact and lightweight.

It has matte anodized finish which is corrosion and wear resistant and provides a low-glare matte surface that helps with camouflage the shooter’s position. It’s ArmorTek finish gives it an ultra-hard, oil and dirt repulsive, scratch resistant coating that protects the exterior lens.

Both the venom 3 MOA and Venom 6 MOA are highly durable and their maintenance is not a difficult issue. Moreover, its high-grade aluminium housing ensures its durability against all the adversity thrown at it.          

Quality

Vortex Venom is great in quality from both optical and constructive point of view. It is made of machined aluminium housing that helps it to withstand all kinds of odds. It also provides a rigid and high quality body structure to the scope.

Unlike other red dot and holographic sights Vortex Venom Red Dot Sight comes with a parallax free design. The vortex venom is a quality red dot scope for target shooting and precision.

Mounting Height

Vortex Venom scope can be mounted pretty low which is a very good advantage actually. Both Venom & Viper got the low mount ability and it makes both of these scopes popular among the users.

Venom is about 0.3 inches higher than Viper. Hence, there is a slight difference in the line of sight and barrel.

Size And Weight

The Vortex Venom red dot sight is very sleeker in size and looks. It has a length of 1.9 inches, width of 1.02 inches and height of 1.11 inches.

The venom weighs about 1.6oz when the mount is added on it, otherwise it weighs about 1.1oz only. Although the vortex venom is lighter in weight than the viper.

Windage And Elevation Adjustment

The Vortex venom red dot offers the feature of elevation and windage adjustment in 1 MOA clicks. There are dials available on the scope to adjust the elevation & windage by dialing them up or down or right or left.

Source: Amazon

Usage Of The Scope

As the venom comes with varieties in its reticles by offering both 3 MOA and 6 MOA, it is proved to be a quite useful optics. The 3 MOA helps with precise target shooting.

The larger dot ( 6 MOA) can also be used if you need the vortex red dot sight as a backup to the scope. Besides, the multiple layered anti-reflective glass coating provides a better optimal performance which helps in target shooting.

Features of Vortex Optics Venom Red Dot Sight

• Multiple anti-reflective coatings on all air – glass surfaces. It betters the light transmission. 
• Premium Wide-Field lens
• 10 levels of brightness settings are available, bothin manual and auto mode. 
• Unlimited and non-critical eye relief
• Parallax free design
• Single-Piece chassis that is compact and lightweight.
• ArmorTek coating on lenses ( scratch resistant, ultra-hard, oil & dirt repulsive)  
• Matte-anodized finish
• 14 hour auto shut-down battery system that maximizes battery life
• 150 hours of run time in highest settings and 30000 hours of run time in lower settings  
• Glock MOS (9mm or .40)
• Glock MOS (.45 or 10mm) 
• Mounts available at Springer Precision.
• Hole spacing detail for Venom 3 MOA red dot

Specifications:

• Red dot in colour
• Weighs 1.6oz 
• 1x Magnification
• 3 MOA dot size 
• Max elevation adjustment is 130 MOA
• Mx windage adjustment is 100 MOA
• CR 1632 Battery 
• Waterproof
• Shockproof 
• Fogproof

Vortex Venom Problems

The venom usually receives too many positive reviews from its users. But it has some problems too and the users have also reported about few of those issues. Basically, the venom receives objections mostly on it’s elevation and windage adjustment problems.      

Vortex Venom elevation problems

The venom has an issue with its elevation adjustment that has been reported as a bit problematic for its users. It includes the vertical and horizontal adjustments malfunctioning.    

Vortex Venom windage problems

This actually includes certain sound problems with the dials. The dials or adjustment screws  don’t provide any clicking noise which could cause a bit of a problem, like whether the vortex venom can hold zero or not. 

Vortex 6 MOA Venom Red Dot Sight

The Vortex Venom Red Dot Sight-6 MOA provides fast target acquisition with a precise aiming as it has a larger target area on the dot and can easily be painted on the target.

It’s aluminum body makes sure that it will stand up to every odd situation. It has also got a high quality, fully multi-coated lens that offers ultra-clean, wide field of view and offers 10 brightness levels as well.

It’s 1 MOA windage and elevation adjustments are very sleek and it makes the sighting in a breeze. Venom 6 MOA runs on a CR1632 battery and it’s top load system makes the battery replacement quite easier.

It is a single-piece chassis and has matte anodized finishing with ArmorTek protective coatings on it.   

Vortex Venom 6 MOA Battery Life

Vortex Venom 6 MOA runs on a CR1632 battery. It has a run time of about 150 hours while being on the highest settings and up to 30000 hours when it is on the lower settings.  

Vortex Optics Viper Red Dot Sight – 6 MOA

The Viper Red Dot Sight 6 MOA has a mounting of super low-profile that makes it far more suitable for handguns with cut-out slides. It’s low height allows the viper red dot to co-witness with suppressor height iron sights.

The Viper 6 MOA dot is easy to pick up and aim at the target fast. The controls of power and illumination of the scope are quite easier and user friendly for shooters to access and adjust.

A fully multi-coated and ultra-clear lens provides a wide & unobstructed field of view. The Armortek coatings on Viper red dot protect its lens from oil, dirt, and accidental scratches.

It runs on a CR 2032 battery with 14 hours auto shutdown system that maximizes the battery life. It has a hard anodized finish that makes it a highly durable red dot scope with low-glare matte finish.

It’s windage and elevation adjustments  dials have 1 MOA adjustment graduation on them to move the dot to the aiming point. Its elevation adjustment is about 120 MOA and windage adjustment is 120 MOA as well.

The Vortex Viper Red Dot Sight 6 MOA is available with Picatinny mount and it weighs about 2.1 oz with the mount on. The waterproof and shockproof construction makes sure  Viper Red Dot is ready for all conditions regardless of the amount of adversities thrown at it.

It’s O-ring seals prevent the moisture, dust and debris from penetrating through it and ensure a  reliable performance in all environments and locations under any kind of lighting conditions. 

Vortex Viper Red Dot Review

Vortex Viper Red Dot has got a super-low mounting height. It makes Vortex Viper 6 MOA a perfect solution for handguns that have cutout slides. For a dot sight, it gives simplicity and speed advantage co-witnessing with suppressor height iron sight.

The Viper 6 MOA helps shooters with fast pick up and target acquisition. Its power and illumination controls are easy and that’s why shooters can access and adjust with ease.

Dot, Lens, And Glass Coating

Vortex Viper Red Dot is available with 6 MOA reticle only. The red dot is easy to see in bright daylight and paint targets regardless of lighting conditions or the background.

The light transmission increases as it’s ultra-clear lens is fully multi-coated and offers a wide field of view. The ArmorTek coatings protect the glass from scratches, dirt, oil etc.    

Vortex Viper Red Dot Accuracy

As Vortex Viper comes with the 6 MOA Red Dot it takes a larger area on the target for shooting. Hence the accuracy of shooting a target by using Vortex Viper 6 MOA on your handguns increases compared to any 3 MOA scope.

Vortex Viper Red Dot Run Time

Vortex Viper Red Dot runs on a CR 2032 battery. Its run time is 150 hours when it is on highest settings and up to 30000 hours when on lower settings. Its 14 hour auto shut-down option maximizes the battery life.

Mounting Height

It is already mentioned that Viper 6 MOA has super-low mounting height which makes it a perfect pick for the handguns with cutout slides. Viper is about 0.3 inches lower than Venom and it makes a slight difference in the line of sight and barrel. It has a Picatinny mount just like Venom does.

Size And Weight

Vortex Viper Red Dot has a length of 1.81 inches , width of 1.02 inches & height of 1.06 inches. It weighs almost the same as the venom. With the mount on it weighs about 2.1 oz.

WindageAnd Elevation Adjustment

The Viper offers adjustable windage and elevation dials with 1 MOA marks on them. To adjust the windage and elevation setting you have to loosen up the both adjustment lock screws about 1 ½  turns.

Then you have to adjust the dials up or down or right or left shown by the arrows. After making the adjustment you should retighten up the lock screws for ensuring a firm adjustment.

Source: Amazon

Usage Of The Scope

The viper only has a larger red dot that makes it a suitable scope for the small weapons. Its usability is quite easier according to the reviews that are given by the users of viper red dot on their handguns.

If you are looking for accuracy only regardless of precision then Vortex Viper has got a better accuracy than Venom as it has 6 MOA red dot in it. 

Features of Vortex Optics Viper Red Dot Sight – 6 MOA

• Fully Multi-Coated lenses, got multiple anti-reflective coatings on all air-to-glass surfaces that increase light transmission.
• Parallax free design
• Wide and unobstructed field of view 
• Unlimited eye relief
• Compact and lightweight as it is single-piece chassis 
• Matte Anodized Finish 
• ArmorTek coatings on glasses
• Slide cutout type
• Battery life maximizes with 14 hours auto shutdown system
• Rigid Aluminium construction 

Specifications:

• 6 MOA Red Dot size
• 1x Magnification
• 1 MOA Adjustment graduation
• Battery runs up to 150 hours on highest settings and 30000 hours on lower settings
• Elevation adjustment 120 MOA 
• Windage adjustment 120 MOA 
• Waterproof, Shockproof, Fogproof

Vortex Viper Red Dot Problems

Viper Red Dot has a bottom load thus it does not have any tightening battery cap on it. Vortex Viper red dot has another important problem in it which is its slow battery replacement process.

Sometimes it’s lock screws get loosened up and it doesn’t hold to zero.

What Is Vortex Venom?

To make your AR, pistols, shotguns even more poisonous Vortex Venom Red Dot Sight is a perfect tool. It is available with both top-load 3 MOA and 6 MOA reticle systems.

Venom 3 MOA offers a precise target acquisition getting shots down range and on target fast. It has 10 levels of brightness and runs on a CR1632 battery.The venom weighs about 1.6 oz and comes with a Picatinny mount.

Is The Vortex Venom Any Good?

It is a very strong, rigid scope that you could eleven rack the slide on something with it. Even after 10000 rounds Venom red dot sight holds zero dead on. Its ultra-clear glasses and illumination system works perfectly even in dark locations.

It has got a fine battery which is easily replaceable. Unlike other red dots Vortex Venom provides too many user friendly features that make it easy for a shooter to use the guns with comfort and get done with target shooting pretty fast. Hence, it can be said for sure that Vortex Venom is a really good red dot sight.

Vortex Venom On Glock

Vortex Venom easily fits for several glocks with proper mounts on. You can get a plate for Gen 3/Gen 4 Glock. It mounts while using the rear sight dovetail from EGW (Evolution Gun Works).

Moreover, you can otherwise mount to the rail with a UM Tactical UM3 rail mount or you could send your Glock out to have it milled.. Best option is having the slide milled for your optic plate.

You should not use the blue loctite because it will fail. The Vibra Tite VC-3 threadlocker is needed for optics. It resists vibration and slide impulses pretty well otherwise it’d break the blue loctite. It also allows for easy removal for replacing or repairing the optic.

Vortex Venom On AR15

To mount a Vortex Venom red dot sight on AR15 you basically would need  Vortex AR15 Riser Mount with a quick release part # MT-5108.

You could also use Samson Manufacturing Quick Release Micro Reflex Red Dot Mount which fits the Vortex Venom to mount on AR15 with a rugged styling and one-handed quick release locking mechanisms.

Our Verdict: Which Is Better, Vortex Venom Or Viper? 

Both are great! But the better one comes out with your point of interest. 

If you want to hit the bull’s eye every time, Vortex Venom is the best scope for you asit is mostly about precision with 3 MOA red dot, and the smaller circle gives you the perfect accuracy too.

On the other hand, if you want to shoot a few targets in a range very quickly, Vortex Viper is the best scope for you with its 6 MOA do which is larger in size compared to the 3 MOA. The bigger circle covers more area and offers you the ability to shoot fast.

But if you look for the technical aspects and every feature that has been discussed above, as a conclusive line I’d say Vortex Venom marginally comes out as the better Red Dot scope than the Viper.

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