Vortex Viper Pistol Red Dot, Replace or Run Till It Drops

[swruger]

Over time, I picked up through PPT two handguns that already had the Vortex Viper red dots on them.

Glock 19x MOS and Springfield Armory XDM, off roster, 4.5" barrel. I won't be selling either one at any time in the near future.

Both have suppressor height sights, and both dots work and co-witness well on the handguns. I am going to be taking a number of training classes this year, and I don't need or want the dots failing on me during training courses. These may be the primary handgun(s) I am training with or they may be backups. Anything electronic can break or malfunction, so no dot is exempt from unanticipated issues, which I understand.

For those of you who have any experience with the Viper, or have contacts who told you of their experience,would you recommend keeping it and running it till it dies, or would you replace it up front and be done with it?

I don't care at this moment in time that it doesn't have the modern features of shake awake, etc., more concerned on durability, ruggedness and failure. I can replace them at any time, but also don't like wasting money.

Ruggedness and Durability ..........

My eye sight is still good enough for iron sights, which as of today constitutes 99% of my handgun shooting. So red dots are not necessary yet, but it's time for me to expand my skill set.

Thank you for your input.

 

[coastline55]

It’s cheap on the second hand market but it is missing almost every modern feature. Footprint is also not ideal. IMO, get a Holosun instead. The vortex pistol red dots do really poorly in the durability department.

 

[Deleted member 16735]

I had one a long time ago and the adjustment screw kept breaking, but when I sent it in a couple years ago they sent me a defender ST because the viper is no longer being made. So maybe shoot it and see if you can break it and then have it switched out for free, the Defender series stuff is solid.

 

[D.A.V.I.D.]

Never used those but I’m already done with their new defender line that’s supposed to be better. Had one that went out and know too many others with the same experience. You hear everyone say how great their warranty is but there’s too many people that have to use it in my opinion.

 

[Deleted member 16735]

Never used those but I’m already done with their new defender line that’s supposed to be better. Had one that went out and know too many others with the same experience. You hear everyone say how great their warranty is but there’s too many people that have to use it in my opinion.

I have 3 defenders and I have sent one back, but Ive also sent back several Holosuns, never had a trijicon but have seen those stop working too. None are perfect but the difference between holosun and the Vortex warranty was that Vortex was back to me within a week with email updates and Holosun took 2-3 months with the optics just showing up with no warning and no communication. I would still buy either one but Vortex is significantly cheaper and the dot looks better to my eyes.

 

[H. Bowman]

I love them on rifles. Have several on ARs and 22 pistols and just bought another Optics Plant opmod version or whatever they call it for 95 bucks shipped to put on another lever gun. Small and sleek and perfect for levers.

Haven't used them on centerfire pistols like they're designed for though.

 

[H. Bowman]

There was an extra 15% off when I bought the other day, this one is going on a shotgun.

https://www.opticsplanet.com/vortex-opmod-viper-1x24mm-6-moa-red-dot-sight.html

 

[ikeo1]

Never used those but I’m already done with their new defender line that’s supposed to be better. Had one that went out and know too many others with the same experience. You hear everyone say how great their warranty is but there’s too many people that have to use it in my opinion.

A few people I know had there defender go out

 

[Deleted member 16735]

A few people I know had there defender go out

the early ones had a battery contact issue that seems to be now resolved

 

[H. Bowman]

A few people I know had there defender go out

Yea, I've seen a few anecdotal reports of them quitting or the POA shifting a bunch out of nowhere. Bummer, I was planning on getting one.