Founded in 2002, Vortex has become one of the biggest names in the optics field, and for good reason. Their products have developed a reputation for durability, solid quality, and reasonable price points.
They started out making binoculars, which were mostly purchased by bird watchers at first. However, it didn’t take long before hunters began using them in the field, and from there, they just took off. These days, they produce spotting scopes, binoculars, tripods, range finders, rifle scopes, and more. For today’s purposes, we’ll be looking at one of their rifle scopes, the Vortex Venom 1-6x24mm LPVO.
LPVO Popularity
In the past few years, LPVO (Low Power Variable Optic) scopes have become all the rage. They’re available in a wide range of power, anywhere from 1-4x to 1-6x, 1-8x, or even 1-10x. This prevents us from dedicating our rifle to being a distance weapon by allowing us to set it at 1x to engage targets at CQB distances. Many of these scopes have illuminated reticles, so they can act like a red dot sight.
With the LPVO’s illuminated reticle, the shooter still needs to observe proper eye relief, or he won’t be able to see the target or the reticle. So, the LPVO is not as forgiving up close as a red dot might be. Still, if you want an all-around scope that performs at many distances, the LPVO is very good.
With the magnifications available today, it’s reasonable to expect an LPVO to allow most rifles to reach out to several hundred yards easily. When cranked up to 6x, we can pick up targets quite a ways out there.
Vortex Venom
Recently, Vortex introduced its Venom line of scopes, including the Vortex Venom 1-6x24mm LPVO scope we’re reviewing today. This one is priced economically, making it accessible to more people.
Venom Specs
It’s time to examine the scope’s technical specifications to see what we’re working with.
- Weight: 19.5 ounces
- Length: 10.3 inches
- Eye Relief: 3.7 inches
- Magnification: 1-6x
- Objective Lens Diameter: 24mm
- Tube Size: 30mm
- Adjustment Graduations: 1/4-minute
- Max Windage Adjustment: 140 MOA
- Max Elevation Adjustment: 140 MOA
Illuminated Reticle
The illuminated reticle is a huge asset in dim light conditions. There are numerous levels at which the illumination can be set. The reticle is etched into the glass, so even if the illumination fails or the battery dies, the reticle can still be used. The main part of the reticle resembles an upside-down horseshoe that Vortex refers to as a “broken circle,” and it’s 16.625 MOA in size. In the center is a 1 MOA dot for more precise aiming. It works well for drawing the eye to the center of the reticle when speed is desired.
The Bullet Drop Compensator allows the shooter to land hits out to 650 yards. There are dots for compensating windage as well. There is also a range-finding scale above the reticle to estimate the distance to a potential target. The reticle works well for its intended purpose. Because the scope has a 1x capability and because the reticle can be illuminated, it can function similarly to a red dot sight for CQB. As mentioned, you’ll still have to get the proper eye relief.
Another thing to note is that the ocular lens has a fast-focus eyepiece, so the scope can be easily adjusted to the user’s preferences.
Other Features
The lenses have an anti-reflective coating. On top of that, they also feature an AmorTek coating, an ultra-hard, scratch-resistant coating that protects from scratches and other nasties. Of course, the scope is gas-purged with nitrogen to ensure it’s fogproof and waterproof. The tube is one single piece, which ensures strength.
Vortex also includes a few extra nice-to-have items with the scope. It comes with a cleaning cloth that won’t mar the lenses, along with a hex wrench and manual. It also comes with the required CR2032 battery.
A throw lever is also included, and when installed, it makes cycling through the various powers of the scope easier. It also comes with a sun shade, which helps keep the sun off the lenses, making it easier to see targets when looking toward the sun.
The scope also comes with flip caps for both lenses, so you can protect the optics when the scope is not in use, which is a great touch.
On The Range
How did the Vortex Venom deliver on the range?
Optical clarity was excellent, and I could cycle through the power range easily enough. The power ring is stiff enough that the power setting won’t be accidentally moved. Zeroing the scope was fast and easy, and the tactical turrets were easy to adjust.
I didn’t have 650 yards to wring out the max performance from the scope. Instead, I shot it at 100 yards and will stretch that range in future sessions. On targets both near and far, the scope allowed fast target engagement. At 100 yards, the MOA dot reticle allowed for good precision in all the shots I took. While it’s not a sniper scope, it gives the user enough magnification to solve quite a few problems.
Trouble in paradise?
I set the Vortex Venom 1-6x scope up on a Palmetto State Armory AR-15 with a 20-inch barrel. This model has a removable carry handle, and with the handle removed, the Picatinny rail is exposed, allowing the scope to be mounted. I’ll rave about the PSA rifle for a moment — it’s an excellent rifle. They claim that the bolt is mil-spec, and it’s marked “MPI” tested. The rest of the rifle also appears to be mil-spec, and overall, it is very nicely done. All in all, these are high-quality rifles that won’t break the bank.
Vortex sent me their Pro Series Rifle Scope Rings (Medium Height), with which I mounted the scope before mounting the entire setup on my rifle. The rings are a good height. However, even with the rings and scope mounted as far forward as I could get them, the eye relief of the scope dictated that I had to have my cheek weld a bit farther back on the rifle stock than I wanted. I’d have preferred to have my cheek farther forward.
Another issue I ran into was the way the scope was extended over the charging handle, which made it difficult for me to work the charging handle. I had to use my left hand to grab the latch and operate the charging handle. It wasn’t impossible, but it was just not as optimal as it could have been.
Rifles with more Picatinny rail space would allow a more forward position for the scope, which would solve both of these inconveniences. Near the end of the shooting session, the point was once again driven home that it was important to secure the screws of the scope mount with either Loctite or Teflon tape as they began to loosen up. This isn’t a dig at Vortex; I’ve had it happen with other scopes as well, including Leupold ones.
Parting Shots
All in all, this is an excellent scope that will allow target engagement from CQB distances out to many hundreds of yards. The glass is clear, and it offers good visibility. The reticle, especially when illuminated, facilitates a great aiming point that doubles as an RDS when needed.
Scope adjustments are easy and positive, with audible and tactile clicks. With 140 MOA of elevation and windage, there’s plenty of adjustment to get it right where you want it.
One thing I must rave about with Vortex is their warranty. It’s simply second to none. If you have a problem with the scope (or any of their optics), they will repair or replace it, with no questions asked. I once had to use their warranty service, and it far exceeded my expectations. These folks like happy customers and want to keep them!
Finally, the price point for this optic is amazingly reasonable, coming in at $299.99 as this is written. At that price, it will give many LPVOs on the market a run for their money, and it proves to me that Vortex wants to get their scopes into the hands of as many people as possible.
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