Vortex LPVO scopes

Vortex Viper vs Venom 1-6x24: Which LPVO Should You Buy?

Last updated 2026-11-10 Researched from published specifications and owner reviews, not tested in person

Quick answer

Buy the Vortex Venom 1-6x24 at under $500 if you want a mid-priced LPVO with XD optics, an illuminated BDC3 reticle and a throw lever. Buy the Vortex Viper PST Gen II 1-6x24 at under $1,000 if you dial turrets and want extra-low dispersion glass, a zero stop and adjustable parallax.

Vortex Venom 1-6x24

Vortex

Vortex Venom 1-6x24 Second Focal Plane Riflescope

Under $500

A 30mm second focal plane LPVO with XD optics, an illuminated BDC3 reticle and a throw lever.

Best for: a mid-price LPVO upgrade

Check price on Amazon

Vortex Viper PST Gen II 1-6x24

Vortex

Vortex Viper PST Gen II 1-6x24 Second Focal Plane Riflescope, VMR-2 MOA

Under $1,000 Full specifications

A 1-6x24 scope with ED glass, a zero stop, adjustable parallax and a VMR-2 reticle.

Best for: a carbine shot fast where head position varies

Check price on Amazon

The Venom and the Viper PST Gen II are both 1-6x24 second focal plane scopes. The Venom is aimed at entry-level competition and hunting. The Viper PST Gen II is aimed at people who dial turrets and want better glass and a zero stop. They also use different reticles: the Venom has the BDC3, and the Viper has the VMR-2.

If you are weighing all three Vortex LPVOs, see Strike Eagle vs Viper PST as well.

Run it for your own rifle first Point Blank Range Calculator See how far a BDC reticle stays inside your target zone for your load. Open

How do the Venom and Viper PST Gen II compare on specs?

Both are 1-6x24 second focal plane scopes. The Viper PST Gen II adds ED glass, a zero stop and adjustable parallax. The Venom costs less and includes a throw lever.

Sourced figure

Vortex Venom 1-6x24 vs Viper PST Gen II 1-6x24, from published listing specifications
Feature	Vortex Venom 1-6x24	Vortex Viper PST Gen II 1-6x24
Magnification and objective	1-6x24	1-6x24
Focal plane	Second	Second
Tube	30mm one-piece aircraft aluminum	Single-piece aircraft-grade aluminum
Reticle	Illuminated BDC3, ranges a silhouette target up to 600 yards	VMR-2 MOA with 10 intensity levels
Glass	XD optical system, fully multi-coated	Extra-low dispersion glass, XR multi-coated
Turrets	Textured tactile turrets, throw lever included	Laser etched, fiber optic rotation indicator
Zero stop	Not listed	RZR zero stop
Parallax	Not adjustable	Adjustable
Warranty	Vortex VIP, transferable	Vortex VIP, transferable
Budget	under $500	under $1,000

Specifications are from the Vortex listings on Amazon. Confirm current details on the listing before buying.

Which should you choose, the Venom or the Viper PST?

Choose the Vortex Venom 1-6x24 if:

You want a step up from the Strike Eagle without the Viper price.
You hold with the BDC3 reticle and use a throw lever.
You want an illuminated reticle with a ranging feature.

Choose the Vortex Viper PST Gen II 1-6x24 if:

You dial turrets and want a zero stop and a rotation indicator.
You want ED glass and adjustable parallax.
You want a detailed MOA reticle.

Mount it once, zero it once, keep the record

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Sources

Vortex Optics published listings and warranty terms

Frequently asked questions

Is the Viper PST Gen II better than the Venom?

It lists ED glass, a zero stop and adjustable parallax that the Venom does not, and it costs more. The Venom is the value pick with an illuminated BDC3 reticle and a throw lever.

What reticle does each use?

The Venom lists an illuminated BDC3 reticle. The Viper PST Gen II lists the VMR-2 MOA reticle with 10 intensity levels.

Do they have the same warranty?

Yes, both are covered by the Vortex VIP warranty, which is transferable.

Which should I choose for a carbine?

Either works. The Venom is cheaper and suits holdover shooting. The Viper suits dialing turrets.

Researched, not professional advice. This page is compiled from published manufacturer specifications, published optical and ballistic formulas, and owner-review consensus, not hands-on testing. Figures described as a rule of thumb are shooter convention rather than sourced numbers, and they are labelled that way wherever they appear. Ballistic figures come from a point mass model using the ballistic coefficient the maker publishes, so treat them as a starting point and confirm them on paper at a measured distance. Confirm your firearm is unloaded with the action open before you mount, level, torque or bore sight anything. Verify a zero only on a supervised range or a safe, legal backstop, know what lies beyond your target, and follow the law where you hunt and shoot, including rules on land access and permitted cartridges.