Is the Vortex Viper PST Gen 2 actually better than the Gen 1?

Published on June 18, 2022
Duration: 6:35

The Vortex Viper PST Gen 2 offers superior glass and features like beefier turrets and a more precise RZR zero stop compared to the Gen 1. However, its significantly increased weight (26.3 oz vs 18.7 oz) is a major drawback for the 2-10x magnification. For those seeking the Gen 2's improvements, a higher magnification model like the 3-15x might be a better fit to justify the weight penalty.

Quick Summary

The Vortex Viper PST Gen 2 is objectively better with superior glass and features like beefier turrets and a precise RZR zero stop. However, its 26.3 oz weight is a significant drawback compared to the Gen 1's 18.7 oz, making the Gen 1 a better choice for lightweight builds.

Chapters

  1. 00:00Introduction & Weight Comparison
  2. 00:38PST Range Evolution
  3. 01:12Physical & Optical Differences
  4. 01:51Reticle & Turret Performance
  5. 03:06Zero Stop Systems
  6. 05:14Final Verdict

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the main physical differences between the Vortex Viper PST Gen 1 and Gen 2 scopes?

The Gen 2 features beefier turrets, a side-mounted battery/illumination dial, and a larger eyepiece. It also offers a 5x zoom ratio (2-10x) compared to the Gen 1's 4x ratio (2.5-10x), providing a wider field of view.

How do the turrets and zero stop systems compare on the Vortex Viper PST Gen 1 and Gen 2?

Gen 2 turrets are superior, offering 24 MOA per rotation with more tactile clicks. For zero stop, Gen 1 uses an easy but imprecise CRS shim system, while Gen 2 uses a tedious but precise RZR zero stop.

Is the Vortex Viper PST Gen 2 significantly heavier than the Gen 1?

Yes, the Gen 2 is considerably heavier. The Viper PST Gen 2 (2-10x32) weighs 26.3 oz, while the Gen 1 (2.5-10x32) weighs only 18.7 oz, a difference of over half a pound.

Which Vortex Viper PST generation is better for dialing adjustments?

While the Gen 2 has superior turrets in terms of clicks and MOA per rotation, the speaker prefers the cleaner EBR-1 reticle of the Gen 1 for dialing adjustments. The Gen 2's EBR-4 reticle is different and less preferred for this specific task by the reviewer.

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