Vortex Viper HST<>Zeiss V4 quandry

[DartonJager]

Am in the process of transitioning to medium long range shooting and hunting. The scope I presently have on my MLR rig is a non-ballistic type and as such I have been limited to shooting to 400 yards. Now I am ready to upgrade to a ballistic capable scope.

About 1-1/2 years ago stumbled on and purchased a NIB Zeiss HD5 at a great price, but was recently made an offer on it to good to refuse so now I'm in need of a scope. After I bought the HD5 I realized FOR ME that a truly ballistic capable scope is a better all around option for hunting VS a BDC scope.

My absolute MUST HAVE requirements for this scope are:
<>Must be SFP I know the limitations of SFP and it's affect on reticle size in relation to magnification changes, but I simply do not like FFP scopes for hunting.
<>Cost can not exceed $600
<>Must have zero stop wind and elevation adjustments
<>Have a simple uncluttered ballistic reticle, I prefer hash marks over dots
<>Magnification range of 3-15 or similar for maximum versatility for close to far shots while hunting
<>Max front objective of 44mm as I want to be as lite as practical

Now here is my quandary. After selling the Zeiss I have more than enough money to buy the Vortex Viper, but have been reading some excellent reviews of the Zeiss V4 as being among the best SFP simple ballistic scope under $1k, and although the V4 meets my criteria about exact, EXCEPT the Zeiss V4 represents going over my budget by 50%.

What I need is factual information that the Zeiss V4 would be worth the additional cost over the Vortex Viper. So what I need to know is will the Zeiss serve me better as a hunting scope for shots out to 800 yards and is there for worth the extra cost or will the Viper be good enough.

Thanks,
Art.

 

[Barrelnut]

Well I have a Vortex HST 4-16x44 and a Zeiss Conquest 4.5-14x44. Both will work well to 800 yards. BUT the glass on the Conquest is NOTICEABLY better. I was shooting both of them last week and could make out bullets holes on paper with excellent resolution with Zeiss. They were somewhat fuzzy with the Vortex.
The better glass can be worth it. Since you had a Zeiss before, glass wise, I'm sure you know what I'm talking about.

 

[DartonJager]

Barrelnut thank you fro your reply, how would you rate the tracking and click adjustments of the Vortex VS the Zeiss?

 

[Cbh1]

I to in the same debate will watch this closely.
I would like covered or locking wind

 

[Barrelnut]

I feel they both track well. If one doesn't, I think Vortex would offer the fastest customer support. I have never used customer support with either though.
I do like the "soft" zero stop on the Vortex HST better than the Zeiss "hard" stop. IMO the soft stop is easier to sight in and easier to make sight adjustments in the field if needed.
I would check the weights, the Vortex may be lighter too.

 

[scottyboy]

Zeiss no questions. There is a reason Vortex has such a great warranty, because you will need to use it.

Red hawk has demo scopes for close to your budget (I picked one up and it looked brand new)

https://redhawkrifles.com/conquest-v4/

 

[the hunter]

Zeiss no questions. There is a reason Vortex has such a great warranty, because you will need to use it.

Red hawk has demo scopes for close to your budget (I picked one up and it looked brand new)

https://redhawkrifles.com/conquest-v4/

I'v heard bad things about all euro optics on warranty, all but S&B and Meopta.
If it brakes then they have to git the parts from Europe, and it is a big thing they do not want to deal with.

 

[scottyboy]

I'v heard bad things about all euro optics on warranty, all but S&B and Meopta.
If it brakes then they have to git the parts from Europe, and it is a big thing they do not want to deal with.

That may be true, but how often are you using a euro optics' warranty? Vortex you are more or less guaranteed to use it. While I'm sure thr razor and AMG are rock solid, those are not in his budget. I will take a Japanese built scope over one from the Philippines any day of the week, even if that means it will take a few weeks longer should I ever need to use the warranty.

Personally, I dont trust Vortex on any of my uses after several bad experiences. YMMV

 

[the hunter]

That may be true, but how often are you using a euro optics' warranty? Vortex you are more or less guaranteed to use it. While I'm sure thr razor and AMG are rock solid, those are not in his budget. I will take a Japanese built scope over one from the Philippines any day of the week, even if that means it will take a few weeks longer should I ever need to use the warranty.

Personally, I dont trust Vortex on any of my uses after several bad experiences. YMMV

Guaranteed to use it? what ? The two vortex scopes that I have, have run good and are the some of the most tough optics I have, and I have never had to use the warranty. Unlike the first leupold I ever bought, which was a vx5hd and came with a canted ret.

 

[scottyboy]

Like I said, your mileage may vary.

But I'm willing to bet you ask 10 vortex users, at least half will have used the warranty

 

[Weatherby Fan]

I own several Zeiss V4 4-16x44 scopes and one 6-24x50, amazing optics, low light performance is excellent, the zero stop turret is bullet proof, tracking has been spot on with box tests,
I prefer their Zplex reticle as its a little finer, I find the ZMOA2 (2moa hashmarks) is a little heavy on paper but would be fine for hunting, I haven't looked at the ZBR2 reticle (Christmas tree)
Can't comment on the Vortex as Ive never owned one

 

[Barrelnut]

FWIW. I have 5 Vortex scopes and have never had an issue. Two are on a 300 WSM and 300 RUM. They all track great. I would not be concerned about durability or having to use warranty.
With the Zeiss you are going to get better glass and more refinement. AND will probably never need the warranty either.

 

[lowdowndirtybugger]

Am in the process of transitioning to medium long range shooting and hunting. The scope I presently have on my MLR rig is a non-ballistic type and as such I have been limited to shooting to 400 yards. Now I am ready to upgrade to a ballistic capable scope.

About 1-1/2 years ago stumbled on and purchased a NIB Zeiss HD5 at a great price, but was recently made an offer on it to good to refuse so now I'm in need of a scope. After I bought the HD5 I realized FOR ME that a truly ballistic capable scope is a better all around option for hunting VS a BDC scope.

My absolute MUST HAVE requirements for this scope are:
<>Must be SFP I know the limitations of SFP and it's affect on reticle size in relation to magnification changes, but I simply do not like FFP scopes for hunting.
<>Cost can not exceed $600
<>Must have zero stop wind and elevation adjustments
<>Have a simple uncluttered ballistic reticle, I prefer hash marks over dots
<>Magnification range of 3-15 or similar for maximum versatility for close to far shots while hunting
<>Max front objective of 44mm as I want to be as lite as practical

Now here is my quandary. After selling the Zeiss I have more than enough money to buy the Vortex Viper, but have been reading some excellent reviews of the Zeiss V4 as being among the best SFP simple ballistic scope under $1k, and although the V4 meets my criteria about exact, EXCEPT the Zeiss V4 represents going over my budget by 50%.

What I need is factual information that the Zeiss V4 would be worth the additional cost over the Vortex Viper. So what I need to know is will the Zeiss serve me better as a hunting scope for shots out to 800 yards and is there for worth the extra cost or will the Viper be good enough.

Thanks,
Art.

Bdc is a marketing gimic especially with SFP.
Buy mil or minute scopes with matching turrets.
If you plan to use reticle for corrections buy ffp is not a simple cross hair and sfp is fine.
Bdc is garbage.

 

[jrock]

The glass on the HD5 is better than the V4 IMO. I had and quickly sold an HS-T because the glass wasn't as good as I expected for the price. Its the same glass as the Viper series, you are just paying more for the turrets and reticle. The V4 is worth the added cost to the HS-T IMO if you want to blow your budget.