Vortex Viper PST Gen I vs. Gen II Riflescopes: What are the Improvements in Gen 2 over Gen 1?

Vortex Optics first released the Vortex Viper PST (Precision Shooting Tactical) Riflescope in Shot Show 2010 after discontinuing the Vortex Viper line of scopes. Vortex Viper PST Gen I was a complete line of riflescopes specially designed for the tactical shooters who were looking for enhanced features but at an economical price.

The Vortex engineers designed this riflescope to deliver repeatable accuracy consistently in both harsh environments as well as stressful situations. The features, price point, and Vortex’s excellent warranty quickly made Viper PST Gen I Scope a popular riflescope line.

Though it was well accepted by the tactical and competition shooting communities, a few mixed reviews along with some minor issues were also reported. Vortex Optics worked on the first generation PST riflescopes and made noticeable improvements to bring out the Vortex Viper PST Gen II Riflescope line in Shot Show 2017.

Vortex Viper PST Gen I and Gen II Scopes

Let’s first take a quick look at both the riflescope versions (PST Gen 1 and Gen 2) before checking the differences and improvements:

Vortex Viper PST Gen I Rifle Scopes

The Vortex Viper PST Riflescope series provides tactical shooters with consistent repeatable accuracy in all types of environments and situations, be it a harsh environment or a stressful situation. PST Gen I comes with both First Focal Plane (FFP) and Second Focal Plane (SFP) reticle choices, 10-levels of reticle illumination brightness settings (having an off-position between each setting), along with MRAD and MOA based matching turrets.

Vortex Optics has incorporated tactical-style turrets and CRS (Customizable Rotational Stop) shims for an easy and quick return to zero-point. Other important features in this riflescope series include XD glass, XR fully multi-coated lenses, glass-etched reticle, single-piece aircraft-grade aluminum main body tube, ArmorTek scratch-resistant coating, side focus, a fast-focus eyepiece, argon gas purging, and o-ring seal.

With forward-thinking engineering and an intimate understanding of riflescope design (developed over Vortex Viper Scopes), Vortex Viper PST Gen 1 Riflescopes deliver you with both the performance and features that the tactical and precision shooters look for at an economical price. You can buy Vortex Viper PST Gen 1 (6-24×50) scope at an attractive price of just $519.99.

Vortex Viper PST Gen II Rifle Scopes

Vortex Viper PST Gen II Rifle Scopes have been built over the PST Gen I models. Vortex Optics has heard their customers’ needs and complaints about the original PST version. Accordingly, they have made some essential changes to bring the tactical and precision shooting communities with a superior quality riflescope at an economic price point. 

Vortex Viper PST Gen 2 Rifle Scopes provide you with incredible performance and rock-solid tactical features, enhancing your shooting prowess to new heights. Whether you are looking for close-range shots or long-range ones, PST Gen II will not only fulfill your needs but also exceed your expectations. 

The important features in this riflescope line are Extra-low dispersion (XD) glass lens elements, XR fully multi-coated lenses, 30 mm Single-Piece Aircraft-Grade Aluminum tube, Hard Anodized Finish, Ultra-hard, scratch-resistant ArmorTek coating, matching turrets, Rapid Zero Return (RZR), illuminated glass-etched reticle in either First or Second Focal Plane, fiber optic turret rotation indicator Radius Bar, and Fast Focus Eyepiece. 

Vortex Viper PST Gen II Riflescopes are available in 6 versions: 1-6X24, 2-10X32 FFP, 3-15X44, 3-15X44 FFP, 5-25X50, and 5-25X50 FFP, enabling precision and tactical shooters to shoot at all ranges, right from close-range to long-range. These scopes come at an economical price point. Depending upon the range and focal plane version you are choosing, the price varies from $599.99 to $999.99.

What are the Improvements of Vortex Viper PST Gen 2 over Gen 1 Scopes?

You now have an overall idea about both Gen I and Gen II versions of Vortex Viper PST Riflescopes. Now, let’s check the improvements you get in Vortex Viper PST Gen II Rifle Scopes over PST Gen I Riflescopes:

Vortex Viper PST Gen II comes with Significantly Improved Optical Quality

Vortex engineers have ensured that Vortex Viper PST Gen II riflescopes come with improved optics with a better overall resolution, edge-to-edge optical clarity, and bigger field-of-view.

PST Gen II provides you with Higher Zoom Range (6x or 5x over 4x Zoom Range)

Vortex Optics has ensured that the precision and tactical shooters get more magnification range in the Vortex Viper PST Gen II Riflescopes than the Vortex Viper PST Gen I Riflescopes.

Vortex Viper PST Gen II Riflescopes are available in either 6x or 5x zoom ranges: 

• 1-6X24 SFP (6x zoom ratio) 
• 2-10X32 FFP (5x zoom ratio)
• 3-15X44 SFP / 3-15X44 FFP (5x zoom ratio)
• 5-25X50 SFP / 5-25X50 FFP (5x zoom ratio)

Vortex Viper PST Gen I Riflescope, on the other hand, is available in a 4x zoom ratio (6-24x).

Therefore, with Vortex Viper PST Gen II 5-25X50 FFP Scopes, you can keep an eye on a larger field area at 100 yards than that of Vortex Viper PST 6-24×50 FFP Scopes. While Vortex Viper PST 6-24×50 EBR-1 MOA Reticle Riflescope PST-624F1-A comes with 17.8 – 5.1 ft/100 yds field-of-view, Vortex Viper PST Gen II 5-25×50 EBR-4 MOA SFP Riflescope PST-5251 comes with 24.1-4.8 ft/100 yds field-of-view.

Both Have Two Focal Planes but PST Gen II has more Reticle Choices

Both PST Gen 1 and Gen 2 have two focal planes: First Focal Plane (FFP) and Second Focal Plane (SFP). However, Vortex engineers have ensured that the PST Gen II version provides you with more reticle options. PST Gen I is available with just one reticle choice.

Vortex Viper PST Gen II Reticle Choices:

Vortex Viper PST Gen II Reticle Choices:

Externally Differences are there between Vortex Viper PST Gen I and Gen II

Vortex Viper PST Gen II Rifle Scope no illumination knob on the eyepiece (as in case of PST Gen I). The illumination knob has been moved to the side to a more streamlined position. It has been integrated into the side of the parallax system.

Tactical Style Turrets with Differing ZeroStop Features

Vortex Optics has incorporated exposed tactical-style turrets in the Viper PST Gen II Riflescopes so that the precision and tactical shooters can make/read accurate elevation and windage adjustments fast and easy.

In addition to the new turret system, Vortex has also incorporated an RZR ZeroStop system in the PST Gen II in place of the CRS Shim system in PST Gen I. The CRS Shim zero stop system is more of a rotational stop rather than a true sense zero stop.

The Rapid Zero Return (RZR) feature uses rugged steel components to stop the turret from dialing below the sight-in range. One of the advantages of RZR is that even while setting the zero-stop position, the internal mechanisms stay free of sand, dirt, dust, and moisture.

Final Words

Vortex Optics has improved the Viper PST Gen I version to launch the Vortex PST Gen II version. With these changes, Vortex has brought a superior quality riflescope at an economic price point for the precision and tactical shooters. Depending upon the range and focal plane version you are choosing, the price of the PST Gen II riflescope varies from $599.99 to $999.99. If you are willing to sacrifice a bit of the optical quality, zoom range, reticle choice, and RZR ZeroStop system then you can go for the Vortex PST Gen I Riflescope, available at a price point of $519.99.