Should I get the Vortex Optics Venom Red Dot Sight or not? Is it really worth the money? If those are questions you have been asking yourself, you are in the right place.
I have worked with hundreds of different red dot sights and scopes as an arms instructor and hunting enthusiast and since a lot of you had been asking about the Venom Red Dot, I decided to try it out over 6 months and give you a detailed review.
Factors that I will take into account for this review are the build quality of the sight (so you get your money’s worth), optics quality, ease of use and adjustments, reticle, battery, warranty, and so on.
So let’s jump straight into it.
Vortex Venom Red Dot Review: A Summary
If you are a newbie and are buying your first red dot sight, the Venom is a great buy. It has 10 brightness settings that are easy to adjust thanks to the conveniently placed buttons. The reticle size is ideal for precise shooting while maintaining clarity while its metallic build gives it good durability.
Furthermore, it is waterproof, lightweight, and compact. Even the battery life is exceptional and pretty easy to switch when needed as the compartment is placed on the top.
Yes, adjusting the elevation and windage will require some practice but considering it costs around $250 and all the benefits mentioned above, it is a bargain.
An In-Depth Vortex Venom Red Dot Review
Specs:
- Mount Type: Weaver/Picatinny
- Magnification: 1x
- Dot Color: Bright Red
- Dot Size: 3 MOA
- Eye Relief: Unlimited
- Adjustment Graduation: 1 MOA
- Max Elevation Adjustment: 130 MOA
- Max Windage Adjustment: 100 MOA
- Parallax Setting: Parallax Free
- Length: 1.9 inches
- Weight: 1.1 oz
Versatility
One of the best things about the Venom Red Dot Sight by Vortex is that you can use it with a variety of arms. Yes, whether you have a shotgun, a rifle, or a shotgun, it works just as well with them all.
But how good is it? Let’s find out.
Reticle
One of the most important things about any scope or red dot sight is the reticle as it impacts accuracy.
Reticle size is a hot debate. Is a smaller reticle better for red dot sight or a larger one?
I’d say it depends on your experience level. If you are a newbie, look for something larger, and if you are looking to shoot at long distances, go for something small.
Thankfully, the reticle on the Venom offers the best of both worlds. At 3 MOA, it is neither too big for precise shooting at long distances and neither so small that it gets lost in the background. Plus, it also helps with quick target acquisition which makes it one of my favorite picks for any newbie.
Apart from size, another reason why the reticle remains clear irrespective of the background or the lighting is the adjustable brightness settings. Thanks to the 10 brightness settings of the red dot, you have the freedom to go hunt at dusk or dawn.
And if you are a newbie and not sure about which brightness level works best for you yet or aren’t accustomed to the controls yet, you can skip the hassle and switch to the auto-mode. Here the red dot sight automatically adjusts the brightness for you based on the surrounding light (easy peasy, right?).
But if you are doing it manually, there are arrow buttons on the left that help increase/reduce the brightness intensity. The up arrow is for increasing the intensity while the down arrow lowers it.
Similarly, even the power on/off button is on the left. These are conveniently located on the left side so you can make all the adjustments in seconds without having to change your position.
Battery
With brightness comes the hassle of charging the battery unless you are using the Venom Red Dot Sight. That is because it gives an amazing 140-150 hours at the highest settings and if you use it at low settings, you get a whopping 30,000 hours.
The Venom uses a CR 1632 battery. Its compartment is located on the top which means if you need to change the battery, you do not need to dismount the scope (it will take you just 1-2 mins to make the switch).
Build
As far as durability is concerned, it isn’t as strong as the more premium red dot sights so while you do not want to drop it, it is strong enough to handle a few bumps along the way. Providing it this durability is its rugged metallic construction that also holds its own against all the recoil.
Furthermore, it also has a special matte anodized finish. This reduces glare on the surface which, in turn, improves your camouflage so you stay hidden and remain safe at all times (because it isn’t just the scope but also your safety Vortex cares about).
You can even submerge the red dot sight in water as the sealed o-rings ensure no water, dust, or dirt play spoil-sport with your sight. I left mine submerged for about 4 minutes and it worked just fine.
Even with a metallic build, Vortex Optics has managed to keep the scope light and compact. Its dimensions are just 6.7 x 5.1 x 2.9 inches (L x W x H) and it weighs 0.45lbs. So whether you need to carry it in your backpack, or on the rifle, you barely feel the weight of it.
It also takes up minimal space on the rifle and in the bag. Even storing it safely is easy due to its compact size (drawers, shelves, it fits in almost anywhere).
Windage and Elevation adjustment
You get a max elevation adjustment of 130 MOA and max windage adjustment of 100 MOA which is pretty much at par with most red dot sights on the market, especially at this price range. And trust me, it is pretty much all the adjustment you will need to hit the bull’s eye with each shot.
The windage adjustment is on the right side whereas the elevation adjustment is on the top. This is pretty much like any scope so you should have no trouble with their placements.
Also, these are designed for finger-tap adjustment. While this is great for quick adjustment, making precise adjustments takes some getting used to. I found myself adjusting too much or too little at times but mostly because I am more used to the large turrets on a scope.
Adjustment for both windage and elevation is made in 1 MOA graduations and that’s ideal as it ensures precision. There are also clear, white markings and arrows to guide you with the adjustment.
Optics Quality
As you can see from the image itself, the lens is coated. This includes multiple layers of anti-reflective material that ensures better light transmission further helping you get better visuals in low light.
Furthermore, it also has an ArmorTek coating. This protects the lens from scratches, dirt, dust, and oil thus adding to the durability of the scope.
Also making it easier to scope your targets while ensuring all the recoil doesn’t give you a black eye (even worse than those boxers or pro fighters end up with) is the unlimited eye-relief.
And since the red dot sight has only 1x magnification, you don’t have to worry about adjusting parallax either.
Mounting
The red dot sight comes with a Picatinny mount, unlike some of the other sights on the market which saves you additional expense. Mounting and dismounting are pretty standard.
The low-rail mount clamps onto the spec base rail. You also get a riser mount in case you are planning to mount it on a rifle so you have it at the right height.
Here’s what you need to do to ensure it is mounted correctly:
- Fix the low rail mount to the red dot sight with the help of the screws included in the package.
- Next up, fix the red dot sight to the base rail and ensure that the recoil lug is correctly placed in the base groove. It shouldn’t move if done right.
- Make sure the clamps are tightly locked in around the outside of the base
Once that is done, all you need to do next is while pressing the red dot sight down, move it towards the muzzle. If it is in position tighten the base clamp screws. This can be done either using a coin or a screwdriver.
Voila, your new red dot sight is locked and loaded.
As you get used to the process, mounting and dismounting take less time. When dismounted, make sure you store the screws and clamps safely.
Warranty
One of the reasons why Vortex is one of my favorite brands for scopes and red dot sights (apart from the low prices) is the warranty. After all, not many brands on the market give you a lifetime warranty.
Yes, you heard it right. The Venom Red Dot Sight has a lifetime warranty which means you do not need to pay a penny to repair any technical issue or for replacements.
Pros
- Comes with an unlimited eye-relief
- 3 MOA reticle size is perfect for precision and clarity
- You get 10 brightness levels
- Auto-mode adjusts the brightness automatically
- Parallax-free design
- Backed by a lifetime warranty
- Good durability and it is waterproof
- ArmorTek coating prevents the lens from scratches or oil
- Hard anodized finish improves camouflage by reducing glare
Cons
- Finger-tap windage and elevation adjustments need getting used to
- The lens isn’t at par with the premium scopes and sights
- Not suitable for professionals
Conclusion
That’s everything I have to tell you about the Venom Red Dot Sight from Vortex Optics. They are one of the biggest brands when it comes to budget-friendly scopes and red dot sights and Venom is another example of why.
The red dot is big enough and you have 10 brightness settings for visibility in low light, plus, it is pocket-friendly, and has a solid build which leaves little to complain about.
So if you are a newbie, the Venom is a great sight for you irrespective of the gun or rifle you have as it works with most.
In case you have any questions about the scope or want to share your views on it, feel free to leave a comment below. You can also get in touch with me via the contact form. I’ll get back to you within a day.
