Last week, Vortex released their new Defender CCW and Defender-SL Solar Enclosed Emitter handgun optics. Well, this week, they have released another one, the Vortex Venom.
If you remember, they released the Viper Shotgun optic earlier this year. People were using it on lever guns just about as much as shotguns.
It appears Vortex is jumping right into the micro enclosed emitter optics market. With this latest release, Vortex is now offering the enclosed Venom red dot. There appear to be just a few similarities between the new Defender-SL and Viper Shotgun optics.
Because I just finished reviewing the new Defender-ST Solar Enclosed Red Dot, I can’t help but compare it and the Viper with this one. So, here is a quick rundown of the Venom Enclosed red dot and how it compares to the similar Defender-ST.
Vortex Venom Enclosed Red Dot
At first glance, the new Venom and Defender-ST look very similar. They are about the same size, use the Delta Point Pro footprint, have side-loading batteries, etc. But when you take a closer look, you start to see the differences.
The Venom is a 3 MOA red dot micro-enclosed emitter optic that can be used on handguns, PCC’s, or rifles. It’s just a hair smaller than the Defender-St, but oddly weighs just a little more.
Like the Viper, the control buttons are on top. I can never make up my mind as to which place I like best, the side or the top. On the side, you can reach the controls without changing the grip on your gun. But sometimes I find myself tilting the gun on its side to see which button I’m pushing. When they are on top, you can tilt the gun back just a hair and easily see the plus and minus buttons. There are 12 total settings, including two-night settings.
The window is a little smaller on the Venom as well, but it is still large enough to call it a “large” window optic. There is no “fast-rack” texturing like the Defender optics have. Instead, the Venom has more of a smooth, sleek look to it, like the Viper Shotgun optic.
CR2032 Battery and reticle
The Venom Enclosed red dot runs on a CR2032 battery, like the other two optics. It has a side-loading battery and an estimated run time of 20,000 hours.
Of course, this points to one of the biggest differences from the Defender-ST. It has a run time of 150,000 hours with the use of the solar feature. The Defender-ST does not have a solar feature, but that feature also raises the price of the optic. The auto Off/On feature will help preserve those 20,000 hours for times when you’re using the optic.
A single 3 MOA dot is the only reticle on the Venom. And I’m not complaining, just pointing it out. I don’t think I would have thought anything about an optic only having one reticle until Vortex started adding multiple reticles to their other new optics. The Defender-SL has three to choose from, and the Viper Shotgun has even more.
But again, there is nothing wrong with a traditional dot sight. As I mentioned above, it has 10 brightness settings and 2 night settings to choose from.
Operating the Venom Enclosed Micro Red Dot
The controls on the Venom work about the same as their other micro red-dot sights. Push any button to turn it on, and hold the minus button to turn it off. Holding the plus button will activate the lock feature. While the optic is in lock mode, hitting either button will not do anything.
You can’t turn the optic off or change the brightness setting. This keeps the optic on the setting you choose and keeps it ready when you need it. The auto off feature will still power the optic down and wake it up when it senses movement. This is a perfect feature for a home defense gun.
The red dot was easy to see in full daylight. AmmoToGo.com provided 500 rounds of Blazer 115-grain FMJ ammo, so I was able to spend some time on the range with it. I’ll admit, I had gotten used to the 32 MOA circle on the Defender-SL, but the large window on the Venom and the bright red dot were perfect for some fun drills at longer distances.
Why choose the Venom over the Defender-SL?
I really like the new Defender-ST that Vortex released last week. But those extra options, like solar power, multiple reticles, and fast rack texture, cost more money. I think the quality of the Venom is just as good, and it still comes with a lifetime warranty like all their other products.
The Venom would be a perfect optic for those wanting a more budget-friendly option for a high-quality enclosed emitter optic. It’s like buying a car without all the bells and whistles.
It comes with a Glock MOS mounting plate, picatinny rail, sight tool, and multiple bags of screws for mounting to various handguns. If you want affordable, simple, and durable, this new optic from Vortex is the perfect option.
Questions and Answers
What is the Vortex Venom Enclosed Red Dot designed for? The Vortex Venom Enclosed Red Dot is an optic that can be used on handguns, pistol-caliber carbines (PCCs), or rifles.
How does the Vortex Venom compare to the Defender-ST in terms of controls and size? Both the Venom and Defender-ST are similar in size, but the Venom is slightly smaller. The Venom’s control buttons are on top, while the Defender-ST’s are on the side.
What is the battery life of the Vortex Venom, and what type of battery does it use? The Vortex Venom uses a CR2032 battery with an estimated run time of 20,000 hours.
What are some key features of the Vortex Venom’s reticle and brightness settings? The Venom has a single 3 MOA dot as its only reticle. It offers 12 total brightness settings, including 10 standard settings and two for night use.
What is the main advantage of choosing the Vortex Venom over the Defender-ST? The Venom is a more budget-friendly option compared to the Defender-ST because it lacks some of the extra features like solar power, multiple reticles, and fast-rack texturing. However, it still offers high quality and comes with a lifetime warranty.
