Along with the Defender CCW, Vortex has just released the Defender ST Enclosed Solar Micro Red Dot. I’ve had my fingers crossed and have been hoping for some enclosed micro-optics from Vortex for some time now.
About a year ago, I visited the Vortex facility and heard faint whispers about an enclosed optic, but that’s about all I could gather. When the Viper Shotgun (micro enclosed emitter optic) was released, I knew it was only a matter of time.
The Defender line of optics has been one of my favorites because of the multiple size options, features, durability, and warranty. Now, with the Defender ST being released beside its little brother, the Defender CCW, the options are growing even more.
I’ll be the first to admit, I wasn’t a big fan of micro-enclosed optics for handguns when they first started hitting the market. To me, they looked like small bricks mounted on the top of a handgun. But a common problem I had during training was my optic becoming useless in the rain.
If you haven’t tried looking through an open-emitter optic in the rain, try it. As the rain starts to run down the lens, you will see multiple dots all over the place. This is just one of the issues you don’t have with an enclosed emitter optic.
I’ll talk a little more about other benefits of an enclosed emitter optic later on. But first, let’s look at this new Defender-ST enclosed solar micro red dot from Vortex.
Defender-ST Enclosed Solar Micro Red Dot
Following the steps of the open emitter Defender family, the ST is a standard-size optic for those semi-compact to full-size handguns. It uses the Delta Point Pro footprint and is 1.8 inches long, 1.3 inches wide, and 1.2 inches tall. With the battery installed, it weighs 1.6 ounces.
One of the things I really like about this optic is how well Vortex did with the window size. For a full-size micro-red dot, the overall frame is not overly large or bulky like a lot of enclosed emitter optics. But the window is still on the larger side at about 7/8 of an inch wide and tall. This gives it a great view when looking for your target quickly.
Like the other optics in the Defender line, the ST has auto off-on and a “Lock” mode to keep your settings from changing. With this feature, you can leave the optic on, and it will be ready to go when you pick it up. I like this feature most for home defense guns.
Vortex also provides a ton of accessories with the ST red dot. A Glock MOS adaptor plate, an angled shim plate, a Picatinny rail mount, and a ton of screws for mounting to different firearms come in the box.
New features from Vortex
Besides the Defender-ST being an enclosed emitter handgun dot sight, Vortex surprised us with another new feature: the solar charging panel on the top of the optic. Like the smaller Defender CCW, the Defender-ST does not need the solar panel in order to work, but it does extend the life of the battery. The optic draws its power from the battery but will use energy from the solar panel when available.
Compared to other solar optics, the panel on this one appears to be made of something a little stronger. It doesn’t have that “glass” feel to it. Durability of solar panels on optics has been a hotly debated topic for a while. I can’t see any downside to this one, though. The optic will work either way, and if you happen to break the solar panel, just send it back to Vortex, and they will fix it or replace it.
Another new feature Vortex added to the Defender line is multiple reticles. Unlike the open emitter line of optics, you can now choose from three reticles with any of the enclosed emitter optics. The first reticle is the standard 3 MOA dot. But push the plus and minus buttons at the same time, and you can switch to a 32 MOA circle only. One more push, and it changes to a circle with a dot.
Side-loading battery
Vortex used a CR2032 battery that loads from the side. This is pretty common for enclosed emitter optics. But what’s not common is the battery cap. The threaded cap is deeper than most battery caps and allows the battery to sit inside the cap. One good thing about this is that the battery does not fall out when you remove the cap. But it can also be a little finicky when getting the battery out. It’s not hard, per se, but I had to use a small screwdriver to lift it out.
I had the same issue with the Defender CCW as well. The battery isn’t wedged in the cap, but it’s such a precise fit that it doesn’t want to fall out freely. This isn’t really a big deal to me, as the battery has a 35,000-hour battery life.
With the solar feature, the life is extended to 150,000 hours, so it’s not like the battery will need to be changed all the time. But if you’re in the field and need to change it, it could be a little hard to get out with just your fingers.
Shooting with the new Defender ST Enclosed Solar
I used the included Glock MOS adapter plate to mount the Defender ST to my Glock 47 MOS (which has replaced the Glock 17 MOS). For those wanting to sight the optic in at 15 yards or less, Vortex includes a shim plate to add on top of the adapter plate.
AmmoToGo.com provided Bazer 9mm, 115-grain ammo for this review, so I was able to put 500 rounds through the Defender ST and Defender CCW.
Because both optics are the same (just different sizes), zeroing in, changing settings, and using them are about the same. This is a nice feature for those who want to put optics on multiple guns. I started at 25 yards to zero the optic and varied my targets between that and 50 yards.
The larger window on the Defender-ST was nice, and the reticle was easy to find. With the Defender CCW, I preferred the circle reticle over the dot. I like the circle only on this one as well, when shooting at targets at the 25-yard line or less. But when I went out closer to 50 yards, I found the single 3 MOA dot was better. Being able to switch between these with a quick push of the up and down arrow (at the same time) was nice.
Like all the micro-optics in the Defender line, the ST has the same “fast-rack” texturing on the front of the optic. This was a brilliant idea as it gives your palm a great surface to push against when racking the slide.
A new breed of Defender handgun optics
Every time Vortex comes out with a new product, I’m more impressed. They don’t just make a different size or add a different color of dot; they add new technology as well. Having multiple reticle choices and a solar feature makes this an unbelievable deal when you consider the VIP warranty that comes with it.
I mention the VIP warranty in just about every article I write on Vortex products because it’s such a valuable service. I’ve never seen another company that covers its products like Vortex. They don’t care who bought it, you don’t need a receipt, and they don’t care how it happened. If your optic breaks, they will make it right. That is what I would call a real lifetime warranty.
Because I put the Defender CCW through multiple stress tests during its review, I didn’t do those same tests on the ST. The optics appear to be identical except for the size, so I feel very confident it will hold up the same.
I also found the Defender-ST fit my Safariland 6354RDSO perfectly. This is my go-to holster for an OWB setup. At first, I was a little worried that the side battery cap would get in the way. But it fit great, just like all my other enclosed emitter optics.
Questions and Answers
What is the main advantage of an enclosed handgun optic like the Defender-ST? An enclosed optic protects the red dot’s emitter from environmental factors like rain, dirt, or mud. This prevents the optic from becoming unusable or showing multiple dots in adverse weather conditions, a common issue with open-emitter optics.
How does the new solar panel feature on the Defender-ST work? The solar panel on the Defender-ST extends the battery life of the optic. It uses energy from the sun when available to power the optic, which reduces the drain on the internal CR2032 battery. The optic will still function without the solar panel.
What makes the Defender-ST different from other optics in the Vortex Defender family? The Defender-ST is an enclosed optic, meaning the emitter is sealed for protection. It also introduces new features to the Defender line, including a solar charging panel and the ability to switch between three different reticles (a 3 MOA dot, a 32 MOA circle, and a circle with a dot).
How durable is the solar panel on the Defender-ST? The solar panel is made of a durable material designed to hold up well in the field. Additionally, Vortex’s VIP warranty covers the optic, so if the solar panel or any other part of the optic breaks, Vortex will repair or replace it.
What is the benefit of the side-loading battery and the “fast-rack” texturing? The side-loading battery allows for easy replacement without removing the optic from the handgun. The unique design of the battery cap prevents the battery from falling out when replacing it. The “fast-rack” texturing on the front of the optic provides a non-slip surface for racking the slide with your hand against the optic.
