If you are into guns, or any type of competitive shooting, then you’ve heard of Vortex Optics. They are a premier name in a very crowded space. While many companies find a niche that separates them from the rest, Vortex has chosen to encapsulate the entire breadth of the optics world. From affordable to exorbitantly expensive, and from PRS optics to weapon-mounted laser rangefinders, to optic rings and tripods, Vortex has everything (literally, they even offer some very nice clothing). Because of that breadth, Vortex is continually updating and tweaking its product offerings. For some time now, the Vortex Venom and Viper red dots have been their primary pistol-oriented offerings. The optics are affordable, and get the job done, but they’ve not aged well compared to the competition. Pistol-mounted red dots are the current trend, and many manufacturers are vying for market dominance by introducing newer and better options. Vortex’s hand was perhaps forced a bit early when they released the Vortex Defender-CCW—a model specifically designed for slim-line concealed carry pistols. They saw an opening in a market where demand surpassed supply and expedited production. Now, a year and a half later, Vortex is ready to unveil the next evolution of the Defender series—the Defender-ST

Defender-ST

The Defender-ST is a large-format micro red dot that’s designed for hard use. Whether competition, law enforcement, concealed carry, or home defense, the Defender-ST is a perfect fit for all, or at least that is what Vortex is marketing it toward. One of the most hotly debated topics when it comes to pistol-mounted red dots is the optic footprint. In a somewhat surprising move, Vortex has gone with the Leupold Deltapoint Pro. The DPP footprint is very robust and recently has become a widely accepted standard alongside the Trijicon RMR. A couple of firearms that accept it include the Stacatto P series and Sig Sauer P320s.

As for features, the optic comes in either a 3 MOA or 6 MOA dot size (for what it’s worth I prefer the larger 6 MOA dot for carry or duty use and the smaller 3 MOA dot for competitive-style shooting). Battery life is 25,000 hours at a medium setting, which is respectable, but lower than many others (on that note, battery life is determined by keeping the optic on at setting 6 continuously without shutting off). The optic also uses motion sensor technology, meaning the optic will turn off after 10 minutes of static use and then turn back on when the pistol is stirred. The Defender-ST has the same styling as the Defender-CCW and includes the same hard-coated aspherical lens for distortion-free sight pictures and truer colors. The same can be said of the texturized front that protrudes past the lens to protect it when used with single-hand slide manipulations.

A huge benefit of the Defender series of red dots is the inclusion of accessories to make the mounting process as seamless as possible. Primarily, this includes a series of screws that fit these pistols: Canik TP9SFX/TP9SC, Sig P320, CZ P10, FN-509, Smith & Wesson 2.0, HK VP9 OR, Kimber AEGIS/KHX, Glock MOS, Ruger 57, and the Springfield XDM5.25 OSP. For guns not listed, a plate is usually required. Furthermore, the optic includes a MOS mounting plate for Glocks. Recently, Glock only includes an RMR pattern plate with their MOS-configured pistols (excluding the 43X and 48). Instead of buying one, Vortex includes the appropriate one in the box. Otherwise, the optic comes with a custom tool, rubber cover, battery, lens cloth, and a Picatinny mount for applications other than pistols. The inclusion of these accessories separates the Defender-ST from other options.

Final Thoughts

Vortex sums up the Defender-ST nicely, “From handguns to shotguns and everything in between, the Defender-ST™ red dot is as versatile as your shooting interests. Whether this optic is part of your everyday carry setup or mounted to your shotgun sneaking around the turkey woods, the Defender-ST™ large ultra-clear window is the perfect size for a smooth draw out of concealment and wide enough to quickly acquire the dot on that fast-moving tom. Loaded with ShockShield™ technology and motion activation for instant readiness and whatever challenge you can throw at it. If you’re looking for a durable and versatile red dot that fits all your shooting needs, look no further than the Defender-ST™.” This is all good and well, but the most attractive feature of the Defender-ST is its price, $329.99. This gives the average user an affordable carry optic that they can rely on. If it’s like its smaller brethren, the Defender-ST will be a knockout.