Vortex Optics is a household name in the shooting world. Their VIP warranty, excellent customer service, and unending number of options make them the favorite of many shooters. Part of their success is leaning into the Good, Better, Best mantra when working on product development. Vortex believes in having an option that will fit in anybody’s budget. That can be seen in the Diamondback Tactical, Strike Eagle, and Viper lineups (yes there are more options on either end of the spectrum).

With 2024 here, Vortex wanted to start the new year with more cost-effective options. This time their sights were set on the Venom line. Introduced in 2021, the Venom 5-25X56 introduced a long-range optic that was perfect for the budget-conscious and nestled right under the Strike Eagle 5-25X56 price point. It didn’t have illumination, and its optical systems were a bit different to help with manufacturing costs. With that same philosophy in hand, Vortex expanded on the Venom riflescope line.

Right in the Middle: 3-15X44

While the 5-25 is a great optic, for certain applications its size and weight may be a disadvantage. The scope is long (15.25”) and heavy (35 oz.). On light-weight precision rifles, AR platforms or other mid-range builds, a smaller and less obtrusive optic might be better. That’s where the Venom 3-15X44 comes into play. It measures 13.25” and bears a weight of 28.8oz. Its compact size compared to its larger brethren makes it perfect for more specialized roles. Throw in the street price of $449.99, the optic is already a winner.

The rest of the feature set is the same as the 5-25. The maintube is 34mm giving the optic 124 minutes of elevation, a parallax adjustment that goes down to 10 yards, RevStop Zero System for quick and easy return-to-zero function, and the inclusion of a throw lever for fast magnification transitions. The reticle options are also the same, either the EBR-7C in MOA or MRAD (with the proper corresponding turret).

UP-AND-CLOSE: 1-6X24

Next up is something for up close and personal. Low Powered Variable Optics (LPVO) are all the rage. As optics quality has increased, the use of LPVO optics on AR-15s, compact bolt actions, and others, has skyrocketed. LPVOs have become a Vortex specialty, with options in the Crossfire, Strike Eagle, Viper PST, and Razor line. However, there was one bracket that was missing—a bridge between the very basic Crossfire and the medium-priced Strike Eagle. That’s where the Venom 1-6X24 SFP comes into play.

For starters, the street price is $299.99. That’s an outstanding value. The optic measures at 10.3” and weighs in at 19.5 oz. It is a 30mm maintube and features 6 illumination settings on the left-side dial with off positions in between. The windage and elevation turrets are capped. The idea is to sight in and verify zero and then forget it. For shooting at varying distances, the optic is equipped with the AR-BDC3 reticle. This is a bullet-drop-compensating reticle (BDC) optimized for the 223/5.56mm cartridge. With this reticle, the user can be confident in ringing steel out to 650 yards.

Final Thought

The new Venom Riflescopes from Vortex provide a ton of value for a reasonable price. I think the 1-6 will prove to be the real winner, especially in an election year where firearms—mainly AR-15s—will garner more scrutiny, and demand will increase. But that’s for a later discussion. The new Venom optics are available now.