Vortex PST 1-4 first impressions....

[dtibbals]

I received my new Vortex PST 1-4 from Liberty Optics yesterday (Scott at Liberty Optics is great!!), mounted it up in my Larue mount and took it out to the range today to sight it in. I have to say for the price point the optics are very clear, I will admit maybe not as good as Nightforce or Vortex Razor 1-4 with HD glass but since those scopes are 2.5 times the price the PST has not only great glass but is a great value when compared to optics 2.5x more expensive. My friend had his Trijicon 1-4 and when comparing them side by side I would say the optic quality is the same.

The turrets have a great feel to them, very smooth and positive clicks. I didn't set the zero stop up since it's future home is on a Noveske upper coming in a few weeks. The zoom is very smooth, reticle is clean although I would have liked the subtention's to be a little larger but is more than usable for it's intended usage etc.

The power switch for the illumination is very nice and has positive clicks with off being in the middle of each setting. It is daytime bright although rather than a bright red like on an Aimpoint or EOTech it is more of a dark red in bright daytime lighting. In dimmer and night time light it is a very bright red like a red dot. It could be a little better but again it is visible and usable in full daytime lighting. When I looked a the Nightforce 1-4 it was not visible so for 2.5x times less money the Vortex wins that battle.

The eye relief is very good!!!!!! The eye box is great, gives you a great view and I never once found myself having to move my head around to have a clear view, this was true at all magnification settings.

Over all I am very happy with it!!! I have only shot it on a square range from a bench sighting it in however in a couple of weeks I will be taking it to a practical rifle match which will give me a better perspective. If all goes well I plan on taking it to a 4 day carbine class next month which will give me a more well rounded opinion of it but so far so good.
Rifle specs: Spikes Lower, Daniel Defense parts kit, Ergo Grip, Wilson Combat TTU trigger, LMT SOPMOD stock, Magpul BAD lever, Magpul rear sling mount, LMT M4 profile upper 16" 1x7, BCM bolt and carrier, Troy folding rear sight.






Sorry with my camera phone I could not get a pic of the reticle...not sure how people do it but I have a new found respect for those pictures

There is one thing I don't understand but the zoom ring has the correct magnification when looking forward from the eye piece but when looking at it from the front or top there is a number on the other side which is incorrect at the 4x, 1.3 and 1x setting. It is correct on the 2 time setting. Update: Got an explanation of this on snipers hide...I included the answer as a reply to this thread below.

[sabrefan]

Never heard of Liberty optics. I'll have to check them out. I'm in the market for a nice 1x4 but I can't afford a S&b or Nightforce. So, what did you pay? My budget is around 300. Or, I could save up for the next few years and get the S&B.

[dtibbals]

Never heard of Liberty optics. I'll have to check them out. I'm in the market for a nice 1x4 but I can't afford a S&b or Nightforce. So, what did you pay? My budget is around 300. Or, I could save up for the next few years and get the S&B.

Price is $499 everywhere, he ships for free and no tax since I am out of state...he does have a discount price for Snipers Hide members as well as a couple of other groups, check out his website for additional info, I paid a bit less than that price!

[sabrefan]

Looks like nice glass. Do those turrents lock? I hope. I'll just have to save up a little more. BDC reticle?

[austinN4]

Never heard of Liberty optics. I'll have to check them out.

http://www.libertyoptics.com/

Scott is a good guy. I have a Vortex Viper PST 4-16x50 FFP on order from him and I and considering adding a PST 1-4x24 to the order.

[dtibbals]

Looks like nice glass. Do those turrents lock? I hope. I'll just have to save up a little more. BDC reticle?

No they do not lock however they do have zero stops...no BDC reticle, they have MOA or MIL your choice.

[dtibbals]

I got an answer over on snipers hide about the "incorrect" numbers

Those "incorrect" numbers are the multiplication factor using the reticle on that given power since the reticle is a AFP design.

Each hash mark on your reticle is 2 MOA on 4x (that's where the reticle is calibrated for), say your on 1x and you miss 2 tick marks low and 3.5 tick marks left and you want to dial that in. You would need the correct multiplier to dial in the correct MOA. The multiplier on 1x is 4 so its simple. 2x4 = 8 MOA up and 3.5x4 = 14 MOA right.

Hope the "incorrect" number make sense

I sure feel like an idiot...I knew that I can only range on 4x but for some reason I didn't catch that lol oh well glad there are smarter people than me out there

[dtibbals]

Here is a pic with illumination on high...it is a crappy pic and will try to get a better one next time...as you can see it is red but a dark red not a bright red but can be seen.

[benw315]

Do you find the reticle easy to use during the daytime when not illuminated? Nice writeup by the way.

[dtibbals]

Do you find the reticle easy to use during the daytime when not illuminated? Nice writeup by the way.

Yes I used it both ways...the reality is unless you are shooting at something dark you really don't need illumination during the day.

I just played with it in the house and when hitting a white room with a surefire x300 mounted on the end of this rifle the reticle actually got brighter!!!!!!!!!! My red dot will get washed out so this is HUGE!!! That is so damn impressive I might have to sell my last red dot for another one of these....not what I expected at all!