Revisiting a Great Budget LPVO. The Vortex PST II 1-6x24

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This is the final iteration of revisiting the nearly Legendary PST II 1-6. I have been wanting to get one for myself ever since I first reviewed it many years ago. Its one of very few scopes to achieve that level of impression.
#vortexoptics #fpr #firstpersonshooter #lpvo
00:00 - Overview
01:53 - Garage Clearing
03:43 - Reticle Overview
04:43 - Turret Twistin'
05:16 - Tracking Test
05:51 - Rooftop Day
07:21 - Eyebox
08:00 - Rooftop Night
08:38 - Comparison Sig Tango6T
10:12 - Comparison Delta Stryker HD
11:34 - Comparison Trijicon Credo HX
12:56 - Comparison Trijicon TR25
14:19 - Comparison Vortex StrikeEagle II SFP
15:42 - Comparison Steiner P4Xi
Just some things I use:
Under Cabinet Lights - rebrand.ly/8g5aku6
Weight Scale - rebrand.ly/s2gisg8
Packing Tape - rebrand.ly/hj6ta9a
ADM Recon - rebrand.ly/shq7x7p
C_DOES is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com, Adorama.com, and Primaryarms.com

[@alexanderb5644]

Seeing their performance in so much context like this is getting me to see the whole field of optics and where they fit in. Awesome to see the "numbers aren't everything" factor addressed too

[@CDOES]

Amen

[@michaelpee9471]

"STOP IT BUTTERCUP!"

[@ChocolateStranger]

C, my guy, this was a grand slam. Really brings everything full circle. My respects on this video professor. 💪🏿

[@CDOES]

Much obliged

[@SDGlock23]

After watching a number of your very well done videos, I recently picked up this optic. It's nice!

[@Gideon920]

I'm literally about to buy the PST this week at my local shop! Thanks so much for the added info

[@juncho1977]

Hey C, I just bought a used one of these this morning thanks to your reviews. Looking forward to receiving and mouting it. 😄👍

[@bpsteph88]

The pew pew in the garage had me rolling😂 Thank you for the side by side comparisons. 😎👍

[@user-ep6sh5dm6p]

This channel is awesome. Your work is greatly valued

[@stevenkennedy4130]

Stop it Butter Cup! You and Focus Tripp are my go to scope channels. Thanks for the share!!

[@TheyAreHereForYou]

I've been running one of these for about 3 years on one of my rifles. It was your original review that sold me on it. It's a tad heavy but it's been rock solid and I have had absolutely no issues with it. The dot brightness is still impressive even compared with more modern optics. I've been very happy with it.

[@rgochina]

Briliante video! And for us living in tropical and sunny places, the dot in the PST is really day light bright. PST is for sure a very solid contender.

[@CDOES]

👌

[@irwig05]

Great video!

[@nicholaspreston9586]

Thanks for consoling me for my purchase (Vortex Viper PST, not this one) after seeing all the lightweight PA LPVOs.... *wipes tear hoping no one noticed*

[@SierraNovemberGroup]

Another great video.

[@Doughboy1941]

Would you consider making a video on your recoding setup? I'd like to see how you mount your camera behind the optics. Great vid as always.

[@kenstirling5348]

Fantastic video

[@maniakaz]

One of the Viper PST Gen II 1-6's best features is the dot is is really daylight bright, even in the Sunny Southwest US. Many other optics that say (or reviews say) are daylight bright are actually barely daylight visible in really bright conditions. This is still my primary LPVO (have 3 now). If I could find a MPVO (2-10 / 2-12) that had a daylight bright dot I'd be in heaven. I looked at some Gen 3 Razors (to get more zoom) but it's just out of my price range.

[@CDOES]

I agree. I really feel manufacturers are leaving a big gap in the market with a. Lower powered mpvo with bright illumination.

[@FMDad-dm5qo]

Yeah - It’s the boundary marker for where true “daylight bright” optics begin. I never feel the need for brighter illumination than the PST Gen II, but I do occasionally miss this level of illumination on optics that are only “daylight useful” such as the Strike Eagle (needs two more brightness increments) and the PA GLX 2x (good illumination; but could use one more).

[@richardsveum8452]

I have 5 Vortex Viper optics, all have been clear had great turrets and usable reticles. They offer great value for the money.

[@nathan_k]

This review is definitely more fleshed out than the first one. I really appreciate the comparison with "new" optics like the Sig Tango 6T 1-6 SFP. Shows it really kept its value across the years. I hope they make a 1-6 (8? 10?) Viper PST Gen3 with the same retained value.

[@nathan_k]

15:00 - OH NO. I'm going to have to fight you on that one, C. The SE Gen2 is VASTLY worse glass quality (and at distance) than PST Gen2. My Vipers are crystal clear at 100yd. My SE makes my eyes bleed at 100yd. (Focal blurriness/CA.)

[@CDOES]

I'd be very happy to see a slightly modified version that is 17oz. That's all it would need.

[@CDOES]

@@nathan_k I think that statement actually pays dividends to the QC of the cheaper Chinese stuff. Mine was pretty damn good. And yours isn't. I've never heard a real complaint about thr pst.

[@poisonouslead85]

​@CDOES ya. The upside and the downside of the warranty too. The warranty is great, but it can also be a crutch for sloppy QC.

[@jeremywatson9129]

@@CDOES 17oz and it would be perfect.

[@alj.granda8252]

PST2 looks great!! Thanks!

[@Xinthisis]

Got this as my first. Ran like a charm and eventually got a plx-c to replace it. I will say that for the weight if you're planning to run a piggyback rds, a better option may be a PA GLX 2.5-10x.

[@TXMAC]

Nutnfancy philosophy: lighten everything! Went with the credo hx - love it

[@federico02072]

Just ordered mine

[@2amichaelj]

The price point is awesome for this quality of scope. It's a bit of a pig but glass is clear, reticles are the same as the Razor Gen 2 and the eye box is pretty forgiving. Yes I like my Vudu, Razors, Credos, TR24s/TR25s more they're also at a minimum double the price.

[@cameronsmith3955]

I’ve been watching all your videos, love your content. I would be very interested in seeing you review the Athlon Midas BTR Gen 2 1-6. It’s around the same price as the PST and there are just not a lot of reviews out there for it.

[@CDOES]

I can try to make that happen.

[@Quality_Guru]

Was all set to purchase this optic until I saw that Arken Optics just released their latest scope which is a 1-8x28 FFP LPVO with Japanese glass at $399. At that price point, the Arken appears to be a serious contender to surpass the Vosrex PST II 1-6x24 as the best value LPVO. With that said, I will not put down a penny until I see how it performs after a C_Does evaluation and test. My Wallet and I have the highest admiration and respect for your evaluations. Looking forward to the rumble between these value packed giants.

[@CDOES]

Thank you for the praise. I'm sure the arken lpvo will be good. But how good has yet to be answered imo.

[@dsxz]

The arken doesn't have the same use imo. The glass is good but the eye box is awful. The illumination isn't day bright. And the killbox reticle is love/hate...i put my arken on my lever gun and replaced it on my ar with a razor and im thrilled with it. If that's anything to go by the viper would also be more my style. I want something with amazing 1x and eye box that i can use with both eyes open

[@Quality_Guru]

@@dsxz At this point I’m waiting to see how the Primary Arms PLxC 1-8x24mm SFP Rifle Scope with the Nova reticle will fair on a CDOES review.

[@joquin4618]

Awesome! Still like my vortex razor gen 2 e 1-6x more than a vortex pst if I’m carrying that much weight… but it’s still pretty nice! Anything else, I’m usually rocking a primary Arms LPVO 🥰

[@CDOES]

The razors definitely have a lot more polish to them. And they do have that second kind of cool.

[@cpt.sparkyy2192]

C, any plans to get a video on the new Arken 1-8 that just came out/is coming out?

[@calebhill72]

Does the ACSS Aurora gen IV have the same issue of losing image stability that you mentioned the nova has? Going to assume so since it’s the same body for the most part however the technology being different inside could have an effect as well

[@gob7116]

I always also come back to thinking about the PST too. Kinda wish you also got to compare it with the Whiskey5. Always figured that the mid tier scopes where there was good PH glass or solid entry Japanese glass was in that price range. PST, Stryker, Steiner, Whiskey5 and credo. Kinda think that when you sold me on the whiskey5 I picked Japanese glass with a slightly more flat and clear 1x, eye box and relief and weight savings at the expense of 6x capability and box and relief at max magnification (when both 5x are compared)

[@CDOES]

I do miss my whiskey 5. I sold it to a Texas Ranger above market value because they are limited to 5x scopes on their carbines. (a really silly rule imo) the whiskey5 does feel really solid in hand and truth be told I'd love to get another one one day. But they can be as scares as hens teeth.

[@gob7116]

@@CDOES Got it from bereli at 20% off I think some years ago. Was a little over 5 bills but was pretty worth it tbh. Lightweight while having great capability. Kinda sad that SIG left that production line. Though I guess an upper middle class optic wouldn't really net as much profit as the entry level Chinese glass the Tango MSR lineup is going up against, nor the military contracts of the upper end US-made glass with the 6Ts.

[@archerious1972]

Great review. I think mine might have some defect though as it won’t change from 1x. Amazon didn’t pack it well so perhaps it was damaged in transit.

[@bghiggy]

I wish Vortex would get into the dual focal plane thing so you could have a great and super bright 1x and have a more precise Reticle for 6 or 8x.

[@Pariah119]

Buttercup heard him simping for the PX4i and had to put a stop to that lol

[@siyuqiu69]

well，Can you make a review video of the Athlon 1-10x Ares ETR scope? I'm curious about its performance.

[@goawaybaizuo]

@C_does, have you heard any grumblings about a new GLX from PA? I'm sitting on 2 gen4 Slx's, and I'm thouroghly unhappy. I'm thinking about a stryker or credo hx, but I would kick myself if I dump 800 bucks and something else comes out.

[@Hoplopfheil]

it's all about the eyefeeelsssssss

[@JesusDiaz-cq8fj]

This or the Stryker HD 1-6? Considering both. Would definitely appreciate your input on this.

[@frankopanklaric]

Mine now sits on my SIG 716 dmr G2. It was previously on my AR15. This thing punches way above it's weight.

[@drdan9158]

Why is there no love for the Leupold fire dot glass?

[@aftermath2333]

I have this scope I love I wish it was bit shorter and lighter I prefer it than my FFP 1-8.

[@MitchBoudreau-yv3vd]

@C_DOES I’m curious if you’ve heard of the vector optics Constantine 1-6. Allegedly German schot glass and very similar to this pst 2. Around the 17 ish Oz mark. FocusTripp did a review. Just curious if he’s schilling for vector. I trust your reviews more

[@CDOES]

Thank you for the kind words. I've been hearing a lot of things just haven't been sent one by anyone. Funds are maxed out because I bought a ton of stuff to review. But haven't had the time. To review anything

[@FMDad-dm5qo]

Quite fond of mine. It’s like an older MLB player who could definitely shed some pounds but still smacks pitches with regularity

[@CDOES]

Great way of putting it

[@JohnJones-op8uf]

would like to see the pst up against the PA Glx 1-6

[@justusbryant7366]

So whats better this or the sig tango?

[@franciszhou6329]

C, I have an LPVO with German glass that could potentially unseat the PST as the new great budget LPVO. How do I send it to you for review?

[@Chonkasaurus]

I just got a Nova that I'm returning since the eyebox is atrocious...wish I had seen this before buying😥

[@Orcus1030]

Reviews like this make me happy all over again that I got my P4Xi back when they were in the 450 range.

[@JohnWick-wm4pd]

Is the PST 90% of the Razor Gen 2?

[@Mikey5-O]

Love this scope, just wish they would make the turret and battery covers more durable. Great optic overall and as always Great review @C_DOES

[@CDOES]

A small price to pay for the rest of it. At least if you damage one Vortex will replace it.

[@fEkuaR]

Pew, pew.....pew!

[@garykrout8558]

Come on buttercup! Let the man work!

[@notaddmk18fsp_37]

With M193 going 2850-2900 you can get holds out to 600+ in that reticle

[@weekendwarrior8334]

I still love this thing…….i own a Rzr 1-10 that I love and have shot the Rzr 1-6E many times. I just don’t see a huge difference between the Vioer and Rzr 1-6E. The only difference I really see is at distance over 3-400 yards where the Rzr is slightly better. Wish it weighed less but it is what it is.

[@JohnWick-wm4pd]

What is your opinion on MRADS or MOA? Does it matter which one to use on an LVPO?

[@jkmst213]

On an LPVO it doesn’t matter one bit… you’re not putting numbers into a ballistics calculator for long range shooting with these things. Most people with LPVO’s, myself included, will just use the mrad or moa markings as bullet drop compensation markings. For example, led dot is 50/200 next line down the reticle is 315, next line down is 405, etc. I always keep a reticle markings note just on a piece of paper in the handle for each different gun I may use a scoped optic on. This helps me know what reticle marking is what for each gun. Hope this helps!

[@josearreola8926]

Trying to decide between this LPVO or Holosun 510c with Holosun 3x magnifier and I can’t make up my mind. Any advice??

[@CDOES]

I prefer the magnifications between min and max. If you can get away with just 1x and 3x then there is something to be said about that. Or if you favor lighter weight vs more (magnifiers easily come off) or if you prefer a etched reticle where if you lose power you can still use the optic. Or if you prefer fewer moving parts and fewer pieces of glass.

[@josearreola8926]

@@CDOES thanks for the reply man love your content! I’m very indecisive at this point and still don’t know what to choose haha

[@CDOES]

@@josearreola8926 flip a coin lol I don't think you'll go wrong with either. You could always go thr cheaper route and then upgrade if necessary

[@josearreola8926]

@@CDOES thanks again lol I’m gonna go ahead and get the red dot and magnifier. I’ll test it out see how I like it and return it if I end up not liking it. What red dot do you recommend? I will probably end up getting a holosun 3x magnifier

[@DrewHen]

@@josearreola8926Did you end up sticking with this option?

[@michaelzschoche2746]

With good ammo and a good shooter how far out is the 1-6 LPVO accurate too?

[@sdcb27]

There is a ton more to unpack to answer that like target size, rifle accuracy, ammo ect. A Marine with iron sights is capable of beyond 500 but there is target size to consider. To make it simple the easy answer is "As far as your rifle is capable of"

[@Nuck-Fo0bZz]

Pew pew; pew

[@jedmorley9905]

the strike eagles I've looked through were so bad they looked like they had vasoline smeared on the lens and then dust rubbed into it

[@TexasSmoking]

If this thing wasnt so freaking heavy it would be one of the best lpvos on the market. I put one on my pof usa .308 12.5 and it makes the gun so top heavy. Dont regret my purchase but it just wont work for my current .308 setup

[@ricklastname9427]

i wonder if the new production pst II are the same or worse than your older model....

[@CDOES]

There is only one way to find out

[@ricklastname9427]

@@CDOES let's goooooo!

[@tomquirin4231]

hey c brotha, new sub for ya , i am a u.s. marine vet here 93' to 97' active n only have email here , would love to talk more , n godspeed to our beloved 2A, thanks n talk soon bro > tom !

[@fackeyutub-emael6545]

Very interesting to see that the much cheaper strike eagle is almost just as good.

[@dionysis84]

Just sold mine and it’s suddenly popular again

[@aaa3d473]

Suddenly? These things have been well known to be a great option for those who can’t spring for the razor

[@CntBckt]

I feel like my 1-6 is probably heavier on its own than this WITH a Spuhr mount. 😂

[@JohnMiller-wn6gz]

P R O M O S M

[@janbastein7355]

Very excellent video. But I have to admit, “ assembled in the USA “ means absolutely nothing. It’s just a promotional joke.

[@CDOES]

Mmmhmmnm it could just mean they put the scope inside of a box.

[@ellerybice3787]

🤮🤮🤮

[@Pasotintojas1]

Just ordered Vector Optics Continental x8 1-8x24i ED Fiber Tactical 480£ I have one of their Veyron scopes hope this one gona be as good.

[@Wigalicious]

yo sell me that notchback