Vortex PST 6x24 FFP not clear at 24X

[Tnwhip]

My Vortex is a little dim not very bright above 14x. I like everything about this scope except that. Is that just the way it is? Anyones 6x24 PST having the same problem? I am thinking about sending it back. I have seen cheap Bushnells and Tasco like that didn't expect it with this scope.

 

[JackinSD]

I am going to guess that there is something wrong with the one that you have. Mine is perfectly clear all the way up to 24x.

 

[BEEMAN]

Mine is good to. Shooting in the evening with the sun going down is no problem. Mine is the second focal plane.

 

[bruce_ventura]

My Vortex is a little dim not very bright above 14x. I like everything about this scope except that. Is that just the way it is? Anyones 6x24 PST having the same problem? I am thinking about sending it back. I have seen cheap Bushnells and Tasco like that didn't expect it with this scope.

On the 6-24x50 PST FFPs that I've looked through, the image contrast gets noticeably worse at about 18X and above. It's like looking through a veil. Is that what you're seeing?

Veiling glare results from a lack of stray light management in the scope design. Eliminating it requires proper use of internal black coatings and surface ridges, apertures ("glare stops"), and lenses with blackened edges. It gets worse at high magnification, when the forward erector lens moves close to the FFP. In that position, the lens is able to collect more stray light. If you see it in this scope, I suspect that you will probably see it other scopes of the same model.

It could be that some folks notice veiling glare and others do not. You maybe more sensitive to image contrast than I am, or your lighting conditions may be worse, making the image contrast degrade at a lower magnification. Stray light rays are usually concentrated around the outer edge of the exit pupil. When the exit pupil is smaller than the eye pupil, which happens at high magnification, the eye collects more of these stray light rays. It could be that you have larger than average pupils. Eye pupil size depends on age and lighting conditions, for example.

 

[Barrelnut]

Bruce, Does a sunshade help with the stray light?

I have a PST in SFP and it behaves just as you describe. I had always called it 'getting hazy'. Seem to notice it a lot in lower end scopes. Though the PST is not that bad at all to me, but is noticeable.

 

[Tnwhip]

On the 6-24x50 PST FFPs that I've looked through, the image contrast gets noticeably worse at about 18X and above. It's like looking through a veil. Is that what you're seeing?

Veiling glare results from a lack of stray light management in the scope design. Eliminating it requires proper use of internal black coatings and surface ridges, apertures ("glare stops"), and lenses with blackened edges. It gets worse at high magnification, when the forward erector lens moves close to the FFP. In that position, the lens is able to collect more stray light. If you see it in this scope, I suspect that you will probably see it other scopes of the same model.

It could be that some folks notice veiling glare and others do not. You maybe more sensitive to image contrast than I am, or your lighting conditions may be worse, making the image contrast degrade at a lower magnification. Stray light rays are usually concentrated around the outer edge of the exit pupil. When the exit pupil is smaller than the eye pupil, which happens at high magnification, the eye collects more of these stray light rays. It could be that you have larger than average pupils. Eye pupil size depends on age and lighting conditions, for example.

Should I send it back to the factory and get them to check it out? Or is it as good as it gets? It is worse late in the afternoon and on cloudy days.

 

[bruce_ventura]

Bruce, Does a sunshade help with the stray light? I have a PST in SFP and it behaves just as you describe. I had always called it 'getting hazy'. Seem to notice it a lot in lower end scopes. Though the PST is not that bad at all to me, but is noticeable.

Yes, a sun shade increases image contrast, but does not eliminate glare. To truly fix the problem, you would need a shade tube so long that it would restrict the field of view.

I sometimes use a makeshift sunshade to determine if stray light is the problem I'm seeing. I cut a cardboard paper towel tube lengthwise and wrap it around the objective bell. I look at a target and check for glare. Then I pull off the tube and check again. Another test I perform is too look at a target while rapidly rotating the zoom ring back and forth from max zoom to about the midpoint on the zoom ring. If there is a stray light problem, the image becomes hazy as the magnification is turned up. I usually perform these tests during middle of the day, with the sun falling on the objective, and also with the objective in the shade.

Caution: people who think their 6-24x50 PST has no contrast problem at high magnification should not perform these tests. After you first notice the effect of veiling glare on image contrast, it becomes hard to ignore.

Tnwhip, I would call Vortex and ask them to look at it. When I sent it back, I would include a detailed description of what I'm seeing and why it's a problem for me. Who knows, maybe they can fix it. Worse case, you pay some postage and lose the scope for a couple of weeks. If they send you a new scope and it still has the problem, you can sell it and get a higher contrast scope. If you send it back, let us know how it turns out.

 

[Tnwhip]

Yes, a sun shade increases image contrast, but does not eliminate glare. To truly fix the problem, you would need a shade tube so long that it would restrict the field of view.

I sometimes use a makeshift sunshade to determine if stray light is the problem I'm seeing. I cut a cardboard paper towel tube lengthwise and wrap it around the objective bell. I look at a target and check for glare. Then I pull off the tube and check again. Another test I perform is too look at a target while rapidly rotating the zoom ring back and forth from max zoom to about the midpoint on the zoom ring. If there is a stray light problem, the image becomes hazy as the magnification is turned up. I usually perform these tests during middle of the day, with the sun falling on the objective, and also with the objective in the shade.

Caution: people who think their 6-24x50 PST has no contrast problem at high magnification should not perform these tests. After you first notice the effect of veiling glare on image contrast, it becomes hard to ignore.

Tnwhip, I would call Vortex and ask them to look at it. When I sent it back, I would include a detailed description of what I'm seeing and why it's a problem for me. Who knows, maybe they can fix it. Worse case, you pay some postage and lose the scope for a couple of weeks. If they send you a new scope and it still has the problem, you can sell it and get a higher contrast scope. If you send it back, let us know how it turns out.

Ok Thanks I wll keep everyone informed.

 

[Gunpoor]

I have a Vortex Viper HS LR 4-16X44 scope and above 12X the sight picture gets "hazy" (for lack of better term). I don't use the higher magnification for this reason, and sometimes wish I had bought another Leupold VX-R. The reason I opted for the Vortex was the .5MOA elevation adjustments and the fine reticle for shooting longer ranges, and for these reasons it will work better than the VX-R. I have a Burris Blackdiamond 6-24X50 w/.125MOA adujustments on a 22/250 that needs a lot of light on the higher magnification also, though it is very clear on 24x in high sunlight. I believe it is the nature of optics that comes into play. Clear sight picture trumps magnification IMO.

 

[HunterGreen]

Ok Thanks I wll keep everyone informed.

I guess the guys at range were right. This is about the 7th time I come across these issue.

 

[Catfur]

My Viper PST 4-16x50 gets hazy (just a bit) above 12x. Not enough for me to not want to use it, but enough to notice looking at a piece of paper with stuff all over (AKA a target).

 

[Bullet bumper]

I sent two 6 to 24 Viper Pst's back in a row . In the end the third one was a newer model sent direct from Vortex . It did have better optics than the first two but that was not the only concern .
I don't think the optics are all that great in the 6 to 24 for what it ended up costing me $1250 . However Vortex warranty is very good and the people are good to deal with .
I like the scopes features but the glass is not as good as it should be for the money . In the end I came out on top but I can't say how exactly other than I need another set of 30 mm scope mounts .
Vortex is a good company trying hard to make a good product and look after it's customers but being let down by their asian manufacturers .
Contact Vortex and discuss your concerns in a polite way . I am sure they will assist you .

 

[Prieto9000]

I´ve owned 3 6-24X50 PST FFP and had the same problem. The first one was de first gen model. Then I bought another one in 2012 and one last year. The newest has a little better optics and the magnification ring is a little different. It gives me a hard time @ about 20x but I don´t complain because I hardly use more than around 18x. Recently upgraded to a Razor HD but haven´t mounted on my rifle. I´m still waiting to get it from the smith´s shop. Let´s se how it performs.

 

[westcliffe01]

Mine was $830 (6-24x50 FFP MOA), at the price you paid (if US$) one is right up there in NF territory... I am probably going to add a couple of SFP scopes and will be watching to see if Vortex offers the new reticle on those also. My 4-16x50 has been optically the best scope I have owned after my Nikon Monarchs.

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I don't think the optics are all that great in the 6 to 24 for what it ended up costing me $1250 .