In the world of rifle scopes, Vortex Optics is a name everyone has heard. I’d venture to say that most people have even owned a Vortex scope at some point.
Vortex optics are known for being high-quality and offering multiple options at various price points - for everyone from the beginning hunter or shooter to the expert. Because they have so many options, it can be challenging to determine which one is right for you.
Today, we will compare the Vortex Strike Eagle to the Vortex Venom. I’ve chosen two similar scopes to give a direct comparison: the Strike Eagle 3-18x44 and the Venom 3-15x44.
Keep in mind, though, that each line has a variety of offerings if this magnification doesn’t fit your needs.
Vortex Strike Eagle and Vortex Venom Similarities
As I mentioned, both scopes have a 44mm objective lens and first-focal plane reticles - meaning the size of the reticle changes as you zoom in and out.'
When purchasing either scope, you can choose an MOA or MRAD reticle, which is etched in the glass for greater clarity and precision. Both the Venom and Strike Eagle have a 34mm tube, allowing for greater light transmission, especially in low-light situations.
As far as adjusting zero, both scopes have exposed elevation and capped windage turrets with ¼ MOA adjustments.
Plus, they both have what Vortex calls the RevStop™ Zero System, so you can quickly return to your set zero point after making elevation adjustments for farther-distance shots. And with the included throw levers, you can also easily adjust your zoom for whatever distance your target is.
Finally, both scopes are constructed of anodized aircraft-grade aluminum, have an Armor Tek coating, and are nitrogen-purged.
They are also made of a single-piece tube. These construction features give both optics better alignment and strength and make them waterproof, fogproof, and shockproof.
Now that we’ve covered that, what are some differences between the two?
Vortex Strike Eagle and Vortex Venom Differences
SIZE
These scopes are very similar in size. The Venom is 13.4” long, 2.1” tall, and weighs 28.8 oz. The Strike Eagle is slightly smaller and lighter, measuring 13.3” long and 2.0” tall and weighing 26.6 oz.
Those size differences are relatively small and would likely not be that noticeable to you. However, the Strike Eagle will be the better option if you’re trying to cut every ounce possible for an extended backcountry hunt with a lot of hiking.
EYE RELIEF
Eye relief is one crucial factor when shooting heavier-caliber rifles. If you’ve shot long guns very much, you’ve probably gotten at least one nice scope bite. I try to limit that as much as possible.
Eye relief on the Venom is reported as 3.7”, and the Strike Eagle’s is 3.8”. I would have to say that 1/10 of an inch is probably not enough to make a big difference, so that’s not a big selling point either way.
FIELD OF VIEW & MAGNIFICATION
There are slight differences in the field of view between these scopes, but they aren’t huge. According to the Vortex’s website, the Venom has a slightly larger FOV at base magnification (3x) with 8.4’ compared to the Strike Eagle’s 6.7’.
At maximum magnification, the FOV measurements differ more because the magnifications differ. The Venom’s max magnification is 15x (FOV: 42.4’), while the Strike Eagle has a max magnification of 18x (FOV: 39.3’).
So, the FOV difference likely won’t be that significant. But if you are looking for an optic with more available zoom for longer-range shots, the Strike Eagle may be your better option.
RETICLE
The most significant difference between these scopes is that the Strike Eagle has an illuminated reticle, while the Venom does not. I have used illuminated reticle scopes for several years, and I prefer them. However, it won’t affect your buying decision if that does not matter to you.
RETICLE ADJUSTMENT
When speaking of the reticle, we also need to talk about adjustability. The Venom has a maximum elevation adjustment of 124 MOA, which should still give you plenty of adjustment for more than a 1000-yard shot. However, the Strike Eagle has 154 MOA of adjustability.
Again, the Strike Eagle has more, but I don’t know that the difference is significant enough unless you plan to do some extremely long-distance shooting.
CLARITY/FOCUS
I compared these scopes side by side on a clear, sunny day. I have to say that my first impression was that they were very similar. The Strike Eagle probably has a slightly clearer picture, but the difference was not significant enough to stand out in those conditions. I would like to see if image quality differed more in low-light or bad-weather situations.
PRICING
One of the most significant differences between these scopes is price. The MSRP on the Venom is $649.99, while the price point on the Strike Eagle is $1,099.99. That cost difference is partially due to the Strike Eagle’s greater magnification. The other main factor is the illuminated reticle.
If those things matter to you, you will likely need to go with the Strike Eagle, but if neither of those features are on the top of your list, you may want to go with the less-expensive Venom.
I hope you found this article helpful and know more about which optic you might choose. Happy shopping!