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7/18/2026 1:13:42 PM EDT
Changed up my comp gun optics, I realized my 1-6 was always on 6...so went with the new Vudu. $915 with govx discount.
Decided to try the enclosed Venom for 1x. It's really pretty good for about $180. Crisp dot, full size 2032 (same as the vudu) and the only down side is the bottom shelf is really thick. No big deal on a rifle.

I've heard complaints about the Vudu eye box, but I don't find it bad at all. Glass seems pretty good to me, but I'm not really a high end scope guy. Looking forward to getting to the range next weekend.
This is not the scope for you if you're into precision benchrest shooting. There's better options.
However as an alternative to an ACOG for run n guns and more active type shooting I think it's worth a look.

Don't judge the glass based on these shitty cell pics lol.

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Venom
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4x
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12x
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Your boos mean nothing, I've seen what makes you cheer
7/27/2026 9:18:43 AM EDT
[#1]
Looks good. Is that edge distortion at 4x as prominent in real life as it looks through the camera?
7/27/2026 6:43:52 PM EDT
[#2]
No, it's way more clear in person
Your boos mean nothing, I've seen what makes you cheer
7/27/2026 8:58:04 PM EDT
[#3]
I’ve actually got a 4-12 in the mail also. Got it for a song on tacswap along with their EFLX. Normally I go for more expensive glass and I may end up swapping this to an NX6 2-12 in the future but it’s so different I wanted to give it a shot.
7/27/2026 9:55:57 PM EDT
[#4]
Quote History
Originally Posted By doty_soty:
I've actually got a 4-12 in the mail also. Got it for a song on tacswap along with their EFLX. Normally I go for more expensive glass and I may end up swapping this to an NX6 2-12 in the future but it's so different I wanted to give it a shot.
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I'm on the opposite end of the spectrum, I usually have cheaper glass
Your boos mean nothing, I've seen what makes you cheer
7/27/2026 10:52:17 PM EDT
[#5]
Quote History
Originally Posted By RolandofGilead:
I'm on the opposite end of the spectrum, I usually have cheaper glass
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Quote History
Originally Posted By RolandofGilead:
Originally Posted By doty_soty:
I've actually got a 4-12 in the mail also. Got it for a song on tacswap along with their EFLX. Normally I go for more expensive glass and I may end up swapping this to an NX6 2-12 in the future but it's so different I wanted to give it a shot.
I'm on the opposite end of the spectrum, I usually have cheaper glass

I hear pretty good things about the 4-12 vs the older 3-9. I bet it’ll be nice, my only qualm is most of what I’ve been building are more precision oriented and this is more of a handy light-precision scope. Somewhere between an ACOG that doubles as a real scope and a more traditional SPR scope like the 2-10 Credo.

I’m not sure I have a use for it but I do think it’ll be nice. Won’t know til you try I guess!
7/28/2026 6:21:32 AM EDT
[#6]
Quote History
Originally Posted By doty_soty:

I hear pretty good things about the 4-12 vs the older 3-9. I bet it'll be nice, my only qualm is most of what I've been building are more precision oriented and this is more of a handy light-precision scope. Somewhere between an ACOG that doubles as a real scope and a more traditional SPR scope like the 2-10 Credo.

I'm not sure I have a use for it but I do think it'll be nice. Won't know til you try I guess!
View Quote
Absolutely how I'm using it, I have a Proving Grounds comp in about 2 weeks that will be a great test for it.
Your boos mean nothing, I've seen what makes you cheer
7/30/2026 2:27:03 PM EDT
[#7]
Got mine in hand. While coming into my FFL to do paperwork for a can I saw they had the 3-9 out so I played with it. I wasn’t terribly impressed to be honest, but it’s the size that’s the selling point I guess.

Anyway I just got this 4-12 in. I’ve gotta say it’s a considerable upgrade all around. Glass is better, ocular occlusion is better, reticle is worlds better. And it’s BARELY larger. That they made such improvements to the glass while going up in magnification is impressive.

I still dunno if it’s for me or not, but I think it’s for someone. It’s a great way to have an SPR optic in a micro package.
7/30/2026 10:09:43 PM EDT
[#8]
This is what this scope should have been from the start, IMO.
Malcolm X was right about liberals.
7/30/2026 11:30:51 PM EDT
[#9]
Quote History
Originally Posted By LeadBreakfast:
This is what this scope should have been from the start, IMO.
View Quote

The 3-9 was definitely an example of not buying a Gen 1. It’s fine for what it was but the 4-12 is basically a completely different optic that’s better in every way
8/25/2026 8:39:20 AM EDT
[Last Edit: RolandofGilead][Edited] [#10]
Alright, so I've had some trigger time and one comp with this now. Comp was a Proving Grounds, so somewhat fast paced fitness + sort of combat non-precision type shooting out to 300.

- Eye box and relief is certainly a bit tight at 12x. It's absolutely not a deal breaker, but it takes a little practice to understand what you need to do as a shooter.
- I struggled at first to find some targets that were moderately close, but far enough I wanted to use 4x. It took my dumbass a full stage to figure out I could use my piggyback dot to find the target then quicky transition to 4x or 6x or whatever. This is a new setup for me, but once I figured that out and practiced a bit it worked great.
- I hate the included lens caps...I'd like something like the 100 concepts caps, but I don't think they will work. Some more research is needed here...
- Overall I'm very pleased with this setup. It's got a great form factor, it's moderately light, and very easy to use once you practice a bit.

Took first in the intermediate division, and now am bumping up to elite in future individual comps. Have a team comp with my son in a couple weeks, so will have a good chance to give this optic another go.


Attached File
Your boos mean nothing, I've seen what makes you cheer
8/29/2026 7:12:02 PM EDT
[Last Edit: CavScout][Edited] [#11]
Quote History
Originally Posted By RolandofGilead:
Alright, so I've had some trigger time and one comp with this now. Comp was a Proving Grounds, so somewhat fast paced fitness + sort of combat non-precision type shooting out to 300.

- Eye box and relief is certainly a bit tight at 12x. It's absolutely not a deal breaker, but it takes a little practice to understand what you need to do as a shooter.
- I struggled at first to find some targets that were moderately close, but far enough I wanted to use 4x. It took my dumbass a full stage to figure out I could use my piggyback dot to find the target then quicky transition to 4x or 6x or whatever. This is a new setup for me, but once I figured that out and practiced a bit it worked great.
- I hate the included lens caps...I'd like something like the 100 concepts caps, but I don't think they will work. Some more research is needed here...
- Overall I'm very pleased with this setup. It's got a great form factor, it's moderately light, and very easy to use once you practice a bit.

Took first in the intermediate division, and now am bumping up to elite in future individual comps. Have a team comp with my son in a couple weeks, so will have a good chance to give this optic another go.


https://www.ar15.com/media/mediaFiles/45602/1000022515_jpg-3816900.JPG
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@rolandofgilead Excellent review, I am thinking of putting it on my APC308 which is a 14.5" setup. How do you like the reticle at 4x?
I don’t want unity. I want them defeated and subjugated, and I never want them to be a threat to me or my people ever again. - J. Grey
8/29/2026 7:26:41 PM EDT
[#12]
Quote History
Originally Posted By CavScout:
@rolandofgilead Excellent review, I am thinking of putting it on my APC308 which is a 14.5" setup. How do you like the reticle at 4x?
View Quote
I like it pretty well but it's pretty small- if you have the illum on then it's great. Without the illum, you may find it a bit "fine"
Your boos mean nothing, I've seen what makes you cheer
8/29/2026 7:32:53 PM EDT
[Last Edit: CavScout][Edited] [#13]
Quote History
Originally Posted By @RolandofGilead:
I like it pretty well but it's pretty small- if you have the illum on then it's great. Without the illum, you may find it a bit "fine"
View Quote
@RolandofGilead
Considering the MR5 then. So how are the turret clicks, tactile or soft? Also curious about how they numbered the adjustments on the turrets, the website does not show that.
I don’t want unity. I want them defeated and subjugated, and I never want them to be a threat to me or my people ever again. - J. Grey
8/29/2026 7:41:05 PM EDT
[#14]
Quote History
Originally Posted By CavScout:
Considering the MR5 then. So how are the turret clicks, tactile or soft? Also curious about how they numbered the adjustments on the turrets, the website does not show that.
View Quote
Tactile, but they have caps. For my use it's great but if you're making adjustments on the fly this won't be for you.
Once you have the caps off you can dial in. If you're zeroing then you lift the turret and set it at zero. Pretty slick, but I use holdovers rather than dialing in.
Your boos mean nothing, I've seen what makes you cheer
9/4/2026 3:19:34 PM EDT
[Last Edit: Dissident][Edited] [#15]
Quote History
Originally Posted By RolandofGilead:
I like it pretty well but it's pretty small- if you have the illum on then it's great. Without the illum, you may find it a bit "fine"
View Quote View All Quotes
View All Quotes
Quote History
Originally Posted By RolandofGilead:
Originally Posted By CavScout:
@rolandofgilead Excellent review, I am thinking of putting it on my APC308 which is a 14.5" setup. How do you like the reticle at 4x?
I like it pretty well but it's pretty small- if you have the illum on then it's great. Without the illum, you may find it a bit "fine"


I looked at. 4-12 with the MD5 yesterday and this was exactly my thought…needs to be run illuminated.  I struggled picking up the Christmas tree unless it was at 12x as well.  I think that MR5 would be even more difficult to see.    

This got me thinking that maybe the 3x9  SFP with the MR5 might be the ticket.  If I’m going to have to run it at max mag, might as well get the SFP with the most useful reticle.
I can’t stand it to think my life is going so fast and I’m not really living it.
9/5/2026 7:57:28 AM EDT
[#16]
I would think you'd leave this thing around 8x to keep optical qualities excellent (eye box, light transmission, etc) and only settle into the scope when you're shooting supported or prone at extended targets - no illumination needed.

I shot a match with my razor / piggy back dot that was 0-400 and shot the whole thing with the dot (far targets were full silhouettes).
Isaiah 1:18 - "Come now, let us reason together," says the LORD: "though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow"
9/6/2026 7:12:43 AM EDT
[#17]
Shot my second match with it yesterday.

Ranges we're as close as 50 and out to 500. Used the dot up close of course and maybe 6x at 200 with illum on. Very bright day in the morning and the brightness was great.
Full zoom at 500 and it worked great.

No issues picking up the reticle at low zoom with the illum on and I'm still very pleased with the scope.
Your boos mean nothing, I've seen what makes you cheer
9/6/2026 9:10:36 AM EDT
[#18]
I checked this Vortex 4-12 out today at my local shop.  Glass is sharp, illum is nice. It is on my short list for a new build. I only wish there were a piggyback mount that would accommodate a closed emitter RDS.  I think an RCR on top of this would great on a  general purpose rifle.
9/6/2026 11:22:13 AM EDT
[Last Edit: RolandofGilead][Edited] [#19]
Quote History
Originally Posted By jharpphoto:
I checked this Vortex 4-12 out today at my local shop.  Glass is sharp, illum is nice. It is on my short list for a new build. I only wish there were a piggyback mount that would accommodate a closed emitter RDS.  I think an RCR on top of this would great on a  general purpose rifle.
View Quote
Not sure what you mean, there are quite a few closed emitter options. I have one on mine.


Edit - nevermind I didn't see you said vortex. Why can't you just put an RMR or DPP 30mm piggyback mount on it?
Your boos mean nothing, I've seen what makes you cheer
Yesterday 11:13:55 AM EDT
[#20]
Do you find the reticle brightness to be enough? One of the complaints I saw with a few reviews was it's not a daylight bright reticle and it can be difficult to pick up under certain conditions. I've been spoiled with my ATACR 1-8 being nuclear bright but this Vudu looks to be a great scope for the money.
Yesterday 5:31:02 PM EDT
[#21]
Quote History
Originally Posted By FO-TIME:
Do you find the reticle brightness to be enough? One of the complaints I saw with a few reviews was it's not a daylight bright reticle and it can be difficult to pick up under certain conditions. I've been spoiled with my ATACR 1-8 being nuclear bright but this Vudu looks to be a great scope for the money.
View Quote


The one that I looked at, the illumination wasn't the issue, it was how fine the reticle was.  I almost couldn't see it at 4x unless I had the illumination on.
I can’t stand it to think my life is going so fast and I’m not really living it.
Yesterday 5:49:47 PM EDT
[#22]
Quote History
Originally Posted By Dissident:


The one that I looked at, the illumination wasn't the issue, it was how fine the reticle was.  I almost couldn't see it at 4x unless I had the illumination on.
View Quote
Yeah this is more of the issue. Reticle is very bright to me, but very fine at 4x. Looks great at higher powers.

It's a non issue for me, could be a problem for others.
Your boos mean nothing, I've seen what makes you cheer

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