Optisan Viper 4x16x50 Scope

[Hilma Klingaman]

Its fair to say that in life, you usually get what you pay for. However, sometimes you get far less, which isn't nice, but on other occasions, you get a whole lot more, which is nice. The latter appears to be the philosophy of the Optisan company of China, who make components for a lot of the big Japanese firms, resulting in their slogan "Japan's secret optics". Their own brand of optics are now being distributed in the UK by MTC Optics, run by Gary Cooper, top HFT shooter and airgun journalist. Earlier this year, he met up with representatives from Optisan at the Shot Show in America, and it looks like being a successful relationship. As soon as I saw the Viper scopes on Gary's stand, I knew I had to get one for review, and if you read the following, you'll know why I was so keen.

First up, there's a 30mm, one-piece tube, anodised in a subtle shade of good old matt black. The large body allows for the fitment of nice big internal lenses, which produce a crisp, clear image. Each lens has an ETE Microlux light enhancing coating, to ensure the image stays as bright as possible as it travels through the body tube to the user's eye. The objective lens is 50mm, and the magnification is adjustable from 4 to 16 times.

Flip up scope covers are usually something you have to buy as an extra; not so with this scope, as they come ready fitted. The covers aren't the usual plastic either, they're alloy, and even have O-rings in them, to keep dust and rain at bay.

The magnification adjuster has an attractive machined gripping surface, and this styling is carried through to the fast focus eyepiece. I thought at first that people who have to screw the rear lens out a bit to get a clear sight picture, would have to make do with the flip up cover flipping to the side or down. However, by using the purpose made keys that come in the box, it's possible to loosen the cover's locking collars, by engaging the little studs in the holes provided. After this, the covers can then be rotated to the upright position, and then locked in place - neat.

Side-wheel parallax adjusters used to be available only on scopes costing an arm and a leg, but in recent times, they've been cropping up on products that are within the reach of most shooters. The Viper's wheel rotates smoothly, with targets snapping in and out of focus nicely. This is no high magnification Field Target scope, but it range-finds very well over hunting distances, and focuses down to 10 yards. Should you wish, a larger wheel, that once again is included, can be attached over the standard version. Fitting the biggun' doesn't interfere with another added feature, which is the rotating adjuster for the illuminated reticle. It clicks round from OFF, all the way up to 11, which is a little dazzling, and I found 2 or 3 to be just right. Turning the brightness control doesn't alter the side-wheel setting by the way. Illuminated reticles can be a real boon when shooting at dawn and dusk or when shooting in gloomy woodland.

MTC's own-design Small Calibre Ballistic Reticle (SCBR) incorporates dots and lines to form a central crosshair, with plenty of aim-points above the central cross that can be used for hold under, with reference points on the horizontal lines that can be used to compensate for wind. The Christmas tree style lower portion is employed when hold over is require as ranges increase. Reticules like this are not new, but we are now spoilt for choice when compared to years ago, when the only style widely available was the 30/30 cross-hair. MTC include a copy of the SCBR in the user manual, so that owners can photocopy it, and write on the ranges that correspond to various aim points on the crosshair. Once you've used a set up like this for a while, you get to remember where to aim, but it's nice to have something to refer to now and again.

A three-inch sunshade is also included in the box, which is a useful extra, as are the mounts. It's good to see such a comprehensive package, and all you need to do is supply a suitable rifle. I used the Viper 4-16 X 50 on a BSA Scorpion, and it proved to be a very nice set up. I used the rifle/scope combination in all sorts of conditions, on the range and in the field. It was a pleasure to use, as the sight picture was crisp in all light levels, and the reticle made for precise shot placement. The scope attracted a lot of interest at the shooting club I belong to, with one member ordering one the following day. MTC now have a network of dealers throughout the country, a list of which is on the company's website.

Shooting optics have come on in leaps and bounds over the last few years, and we've never had it so good. The Viper scopes are simply stunning, and there's one feature I haven't even mentioned yet, and that's the price. The 4-16 X 50IR as reviewed here is only 235, now that's a bargain!

MTC may be a new company, but the people behind it know what shooters want, and it looks like Optisan will be supplying just that, so this partnership looks like being a force to be reckoned with in the future.

Hi i live in South African and here the hunting is good my Viper is on my 308 Musgrave this is one of the best scopes i have used.I had to import it from the UK and will get the bigger model once the exchange rate gets better.I use it for culling and night shooting this is my work horse rifle. 10/10

Yes MTC offer some goods glass at sensible money. However, in my opinion you can never have too much clarity on target at any distance and as a long term hunter too I would always opt for the best optic I can afford. How old is your Diavari, I'd speak to the Zeiss importers they might be able to send it back to get it repaired.

Good luck with the new scope.

I am awaiting delivery of a mtc mamba 4-12.

I have on my 243 a zeiss1.5-6 diavari it is very good but for whatever reason the fine centre crosswire has become detached from the thicker crosswire and needs repairing.

I decided on a back up scope and chose mtc on reviews and reccomendation.

I have been shooting rifles for 40 plus years and for stalking,mainly woodland and perimeter I think 200 yds is a very long shot and have come to the descision that optics that are very clear at 1000 yds are nice to have but totally unnecesary.I am told I will be pleasantly surprised by the performance of the mtc.I hope this will be the case especially if I am saving a great deal of money we will see!

Have both viper 4-16 and 8-32 both on .177 BSA ultra and r-10 fantastic optics for the money.Unfortunatly you have to be on 10 mag.to rangefind accurataly.The 4-16 is better at airgun ranges .I rangefind on 16 mag on both and the 8-32 is ok up to 40yds then every thing after is coming up 50 yds (with my eyes) on the side wheel markings.Seems good quality build but have to sort the rangfinding out.

If you position your head correctly and get your eye in the right place, you won't have a problem.

It's the same with any scope and I've not found the Viper to be any worse in this respect than my other scopes.

Hi,

I own an Air Ranger 6.35 and i'm thinking which one to choose between the MCT Viper 8-32x60 or the Targetmaster (Nikko St.) 10-50x60. I'm a bit impressed with the Viper as it comes fully loaded and earned very good reviews, but i have people telling me that the Targetmaster is a better and much reliable scope for targetting long distance. Anyone can help??

I've just bought an MTC Viper 4-16x50 and oh my god what a scope. It replaced a Hawke Nite-eye 4-16x50 and there is just no comparison. The optics are just fantastic, the quality of glass and coatings make the biggest difference with the transfer of light to the shooters eye (an extra hour at night at least when compared to the Hawke Nite-eye). This scope combined with my Weihrauch Hw100kt is the best combo i could possibly put together. No pest species is safe now!! Although 235 may sound like a lot of money to some shooters (when you can buy a functional scope for as little as 40-50) but when you consider what you're getting for your hard earned cash - I could bang on about the quality of glass all day but it's all been said before. The SCB Reticle is one of the finest aiming references i've ever had the pleasure of looking through, while there is a lot going on when your first look through the eye piece you soon learn how to use it to its maximum potential and is only very finely etched into the glass so after a short while you totally get used to it and when it's illuminated it's just a god send. I think I've put my two pence worht in now, You get the idea. Knowbody will be dissappointed with this purchase. ENJOY!

I purchased my Viper shortly after they had come on to the market and paired it up with an HW100. Sadly the HW100 (in .22) had to go as I never got on with it but, it was replaced by Daystates Airwolf MVT in .177, well, what a team!!!

I put the Combo through a comprehensive pellet and zeroing test on the 70 yard outdoor range at Broomhills near Luton and settled on Daystates .177 Select in 4.53 Calibre. After this I set off for the farm I shoot on and culled the Bunnies. Six a day for eight days on the trot from ranges from 20 yards to 58 yards (off a bipod).

This sight, if practised with first, will allow you to maximise your skills and perform to your limit and, see what you're acheiving while you're doing it. The sight picture is very clear and was a large step up from the Hawke SR6 3-12x50 that I was using. My only complaint is, that the illumination on it's lowest setting is too bright when lamping, or at least, it is on mine.

I know that the 250ish price is "top end" for a lot of you but, you do get the works with it as a package and it really is a very good scope and you won't be dissapointed by it. Sadly, Tim Finley has got me itching for his Schmidt & Bender FT scope!!!! Heaven alone knows how I'm going to afford it but that's what will replace the Viper.

The optics are amazing especially concidering the price new.

I am very happy with mine and not dissappoint in anyway.

I look forward to taking a look through the Taipan when the opportunity comes.

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