Vortex Venom vs Burris Fastfire 3: A Comprehensive Comparison

In the world of firearms optics, few names stand out as prominently as Vortex Optics and Burris Optics. Both brands have carved a niche for themselves by offering some of the best optics available in the market. Among their bestsellers are the Vortex Venomand the Burris Fastfire 3. These red dot sights have become the go-to choices for many enthusiasts, but which one truly stands out? Let's dive deep into their features, similarities, and differences.

Overview of the Burris Fastfire 3

The Burris Fastfire 3 is a compact red dot sight suitable for pistols, rifles, and even shotguns. Its lightweight design and low profile make it a favorite among users. Not only does it work with standard Weaver or Picatinny mounts, but it's also compatible with custom mounts like the Glock MOS system. The sight boasts clear glass and a multi-coated lens, ensuring quick target acquisition.

Overview of the Vortex Venom

The Vortex Venom, on the other hand, is equally versatile. It's designed to be lightweight, ensuring that it doesn't add unnecessary weight to the firearm. The Venom stands out with its ArmorTek coating, which provides ultra-hard, scratch-resistant lenses. This feature ensures that the sight remains clear and unobstructed, even in challenging conditions.

Similarities Between the Two

At first glance, the Vortex Venom and Burris Fastfire 3 might seem very similar. Both sights are incredibly lightweight, making them perfect for long hunting trips or even concealed carry. They can be mounted on most firearms equipped with Picatinny or Weaver mounts. Additionally, both sights offer a choice of two red dot sizes, providing versatility based on the user's preference and shooting conditions.

Key Differences

1. Durability: Both models are constructed with anodized aluminum alloys, ensuring they can withstand harsh weather conditions. They are rugged, waterproof, and fog-proof. However, the Venom's ArmorTek coating gives it an edge in terms of lens durability.

2. Brightness Settings: While both sights offer manual brightness settings, the Fastfire 3 provides three manual settings, and the Venom offers ten. More settings can be advantageous in varying light conditions.

3. Weight: The Venom is slightly lighter at 1.1 oz, compared to the Fastfire 3, which weighs 1.5 oz. This difference might seem negligible, but for advanced shooters, every ounce counts.

4. Battery Life: The Venom boasts a battery life of up to 30,000 hours on its lowest setting. In contrast, the Fastfire 3, despite advertising a battery life of 5 years, lasts up to 11,000 hours on similar settings.

5. Optics: The Vortex Venom's wide lens offers exceptional edge-to-edge resolution without any blurring. The Burris Fastfire 3, while offering high-quality optics, doesn't quite match the Venom's field of view.

6. Warranty: The Vortex Venom comes with a lifetime lens coating warranty and a VIP warranty that covers any damage. The Burris warranty, however, does not cover deliberate or cosmetic damage.

Conclusion

Both the Vortex Venom and the Burris Fastfire 3 are top-tier red dot sights, each with its own set of advantages. While they share many similarities, the Vortex Venom slightly edges out the Fastfire 3 in terms of features and durability. However, the final choice boils down to individual preferences and specific requirements.