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- Alfred Mendoza
- June 2, 2023
Adding a holographic red dot sight to any gun is a big step, so it’s but normal for most gun owners to find the best pistol red dot sight there is. Being in the top spot for gun sights manufacturers, the Vortex Venom vs Trijicon RMR comparison had always lingered in shooting circles. But which of these high-end sights is worth investing in?
Table of Contents
Main Differences - Trijicon RMR & Vortex Venom
Venom red dot sight features 3 MOA dot circles, while the RMR Type 2 features an adjustable 3 25 MOA circle, the most versatile and popular of all RMR dot sizes.The Vortex Venom red dot has power and dot intensity controls conveniently located on its left side with a 1 MOA windage and elevation adjustments. You may choose between 10 brightness settings with its controls.
The night vision compatible Trijicon RMR type 2 features easy-to-use buttons on its sides. You can adjust its eight illumination auto-brightness settings with these controls. It also lets its users toggle between manual and auto mode and power down.
Specification Chart
Vortex Venom
- Magnification: 1x
- Low Light Capability: Compatible
- Waterproof: Applicable
- Fogproof: Applicable
- Field of View: Wide
- Travel per Rotation: 130 MOA
- Parallax Setting: Parallax-free
- Eye Relief: Unlimited
- Country of Manufacturer: USA
Trijicon RMR
- Magnification: 1x
- Low Light Capability: Compatible
- Waterproof: Applicable
- Fogproof: Applicable
- Field of View: Wide
- Travel per Rotation: 150 MOA
- Parallax Setting: Parallax-free
- Eye Relief: Unlimited
- Country of Manufacturer: USA
Comparison Guide
Price
Vortex Venom is less expensive. But if you are looking for an excellent optic to invest in regardless of the cost, you can opt for the RMR. This seems to be a matter of preference; hence, the result is a draw.
For cost-effective red dot optics, check out this Sightmark Ultra Shot M-spec review here.
Weight & Size
The Venom has an overall length of 1.9”, while the RMR’s size is 1.7”.
However, it also weighs 0.1 lighter than the RMR’s weight 1 2 oz.
Since we always consider purchasing optics is weight, the Venom takes its first win for being more lightweight.
Warranty
RMR boasts a 15-year warranty for its Tritium sight lamp and five years warranty for its electronics. Whereas Vortex Optics offers an Unlimited Lifetime Warranty that is fully transferable, with no receipt needed. With this, Vortex takes another win.
For other optics with good warranty options, here’s our Holosun 510c vs Eotech comparison.
Battery Life
The Trijicon uses a CR2302 battery, more popular than the Venom’s CR1632 battery. CR2302 batteries are easier to find and purchase than CR1632. Moreover, CR2302 batteries also hold a longer battery life up to 4 years with a brightness setting of 4. Venom can only hold up to 150 to 30 000 hours. With this, the RMR gets its first point.
For other red dot sights with a longer battery life, here’s our review of Aimpoint ACRO P-1.
Parallax Adjustment
If the parallax adjustment is set for the wrong distance, your target will appear to be where it isn’t [1].
Fortunately, both red dot sights are free of parallax. These red dots will hold a fixed position once you set the shot.
That said, the result in this category is another draw.
Ease of Use
Both sights mount on 1” Weaver/Picatinny rails and are compatible with handguns and not only rifles. However, the Venom sight doesn’t have as many pre-milled custom slides as the Trijicon RMR Type 2; hence it gets another point.
Are you a first-time shooter? Check out this Millett Scopes review here.
Durability
RMR stands for Ruggedized Miniature Reflex sight, which features a sight housing made from a military-grade forged aluminum alloy. The Vortex uses lenses toughened up by a special coating called ArmorTek, making it scratch-resistant. But given the track record of the RMR, we find it more durable.
Image Quality
The Venom features 3 MOA red dot reticle, while the other model features a 3.25 MOA red dot reticle. The 3.25 MOA reticle size is the most versatile and popular of all its dot sizes. Trijicon also offers 6 MOA dot size and 6. 5 MOA dot.
It allows more precise shot placement because it is large enough to see small targets and small enough to place a shot faster. With this, the RMR gets another point for projecting a clearer sight picture with more precision.
For another optic with better image quality, here’s our Holosun 510C sight review
Focus & Lens Clarity
The Trijicon lens gives off a slightly bluish tint when looking through the optic, giving the shooter a better contrast.
However, the Vortex also gives off the same bluish tint and offers clean sight pictures.
They are also night vision compatible. Since we find both red dot sights to have almost the same lens clarity and brightness settings, the result is a draw.
Eye Relief
Both have unlimited eye relief features. We noticed that testing both sights on the shooting range is the slight problem RMR has. Since it is relatively bulkier than the Venom, it tends to present certain obstructions to its field of view for most of the time. Because of this, the last point went to the Vortex sight.
Vortex Venom Pros & Cons
PROS
- Multiple anti-reflective coatings
- Elevation adjustment 100 MOA and windage adjustment 130 MOA
- “ArmorTek” scratch-proof coating
- The auto-shutdown feature
- Top-mounted battery compartment
CONS
- Not SHTF rugged
- Battery cover defects
Trijicon Pros & Cons
PROS
- Multi-coated lenses
- Longer battery life
- Patented housing design
- Side-mounted buttons
- Tritium dual illuminated reticle option
CONS
- Five years warranty
- Slight bluish tint glass
Vortex Venom or Trijicon RMR? We Pick...
At the end of this comprehensive review between the red dot Vortex Venom vs Trijicon RMR, we pick the Trijicon RMR as the best red dot. We find its night vision features more dominant and convenient. It has multi-coated lenses housed from a military-grade forged aluminum alloy that ensures its durability. Its battery life can also hold up to 4 years and side-mounted buttons for easier adjustments. And lastly, it features a Tritium dual illuminated reticle option that makes target locking more precise. Its 3.5 dot could be on par with the 6 MOA dot or 6. 5 MOA dot.
Our #1 Recommendation
Trijicon RMR
- Tough construction
- Battery Life is over 4 years of continuous use
- Side-mounted controls for easier access
- More reticle option
