There are some of the top rated gun fabricators producing unusual sights for all types of applications. Among them, the most famous brands are the Vortex Venom Red Dot 3 MOA Dot and the Burris FastFire™ 3-MOA Dot sight. Both are the best red dot sights and have advantages as well as disadvantages. Which is the better one – Burris Fastfire 3 Vs. Vortex Venom? Let’s take a thorough review of both of them.
Generally, Red dot sights have become primary equipment among all kinds of shooters. We all know that Burris and Vortex optics are the most popular brands and produce reliable products in today’s market. Both are often competing head to head in the marketplace. We can expect many remarkable aspects in both Burris FastFire™ 3-MOA Dot sight and Vortex Venom Red Dot 3 MOA Dot sight.
In this guide, we have compared both red dot sights and found out which one is better and suits your needs.
Burris Fastfire 3
Burris optics was founded in 1971 by Don Burris. It has elaborated for performance, pricing, quality, from the initial Fullfield riflescope series to the current range of thermal scope, night vision scope, and mainstream optics.
Specifications
4.8/5
- Battery – CR 1632
- Eye relief – Unlimited
- Adjustment per Click – 1 MOA
- Illumination Settings – 3 manual settings
- Objective Lens Size – 21 x 15 mm
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The Fastfire 3 red dot sight doesn’t miss out on its mark. It is a small form factor red dot sight specially designed for shotguns, rifles, and pistols. Generally, small red dot sights have become the rage in terms of pistol shooters. Its low profile makes some issues for those who carry a pistol on a routine basis. The weight added to the pistol is very low, and the benefits are always greater than the negatives.
It operates on the CR1632 batteries, which you can find on top, and thus provides a big deal of easiness with replacements. Burris Fastfire 3 has been available in two different options that are 3 MOA dot and 8 MOA dot. Burris 3 provides a sense of control even if you are in incompatible environments and any weather condition. It has an automatic brightness sensor, so you can twist the brightness whenever it needs a change.
The Burris Fastfire 3 can perfectly fit every handgun and rifle, therefore you can focus your long distance target shots and keep the accurate tab on point.
Features of Burris Fastfire 3
- Burris Fastfire has an ever ready mounting capability.
- It lets speedy target acquisition with a bright red dot.
- Comes with an elevation and windage adjustments room.
- This red dot sight delivers a waterproofing feature.
- Works well with CR1632 batteries.
- Lightweight and compact design.
Pros
- Speedy target acquisition
- Auto brightness control
- Great light transmission glass
- Elevation and windage adjustments
Cons
- Hard to replace the battery compartment cover
Vortex Venom
Vortex Venom red dot sight has become popular for its highly functional aspects and accuracy. It ensures quality performance at a surprisingly affordable price. It is made of anodized aluminum alloy, which doesn’t lack keeping up with reliability and durability.
Specifications
4.8/5
- Magnification – 1X
- Overall length – 1.9 inches
- Dot color – Red
- Dot Size – 3 MOA
- Adjustment per click – 1 MOA
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The vortex venom is a supreme quality red dot sight that features a crisp sight picture and multicoated lens. It has a low profile at the same time rugged and offers a wide field of view for target acquisition. You will get up to 150 hours of battery life on the highest setting, and for the lower settings, you can get up to 30000 hours. It’s a really great benefit. Apart from that, this red dot sight is reliable in all weather conditions because it is shockproof, waterproof, and fog proof.
It has a multi coated lens which ensures more durability. Besides, it offers 1 MOA windage and elevation adjustments, making it more versatile while you are using it. In terms of the fast paced results and accuracy, this sight has the top of the count. It perfectly suits rifles and handguns.
You will get 10 different illumination settings in manual mode or automatic, along with this vortex venom red dot sight. It accommodates light changing features for the whole day.
To provide rapid target acquisition, it offers unlimited eye relief. This single piece chassis is compact and lightweight and comes with a matte anodized finish which is rust, corrosion, and other wear resistance. As its lens has an Amortek coating, it will protect the lens from oil, scratches, and dirt. It is a worthable product for your money.
Features Of Vortex Venom
- Comes with a wide field lens.
- Vortex Venom red dot sight has multiple coatings with anti reflection aspects, which allows light transmission.
- Its lenses are protected by the Armor Trek coating, thus making it capable of scratch resistance.
- You will get 10 manual brightness settings.
- There is a 14 hour automatic shutdown on its battery system.
- Long battery life even at the high settings.
- Promises accuracy and clarity while hunting or shooting.
Pros
- It offers many intensity settings
- Extraordinary battery life for the price
- Glass ensures the best clarity pictures
- Lightweight, so the carrying option is easy
Cons
- Low profile
Burris Fastfire 3 VS Vortex Venom – A Detailed Comparison
It becomes hard to determine which is better than the other. Both Burris 3 and Vortex Venom are identical to the eyes. Both are doing well when it comes to performance. To find the winner, a side by side comparison is the only way. Let’s compare both red dot sights.
1. Size and Weight
In terms of sight, size and weight are crucial factors to think about. Talking of which, both red dot sight models are easygoing lightweight. There is only a 0.4 ounces difference between these two sights in terms of weight.
Are you a professional shooter or a trained person with extensive experience? Then you can choose the Vortex Venom as it is lighter weight when compared to the Burris 3 red dot sight because the o.1 ounce difference may affect your shot.
When we talk about the size, both sights have come with 1.9 inches in length. If you are planning to use Vortex Venom and the Burris 3 sights with the Picatinny mount, then it will be easier to choose between these two.
2. Reticle Size
When comparing the reticles of both models, you should know the choices offered by the Burris and Vortex sight models. Both Burris and Vortex are available in two reticle sizes. Venom comes with a 3 MOA and 6 MOA choice, whereas the Fastfire has a 3 MOA and 8 MOA option.
The difference between both 3 MOA options is negligible, so you won’t find anything when it comes to the 3 MOA choices offered by both sights. However, the difference between the 6 to 8 is remarkable. Moving to target fast acquisition by using a handgun is always a problem. The 6 MOA comes with a great benefit for tactical applications as it provides a clear target acquisition choice to the clumsier 8 MOA dot.
3. Image Quality
The Burris Fastfire 3 is an old model. As such, its image quality is absolute and evidence to the several people that have a Burris Fastfire mounted on their weapons. When it comes to image quality, Vortex venom is efficient. Both have similar clarity of image; however, look at the field of view and the objective lens measurements. In the end, Vortex Venom is better over the Fastfire 3.
4. Optics
Optics are an irreplaceable factor when it comes to the red dot sight modes, and it can direct your target. The Burris Fastfire lens measures 21mm x 15mm, whereas the Vortex venom lens measures 26.5 mm providing a larger field of view. Due to the large field of view, Vortex venom is better than the Burris Fastfire 3.
In terms of the materials, both sights are made of sturdy aluminum alloys and are hard anodized. However, the Vortex venom help during pathetic conditions as it is coated with Armortek finishing, which resists scratches and harshness.
5. Illumination Control
If you have the sight with effective control options, then it will be more than enough for your fast target acquisition. You will get three manual and automatic brightness controls with the Burris Fastfire, which satisfies the basic need and adapt to all environment. It can meet your requirements that are expected from any other best red dot sight.
You will definitely be surprised about the venom’s illumination control option. Yes, Vortex venom red dot sight offers an automatic illumination control and 10 brightness levels. By this, you can access different options to create your weapon withstand more fronts and for many. You couldn’t find any better features than this aspect.
6. Windage and Elevation
When it comes to the elevation and windage adjustments in the sights, two models are trying to compete with each other and trying to confuse you. The Burris Fastfire 3 offers a 115 MOA total range of elevation and 86 MOA total range of windage. At the same time, the vortex venom offers a 130 total range of elevation and 100 MOA total range of windage.
At the end of the elevation and windage segment, Vortex venom is the winner.
7. Construction Quality
The Burris Fastfire 3 is made to be rugged and can withstand shocks and water from recoil. It comes with better handles and has a decent reputation among the people. In contrast, the Vortex venom comes with ArmorTek coating, which provides scratch resistance and hard performance that is major in hard environments.
When it comes to materials, both red dot sights are made of aluminum alloys and have hard anodized finishing. The major difference between these two is the lens coating. If you are looking for warranties, then the vortex will be a winner as it provides a lifetime warranty.
8. Battery Life
Both Burris Fastfire 3 and the Vortex venom are powered by CR1632 batteries. The Vortex venom will last for up to 30000 hours when you are set the low setting and remember it has 10 settings, so if you set it to 10 it provides you with 150 hours battery backup. In contrast, the Burris Fastfire 3 will last for a maximum of 11000 hours.
9. Service Life
You have got the best of everything from both red dot sights, access control, quality, and longevity matters when it comes to spending your money. Evolution is the most exciting fundamental of technology. It keeps you keeping tabs on the specs and enjoyment. Both red dot sight runs on the CR1632 battery. However, the settings may differ in both sight models.
| Features | Burris Fastfire 3 | Vortex Venom |
|---|---|---|
| Magnification | 1 x | 1 x |
| Eye relief | Unlimited | Unlimited |
| Battery Life | 11000 hours | 30000 hours |
| Power Source | CR 1632 Battery | CR 1632 Battery |
| Parallax Setting | Parallax Free | Parallax Free |
| Max Elevation Adjustment | 115 MOA | 130 MOA |
| Max Windage Adjustment | 86 MOA | 100 MOA |
| Durability | Shockproof, Waterproof | Waterproof, Shockproof, Hard Anodized Finish |
Which is better: Burris Fastfire 3 or Vortex Venom? – Final Verdict
Red dot sights are very famous, and among many brands, the Vortex Venom and the Burris Fastfire 3 are the best choices. In terms of the red dot scope, your requirements, expectations, and preferences are essential to making the decision.
Both Burris Fastfire 3 and Vortex Venom red dot sights are powerful in their unique way. Both are durable, rugged, and lightweight. Both are perfect fits in the rifles, shotguns, and pistols and ensure fast target acquisition and improve accuracy. Although Burris Fastfire 3 is a veteran with exceptional tracks of popularity and authenticity, the Vortex Venom makes a gateway so dazzling that we can’t help but notice that things are a little competitive.
We sum up, and this detailed Comparision tells that the winner is the Vortex venom. It nails its performance, battery life, adjustable aspects, excellent brightness settings, and large field of view. In addition, it also has the automatic shutdown aspect, which is a life saver. Compared to the Burris Fastfire 3, the Vortex venom comes with its superior qualities.
So if you are planning to buy one red dot sight, we suggest you go with the Vortex Venom.
Have you already used a Burris Fastfire 3 or Vortex Venom sight? If yes, then share your thoughts with us.
Be safe and shoot perfectly.