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  1. #1
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    MTC Viper Connect

    Here's a piece I wrote after trying a Viper Connect for a while. Some photos are here: <clickety> Edit: I forgot the through-scope images - these are now added.

    Sammie and Gary Cooper of MTC Optics have developed their successful riflescope business based on the twin pillars of innovative products and outstanding customer service. The company recently introduced their Taipan scope, aggressively-priced with lots of extras, and they have now followed up with the Viper Connect hunting scope. Once again, innovation is the key word here. When Sammie needed some website photos taking, I was lucky enough to get my hands on one of the prototypes, and this is what I discovered.

    Take one look at the Viper Connect and you know this is no normal scope. Short and businesslike at 290mm (11.4”) long, its appearance is totally different to any other scope currently available. A closer inspection reveals a built-in objective lens cover, an eyepiece designed for close-up use and an overall design that implies a unique approach to mounting. Raising the scope to the eye, however, highlights the Viper Connect’s real ace in the hole: an incredible field of view. But more of that later. The scope has the aforementioned built-in, spring loaded cover at the front, then space for some mounts, and then a double saddle. The forward saddle contains the chunky focusing knob plus the adjustment turrets concealed under substantial but low profile covers, a big bonus for hunters. The focus adjustment has just the right amount of resistance and can easily be adjusted wearing gloves. The rear turret has the IR on/off button to one side, and the 12-step IR intensity control and battery housing on top.

    When MTC Optics set out to design a totally hunting-oriented scope, they knew they wanted a 3-12X zoom range, and they also specified a 32mm objective to allow the scope to lie as close to the barrel as possible whilst maximising depth of field. But their customers wanted a wider field of view than many scopes offered, and so with some clever engineering, the Viper Connect offers a massive field of view. It seemed amazing when I looked through it, but being the Doubting Thomas I am, I had to put it to the test. I designed a Heath Robinson test rig to hold scopes in a fixed position, lined up the Viper Connect on a target 28 yards away and set the zoom to 10X. (Incidentally, the zoom ring has a tiny detent as it passes through the 10X setting, letting the user know exactly when they arrive at this critical point. Neat.) I got out my camera gear, and after some experimentation took a picture of the image I saw.

    I then repeated the experiment with a regular Viper 10x44. As can be seen from the photos, the image of the target is just the same size, but the field of view from the Viper Connect is much, much wider. In the field, this offers massive benefits in both selecting and acquiring targets, again pointing to the scope’s hunting-led design. The image is both bright and detailed, with excellent contrast. I really was delighted to see such a fine image from the Viper Connect, with excellent clarity in a variety of light conditions from bright sunlight to gloom. Oh, the joys of British weather.

    Two other features also focus on hunting use. The Viper Connect uses MTC Optics’ Advanced Mil Dot (AMD) reticle, a detailed design with all the holdover and windage marks required, but fine enough to avoid obscuring a target. The Viper Connect’s eyepiece is designed for the user’s eye to be placed right up against the rubber, but also screws out for spectacle wearers to optimise their ideal focus point. This makes the scope fast to use whether you wear glasses or not, but it also means it’s only usable with recoilless rifles – so forget putting this scope on a springer.

    So that’s enough of the description, what is the Viper Connect like when mounted on a gun? Sammie had issued strict orders that I was not to mount the scope (as I was only supposed to be photographing it), but eventually temptation set in and I asked myself “What would Jack Bauer do?”, the answer being he would mount the scope on a gun and deal with the consequences later. I had already removed the Viper 10x44 from my son’s Air Arms S200 to do the field of view comparison, so on went the Viper Connect instead.

    Mounting the Viper Connect is always going to require some forward planning. The double saddle leaves no room for a mount either side, but there is plenty of space to put two mounts forward of the front saddle. I did this on the S200, and I also offered it up to an S400 where there was plenty of space rear of the pellet loading tray. I’m sure the scope can be made to fit any modern PCP with a little thought, and boy am I glad I tried. After just a few shots to zero the scope, I was ready to enjoy the wide field of view offered by the Viper Connect.

    Being lucky enough to have a generous sized garden, I was able to gauge the performance of the scope at all ranges I would be happy to hunt at, and using a variety of different zoom settings. Having my eye right up to the scope soon felt completely natural, and as the light faded I was still able to define my HFT targets and kill zones. Having the scope mounted to the rear of the rifle gave the rig a very fast-handling and well-balanced feeling, especially as the Viper Connect weighs only 575g, and the weight distribution felt ideal.

    Zooming right out to the 3X setting gave usable performance right up to the last light, and already I was dreaming of a rabbitting trip. Common sense prevailed, however, as I really did have to return the scope without scratching it. So, were there any niggles with the scope? For me, the flip-open lens cover was hinged on the wrong side; I would want to flip it away from my leading hand to open it. Some shooters might not like the mounts both being at the front of the scope, but there’s no reason to believe the scope is fragile in any way, and I’m sure the tube has strength to spare. An eyebell cup would help cut out stray light, and indeed MTC have that in hand.

    So, my conclusions? A great sporting scope for the PCP user, with great optics, good weight distribution and a low mounting line. Loads of useful innovations and the quality we have all come expect of MTC Optics. I want one.
    Last edited by peakecentral; 17-09-2010 at 08:24 PM.

  2. #2
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    It was a great concept; russian body; prismatic/chinese optics, 40yds to 5yds without having to adjust parallax half laser, etched ret mildot Schmidt and Bender copy and wider field of view but the orig had a big let down mounting and a hate to say it that looks the same m8 way to far back

    scotty connect tester/owner 0000

    ps the thermal gear that vlad done 40mag was awsome.

  3. #3
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    Quote Originally Posted by scotty View Post
    It was a great concept; russian body; prismatic/chinese optics, 40yds to 5yds without having to adjust parallax half laser, etched ret mildot Schmidt and Bender copy and wider field of view but the orig had a big let down mounting and a hate to say it that looks the same m8 way to far back

    scotty connect tester/owner 0000

    ps the thermal gear that vlad done 40mag was awsome.
    Errr
    Scotty, how can I put this, it works because it IS far back. If it wasn't then DOF and FOV wouldn't be any better than a normal scope. In fact it would be a normal scope. I know, We could call it a Viper

  4. #4
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    Has the price been announced yet?

  5. #5
    Mog is offline Mog has so much potential but does not apply himself fully.
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    Any idea on which mounts, to get it as close as possible to the barrel on a Steyr?
    Truttemer Tir Club

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  6. #6
    Parabuteo is offline My Chrony has bought it a couple of times...
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    Quote Originally Posted by peakecentral View Post
    Zooming right out to the 3X setting gave usable performance right up to the last light, and already I was dreaming of a rabbitting trip. Common sense prevailed, however, as I really did have to return the scope without scratching it. So, were there any niggles with the scope? For me, the flip-open lens cover was hinged on the wrong side
    Nice review chap.

    I have been living with the larger of the prototypes for some months now and it is well and truly welded onto my BTAS100.

    It threw one of the FT guys when I just nailed the target he was convinced I would not see with such a small scope...Lady luck eh?

    The comment about winding it out to 3x in low light is interesting. The original was fixed 10x and still worked amazingly in low light, and this one is, in my opinion, better.

    It worked very well at 10x, the moon was out and I was counting daisies at 40yds. try it. I reckon with a small LED torch this will be a hell of a lamping/ratting scope.

    I agree with the comment about the cap, but for a different reason.

    I found initially that I was reaching forward and trying to adjust parallax with the cap, or rattling it, but this is a minor item and oddly I have taken to reaching over with my right hand to adjust it now so it makes no difference.

    I have a production unit on order, so I will be interested to see how it evolved.

    Either way, get one, you will love it.
    I'm a maggot in another life you know

  7. #7
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    Through-scope photos added

    Thanks for the comments, one and all.

    I'd omitted the through-scope photos, which are now online. These are undoctored, and show the wide FOV on the Connect compared with the Viper 10x42 my son uses for HFT.

    Martin

  8. #8
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    Depth of view

    FOV looks nice, great for finding targets
    how is the DOV at 10x compared to a 10x Viper ?

    Peter

  9. #9
    Parabuteo is offline My Chrony has bought it a couple of times...
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    Exclamation Re The bellows eye piece versus plain eye piece

    Hi Folks,

    Took the connect out this morning after not shooting anything for a week...oh the pain

    Anyway, firstly I was still stunned and amazed when I picked it up and looked through at the target, they just do that to you

    But, I could not get a decent group.

    The rubber eye bellows were trying to beat my head into a position it seemed not to want to adopt, so I pulled it off and went to the plain eye piece.

    Back to ragged hole at 25 and similar at 35...the bellows are sacked for the moment.

    I reckon this scope may well cope with small ammounts of recoil and still function happily...with care
    I'm a maggot in another life you know

  10. #10
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    I saw one of the original Russian Connects a while back, and was amazed by the wide FOV. The one thing that made me wonder was that close targets seemed further away.

    Gus
    The ox is slow, but the earth is patient.

  11. #11
    Parabuteo is offline My Chrony has bought it a couple of times...
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    Just received my new connect, and I must say, I am impressed.

    A much smaller box...makes sense, it is a much smaller scope

    The image and controls are every bit as good as the prototype unit I have.

    It is obviously physically smaller, but the image is still pin sharp.

    Interestingly, the front cap now opens to the right, which is nice as with the prototype I kept grabbing it thinking it was the parallax turret with the scope to my eye.

    The new bellows are very good as well. Tight fitting, soft and very flexible, and now contoured to fit the eye.

    This is ideal as you will find it difficult to use the bellows and the pull out eye cup as the bellows will change orientation, so I guess it is one or the other, but the bellows are that comfortable it wont matter.

    Mine will be getting some small ventilation holes to help prevent misting.

    I think I detect and even more generous eye relief there, but no loss of FOV.

    The artwork it pretty swish too, brilliant

    Just one point (not a complaint, it makes perfect sense) but these scopes are not sold with mounts. This makes sense as folk may well have their own ideas on this score (and they may well require non standard mounts for some rifles so it would quite simply be a waste), but folk used to getting mounts with some of the MTC range may get confused

    Sell a gonad...you know it makes sense

    I now have an MTC scope on all of my decent air rifles (6 in all...sorry, I draw the line at putting these on a Rellum) and they all work well as advertised...but I dont think I will get away with a Connect on all 6...I may not posess any gonads to sell otherwise
    I'm a maggot in another life you know

  12. #12
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    Got mine too!

    I now have a production model. It's mounted on my S400, but I haven't had a chance to do more than zero it.

    Watch this space...

    Martin

  13. #13
    Parabuteo is offline My Chrony has bought it a couple of times...
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    Quote Originally Posted by peakecentral View Post
    I now have a production model. It's mounted on my S400, but I haven't had a chance to do more than zero it.

    Watch this space...

    Martin
    Great Mines going on a 410k, but I am re oiling the stock so it well be a week or so
    I'm a maggot in another life you know

  14. #14
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    Had a message left on my phone at 7:05pm wednesday night but could only answer it yesterday at 12:30pm, the nice man from UPS brought my connect today

    Quote Originally Posted by Parabuteo View Post
    Just one point (not a complaint, it makes perfect sense) but these scopes are not sold with mounts. This makes sense as folk may well have their own ideas on this score (and they may well require non standard mounts for some rifles so it would quite simply be a waste), but folk used to getting mounts with some of the MTC range may get confused
    Spent most of this evening trying to mount the scope on my AirWolf with the mounts off my Taipan (that is now on weaver mounts), if I had mounted it as shown on mk4 in AGW then it would have fitted, but as I rarely shoot from prone then I've gone more extreme and it sits with objective bell over mag.
    This caused me some problems as it just fouled mag by maybe 1/2mm, I've not much packing at home so ended up with two pieces of shim on front mount and one on rear, so tomorrow I'll see if I run out of adjustment for zeroing, but by monday I should be able to pack it level.
    Talking of zeroing, I'm not sure why I would need a trifle, but I'm sure it will come it will come in handy to celibrate if I sucessfully zero
    Last edited by Hurricane; 08-10-2010 at 10:31 PM.

  15. #15
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    You need a trifle if you shake like a jelly, buy a rest!

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