The more options there are, the better. That’s virtually always true. People have different preferences and being forced into a box isn’t always the best solution.
For years, that was the case with red dots. They came in one style and one color…red. Hence the name. For the better part of a decade, I heard from optic makers that green dot optics were too costly to manufacture, which is why they weren’t common.
I’m no engineer, so I don’t know whether that’s true or was just a line they used to appease people. Regardless, in 2026, that seems to no longer be the case. We now have options, and more and more optics manufacturers are increasingly catering to the consumer’s wants and needs. The latest release from Vortex does just that.
Last September, Vortex released the Venom Enclosed red dot. It’s billed as an affordable enclosed dot option for consumers. Since then, I’ve tested two models, one on a GLOCK and the other on a PCC, and I’ve been impressed. They offer lots of value, but they didn’t offer many options unless you prefer red.
Finally, Vortex has extended the line by offering the Vortex Venom Enclosed in green.
Specs
Shooters tend to have strong preferences when it comes to red dots. Some prefer red, while others prefer green, especially in certain lighting conditions. Now shooters can choose a green dot model in the Venom Enclosed Micro red dot lineup.
The standard specs are as follows:
- Model(s): VEN-MGD3-E
- Magnification: 1x
- Footprint: DeltaPoint Pro
- Dot Size: 3 MOA
- Dot Color: Bright Green
- Eye Relief: Unlimited
- Adjustment: 1 MOA/click
- Length: 1.84”
- Deck Height: 10.0 mm
- Weight: 1.75 oz.
- Battery Type: CR2032
- Battery Run Time: 20,000 Hours
- MSRP: $289.99 (retail about $200 or so)
Features
The new 3 MOA green dot model offers shooters an alternative in conditions where green may be easier to see than red. Which is most. The human eye is much more sensitive to green light, making it easer to see in most situations.
Built for use on pistols, offset on carbines, or piggybacked on LPVOs, the new Venop has an enclosed 6061 aluminum housing that protects the emitter from rain, dust, snow, mud, and debris. A large viewing window provides a full sight picture for fast target acquisition, while the aspherical lens delivers a distortion-free image.
The Venom Enclosed Micro Green Dot has top-mounted brightness adjustment buttons and motion activation that automatically wakes the optic when movement is detected. A 10-minute auto-shutoff helps conserve battery life when the optic is unattended.
Zooming Out
This is a no-brainer for Vortex or any optic manufacturer. Green dot versions are standard operating procedure for makers like Holosun, which offer many options, including gold. As someone with severe astigmatism in each eye, certain colors work better for me in different lighting conditions (let alone people with color blindness). Forcing yourself to work in the same box as everyone else isn’t beneficial, and it’s good to see that optic manufacturers are changing (albeit slowly).