In 2025, Vortex launched new lines of enclosed-emitter red dots, available in the Defender and Venom series. Why offer two different models? Vortex wants to provide options that suit various needs and budgets. The Defender-ST enclosed emitter has an MSRP of $529.99 (check local dealers for MAP pricing), while the Venom is priced at just $289.99 (you can often find it for $200 or less at major online retailers).
Back in September, I covered the Venom Enclosed Micro Red Dot here. Like other products in the Venom line, this new optic is designed as an affordable alternative to more feature-rich options. For example, the new Venom doesn’t include solar backup, a multi-reticle mode, or the Fast-Rack texture seen in the Defender-ST model. However, this doesn’t mean it’s any less of a quality optic. After testing it with a thousand rounds on two different platforms, let’s see how it performs.
**Thank you to Vortex for providing a sample. All thoughts and opinions are my own.**
Venom Enclosed Micro Red Dot Specs
Even though this is a “budget” optic, I still find it feature-rich with everything you need for a “hard-use” micro red dot. It has motion-activated illumination, a large aspherical lens for a clear, distortion-free sight picture, and vibrant color fidelity. It offers 10 brightness settings for different lighting scenarios and an auto-shutoff to conserve battery life. The rest of the specs are as follows:
- Model(s): VEN-MRD3-E, VEN-MRD6-E
- Magnification: 1x
- Footprint: DeltaPoint Pro
- Dot Size: 3 MOA, 6 MOA
- Dot Color: Bright Red
- 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
Setup
I received two Venom enclosed red dots and mounted them on two different platforms. The first, a 3 MOA model, was mounted on a Walther PDP. Luckily, I already had a DeltaPoint Pro plate for the Walther, so installing the Venom was straightforward. What helps, of course, is the inclusion of various screws in the box. I’ve always disliked buying micro red dots for a pistol and not having the right screw. I’m glad Vortex went out of their way to lessen this frustration.
The second Venom, a 6 MOA one, was mounted on an Extar EP9 PCC. I’ve optimized this platform for home defense or as a truck gun. While the Venom doesn’t ship with a Picatinny mount, I used a Leupold AR-height DeltaPoint Pro mount instead. This worked perfectly. It raises the optic to the appropriate height, allowing me to keep my head in a more upright position.
The use case of the Venom is wide-ranging and shouldn’t be limited to just handguns. Just because an optic is thought to be for one specific platform doesn’t mean it can’t be just as good for another (i.e., a 9mm PCC)
I mounted each optic to the proper torque specifications recommended by Vortex (10-12 in-lbs. with thread locker). I applied a dab of blue Loctite and added red witness marks to the screws so I can easily see if they come loose (everyone should do this on their optic screws).
At the Range
The two main things to check on a micro red dot are: Does it hold zero? And, do the screws come loose? Well, the Venom Enclosed Micro Red Dot passed both tests. Over a variety of range visits, while either testing firearms or working on my own training, the red dots held true. And I didn’t baby them.
They banged around in the back of my RAV 4, were in and out of holsters, were dropped, and went through a range of drills. And after a thousand rounds, I think Vortex hit a home run with them.
Durability, of course, is another important factor. Through various testing and range trips, they never failed. Of course, you could try to make them fail. But I kept testing within normal use cases. So, I didn’t run them over with my car or drop them from a 50-foot tower (not that I have a place to do that anyway).
Zooming Out
The new Venom does exactly what Vortex intended: to be a fully capable enclosed micro dot that is durable, easy to use, and affordable. Those are all key factors in 2026, when everything seems to cost more. Vortex, through manufacturing partners, in-house design, and overall strategy, is able to offer great value.
After extensive use, I highly recommend the Venom Enclosed Micro Red Dot. It’s ideal for the range, carry, and even duty. While it may lack some features of the Defender-ST Enclosed Solar Micro Red Dot, it is more than capable. And again, I’ve consistently found it online for a very reasonable $199.99 or less.
I wish the ‘dot sight’ manufacturers/suppliers could be more serious about the term ‘Micro’.