Which is Better? Vortex PST II or Primary Arms NOVA? 

Which would you chose, and why?

C_DOES what my wallet don’t.

Your observations on quality of picture when the eye is slightly off center is an example of why I rely on your channel. (About 6:00). Thanks!

even after choosing my scope with big thanks to you, I still find every video just as entertaining to watch. Very informative and professionally done. Thank you very much, C_DOES, for giving us as a very clear and descriptive view of what's out there to offer!

This is a great format. Professional but still creative and personalized. Nicely done

Such a clear and well demonstrated video. Really good info for buyers

Outstanding video man. The breakdowns you do, nobody talks about. Excited for the 6x magnifier video.

Always a great use of time watching these

Thank you, been looking at both for awhile. This gave me the info I needed to make my mind up. Again thanks 👍

Thank you for making this video!

Very detailed review. Great job keep it up.

Thanks for the comparison!

Awesome review, thank you!

Very good review! I chose the Nova. Thanks

Good honest review, I use a lot of primary arms and have good thoughts on them but vortex build awesome scope and run them on the ffp long distance rifles I have. They are budget scopes compared to my leupold scopes.

Thanks for the honest review much appreciated. Have seen a few reviews for the PA Nova and nobody mentioned anything about the clarity in the middle of the range kind of disappointing to hear but it still seems like a great value for the money. I've been looking at the SLx 1-8x or 1-10x FFP for my 16" .308.

AWESOME review! Subscribed!

great review

July 5 here and i just rewatched this video. Your reviews are top 3 the best on RU-vid. I once would buy "budget" things but the last few years stopped and switched to Saving and getting exactly what i wanted. Sold every thing that didnt need and saved for a year and a half for a quality AR and Optic (Aimpoint). The Vortex has a proven track record with Quality glass and unbeatable warranty. Buy once cry once

10/10 very realistic sound effects.

Thank you for your reviews. They are very informative and helpful. I’m narrowing down my choice to this PST, Credo, and Delta Stryker. Maybe another. I especially like your garage pew pew segments.

Another great video! Id love to see a review of the PA glx 3-18. I was so hyped on the glx line when you released the 2-10 video but it has since disappeared 😔. Keep up the great work my dude.

Excellent review..!

Interestingly enough up here in Canada, the PST Gen 2 is actually more than twice the price of the Nova. Your comparison in this video is great, but at least up here I think the Nova is hard to beat for the money

I humbly request organizing your videos into playlists by optic types. That is, organizing the finest optic reviews into a catalog I could browse by the optic type I'm interested in.

Bought the nova for my Bushmaster ACR. Figured it be a good “closer range” scope for coyote hunting. Yes I hunt coyotes with an ACR. For me the weight, cost, and the dot illumination was the factors. The PST is great no doubt but with my ACR being rather heavy (more than an M4) cutting weight is the biggest reason.

C_DOES: makes extremely professional, well filmed, well voiced videos also C_DOES: "Pew! Pew! Pewpew! Pew!" I love it.

Thanks for the video,it was a great comparison and you looked at some things that you don’t typically evaluate but are important. Regarding the PA clarity at magnification…I’ve had this problem with my PA Nova when trying to shoot for groups at 100 yrds at 6x. I just couldn’t keep the Nova in focus on the target no matter what I did. It was very disappointing especially given how clear the glass is overall. One assessment that would really help, if you evaluated the magnification at 1x while you adjust the diopter. Put the scope on 1x and then adjust the diopter to see what it does to the magnification. Make some assessment if you can still reasonably shoot two eyes open under 30 yards with the scope adjusted for eyes that aren’t perfect. For those of us over 40 that is a huge element of the scopes that no one seems to cover in their reviews. For example my Vortex Razor II works very well and there is virtually no change in the magnification when I adjust it for my eye. However the PA Nova has a significant change in magnification that makes it hard to shoot at 1x with both eyes open. (So much so that I have no use for the scope now) Thanks again for the great videos!

PST is the winner! I appreciate what Primary Arms does and they have got plenty of my money, but Vortex PST is definitely the better optic in this case! I trust my Vortex optics, their amazing warranty and fantastic quality, from my Vortex binoculars all the way to my scopes, you can’t beat Vortex!

Feel like these side by side comparisons convey the most understanding, that was very helpful. I need to go looking for a third option now...

PST is more durable per Focus Tripp's drop tests, if ruggedness is a concern

Great video brotha

Your video clinched it for me. The prices of the PST II have soared in the 8 months since you put this out. They are $599 everywhere you look now. Even on eBay. I just ordered a clean used one for $440, no mount. That really hurts but I just hate to buy anything made in China if I can avoid it, and the Nova was the only other real choice. Thanks for the great side by side comparison. Pew, pew.

I really like the Nova glass clarity

Price as many has suggested with especially with Mil/LEO discounts it is hard to beat for the NOVA for what you get. Not a big fan of the Chinese glass quality but that is the sacrifice you make for a budget optic in this lower price range.

I own both and I choose the Nova for the weight savings and because I typically only use 1X or 6X. Great comparison, thanks.

Love it dude. Great comp. I have 3 PST’s and have been debating picking up a Nova. I have a P4Xi too that sits in a similar space but that glass is arguably better than both 🤷🏼‍♂️

Really good video. Very cool how well you captured the clarity of the class through a camera. I can appreciate the time it took to make this. I'm searching for my first LPVO (just prepping for apocalyptic measures -- nothing combat-oriented or anything). I'm curious if a cross hair with a bright dot is enough, or if one is spending the money, get a fancy scope with the lines and such... Then I have to wonder if I'm splitting hairs for no real-needed reason.

Well thank you for confirming my desire to get the PST over the NOVA

great videos, find it hard to keep track of which sight is where. maybe a little text on each side of the screen would be helpful to me. Anyway excellent comparison you do really good work.

Wow thanks so much for this video! I was just about to buy the PA Nova after a ton of research but now I will get the PST II which wasn't even on my radar. It's superior in all the ways important to me, except the dot's not quite as bright but close enough. You hear that Vortex? Send this man his commission 😃

Those pew pews had me laughing my ass off. Good vid

This was very helpful as with all your reviews! Have you looked into the Accufire Atro-20?

loving the pew pew sound effects

The Pew Pews in the background are killing me 😂😂😂

I have a Nova and like it alot. But the video makes it clear to see that the PST superior glass does justify it's price tag

Just bought the PA Nova. The PST was $100 WITHOUT a mount or throw lever anywhere I looked. I got the NOVA for $425 OTD with a mount. I prefer the NOVA’s ranging apparatus as well. I wish I could have the proven quality of the PST, but when you’re counting Pennie’s you do what you can. If I were to ever find the need or desire to upgrade, then I’ll save for a big brand like EoTech, Trijicon, or Nightforce etc.

When you have them at the indicated 3x in stills comparo the Nova is actually more accurate looking at the reticles. PST is 4x-ish. I'd witness mark the actually halfway point so you can do double value ranging.

I would love to see the nova reticle and illumination in Japanese glass mabye even the plx-c body like a plx-c 1-6 nova

pa looks like it has noticeably more parallax too. i like both, so far only have vortex mainly for warranty and access to discount.

If it’s too bright to see the dot, you can see the reticle itself. If it’s too dark to see the reticle, you’re going to want a dim enough dot that you can see the target.

Curious if the pst in mrad or Moa? The stadia marks between the nova and the pst seem very different.

I have the Nova and it seems particularly prone to parallax issues. What I mean by this is if my head isn't perfectly behind the scope at max magnification my groups will really, really show it. I'm talking about shooting at 100+ yards. For the money though it's a pretty decent optic. I literally never use the mid range magnification, I don't see any point in doing so with only 6x on the top end and yes I shoot all the time. I've got like 2k rounds of 5.56 on this optic. I've taken it out to 500m and everything in between. Also, I've definitely noticed the fish eye effect at 1x and I agree with you that it's brighter than it needs to be. I'd love to know where you're finding that PST with a mount for that price. I'd definitely like to get into one of those for that price. Reticle on the nova is probably a bit better but I think both scopes kinda lack in this department. Edit: by the way, I picked up an Athlon 2-12 with the mil reticle based on your recommendation. It should be at my house when I get home. I'm going to mount it on my spr setup when I get off work. Thanks for all the content. I would really love to see a video from you explaining what guns you shoot and why you don't seem to shoot AR15s. They're so cost effective and fun to shoot, I have never understood why you're not into them.

The deal-maker for me was the Primary Arms Auto Live battey cap for the Nova which allows 20k hrs battery life which truly allows it to replace a red dot. Pick it up in the middle of the night and your ready for action . No messsintg w/dials, no d3ad battery when the moment of truth comes.. Ill sacrifice a litttle optical quality for 50X more battery life and auto on feature

Dude I've been wanting a PST since your first review. I got another Aimpoint Pro on the way. Next on the list is a G45 magnifier and then an ACOG but bro after that I'm getting one. Man ACOGs aint cheap but damn they loom so freaking cool

Given the quality of the nova is the sig tango MSR still at least servicavle? Didnt know about the nova when i bought it as a backup in case anything happens to my PST gen 2.

We need a gen 3 viper 1-6/8 with great illumination and a GLX with better glass and build quality for $500-600. I've got a 13.9" AR that's waiting for a better midrange LPVO than the market is offering. I just can't bring myself to spend the money for a trijicon, but I don't want something that's old tech (Illumination, battery life, reticle, glass) like the viperor lesser build quality like the primary arms.

Both are unbelievable value for the money. But the distortion is enough for me to push someone towards a still cheap scope with a flatter image being the pst. Also I've run 4 pst's hard and they have never failed me.

Just bought one 320 total with mount ordered Saturday night should come Wednesday

Which optics image stays sharper during dynamic transition. The primary arms or the Sig MSR

Without spending days or weeks looking for a used one, the PST II seems to cost pretty much twice what the Nova does right this sec. Pretty impressive.

You're trying to start a fight here and I' all for it lmao.

I particularly like the "pew pew" noises. It makes the run that much better and realistic. More pew pew.

I'd buy the one with the best lifetime warranty including their electronics which excludes SIG and Trijicon and Nightforce and Steiner and Zeiss and Bushnell and Delta Optical removed off the list of brands to buy.

Subscribed only because of ur advanced SFX effects Go pew pew 😬

On Amazon the Vortex PST II is going for $850 and the Primary Arms NOVA is going for $340. For the price and the features and what I use it for I would go with the NOVA. Just My Thoughts...

What's your down scope camera setup? I've always wondered how people get these perspectives?

Hey C, is there another lpvo that is comparable to the Vortex in this $500 price range? Or are these two scopes the top two for sub $500 ?

PST is usually 500 by itself but if you get a deal then yes you can get one for 450. By deal I mean you know someone. If you are looking at the Nova then you probably aren't thinking shelling out for the PST. PS. Even used I wasn't seeing the Viper PST for 450. Usually 500 or more.

Just got a Nova in last week. Haven’t put it on my rifle yet but just walking around the house, the eye box seems much tighter and less forgiving than the Gen III scopes. But with my mil discount, I got the Nova for $230 shipped.

The image doesn’t stay as sharp and clear is funny considering those two optics are in 2 different price brackets . It would be a better comparison by using the 1-8x24 strike eagle to the PA Nova

Hey C that was an awesome video extenemly relevant for LPVO buyers. Your video on the Trijicon Credo HD 1-6x sold me on that optic and I happily rock that on my set up. Wondering your thoughts if we throw that optic into the mix, beyond the price difference, mainly since reticles are very similar.

9:33 Is the PST on the left? It seems the Nova has a much clearer image overall? Especially the grasses.

Was debating on the pst vs razor gen 2 e for the last year. Just pulled the trigger on the razor… First LPVO I wanted the best 1x I could get to make the transition from dots/magnifier easier.

With a MIL account the Nova is $214 new from PA (w/Free shipping). I’ve owned everything from NF 1-8s, RZR 1-10 / PST 1-6, Trij, etc… and now having owned the Nova I am convinced it is hands down the GOAT budget LPVO. It performs like something that should cost $800+. As far as ruggedness and durability, time will tell, but PA has a solid reputation of at least not building super fragile optics.

Thanks. How about a review of Athlon Argos 1-8x24 ?

I been wanting that nova. Always out of stock

Does the new PA "shake awake" battery cap work with the PST Gen 2?

With the upcoming release of the autolive cap, the in-between off and on brightness settings on the PST becomes insignificant

Luckily, with a lpvo, most people either run 1x or full magnification, and rarely use the in-between magnification. +1 for Nova for brightness, weight, reticle and value.

Cant the throw lever on the PST be adjusted/moved?

the pews get the sub..pew pew , ended up getting glx 4-16x 50 for the ar10

Is this the pa4? Saw in another video to be 6oz less than the pst and better wide view.

Seems like the version of PST that I can find right now is $500 for a demo model without a mount, 600 for standard. If you need to buy 5 of these, thats 500-1000 dollars difference. Would really love a PST with a little less weight even at the same price.

Besides dot brightness, would you consider the RT6 when looking at the NOVA?

Is there anything else you'd recommend comparing the PST to before making a decision? I've researched competitors to it around the same price point but haven't found much.

Great review once again. I was looking fwd to compare these 2. Btw, I don't hear it from your video, which one is better for people w/ astigmatism? I tried PST 2 at the store and couldn't see the illumination as solid red dot. Never tried Nova but after chatting with their rep, I was told Nova uses fiber optic so it will stay solid red even if I have astigmatism. Can you pls comment on that or confirm it? Thanks.

How fo you compare the Nova to the latest Vortex Venom 1-6? Please reply 😊

I think I could watch and hour long video of you walking around saying pew pew every time you see a target lol

If you stop saying "Pew!" I'll unsubscribe

Great comparison with fantastic image shots. No doubt in my eye that the PST has superior clarity and sharpness particularly when you demonstrated the slightly off-center view. Otherwise, they are pretty close, but the PA might be a hair brighter. Do you know anything about Vortex's new Venom 1-6X24 LPVO? Some are saying that its glass is superior to the Strike Eagle's and close to the Viper's at a much lower price point.

Looking for a lpvo for my 16” Bcm quad rail. Trying to stay under $500. What do you recommend?

Bit of a weird idea but, could the off center sharpness issue on the Nova be used to help avoid parallax issues?

C_DOES is the best product reviewer in all of YT. He has cost me thousands! But worth every penny!!

You mentioned PST is 70-80% of the Razor gen ii, do you think with options like the PST and the new crop of mid priced lpvos the Razor still wins in overall features and quality?

Which would you feel is more durable long term?

Based on the first reviews I bought one of the novas. Die offcenter sharpness and the loss of image quality at slightly offcenter head angle is giving me headaches. The dot stays visible way out in the scope shadow, but parallax becomes extreme at this point. I compared the thing to a Burris RT6, a burris 4 XE, a delta hornet, PST, Delta stryker and the cheaper Vortex, I suppose its the strike eagle. I also looked at PAs gen 3 scope. In the end I must say I dont know why I watch reviews any more. I think if you put a "for the price" behind every sentence ok. My conclusion is, the only really good LPVO that does what the tag LPVO implies (a compact not to heavy optic with useable 1x that is also comfortable to use) under 1000 dollars / euros is the Delta stryker. The PST is good also, but too heavy in my mind (150g more than the stryker). The other offering all have their selling points and can be good in their own regard. But they have disadvantages in many other aspects: one is too heavy, one has unuseable brightness, one has a tiny eyebox and so on. The Holosun hm3x with a cheap holosun reddot has a finer dot, a better 1x and an image with higher contrast and sharpness and eyebox than most offerings sub 500 dollars. It has slightly worse light transmission, the dot adds a tint and is has no bdc, yes. But the clarity and contrast make up for it. The image is much more vivid. The Nova is very good in that respect when you are completely static and have a perfect cheek rest. But go off center a tiny bit and it sucks. Moreover the 3x is really not a 3x. Compare to the others you have to get to around 3,4x magnification on the nova to get close to the others at 3x. So if you are in the market for an lpvo look closely at these exceptional videos C does makes and choose wisely. If you know what you plan to do with it and are on a budget, look for the features you need the most. Of you want all around spend the money. For me that disqualifies the most budget lpvo offerings: For a better magnified image and a true 1x I would choose a magnifier. For higher magnification I would choose an optic with higher magnification. Even a 3-9 with a larger front lens will have higher magnification, is often lighter, has clearer glass and better light transmission.

How far away was the target at 4:51 ?

nice

@C_DOES could you eventually review the new Vortex Venom 1-6x please? Seems to be a very good one for its category :)