MTC Viper Connect 3-12x32 IR

When I’m asked about scopes suitable for Hunter Field Target shooting, and the inevitable shortlist is drawn up with the usual suspects, it’s hard not to use that slightly annoying expression of “much of a muchness”. Admittedly, certain criteria need to be in place, and that starts with a fairly small objective lens. The scope also needs to have a usable magnification (either fixed or variable), that can offer between 8x and 10x, and this should allow the user to see targets set through the expected HFT distances (8 to 45 yards), all with a usable level of clarity, and without actually adjusting the scope for the duration of the competition, as governed by the rules.

Eye-eye
Several models are aimed at this precision sport, and they all do a reasonable job. However, what suits one shooter just may not suit another, due to our differing eyesight. Therefore, it pays to try a prospective model, either in a gun shop or ideally at a shooting club, to get a better idea of personal suitability. One scope that really caused a stir from the off was the Viper Connect from MTC Optics, and on test here is one of the latest specifications.
The original version had an ultra-small objective of 24mm, but this has now been stretched to 32mm. It’s still small enough to keep the dreaded parallax at bay, but it is that bit wider to let more light through, via a 30mm body tube. Inside the box, we get a neat flip-up lens cap for the front and an adjustable rubber eyepiece for the back.

Eye-popping
Now, for those unfamiliar with what the MTC Connect offers, let me tell you that this scope really is a radical design, and the original model well and truly shook the competition scene when it first hit the market well over a decade ago. Time has marched on, yet the Connect in one form or another continues to be a popular choice for HFT competitors and hunters alike. So, what’s all the fuss about? Well, these scopes are designed to be mounted with very little eye relief, so it’s perfectly normal for the optic to actually touch the nose/face whilst in the aim. For this reason, it’s worth stating the obvious right from the outset, that the Connect isn’t suitable for recoiling guns. Unless you fancy a shiner for your trouble!
Stick to recoilless airguns, however, and you can look forward to a radical and totally original shooting experience, as the ‘in yer face’ image dominates. The field of view is significant, being almost double many traditional scopes of a similar specification, and the view is truly eye-popping when experienced for the first time.

Dioptre adjustment
As usual, it pays to play with the rear dioptre to ensure the reticle and image are clear together. Positioning the scope correctly on the gun is also critical, given the close proximity to the face. We’ve also got what appears to be five turrets to play with! Parallax is adjusted via the left turret and the minimum distance is 10 yards, then 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 75, 100, 200, 300, 500, 1000, and infinity. The magnification is variable from 3x right up to 12x, and for HFT, setting and leaving on 9x or 10x will prove ideal.
The windage and elevation turrets (and the left parallax) are all pleasingly low profile, and with the caps removed, the zero can be set. The click values are ¼” at 100 yards, and movement is positive and audible, which is another two ticks on the list.
In use, the adjustments all proved precise and repeatable, and with the optic set, the next task is to tweak the rear rubber shroud so that it makes as much or as little contact with the face as desired. The eyepiece is effectively telescopic, moving through three stages, offering a full 10mm of extension. Personal preference and practicality play a role in extending the eyepiece/shroud, but it’s a neat feature, nonetheless.

SCB2
The floating reticle is super fine and there are of course pros and cons with that. Precision comes with fine detail, and I love the floating central cross and defined 1 MIL border box that can be illuminated in red at the flick of a switch. 11 brightness levels are possible, with a central ‘off’ stage. The usual disc-style battery is stowed inside the top cap of the rear rheostat control, whilst a main on/off pressure switch is also to be found on the left side of the body tube.
In use then, it’s fair to say the system has been very well thought out, offering a radical approach for anyone willing to be versatile. Negatives? Well, the fine reticle can sometimes become a bit vague when shooting into bright sunlight, but that can affect many an optic. On the plus side, the Connect, in one guise or another, continues to shine in top-flight HFT competition, which can’t be ignored.

Verdict
There’s a version of the Connect also available with a 4-16x32 specification and a different reticle, but for me, the model on test here, being slightly more compact, wins every time. The SCB2 reticle, with its floating cross and multitude of aim points, offers a host of reference markers, and if the facial contact is acceptable, then you’ll be joining plenty of shooters that have tasted success with one of these models bolted in place. It goes without saying that what applies to HFT is equally transferable to a real-world hunting scenario, so the Viper Connect could prove to be a valuable tool in filling the game bag too. Either way, this bold upgrade makes the Connect even more desirable and appealing to a host of serious enthusiasts. Waterproof, shockproof and fogproof, the Connect demands consideration, and with a very reasonable RRP, it continues to be a diamond in the pack for MTC.