First Look First Look: Vortex Venom Enclosed Micro Red Dot Adam Borisenko September 26, 2025 Join the Conversation At RECOIL, we review every product fairly and without bias. Making a purchase through one of our links may earn us a small commission, and helps support independent gun reviews. Read our affiliate policy. Find out more about how we test products. Vortex is continuing to roll out new optics, and the latest is the Venom Enclosed Micro Red Dot. Vortex has fully committed to the enclosed micro red dot trend, as the company has just announced the Venom Enclosed Micro Red Dot, the fourth model in its catalog. The first Vortex enclosed micro red dot was the Viper, designed for shotguns, followed by the Defender-CCW and Defender-ST Enclosed Solar Micro Red Dots. The Vortex Venom Enclosed Micro Red Dot offers the same rugged reliability of the Defender models, but with no solar feature and a smaller price tag. Featuring a DeltaPoint Pro mounting footprint, the Venom Enclosed Micro Red Dot’s enclosed 6061 aluminum housing protects it from the elements while the large viewing window enables fast target acquisition and a good field of view. It’s available with either a 3-MOA or 6-MOA red dot reticle and the brightness level (ten daylight bright settings, two night vision settings) is adjusted via buttons on top of the optic. The red dot also has a motion activation feature and automatically shuts off after 10 minutes. The new Vortex enclosed micro red dot isn’t just for pistols, either, as Vortex also sells a compatible 45-degree Pro offset mount and Picatinny mount for attaching to carbines or PCCs. Maybe the best part about the enclosed Venom red dot is its MSRP of $290, making it one of the most affordable enclosed micro red dots on the market. For more information, visit vortexoptics.com. More Pistol Red Dots The Red Dot Advantage The Best Optics For CCW The Aimpoint ACRO P-2 The Trijicon RMR The Swampfox Liberator II Why you can trust RECOIL Since our founding in 2012, RECOIL remains the premier firearms lifestyle publication for the modern shooting enthusiast. We deliver cutting-edge coverage of guns, gear, accessories and technology. We go beyond basic reviews, providing no B.S. buyer’s guides, hands-on testing and expert analysis on everything from firearms and survival equipment to watches and vehicles. Our reviewers are the backbone of our operation and come from diverse shooting backgrounds: Former law enforcement, military veterans, competitive shooters, seasoned hunters and plain old firearms enthusiasts. Furthermore, we’re not just gun experts, but dedicated journalists who adhere to the strictest standards of our profession. At RECOIL, editorial independence is the foundation of everything we publish and the cornerstone of reader trust. Our editors, writers and content creators make all editorial decisions independently, free from outside influence. That boils down to: advertisers don’t dictate our coverage, the outcomes of our reviews or what we recommend in our buyer’s guides. First and always, our commitment is to our audience—ensuring every review and article is accurate, unbiased, and driven by real-world experience. Whether you’re selecting your next firearm, upgrading your gear, or exploring the latest innovations in the shooting world, RECOIL provides the trusted insights you need to make informed decisions. Learn more about our Editorial Standards and how we review products. NEXT STEP: Download Your Free Target Pack from RECOILFor years, RECOIL magazine has treated its readers to a full-size (sometimes full color!) shooting target tucked into each big issue. Now we've compiled over 50 of our most popular targets into this one digital PDF download. From handgun drills to AR-15 practice, these 50+ targets have you covered. Print off as many as you like (ammo not included). Get your pack of 50 Print-at-Home targets when you subscribe to the RECOIL email newsletter. We'll send you weekly updates on guns, gear, industry news, and special offers from leading manufacturers - your guide to the firearms lifestyle.You want this. Trust Us.