Old Venom vs. New Venom: A Critical Footprint Warning (Don't Buy the Wrong Adapter Plate!)

URGENT: The New Vortex Venom and Old Vortex Venom Footprints are NOT Compatible

If you are a fan of Vortex optics, you need to pay close attention. Vortex has released a new enclosed red dot sight that also carries the "Venom" name, and this is causing some confusion when it comes to purchasing adapter plates.

The most important takeaway is this:

The new Vortex Venom Enclosed (released in 2025) and the original, open-emitter Vortex Venom DO NOT share the same mounting footprint. They are not interchangeable. Buying the wrong sight for your pre-milled slide or adapter plate will result in an incompatible setup.

This guide will break down the exact differences to ensure you purchase the correct optic, slide, or adapter plate for your firearm.

The "Old" Sight: The Original Vortex Venom (Open Emitter)

This is the classic, widely popular Vortex Venom red dot that has been on the market for years. It is an "open-emitter" design, meaning the part of the sight that projects the dot is exposed to the elements.

• Product Name: Vortex Venom Red Dot
• Key Feature: Open-Emitter Design
• Mounting Footprint: Docter / Noblex Standard
• FIND EGW COMPATIBLE VENOM OPEN EMITTER RED DOT PLATES HERE

This footprint is one of the most common in the industry. It is often just called the "Venom footprint" or "Burris FastFire footprint." It uses two screw holes and four corner sockets for recoil lugs. If you own an adapter plate or a slide milled for the original Venom, it has a Docter/Noblex cut.

The "New" Sight: The Vortex Venom® Enclosed Micro Red Dot

This is the new-generation sight from Vortex. It is an "enclosed-emitter" design, which means the projector and the lens are completely sealed in a robust housing, protecting them from rain, dust, and debris. While it shares the "Venom" name, its mounting pattern is completely different.

• Product Name: Vortex Venom® Enclosed Micro Red Dot (or "new Venom")
• Key Feature: Enclosed-Emitter Design
• Mounting Footprint: DeltaPoint® Pro Standard
• FIND EGW COMPATIBLE VENOM CLOSED EMITTER RED DOT PLATES HERE

The new enclosed Venom adopted the footprint standard popularized by the Leupold DeltaPoint Pro. This is another very popular mounting pattern but is mechanically different from the Docter/Noblex standard.

Quick Comparison: Old Venom vs. New Venom

Why This Is CRITICAL For Customers

The name "Venom" is the source of the problem. A customer who has an "optic-ready" pistol slide cut for the original Venom might search for a "Vortex Venom" and accidentally purchase the new enclosed model, assuming it will fit.

It will not fit.

The same is true for adapter plates. If you purchase a pistol adapter plate (like those made by EGW) for a "Vortex Venom," you must be 100% certain which Venom you are buying for.

• If you have the original Venom, you need a plate for the Docter/Noblex footprint.
• If you have the new enclosed Venom, you need a plate for the DeltaPoint Pro footprint.

How to Make Sure You Buy the Right Part

Before you click "Add to Cart" on any sight, mount, or adapter plate, you must verify the footprint.

1. Check Your Optic: Look at the product page or the box of your red dot. Does it say "Enclosed"? If so, it is almost certainly the new DeltaPoint Pro footprint. If it's the classic open-emitter, it is the Docter/Noblex footprint.
2. Check Your Mount/Slide: Read the description of your adapter plate or optic-ready slide. Does it say "cut for Docter/Noblex" or "cut for DeltaPoint Pro"? This is the most reliable way to know what will fit.
3. When in Doubt, Ask: If you are at all unsure, contact the customer service team for the plate or slide manufacturer. A quick email is much easier than a costly return.

Final Takeaway: Double-Check Before You Buy

This isn't a knock on either sight—both the classic open-emitter Venom and the new enclosed-emitter Venom are excellent optics. The confusion comes purely from the shared name.

Before you buy, just remember this simple rule:

• Original Open Venom = Docter/Noblex Footprint
• New Enclosed Venom = Other DeltaPoint Pro Footprint

Always verify the footprint of your sight and your mount to ensure a perfect fit. Happy shooting!