Vortex Defender-ST Enclosed Solar
Closed-emitter DPP-footprint pistol red dot with solar assist and a multi-reticle.
- Price
- $319
- Brand
- Vortex
- Category
- Pistol Optics
Featured in
Features
- •3 MOA dot / 32 MOA circle
- •DeltaPoint Pro footprint
- •CR2032 plus solar
- •Closed emitter
Capability Boosts
Recommended For
+24 more
Where to Buy
Compare current prices and availability from retailers we work with.
Vortex Defender-ST Enclosed Solar Micro Reflex Red Dot Sight, 1x22.5mm, 3 MOA dot with 32 MOA circle Reticle, Black, DFST-MRD3-E
Price History
90-day low $319.49More Glock guides & articles
Guides
Best Glock 17 Upgrades 2026: Triggers, Barrels, Slides & Optics Ranked
guide · gear · 17 min read
Best Glock 34 Upgrades 2026: Competition Optics, Triggers, Basepads & Magwells Ranked
guide · gear · 13 min read
Best Glock 43X Upgrades 2026: Optics, Triggers, Mags & Barrels Ranked
guide · gear · 12 min read
Overview
The Vortex Defender-ST Enclosed Solar is the closed-emitter version of the Defender-ST, built around the same DeltaPoint Pro footprint so it drops onto the same duty and carry slides without changing plates. The 7075 aluminum housing seals the LED behind glass, which is the upgrade that matters for a carry optic: open emitters can choke on lint, rain, and snow, and the enclosed hood removes that failure mode entirely.
Power is the standout. A side-loading CR2032 runs up to 35,000 hours on its own, and the solar panel with Auto D-TEC technology stretches that to roughly 150,000 hours by feeding the optic in good light. The multi-reticle gives you a 3 MOA dot for precision, a 32 MOA circle for speed, or both together, across 12 brightness settings with two night-vision levels. At $319.49 it slots directly against the Holosun EPS and Aimpoint COA as the DPP-footprint enclosed option, with the Vortex VIP lifetime warranty as the tiebreaker.
Key Features
- Closed emitter housing seals the LED against lint, rain, and debris
- DeltaPoint Pro footprint matches existing DPP plates and slides
- Multi-reticle: 3 MOA dot, 32 MOA circle, or both combined
- Dual power: side-load CR2032 plus solar with Auto D-TEC switching
- Up to 35,000 hours on battery, up to 150,000 hours with solar assist
- 12 brightness settings including 2 night-vision compatible
- 7075 aluminum housing with motion activation and auto-shutoff
- Vortex VIP unlimited lifetime warranty
Pros
- +Closed emitter fixes the open-emitter weakness of the standard Defender-ST
- +Solar plus CR2032 dual power for very long runtime
- +Multi-reticle covers both speed and precision
- +Drops onto existing DeltaPoint Pro plates and slides
- +Vortex VIP lifetime warranty with no receipt required
Cons
- −DPP footprint is less universal than RMR for plate selection
- −Heavier and taller than the open Defender-ST
- −Made overseas; not US-manufactured
- −Multi-reticle button can be cycled accidentally in a holster
Detailed Specifications
- Reticle
- 3 MOA dot, 32 MOA circle, or both (multi-reticle)
- Magnification
- 1x
- objectiveWindow
- 1x22.5mm
- Battery Type
- CR2032 (side-loading) with solar Auto D-TEC
- Battery Life
- Up to 35,000 hours battery, up to 150,000 hours with solar
- nightVisionCompatible
- Yes (2 NV settings)
- Mount Type
- DeltaPoint Pro footprint
- clickValue
- 1 MOA per click
Pairs Well With
Top matches
SIG Sauer
SIG P320 Full Size
2 shared compatibility tags
SIG Sauer
SIG P320 Compact
2 shared compatibility tags
Springfield Armory
Springfield Echelon
1 shared compatibility tags
Springfield Armory
Springfield Echelon 4.0C Comp
1 shared compatibility tags
SIG Sauer
SIG P320 X-Carry
2 shared compatibility tags
SIG Sauer
SIG P320 Spectre Comp
2 shared compatibility tags
Similar Products
Compatible Platforms
+6 more
Compatibility Tags
Build Your Custom Configuration
Add the Vortex Defender-ST Enclosed Solar to your build and see how it enhances your platform.