Red dot sights have become increasingly popular among handgun shooters, and it is easy to understand why. They offer a simple aiming solution that can make shooting faster and more intuitive. Like most things in the shooting world, however, there are plenty of options available, ranging from inexpensive entry-level optics to expensive duty-grade sights. Today, we are taking a look at an interesting option from Nutrek Optics, the BLADE red dot sight.
The Nutrek Optics Blade
Nutrek may not be a household name among American shooters, but the company offers a variety of optics intended for different shooting applications. The BLADE is a compact reflex sight designed primarily for handgun use. It incorporates several features that have become increasingly common in modern pistol optics, including motion-activated illumination and a mounting footprint compatible with popular micro red dot systems.
One of the first things I noticed about the BLADE is its small size. The optic measures 24mm by 17mm at the viewing window and weighs less than 23 grams without the battery or mounting base. That is a pretty lightweight package, particularly for those who want to add an optic to a concealed-carry pistol without unnecessarily increasing its weight.
Feature
Specification
Model
BLADE 1x24x17
Item Number
DSL15RV
Magnification
1x
Window Size
24 × 17mm
Reticle
Red dot and circle
Dot Size
2 MOA
Circle Size
40 MOA
Brightness Settings
10
Daylight Settings
8
Night Vision Settings
2
Reticle Adjustment
1 MOA per click
Mounting Footprint
Shield RMS
Included Mount
Picatinny/Weaver
Battery
CR2032
Battery Life
50,000+ hours
Motion Activation
Shake Awake
Automatic Shutoff
5 minutes of inactivity
Recoil Resistance
1,200G
Waterproof Rating
IPX7
Weight
23 grams (without battery and mount)
Rear Sight
Integrated rear sight notch
Features and Construction
The BLADE uses a Shield RMS footprint for compatibility with corresponding pistols and mounting plates. Nutrek also includes a Picatinny/Weaver base for use on other firearms.
The viewing window is relatively small, but the housing incorporates a rear sight notch to help with sight alignment and provide a backup reference.
Its dual-reticle system combines a 2 MOA dot with a 40 MOA circle, offering a precise aiming point alongside a larger reference for rapid target acquisition.
Ten brightness settings include eight daylight levels and two night vision-compatible settings. Motion activation illuminates the reticle when movement is detected and shuts it down after five minutes of inactivity, conserving battery life.
Power comes from a CR2032 battery, with Nutrek advertising more than 50,000 hours of runtime. Durability specifications include resistance to 1,200G of recoil force and an IPX7 waterproof rating.
the blade stood up to everything we threw at it
The BLADE brings together lightweight construction, a dual-reticle system, motion-activated illumination, and an integrated rear sight notch. Its included Picatinny/Weaver mount adds versatility beyond handgun applications.
Shooting with the Nutrek BLADE red dot
I used the BLADE across a couple different pistols, both of them Taurus handguns. The first one was the Taurus GX2 9mm, and the second was the Taurus GX4 .380ACP. Both pistols have optics cute that can accept the Shield footprint, and it lined up perfectly with both slide features. Allowing the notch of the BLADE to be used as a rear sight.
Reticle
The brightness settings can be adjusted with a button on either side of the optic. Buttons are marked clearly with a positive and negative symbol to increase or reduce brightness. When left motionless for five minutes, the unit auto shuts off. And as soon as you pick up the pistol again, the red dot reignites.
I found the dot to be clean enough to make great shots. Its aim point is small enough to place shots precisely.
Adjustments
Adjusting the elevation and windage to correct the point of impact was easy using a small flat screwdriver. The movements were clean and obvious, making it easy to line up the dot with the sights. And further precise adjustments after that. I never had any reason to reset or adjust the BLADE after having zeroed it to the pistol.
This will come in handy when the time comes to change the battery. Which is unfortunately underneath the sight and requires removal to change out the battery.
Value
While I quite like the BLADE sight, I do feel like there are many other great red dots from much better known manufacturers. I can totally understand why someone would prefer to buy a Vortex, Primary Arms or Crimson Trace red dot for the same price or even less.
Verdict
There are plenty of red dot sights available today, and the Nutrek BLADE offers an interesting collection of features in a compact package. For shooters looking for a lightweight pistol optic with a dual-reticle system and a few useful conveniences, it is certainly worth a closer look.
As with any optic, the real test will be how well it performs once it is mounted and put to use. The BLADE has some promising features, and I look forward to seeing how it compares with the other options available to shooters.
You ever pull up to a stoplight next to a sleeper? And when the light turns green, a seemingly unimpressive car opens wide and disappears into a cloud of exhaust? Well, keep that in mind today as we discuss our topic today. A hands on review of the Burris XTR PS 5-30×56 precision rifle scope. We’ll see what the scope has feature-wise and how it stands up against other comparable options. And whether or not this XTR is worth the squeeze.
Burris has long been a big name in American sport optics, and they’ve always been on my radar. Their XTR line has produced a variety of optics focused on precision and tactical style shooting. So when this new XTR PS model showed up on my radar, I was keen to see what the folks in Greeley had come up with this time.
The Burris XTR PS 5-30
According to the manufacturer, the XTR PS is built for precision and designed for extreme long-range performance. That sounds great for marketing, but we will see if this scope has the features to fit, and the performance to stand behind the statement.
the .223 chambering gave plenty of room for making corrections
Tube Structure
Built on a 34mm tube made from 6061 T6 aluminum, the XTR sports a large 56mm objective lens to draw-in and compress your imagery. ED glass is used in the lenses, to increase the quality of the images seen through the XTR.
On the ocular end of the scope you will find a traditional diopter used to focus on the reticle, as well as the magnification ring to zoom the scope. The 6X zoom takes you from 5X up to 30X at max power for better definition of targets and their surroundings.
The Erector Housing
The XTR PS erector housing contains the flagship features of the scope. The elevation turret gives a fairly common 26 MRAD of available elevation adjustment, but it isn’t just any elevation turret. The XTR PS uses Burris’ PĒK elevation turret (programmable elevation knob), a digital click-free turret that shows 1/10 MRAD values but can adjust as small as 1/30 of an MRAD. With 20 MRAD of elevation available on the first turn, there is no need for a second rotation.
The PĒK system works together with a heads up display (HUD) that is seen through the scope together with its CSR2 reticle. The HUD shows a variety of important information that you can customize to your needs.
installing the CR123 battery
Removing parallax from the image is done with a traditional side focus knob on the left side of the housing. And stacked on that you will find the control panel of the XTR, which features three rubber push-buttons to operate the system. A CR123 lithium cell is stored vertically under the control panel, that threads on similar to other caps. A capped windage turret can be covered or left open for use while shooting.
The Internal Heads Up Display (HUD)
Inside the heads up display there is a customizable set of data. Some data points can be adjusted using either the Burris Connect App, or manually using the control pad. The most prominent numbers displayed is the elevation or distanced set on the PĒK elevation turret. Setting the scope to display either dialed dope or the equivalent distance can be programmed. So be it MRAD or yards you can see exactly what you’re elevation is set to front and center. This output can also apply an angle compensation feature as well if you desire.
a peak at the HUD inside the XTR PS
On the right side of that you can see a battery life indicator, a wind hold recommendation and a shot timer. The wind hold is calculated off of the wind speed and direction you set in the scope, and is then quantified by the distance or elevation you dial for any given distance. As with the shot timer, you can set it for any given amount of time for a competition stage, allowing you to see how much time you have left as you navigate through your string of shots.
A programmable bubble level is seen at the bottom between the wind hold on the right, and the wind speed and direction on the left. Density altitude is shown at the top left, and you guessed it; you can adjust it as needed from either the app or the control pad.
Connectivity and the Burris Connect App
Programming the XTR PS is best done from the Burris Connect App. It gives you incredible dexterity to adjust the settings of the scope. As mentioned above you can customize the data displayed on the HUD, as well as other ballistic information.
The app allows you to store various profiles for different rifles and calibers, as well as upload and update the ballistic information for them. There is an exhaustive amount of information that you can put in, enough that the app almost deserves its own article to go over everything.
Ballistic data can be input using the app, and then uploaded to the scope to be used for the distance dialed display. Obviously this can be a little touchy as some of us are pretty particular when it comes to what chews out our numbers. But I was able to true the Connect app to very closely mimic my other ballistic software enough to be within a click or two.
you can customize the output of a drop chart within the app as well
I’m more of a shooting nerd than a technology nerd, so I only used the app as much as I needed to get the data I required into the XTR. Once that was accomplished, I was ready to head to the range.
Specifications
Purpose
Precision and long-range shooting
PĒK Elevation Knob
Programmable Elevation Knob; clickless digital elevation adjustment
Elevation Resolution
1/30 MIL
Elevation Per Revolution
Up to 20 MIL
Heads-Up Display
Integrated HUD displays shooting and environmental data
HUD Data
Dial-to-distance, wind hold, wind speed/direction, digital level, density altitude, angle compensation, battery status, match timer
BurrisConnect
Bluetooth connectivity for creating and uploading ballistic profiles
Ballistic Profiles
Custom profiles with more than 20 density-altitude curves
Reticle
SCR 2 illuminated MIL
Reticle Type
First focal plane (FFP), tree-style
Illumination
Dual-color red/green
Optical System
ED glass with Hi-Lume multi-coated lenses
Main Tube
One-piece 34mm tube
Main Tube Material
6061-T6 aluminum
Zero Stop
Zero-turn stop / zero-click-stop adjustment
Windage
0.1 MIL adjustments
Parallax
Side-focus parallax adjustment
Digital Level
Built-in electronic rifle cant/bubble level
Match Timer
Built-in competition countdown timer
Controls
Soft-touch buttons for HUD/menu operation
Waterproofing
IPX7
Fogproof
Nitrogen-filled
Shockproof
Yes
Battery
CR123A
Magnification Options
5.5-30
Tube Diameter
34mm
Unboxing
Inside the thick box of the XTR PS, I found a variety of accessories. A sunshade would be handy in some cases, and I always appreciate manufacturers including them. There was a set of flip caps, tools, and some literature. Also included is an extra windage turret, should you wish to remove the smaller and capped windage turret for a fully exposed style. Everything I needed, and nothing I didn’t.
Mounting
I would end up mounting the Burris XTR PS 5-30×56 on two different rifles (so far). The first rifle was my Desert Tech SRS M2, which is where I test many different optics. The reliability and predictable performance from the rifle makes it an excellent test bed. I used a 34mm one piece scope mount for a solid connection, and torqued down the ring caps keeping the scope level.
Later I would transfer the XTR to my custom Bergara 7 PRC, which has a bit more range. And gave plenty of opportunity to test the long-range capabilities of the Burris.
Range Testing the Burris XTR PS
My testing of the XTR PS would take place over the course a several months, and various range trips and the wild open country of the west. Both host rifles get used pretty often, especially this time of year. Testing basic functions like repeatability and tracking were important, but I also wanted to see how the signature features of the scope functioned. Testing all these different features would take a little longer than normal.
the PĒK elevation turret is a little different than what you might be used to
Optical Clarity
Perhaps the most important aspect of a good scope is the image quality as seen through it. All the bells and whistles it may have fall to the wayside if the optical performance is sub par. My past experiences with Burris optics has been good. Like products from any manufacturer, the higher end products are typically better than the cheaper options. The XTR PS being one of Burris’ most expensive optics, I was expecting it to look very good.
My expectations were on the mark, as the image seen through the XTR PS looks as good as I would have expected it to. I have yet to own a rifle scope that looks as bright and clear at maximum magnification as it does at 90-95 percent magnification. And this one is no different, at 30X it does suffer a bit of brightness loss, and maybe some resolution. Thats one of the reasons I occasionally like overpowered optics. A 5-30 might have a slightly degraded image at 30X, but it looks outstanding at 25X. I rarely use scopes at max power anyways, and with the Burris XTR PS I frequently found the power ring set at 20X or less.
As for its HUD, I was initially concerned it might block some of my view. But those worries quickly evaporated on the range. I did find there was a tiny bit of difference in the eyebox to see the HUD entirely. I found the eyebox itself to be perfectly suitable, but if you weren’t perfectly lined up some of the HUD can become obscured. This is a small concern, just one I thought I’d mention.
Reliability
One concern when adding technology and specifically electronics to my rifle scopes, is how it will last. First off I must state the obvious; the mechanical functions of the XTR have no dependance on the electronics. If the battery dies, the scope continues to work like any other.
no clicks is another thing I had to get used to
There is surprising simplicity in the PĒK elevation turret, no built in parts or zero-stop parts. It is a simple one-turn turret, with very little to go wrong. The lack of clicks is a bit uncanny to those who have always felt them, but smooth is fast I hear. Setting zero is simple, and gives you a hard stop, maxing out at 20 MRAD of elevation.
I like that you can run the windage turret capped if you like, or if you prefer to dial for wind, you can either remove the cap, or swap out the turret entirely for an exposed version. Tracking of the XTR was great, though I did notice a .09 MRAD disparity across the 20 MRAD of total travel when compared to the internal display.
the push-button controls of the XTR are simple and easy to learn
Parallax adjustment is quite broad, which allows precise reticle contrast with the target, and little things like an ocular locking ring keep things put right where you want them. It would have been a massive miss for Burris not to make the electronics timeout and power down. As it never fails that whatever runs on batteries will die when you need it most. Both the HUD and illuminated reticle have a user adjustable timeout feature so they don’t discharge the battery.
Ergonomics and Controls
I found the magnification ring to be a touch stiffer than I would like, but its not bad. The PĒK elevation turret is also a touch stiffer than I expected, but that probably better. Especially with no clicks, as you don’t want it to get moved inadvertently. I expect that these controls will likely wear-in a bit over time, but even if they don’t, I can live with them just fine.
The rubberized control pad is pretty simple considering all it can do. I like that it only has three buttons, so as not to make things too complicated. They are stiff enough to not be too easily pushed, and tactile enough that you can easy navigate them while on the scope, or in complete darkness. You can edit many of the scopes features using just the three buttons, as well as turn on and off certain features. Igniting the reticle can be done, and adjust brightness using the same button pad. You can also change settings using the phone app, even in the field with no service.
The SCR 2™ XTR PS Reticle
The world of reticles has changed greatly since I started looking through scopes, and Burris’ SCR 2 reticle joins the trend of Christmas tree style reticles. With a broadening grid allowing you to make fast corrections on the fly. With .2 subtensions and a .1 MRAD side scale, it allows for precise measuring of downrange antagonists. Reticle preference is quite subjective, so it can vary quite a bit between shooters. Some might like the Christmas tree style while others prefer Michelle Obama’s Holiday tree.
a look at the illuminated portion of the reticle
I occasionally find them a little busier than I would prefer, but I can certainly work with this one. I also like that just a small portion of the center illuminates, which doesn’t overwhelm they eye with light in a lowlight situation. Users can select red or green illumination.
Heads Up Display
For a guy like me who grew up watching movies in the 80’s and 90’s, a heads up display on a riflescope seems pretty neat. Kinda makes me feel like Billy Zane shooting a PSG1 or something opposite Tom Berenger with a nonsense reticle straight out of a video game.
But the Burris HUD is actually quite useful, allowing you to spend more time on the scope. Removing many of the reasons we sometimes take our good eye off the target. I found it didn’t get in my way, and many times when I was just looking for and at targets it wasn’t even illuminated anyway.
I can see how the timer would be very handy in a competition situation, allowing you to pace your shooting. And the wind hold recommendations are pretty handy, though I often wonder if you can ever update wind fast enough to truly make a difference. As fickle as the wind is though, its nice to have a starting place.
And if you set the scope for distance output instead of reading out MRAD, you’re bound to be even faster in transitions. And the icing on the cake is you can adjust the density altitude on the fly, as the day warms up you can true your distance settings. All this while keeping the whole rifle level with its digital bubble level.
Value
This is where it really comes down to what you want in life. Scopes in this price range typically are for those of us who could claim a rifle as both a spouse and dependent on this years taxes. It is certainly not the kind of scope a casual shooter would likely purchase for their recreational plinking. The Burris XTR PS is more geared towards professional and competitive shooters. And much like the sleeper car I mentioned at the beginning, the XTR PS might look like just another scope. But it is packed with technology that can speed up your shooting and transition between targets. And speaking on looks, I am glad that the XTR kept the traditional shape and look of a rifle scope. Often times when electronics are introduced, our scopes morph into something unsightly that would go well with parachute pants and shoulder pads.
Only you can decide if the XTR PS is worth it’s $2300 street price. There aren’t many other scopes out there that offer what this one does, and if you learn to use it properly I expect it would be well worth the money.
Pros and Cons
Beautiful optical performance
*Onboard electronics*
PĒK Programable elevation turret
Not legal for hunting in some states
20 MRAD elevation- no need for more
Heads Up Display- live data feed
Broad Parallax adjustment
Auto Shutdown for electronics
Illuminated SCR 2 reticle- for fast corrections
Easily integrated ballistics
Single turn turret- nothing to mess up
Bluetooth connection to app
Made in America
Included extras (shade, wind turret)
Heavy duty XTR construction
* could be seen as a negative (but not for me)
My Conclusion
There was a time where I didn’t want electronics in my scope, but the Burris XTR PS is rapidly changing my mind. I can totally see why the features of this scope would be beneficial in any situation where making fast shots and transitioning between targets could happen. Competition and sport shooting seem like the most likely place, but could be used anywhere of course. I could also see how some might still not be convinced, and would prefer a traditional analog scope.
I really like this scope, it looks great both outside and throughout. It has some very innovative functions made by Americans right here in the west. It has been reliable and accurate in its travels and predictions, with a commensurate optical performance for its price point. Will it win you any competitions? Hard to say, but it has proven to be a very valuable tool to make quick and accurate shots. These are definitely worth a look if you are in the market for a good scope.
As the sea of riflescopes deepens around us, it can often be challenging to know what to pick. It seems every time I open my Instagram there is a new optics company trying to get my attention and money. And because I am both a humanitarian and a rifle-junkie, I chose to take a leap for you the reader to put eyes on all of them to gain insight for prospective buyers. Today we are looking through the brand new Zero Tech Trace X 5-25×50 riflescope. Building off of the companies Trace line of scopes, the Trace X line offers all the popular features that zealous riflemen are after.
unboxing the Trace X
I’ve been using this scope now for four months, in anticipation of its official release to the market. It fits nicely into my collection of precision rifle optics, and should therefore get a good comparison to its peers. With production facilities in both Japan and China, there are Zero Tech scopes in the premium quality tier as well as more affordable options.
here you can see the illumination control button centered in the parallax turret
Zero Tech has been around since 2018, which might not sound like a long time. Though the company maintains that their team has decades in the optic market, design and engineering. Originating in Australia, Zero tech has spread quickly across the rapidly advancing optics market to include North America, Europe and Africa. They manufacture scopes, binoculars, spotting scopes and smaller sights like red dots.
The Zero Tech Trace X 5-25×50
The Trace X scope is built on a 34mm tube, which has become the preferred option for precision shooting aficionados. With a 50mm objective lens up front, and a 5x variable zoom the Trace X also has the power to compress great detail into your view.
I like the all metal construction, with no rubber or plastic features to get damaged. The magnification ring has a removable throw-lever, with two different mounting locations to avoid occlusions with bolt handles and fingers. There is a metal locking ring on the ocular adjustment diopter, to allow you to lock the focus which is a nice touch.
here you can see both the locking ring and the two throw lever mounting locations
On the erector housing you’ll find the typical trio of turrets. Up top there is a 10-MIL elevation turret marked with 1/10 MRAD marks. Loosening the two Allen screws allows you to remove the turret cap, exposing the zero-stop underneath. It is a very robust aluminum ring that can be zeroed at any location. The elevation turret itself has 33 MRAD of elevation in three turns of the turret.
setting the Zero Tech zero-stop
On the right side you’ll find a capped windage turret, it too has 10MRAD per turn, but is labeled 5R or 5L depending which direction you turn it. I like having the windage capped, as I rarely dial windage outside of zeroing. Opposite the windage turret there is a battery housing and push-button control for the reticle illumination. This is stacked on top of the parallax focus adjustment in a clean seamless look which is nice.
a broad range of focus makes for great clarification
Initially I planned on mounting the Trace X to my Desert Tech SRS M2. This is one of my favorite rifles, and it is boringly accurate and repeatable. Which is an excellent host when testing a scope. The SRS M2 uses a 30 MOA canted scope rail, to that I attached a set of Vortex rings that gave me perfect height for mounting the Zero Tech scope.
the windage turret can be run exposed or covered by the cap
Once mounted, I did a little bit of looking through the scope. My first thought was that its quite bright, and clarity was also very good. Changing magnification as I looked over the details of trees and other landscape details gave a general positive impression.
Shooting the Zero Tech Trace X
Over the course of several weeks and various trips to the range and into the mountains, we put the Trace X through its paces. We do a lot of shooting in these mountains, chasing squirrels and Marmots at high altitude and often long-range. Miles of open country covered in trees and brush also give excellent opportunities to view and engage targets through the Zero Tech scope.
glassing targets from elevation supported by the Two Vets Tripod
My SRS kitted out with the 6 GT barrel is one of my most reliable and predictable barrels. Which would make a very solid test platform, as I’ve got years of hard dope from shooting with many other high quality scopes.
My first trip would be a to rifle range, to get a solid zero and test some of the tracking and zero-stop. Most of that work was done at 100 yards, where I would shoot groups and make sure everything was buckled down. After I felt confident that I could drop bullets through other bullet holes with the Trace X, it was time to hit the real world range.
In the field
Luck would have it that I would be able to test quite a variety of conditions due to some odd summer weather patterns. Not only was I able to read mirage through the triple digit heat of summer, but I’d also get to shoot through clouds and rain. Even some frozen precipitation would hit us at nine-thousand feet. And later still the haze of distant wildfires would test the sharpness of the Trace X lenses.
Some of these conditions would closely represent a typical day of deer or elk hunting in these mountains. And I like seeing how my equipment stands up in less than ideal weather.
Optical Clarity
Zero Tech uses Schott lenses which are famous for high quality image transfer. My initial impression was very positive, the image was bright and the details crisp. Whether looking at the ragged edges of bullet holes in paper, or the hair of small animals rustling in the breeze.
the RMG-H reticle as seen at low and high power
The focus/parallax has a broad sweep of adjustment, which made it easy to find the best image when focusing. Shooting the scope in early morning light as the sun rises, as well as the aforementioned clouds and smokey skies proved the Trace X’s lens quality look to me. Those of us who have been around scopes for a long time can certainly appreciate the optical performance compared to the price. We once paid two or three times the cost for scopes that offered less than this one. But as I mentioned, the sea of scopes continues to rise and competition is making a performance like this more affordable.
picking out Marmots from across a canyon as I typically do but this time using the Trace X
Reticle
Reticles can be very subjective to the shooter. I think the RMG-H reticle gives a great balance of subtensions without clogging the view within the scope. For those that prefer the Christmas tree style reticles you might prefer the RMG 2 or RMG 3 reticle.
Elevation is marked at half and whole MIL’s, numbered from 1 to 10. While the windage is subtended in .2 MIL and .5 MIL for the first 3 MIL’s and then switches to whole and half MIL’s out to 8 MIL’s. The windage is numbered even only. The open center with a dot makes for a perfectly fine aim point without cluttering the area.
Parallax and Focus
Removing parallax from your target image is easily done with the long parallax adjustment on the Trace X. Making images easily analyzed by the eye. Getting a sharp focus of both the reticle and the target can be done nicely using the Trace X’s controls. And that sharp focus makes the scope an excellent tool for precise shooting.
Repeatability
Over the course of this past summer, I’ve been able to work the knobs of this scope repeatedly. Swapping it from one rifle to another, zeroing and re-zeroing, setting the zero-stop. All this the scope does very well, staying set and tracking true. Regardless of the conditions, it went right along with whatever shooting activity I had planned for the day. Riding along on bumpy dirt roads for miles on the back of ATV’s caused no problem for the Trace X.
Value
With an MSRP of $899, I expect the Trace X will find a following among shooters looking for value coupled with performance. The Trace X falls right into that meaty bit of the optics market with great performance to cost ratio. With all the competition, this scope has its work cut out, but it has the pedigree to do very well.
Pros and Cons
Zero Tech’s Trace X has a great set of lenses, which produces sharp images. Even in the triple digit heat of summer, I was very pleased with my ability to pick out prairie dogs through the mirage. Strong turrets with crisp clicks and a solid zero-stop make it a great choice for dialing corrections. The broad parallax adjustment gives great alignment of reticle and target, giving marksman with taste little to complain about.
The only issue I had on occasion, was the push-button illumination. While transporting a rifle in a soft case, the illumination had been turned on. I am not sure if it was me accidentally pushing the button when loading the gun into the case, or if it got bumped during transport. Either way, I was surprised to find my reticle blazing red once I got on the firing line.
My Verdict on the Trace X 5-25×50
I’ve spent several months now playing with the Trace X, and putting it to good use in the various shooting applications I enjoy. Its given the opportunity to see how this scope stands up to the many others that I often use. Perhaps the most obvious thing I’ve learned during that time is how the optics world is changing. One used to have to spend a great deal of money for a reliable precision optic with features like these. The Zero Tech Trace X is a great example of how that is no longer the case, you can get a great riflescope for a reasonable price. And you can still get the features like great optical quality, reliable tracking, great reticle, zero-stop and more. It really does make it hard to justify spending a thousand or two dollars. I expect this trend will continue, and we will see additional great optics coming from manufacturers like Zero tech.
Steiner has been manufacturing high quality optics since shortly after the most recent world war. Built in Germany for decades, Steiner has become well known for their high quality binoculars and in more recent times their rifle scopes. After some modern partnerships, Steiner has also started manufacturing some of their products here in the US. I have always been happy with the Steiner products I’ve used, which led me to our topic today; the Steiner Optics H6Xi 2-12x42mm riflescope. The H6Xi line is focused on hunters, particularly those that take their shooting very seriously.
Besides the 2-12 we are looking at today, Steiner also makes a 3-18 and 5-30 version of the H6Xi line. Which gives hunters an excellent option to chose regardless of their magnification preference.
The Steiner Optics H6Xi 2-12×42
As it is built for the hunting public, it comes as no surprise that the Steiner H6Xi comes on a 30mm tube. This tube size has become basically the standard, and its ideal for hunters as it offers great size for internal travel and lens structures. And it does this without weighing as much as 34mm scopes likely would.
With its 42mm objective, the little Steiner can be kept closer to the barrel. And again the weight of a 42mm objective will be lower than a 50mm. Some of the more interesting features are the first focal plane reticle, and a single rotation elevation turret. It definitely gives the vibes of a scope meant for hard and heavy hunting while keeping things simple as possible at the same time.
Here you can see the smaller elevation turret has replaced the larger exposed only turret, and the cap that covers it
Additionally, the turrets of the Steiner H6Xi are configurable. The windage turret come with a cap, but obviously could be left open if you like. It also came with an extra undersized elevation turret that can replace the standard one, as well as a cap that will cover the smaller elevation turret. So you can run this scope completely exposed turrets, or completely covered. Another handy included accessory is a throw lever that you can install for faster magnification adjustment. The H6Xi can be had in either MRAD or MOA, with associated reticles.
Specifications
Magnification
2-12x
Objective Lens
42mm
Tube Diameter
30mm
Focal Plane
First Focal Plane (FFP)
Reticle
STR MIL
Illumination
Rotary dial
Illumination Levels
11 brightness levels with off positions
Field of View
55–8.5 ft. @ 100 yards
Eye Relief
3.85–3.52 in.
Exit Pupil
9.8–3.8mm
Diopter Adjustment
+2 to -3
Parallax Adjustment
Side focus
Parallax Range
25 yards to infinity
Click Value — MHR
0.25 MOA
Elevation Range — MHR
70 MOA
Windage Range — MHR
70 MOA
Click Value — STR MIL
0.1 MRAD
Elevation Range — STR MIL
20 MRAD
Windage Range — STR MIL
20 MRAD
Light Transmission
92%
Glass
HD glass
Construction
6061-T6 aerospace-grade aluminum
Waterproof / Fogproof
Yes
Shockproof
Yes
Nitrogen Filled
Yes
Operating Temperature
-13°F to +145°F
Battery
CR2032
Length
11.8 in.
Weight
23.2 oz.
Country of Assembly
USA
Warranty
Steiner Heritage™ Warranty
Unboxing and Mounting the H6Xi
As usual with Steiner products, the H6Xi came in a nice white box with a few accessories. Quality packaging always gives me a warm fuzzy feeling, knowing the product got here in one piece.
I lifted the scope from the box, and inventoried its contents. The extra turret and cap I mentioned, as well as the throw lever. There was also a set of flip caps to protect the lenses, as well as a battery and some documentation.
the included throw lever can be used with a short or long lever
I’d also gotten some of Steiner’s H-Series 30mm rings, which would be perfect for mounting the scope on its first host rifle; the Seekins Havak PH3. The rings fit perfectly onto the 20 MOA canted picatinny rails on the rifles receiver. It was then time to level the scope and torque down the rings carefully. One thing I did notice is that the front portion of the tube between the erector and the objective is pretty small. This made it a touch sensitive to where the rings could go, but for this rifle it was perfect.
With the scope mounted, I spent a good deal of time just looking through it and getting a fell for it. Low magnification scopes like this usually look pretty good, as the magnification doesn’t show off flaws as much. But the Steiner H6Xi with its HD lenses looks particularly good. According to Steiner, the scope has a 92% light transmission which makes the image quite bright.
I quickly found several things about the scope that I quite like. Among those was the locking ring for the diopter at the back. I really dislike it when you put a scope up to find it slightly out of focus, because the diopter got rubbed against a pack or something causing it to turn slightly. The locking ring on the H6Xi prevents that from happening. The low profile of the turrets is also nice, to help avoid snagging on hunting gear. And the whole thing has that Steiner quality feel to it.
Shooting in the Field
Our first trip out with the Steiner Optics H6Xi 2-12 was to a rifle range, to get a solid zero and check some tracking performance. Bore sighting the scope was easy, and in no time we were on paper shooting groups. The 7mm PRC Havak shoots quite well, which made it a good host to test the functions of the Steiner.
Later we would take the rifle into the high country of the Rocky Mountains to evaluate its performance in the exact kind of places where it would be used for hunting. Looking across deep canyons and valleys, picking out small details and targets is a great way to get comfortable with a scope.
Optical Clarity
The HD lenses of the Steiner H6Xi make a great looking image through the scope. Across various scenarios we inspected all kinds of things through the scope. Full sunshine, rainy and cloudy days, as well as early morning during sunrise. I found the Steiner to provide a great image of my targets, and clear presentation of the area around the target as well.
as usual, it is challenging to get a good representation through a camera lens, but you get the idea
Reliability
With it simplistic function, the H6Xi doesn’t have a lot to go wrong. The ability to run both turrets either exposed or capped can remove the possibility of inadvertent turret movement if thats a concern for you. And its single turn elevation will prevent you from ever getting lost in the turns. The 180 degree throw of the magnification ring requires only one motion to adjust. And the throw lever makes it fast and easy to do as well. I also mentioned the lock ring for the diopter to prevent that from being turned accidentally which I wish other scopes of mine had.
The only thing I was a bit concerned with was the reticle illumination. The knob to change the brightness settings of the reticle has lower friction than I would like. I could see it possibly getting turned accidentally, resulting in a dead battery.
Accuracy
Again I’ll mention the simplicity of the H6Xi, a single turn elevation turret means there are fewer things to go wrong. And with 12MRAD of elevation on the single turn, you’ve got enough to cover most shots that hunters will make. For example at my density altitude; The 7 PRC test rifle we used for this review only needs about 8 MRAD to reach a 1,000 yards.
The repeatability of this little scope made it an excellent candidate for a precision hunting rifle. It always returned properly to its zero setting, and it tracks true to its indicated reading.
the open country of the Rockies looks beautiful through the Steiner lenses
Value
The Steiner H6Xi is not an entry level scope for sure. Its MSRP is just over sixteen-hundred dollars, which might scare some folks off. The street price for this scope is usually between $1100 and $1300 depending on where you look. While that is better than sixteen-hundred, it is still enough to cause some to think hard about the scope. Steiner optics come with not just a warranty, they come with some rugged prestige as well.
You can find other 2-12 power scopes, probably some that are even comparable to this one for less. But we all have our tastes, and preferences. And if my choice is between German parts assembled in Colorado and something made in Asia, I’ll take the Steiner every time. “Nothing escapes you” is their slogan, and one many people trust in.
Pros and Cons
Great Image Quality- HD lenses
Low Friction Illumination Control- easy on
Robust Construction- built like a Steiner
Smaller Mounting Real Estate on Tube
Simple Design- fewer things to go wrong
Configurable Turrets- capped or not, your choice
Throw-Lever Included- for enhanced control
Locking Controls- stay where you want them
First Focal Plane- for fast shots and corrections
Not Particularly Heavy
Great Parallax Adjustment- fine tuned focus
American Made- the assembly part anyways
here you can see the limited illumination of the STR Reticle at 12X left, and 2X right
Conclusion
I have quickly grown quite fond of this little Steiner, it packs a lot of quality into a compact scope without weighing a ton. Its excellent for its purpose which is a precision hunting scope, giving hunters a sharp image with clean parallax adjustment. And simple hold-over operations that will allow for perfect shot placement at extended shooting ranges.
One of the companies that is flooding the optics market with dozens of different great optic products is Athlon Optics. I have been fortunate to use several different products from the company, and I must say I haven’t been let down. So it is my pleasure to bring you another riflescope review from Athlon; this time it’s the Athlon Midas HMR Gen2 2-12×42.
fresh out of the box with all its factory accessories
The Athlon Midas HMR Gen2 2-12×42
The Midas HMR 2-12 is a compact rifles scope optimized for precise shooting, and lending itself heavily to hunters. The Midas is built on a 30mm tube, which offers a larger range of internal travel. Up front you will find a 42mm objective lens that captures your image without being oversized and heavy.
In the middle of the scope is the erector housing that features an exposed elevation turret, a capped windage turret, as well as a parallax adjustment and illumination control. Pretty standard setup for todays market. The elevation turret has 10 MRAD per rotation with a total of 29 MRAD of turret travel.
Athlon makes several first focal plane (FFP) 2-12 scopes, but the Midas HMR Gen 2 is not one of them. Second focal plane (SFP) scopes are usually more affordable, I expect they are simpler to make as well. As such, the Midas’s APRS-H2 reticle stays the same regardless of magnification, which some folks prefer.
The occular housing of the Midas has a ring to adjust the magnification range of the scope, with the number 12 highlighted in red. This indicates where the reticle values are accurate for measuring use. Also on the magnification ring there is a removable throw lever that threads into the ring. This gives better purchase when cranking quickly on the magnification adjustment.
the APRS-H2 SFP IR MIL reticle of the Midas, note illuminated center dot (inset)
Inside, the reticle itself also offers some great features. With MRAD subtensions marked in whole and half MIL’s out to 4, and .2 and whole MIL’s out to 10. Windage is similar but ending at 6 MIL instead of 10. This gives you the shooter some dexterity in your aiming and correction plans. The center dot illuminates when powered up, giving an almost red dot feel to the scope.
Specifications
Manufacturer
Athlon Optics
Model
Midas HMR Gen2
SKU
213057
Magnification
2-12×
Objective Lens
42 mm
Tube Diameter
30 mm
Reticle
APRS-H2 SFP IR MIL
Focal Plane
Second Focal Plane (SFP)
Illumination
Illuminated
Adjustment Type
MIL / MRAD
Click Value
0.1 MIL
Parallax
Side focus, 10 yards–∞
Field of View @ 100 yd
55.7–9.6 ft
Eye Relief
3.62 in
Length
12 in
Weight
19 oz
Tube Construction
One-piece aircraft-grade aluminum
Lens Coating
Fully multi-coated
Purging
Argon
Waterproof
Yes
Fogproof
Yes
Shockproof
Yes
Turret Style
Exposed
Precision Zero Stop
Yes
Battery
CR2032
Finish
Black / hard-anodized
Ideal Application
Hunting / long-range shooting
Mounting the Midas 2-12
I would end up using the Midas on a couple different host rifles, but first up I would put it on my CVA Cascade SB. This is a short barreled 18-inch 6.5 Creedmoor, which is real handy for hunting. And with the Midas on top, it would be a perfect little combination.
I settled the Midas into a set of Wheeler 30mm rings and torqued everything down evenly. I adjusted the diopter at the rear of the ocular housing for the best image of the reticle, before bore-sighting the scope and heading to the range.
I must start by saying; I am huge fan of rifle scopes. And some people might think that high power rifle scopes are the bee’s knees. I myself quite enjoy lower power scopes like this 2-12. One advantage to lower power scopes is their simplicity, they may not make your target look as big, but they also don’t magnify flaws. Your flaws or the flaws of the scope itself.
At 2X the Midas is wide-open, meaning you can see everything including the muzzle of your rifle. This might be very handy for a close range rifle where things could be close, like something you might shoot at a charging animal. And at 12X you have enough power to make shots that are out there a lil’ bit. My son for example took his first Mule Deer at 480 yards last year using 12X.
Zero
I boresighted the scope to the host rifle, using my tool-less technique. After which I sat down behind the rifle to shoot a few shots on paper. After a couple shots and adjustments, I was hitting where I wanted it to. It was then time to zero the turret. I was a little irritated because it seemed the Allen wrench included was not the right size for the tiny set screws. But once I’d found the right one it was pretty straightforward.
With the turret unlocked (lifted) I unscrewed the single screw in the top of the turret so the turret itself could be lifted off. Underneath there is an interesting little star piece that looks similar to a WWI iron cross. Its four corners are cut to interface with a tooth on the ring of the elevation turret. One of its corners is cut to prevent turning past it, so when you set that corner against the tooth at zero, you cannot dial below that point. When dialing up, the tooth hits the iron cross, and rotates it allowing you to continue dialing upwards.
From there it was pretty easy, once reassembled. The turret would not rotate below the 100-yard zero of the rifle, but would go up to the mechanical maximum of the scopes erector. Which depending on the scope setup could vary greatly. Adding a 20 or 30 MOA canted based would give additional room more mechanical movement.
Adjustments
Adjusting the turrets to their high and low extremes with the rifle clamped in a vise allowed me to see how consistently the reticle moved. Dialing up, right, down and back to the left seeing how it returns to its zero location is a good way to evaluate a scopes reliability.
In the Field
the Midas controls were smooth and very serviceable
Optical Clarity
At only 12X, the Athlon Midas HMR isn’t a particularly high power scope. But it does very well at clearly magnifying the image from downrange. I enjoyed the sharp contrast of the reticle against the clearly focused target area. This is easier to do I suppose with a second focal plane scope with relatively low magnification, but it is great to have none the less.
this setup has a date with a mule deer next month, the Anechoic Suppressor keeps things polite
Early mornings and right before sunset are always the challenge for best performance, and the image of Midas HMR was surprisingly good. Comparable to scopes that cost significantly more.
Reliability
During our testing, the Athlon Optics Midas HMR functioned perfectly. Never noticed any skips or hangups in reticle or turret movement. All the controls worked as expected, and the only unpredictable issue was the reticle illumination coming on during transport.
that is the Grayboe UMC chassis, all together a nice setup with the CVA and Athlon
Controls
The turrets of the Midas HMR are just right; perfect resistance, clean crisp clicks. Conversely, the parallax adjustment is a bit stiffer than I would like but still quite serviceable. With parallax adjustable down to 10 yards there is some great dexterity in use as well.
I was unsure if I’d like the push-button reticle illumination or not. Changing the brightness settings and on/off feature of the reticle are all done by pushing the button on the center of the parallax turret. On at least one occasion I did find the reticle was on without my doing, I can only assume that it got pressed somehow in the rifle case while maneuvering. In the end I think I’m ok with the push button, its simple and I don’t need it often.
I like the addition of the throw lever on the magnification ring, it makes it quick to adjust. And if you don’t need it, it can be threaded out.
Value
I have always found Athlon Optics to be a good value. Their quality and features are often above average when compared to similarly priced scope from other manufacturers. They have a great warranty also should you ever need to use it.
Pros and Cons
Great Lens Quality
Inadvertent Illumination issue I mentioned
Simple Second Focal Plane Design
Zero-Stop could be easier
Great Turret Quality
Reliable, Repeatable Turret Operation
Great Reticle for Corrections
Compact and Lightweight
Removable Throw-lever
Available in both MRAD and MOA
Why Should you Pick The Midas 2-12
If you are looking for a low power variable scope for a rifle that you anticipate shooting some distance, this scope would be a good option. I imagine myself hunting bears where shots might be up close and personal or perhaps five-hundred yards away. This scope would do well in that scenario. It has a relatively small footprint for a hunting rifle, and its 42mm objective allows mounting it low to the barrel. And its 10 MRAD turrets give plenty of room for corrective long-range shooting. All this with good quality lenses and a crisp, clear sight picture. In a field of scopes that vary greatly in price, the Athlon Midas HMR Gen II is worth taking a look at.
Prism sights are nothing new exactly, but they have certainly taken off in the last decade or so. When Trijicon brought the ACOG to the market, and it began showing up on military weapons, other manufacturers started paying attention. With their compact size and etched reticles, prism sights quickly became popular aided by their clarity and easy sight picture with magnification. One of the reasons they are so durable is because of their simple fixed magnification, some would also consider that a down sides of prisms. Today we are taking a look at one new option from Apex Optics, and this one carries a variable magnification feature. It also carries a few other feathers in its cap, so lets get into the Apex Optics Vapor 1-4×22 prism sight.
The Apex Optics Vapor Prism
The Apex Vapor is a variable zoom prism sight designed with CQB shooters in mind. Or maybe 3-gun if you are a civilian. With its 1 to 4 power zoom, it gives a great sight picture for those shooting fast and on the move. According to the manufacturer it provides unmatched clear magnification in a compact professional grade optic.
One of the main appeals of prism optics over a traditional LPVO is they eye box. Prisms have a more forgiving eye box that doesn’t require such a refine eye relief. This is ideal for someone who can go from shooting within the room to hundreds of yards downrange in the same engagement. And especially when lives are on the line.
The Vapor incorporates an adjustable diopter to focus the reticle, as well as a capped windage and elevation adjustment. The reticle is lit red by a variable rheostat on the left side, with 11 different brightness settings. The etched FIRE™ reticle has a fine aimpoint as well at a large ring for bracketing close targets. And for targets that are a bit further out, there are several holdover points on the reticle for corrective holdovers.
Specifications
Magnification
1–4×
Objective
22 mm
Ocular Lens
35 mm
Eye Relief
3.64″ / 88 mm
Field of View @ 100 yd
127.53 ft @ 1× / 34.94 ft @ 4×
Parallax
Fixed at 100 yd
Reticle
FIRE™ etched prism
Focal Plane
Second focal plane (SFP)
Adjustment
½ MOA per click
Adjustment Range
80 MOA
Clicks/Revolution
60
Length
5.5″ / 140 mm
Weight
13.9 oz optic only / 15.8 oz with mount
Body
6061-T6 aluminum
Battery
CR2032
Waterproof
IPX7
Shock Rating
1,000 G
Operating Temperature
−4°F to 140°F
Objective Coating
7-layer proprietary coating
Glass
Japanese ED apochromatic glass
Light Transmission
99.7% per lens
Mounting
RMR-pattern red-dot mounting capability
And if all that wasn’t enough, the Vapor also incorporates a built-in piggyback option for your favorite RMR footprint red dot. Many short range combat weapons incorporate something similar to allow an up close zero parallax aiming option. Additionally Apex Optics offers a 45-degree mounting plate so you can add the red dot sight to the side of the Vapor if you don’t want it on top.
Mounting the Vapor can be done a few different ways. There is a picatinny clamp option that uses several screws to clamp the foot of the optic to your rifle. They also have a QD option that allows you to clamp the optic in place, or remove it with a quick motion.
changing out the picatinny clamp foot
Additionally they have different heigh foot spacers that allow you to mount the Vapor in a high or low position to better fit your needs. After unboxing the Vapor, I took a few minutes to familiarize myself with these different options and swapped a few things around. I was surprised they even installed stub screws into the screw holes to prevent them getting damaged or filled with crud.
stub-screws that keep the threaded bosses protected
I also took a moment to mount the 45-degree red dot mounting plate with the provided fasteners. Since I had it, I installed an Apex Optics Atom red dot with its compatible RMR footprint.
On the Range
I would end up using the Apex Vapor on a few different rifles, all semi-automatic carbines. Various trips to the range. Shooting distances as close as 20 yards and as far away as 400 yards.
Optical Clarity
Even from the very first time I lifted the vapor to my eye, it was impressively clear. Prisms are usually impressively clear and sharp for their size, and the Vapor was no different. At all points in its magnification zoom, it looked fantastic with sharp detail.
illumination of the reticle
Reticle
After shooting with the Apex, I did a little looking around on what others are saying. I was surprised to see how many people have a problem with the reticle, as I found it to be quite useful. People will always argue over minutiae and their preferences for subtensions and hold-over points.
I found the Fire reticle to be perfectly useful, with a typical large ring around the central portion of the reticle. This large ring creates a much smaller one when the Vapor is zoomed out to 1X, making a nice small point to put on your target while squeezing the trigger. And when zoomed-in, the large circle allows you something to bracket the target.
the reticle offers a variety of hold-over points for further ranges
The various hold-over points on the lower elevation of the reticle give you repeatable marks to hold on your further targets. The indicated values in the manual are handy, but at the end of the day I just see where each point coincides with a given distance and keep those results tabulated.
Controls
The only significant controls on this optics are the zoom feature, and the brightness settings for the reticle. The brightness is similar to everything else you’ve ever tried, there are 11 settings with an off between them.
The zoom feature on the other hand is a bit unorthodox, with a throw lever attached to the magnification ring up front. It does feel a bit odd reaching to the front of the optic to adjust the magnification. But because its so small though, its not a far reach. I did find one thing that I wouldn’t call a problem, but felt weird. The throw of the lever is pretty short, and when it reaches the end of either end, there is a solid stop. So you don’t want to get too aggressive pressing on it.
Durability
Obviously time and use is the best way to test a products durability. While I fully plan on giving the Vapor a solid wringing out over the next year or so, that takes time. Fixed prism sights in general are tougher than variable magnification optics, but the Vapor itself is also variable. So it stands to reason that it might be less durable than a fixed prism sight. Time will tell.
here you can see the magnification throw lever up front
Value
The Apex Vapor is not what I would consider an inexpensive optic, with an MSRP of $950 it is certainly not entry level either. Additionally, the Vapor has a relatively specific purpose, which makes purchasing the Vapor a very deliberate choice. If you are looking for a variable zoom prism though, there aren’t so many options.
Perhaps it would be somewhat comparable to evaluate it against a 1-4 power LPVO. Of which there are many options and you can probably get them for a lot less than the Apex Vapor. But a bunch of cheap 1-4 LPVO’s does not equate to what this optic offers you. In fact, comparing it to some of the nicer 1-4 LPVO’s like those from Steiner, Trijicon and Leupold would be a better comparison. The Vapor is cheaper than those options, and other than tactical style turrets it has many of the same benefits in a more compact sight.
next to a small LPVO riflescope, the Vapor has a smaller footprint
There are a couple larger 4x and 5x prism sights from companies like Steiner and Burris, but they are fixed power. And depending on the model they might be only slightly cheaper.
Mounting Options
The Apex Vapor is available with a couple different spacers to change the optic height. Additionally you can get it with either a screw clamp foot or a QD foot. One can give you fast optic swap, and one is more compact and less likely to get snagged on your gear. Both of them give a solid interface with the host weapon.
you can choose the Vapor with either a screw-clamp foot or the QD lever foot.
Pros and Cons
Compact Size
Costlier than Most Smaller Prism Sights
Sharp and Clear Image
Very Usable Reticle
QD Foot for Faster Install and Removal
Short 45-Degree 1-4X Throw
Easily Mounted Piggy-back Red Dot
Tethered Caps That Double as Tools
Etched Reticle
the 45-degree mount for a red dot rotates perfectly into place for point-blank shooting
Final Thoughts
I really quite like the Apex Optics Vapor. I’ve been on an LPVO kick for a few years now, and the Vapor’s size is refreshing while still bringing the sighting options. The images seen through the optic are fantastic and clean, and its factory piggy-back red dot options make it easy to pick. And Apex Optics thought through the Vapor, with variable mounting heights and QD mount. If you are considering a high quality 1-4 power sight for your carbine, it certainly is worth taking a look at before making your decision.
If you’ve been in the precision shooting game for a long time, you probably remember the old days when we dreamed about having something as simple as a scope with matching turrets and reticle. I remember wanting to build a custom long-range rifle, and put a true long-range scope on it. Today we are taking a look at a scope that embraces that traditional design. The Mueller Optics 8-32×44 tactical rifle scope with side focus matches what I wished for. Today we are going to see how this scope stacks up against its contemporary challengers.
fresh out of the box
Mueller Optics 8-32×44
This scope is built on a 30mm tube, using a 44mm objective lens. The slightly smaller objective allows closer mounting which some folks see as an advantage. It uses a four power zoom going from 8x all the way up to 32x. One of the key features of this scope is the side focus which believe it or not was not always as popular. We call them side focus, but that also incorporates parallax adjustment in the same feature. This allows the shooter to clarify the target detail while at the same time removing parallax from the view of the target. This is an important feature needing correction when shooting long-range.
Inside the Mueller 8-32 you will find a traditional MIL-dot reticle. The original “tactical” reticle, a MIL-dot reticle uses mil-radian graduations that the marksman can use for measuring distance, target sizes, as well as corrective movements when shooting at long-range.
classic MIL-Dot reticle
The reticle is housed in an erector that uses 1/8 MOA turrets. That is a much finer graduation than what most scopes use today. Moving the reticle 1/8 MOA per click gives a total of 7.5 MOA of travel per rotation of the turret.
Fine knurling of the control surfaces make adjusting the scopes controls easy. And a diopter on the occular housing allows for fine reticle focus to give optimal clarity. The scope comes with a bikini cover, and a three-inch sun shade.
solid turrets and parallax adjustments made the scope easy to use
I had chosen to mount the scope on a CVA Cascade SB 6.5 Creedmoor. Having used the rifle extensively for testing various scopes, and it would be a good host for this one as well. I attached the scope using a set of Vortex 30mm low rings. Even so the scope was a touch higher than I’d of liked for my cheek weld. So I also installed one of my Triad Tactical stock packs. It allows spacers to be added to increase comb height, and the comfortable fabric feels soft against your face.
With eye relief set, and scope leveled I torqued down the screws. With the rifle set firmly on my kitchen table, I removed the bolt and did a quick bore-sight job in preparation of the first range trip. Then I grabbed some ammo and the rest of my gear before heading to the firing line.
big thanks to Wideners Shooting Supply for supplying ammunition for this reviewZeroing the turrets after getting the point of impact rightpicking out varmints with this scope is easyI like the all metal construction, no rubber components here
One of the most popular sighting configurations in use today, is the use of a Micro Prism and magnifier combo. Micro Prism’s are basically a compact scope with a reticle. Commonly they are used in similar situations as red dots, for shorter range firearms. These Micro Prisms give some shooters a more precise aim due to optical alignment issues. Folks with an astigmatism may have trouble defining a red dot aim point, whereas with a prism they can focus much better. The magnifier adds a level of optical magnification for additional precise placement on targets. This configuration is a bit newer to me, but I’ll walk you through my own experience as we test and evaluate the Vector Optics Paragon Micro Prism magnifier combo.
Vector Optics makes a variety of different optical sights, including rifle scopes, red dots, and todays topic; the Paragon Micro Prism and magnifier. There are several different options including 1x, 3x, and 4x micro prisms. And they also make both a 3x and 5x magnifier to put behind the micro prism.
The Paragon Micro Prism uses two push-buttons to power up the reticle. You can power it up or down by holding the front button, while toggling brightness is done using either button. On the left side of the optic there is a battery housing for the CR3023 lithium cell, which makes it easy to change without messing up your zero.
on longer rifles like this 16-inch AR, the 3x magnifier allows shots well into a quarter mile
Zeroing the reticle is done using a windage and elevation adjustment screw on the top and right side of the optic. A small flat screwdriver works great for adjustments. At the rear of the optic you can adjust the diopter for best focus. This optic can be a standalone sight, giving you a simple 1x view of your target area.
Paragon Magnifier
Adding the Paragon 3x Magnifier to the Micro Prism gives you an additional magnified image of the target area. And it does this without interfering with the prism or point of impact. The magnifier comes with a spring loaded mount that allows you to quickly pop it out of the way should you wish to use the simple 1x of the prism sight. And just as quickly snap the 3x back into place should you need a closer look at the target.
simply pushing down on the button at the base of the magnifier allows it to swing 90 degrees out of the way
Vector’s spring-loaded mount has a small button on one side that when pushed, allows the magnifier to swing 90 degrees out of the way. In this position the magnifier is off to the side of your sight rail. Much like the prism, the magnifier is easily mounted on a picatinny rail using a small torx driver.
pushing the spring-loaded button to fold the magnifier out of the way
You might wonder why the magnifier has elevation and windage adjustments when it features not reticle inside. That is to allow you to center the magnifier over the reticle as seen through the prism optic in front of it. It also has an adjustable diopter at the rear to maximize focus and clarity.
Specifications
Specification
Paragon 1×18 MiCRO PRISM
Paragon 3×18 Mini Magnifier
Magnification
1x
3x
Objective Lens Diameter
18 mm
18 mm
Focal Plane
N/A
N/A
Exit Pupil
N/A
6.0 mm (0.24 in)
Eye Relief
95 mm (3.74 in)
67 mm (2.6 in)
Field of View
78.8 ft @ 100 yd (26.3 m @ 100 m)
7.4°
Lens/Optics Coating
Fully Multi-Coated
Fully Multi-Coated
Side Focus
100 yd
N/A
Click Value
1 MOA
N/A
Turret Function
N/A
N/A
Elevation Adjustment Range
>100 MOA
Yes
Windage Adjustment Range
>100 MOA
Yes
Elevation & Windage Adjustment
Separate adjustments
Yes
Diopter Compensation
-2 to +2
-2 to +2
Illumination
Red & Green; 8 Daylight, 2 Night Vision settings
N/A
Battery Type
CR2032 (not included)
N/A
Battery Life
N/A
N/A
Waterproof Rating
IP67
IP67
Fogproof
Nitrogen Filled
Nitrogen Filled
Shockproof
1000 G
1000 G
Housing Material
6061-T6 Aluminum Alloy
6061-T6 Aluminum Alloy
Finish
Black Matte
Black Matte
Mount
Picatinny clamp
Flip-to-Side Quick Release Picatinny Mount
Center Height
N/A
36 mm (1.4 in)
Length
60.6 mm (2.39 in)
70 mm (2.75 in)
Weight
178 g (6.28 oz)
215 g (7.6 oz)
Items Included
User Manual, Cleaning Cloth, Plastic Wrench, Riser Section, etc.
Riser Section, User Manual, Cleaning Cloth, Hex Key, etc.
Host Rifles and Mounting
I have used the Paragon combination on a couple different rifles, both being small frame AR style rifles. The first one is a custom rifle I put together with a 16-inch upper, and the second is the Dark Storm Industries DS-25 MFR. The latter is more of a fighting rifle setup, which tends to be the type of rifle this sight configuration is used for.
Finding the right eye relief is paramount for mounting these optics. Putting them in the right spot that allows you to use either the prism alone, or the prism seen through the magnifier. Once the right eye relief is found, I snugged the two optics down to the pic rail.
Adjusting the reticle in the prism, note similar adjustment screws on magnifier
I was immediately irritated with the misalignment of the reticle as seen through the magnifier. So in no time I adjusted the windage and elevation on the magnifier until the reticle of the prism was centered. I tested the swing-away feature of the magnifier a few times, and then I was ready to hit the range.
Shooting the Paragon Combination
I would end up shooting with the Paragon combo over the course of several range trips on both host rifles. I like the 1x power of the prism alone, it is fantastic for engaging targets that are not particularly far away. The same type of shooting you’d do with a red bot perhaps.
here you can see both the red and green reticle colors looking downrange. As you might imagine, it looks much better than the pictures show here
Engaging targets from 20 to 100-yards was very easily done, and allows the broad field of view. With head up and both eyes open, you can stay very aware of the target area and your own surroundings.
shooting the rifle with the Paragon Prism alone
Snapping the magnifier into position would instantly give you the 3x power to add more precision to your shooting. Picking out targets beyond 100-yards was surprisingly easy, and the 2 MOA center dot of the reticle was still small enough to make some pretty good hits as far away as three to four-hundred yards if you could hold steady enough.
Optical Clarity
Vector Optics’ products have proven to be very good optical quality in my experience. And the Paragon combo was no different. Flaws are a little less obvious on lower power optics, but I wouldn’t be surprised if Vector is manufacturing OE products for other brands you would consider better or higher quality.
Bright images with little aberration were easily focused using the adjustable diopter. The brightness levels of the reticle were suitable for indoors and bright sunny day shooting.
Reliability
I don’t see any reason to doubt the durability of the electronics inside the Paragon Micro Prism. Some might suggest that its foreign manufacture are reason alone to doubt it, and I’m open to that possibility. But other Vector products have stood up for me over the course of years, and continue to work great. So I am perhaps a little more lenient on this topic.
Fasteners and materials used appear to be more than adequate, as does the mechanical hinge mechanism and lock. It really does feel like a nice product, comparable to brands that are considered by some to be much better.
Usability
The push-buttons are low profile, and I expect they are less likely to be damaged when compared to a rotary rheostat knob like comparable optics. Adjusting brightness and color is quite easy using the buttons. And the side mounted battery cover it easy to grip as well.
The low profile adjustment screws are easy to get at with your screwdriver, and wont get caught on anything. And adjusting focus of one or both optics is easily done from the shooting position if needed. Having a circle dot reticle also gives you some dexterity in your aiming.
Value
With a combined MSRP of under $230 I find this combo to be a good value. If you are the kind of shooter who’s life hangs on your sights working, you might feel the need to spend more. But for a typical hobbyist or sport shooter, the Paragon Micro Prism and Magnifier would probably be fine for your purposes.
Vector’s Paragon optics are pretty impressive considering their price. A comparable set from another manufacturer will easily cost double or more. I like the reticle, and its dual color illumination, the fine dot makes a precise aiming point. While the larger circle gives a fast bracket of the target when targets are close and your moving fast. The clear view and easy operation make it a great sight system. The only thing I wish they’d done was make it a compatible footprint with other popular brand optics like Trijicon so that you could use aftermarket systems like those from Unity Tactical.
with magnifier out of the way, the 1x prism is easily accessed
Conclusion
If you are looking for a prism/magnifier combo, I recommend you should at least look at these to see if they meet your purposes. There is a lot of money to be spent on comparable systems, and this might do everything you need for much less.
