atom Archives

Preface

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.

the **Apex Atom red dot** fit perfectly on the 45-degree mount

Mounting Solutions

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.

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.

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.

the host **Quattro-15 rifle** outfitted with the Wolfpack Armory Romulus suppressor

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.

-CBM

Check out other Prism Sights here

Preface

Apex Optics is a relatively new manufacturer in the optics market, with their roots planted firmly in the mountains of Alberta Canada the company has aggressively pursued the firearms market worldwide. I was introduced to Apex Optics with their Rival precision rifle scope, and I’ve been shooting with it for about a year now. Having experienced great performance from their product, I embraced the opportunity to try another. Today I bring you my impression of the Apex Optics Atom red dot, a compact reflex sight.

The Apex Optics Atom

The RMR footprint is a very popular style, and the Atom utilizes this footprint for its universally accepted popularity. Using a battery to power it’s Smart-Light auto adjust reticle for up to 50,000 hours. With a structure made from aluminium, the light and robust Atom is made to last. Incorporating as much technology as possible was done by adding their 7-layer lens coating as well as incorporating motion sensing electronics to power up the unit with any activity.

Whats in the Box

In the box comers the Atom red dot, as well as a picatinny rail mount should you chose to mount it to a carbine or other type of weapon. There also came three different screw sets to help you with options for mounting on different firearms. There also came the typical literature and lens cloth, the manual came with a great deal of information on how to configure, adjust and mount the Atom. And of course it came with a custom tool that helps get the right fit to both mount and adjust the Atom. In addition to whats included, the Atom also has the ability to install a hood (available separately) that encloses the red dot. Protecting it from dirt and debris.

Specifications

Footprint: RMR
Magnification: 1X
Wind/elevation range: 100moa
Eye Relief: Unlimited
Battery Type: CR1632 3V
Reticle: Apex MRX reticle
Shockproof Rating: 1500G
Dimensions: 46x31x26mm
Operating Temp: -30C to +60C
Weight: 31 Grams
Brightness settings: 10 (plus Auto)
Battery life: 50,000 hrs at setting 4

Apex Optics atom red dot installation — Installing the Atom, note battery compartment

Installing the Atom red dot

I decided to install the Atom on my BCA Grizzly, a Glock 17 clone with a slide cut for the RMR footprint. This would make it easy, and using the provided screws and a couple drops of blue Loctite it was done quickly. When mounting red dots I always try and ensure as I bolt them down to the slide that they are as close to lining up with the iron sights as possible. This practice reduces the need to adjust the reticle much after install.

On the Range

Once I’d done that, it was time to head to my shooting spot to test them. With quite a few boxes of Trailforger 9mm ammo, I wanted to have good time while testing this little dot. The first thing I had to decide was how I wanted to configure the reticle. The MRX reticle is a circle dot style reticle, you can select between the 2MOA dot alone, the 34MOA circle alone, or the two features together if you like. I ended up mostly using the circle, its small enough that I would basically just bracket whatever it was I wanted to hit and squeeze the trigger. More precise shooting could be done using the 2MOA dot.

Adjusting the reticle and brightness is all done using the two buttons on the left side of the Atom. As well as set the Smart-Light feature. The lowest two settings are designed for night vision use, which is pretty typical. I also noted that the manual mentioned something I see on most red dots, it is recommended to not use the dot on the highest brightness settings unless it is warranted. The highest brightness settings often cause a glare and whats called “reticle blooming”. Reticle blooming is when the reticle becomes so bright that it looses it definition and makes aiming harder. This affects all red dots in my experience, which I usually use on the lowest setting that is clearly visible while shooting.

A nice look at the generous window of the Atom red dot

The Atom was very nice to shoot with. The brightness was more than enough for midday shooting, and it allowed me to accurately hit my targets. I have recently gotten used to the extra-large window of some other red dots, so it took a minute to get used to the slightly smaller window of the Atom. Once I’d familiarized myself with it though, I really liked the less obtrusive window size. I feel like I’d like to put this on my CCW pistol for confident shooting.

While the lower housing of the Atom was a touch too thick to allow the use of my iron sights, I was still able to use them by using the “look through” method. Basically pretending the obstructed front sight isn’t obstructed 😅. These sights are pretty low profile, so any slightly taller sights would be useable through the Atom red dot.

The significant travel of the reticle mechanism in the Atom is very nice, should you need to make big adjustments to zero. Luckily I didn’t for this purpose, but I was happy to see there was so much adjustment available as other red dots I have only offer a third of the movement range.

Pros and Cons

Lets talk about the pros and cons of the Atom. First of all, keep in mind that I am used to quite a variety of different red dots.

I like the size of the Atom for the RMR footprint, I like that it has a rounded top with fewer corners to snag on things. Despite being smaller than many of my other red dot windows, I still feel like it is big enough to be very useful.

The reticle options is where it really shines, as we all love having options. I like that you can select the various circle or dot options, and the motion activation and auto-brightness are a fantastic options to have.

The fit and finish of the Atom is outstanding. The tight fit of all the parts and fasteners make for a very professional presentation. As do the packaging and included accessories.

If I had to change something on the Atom it would probably be this; I like the reticle options, but I wish there was like a 40, 50, or 60 MOA option as well. I am ready to accept that this is simply my personal preference though. I wish I’d gotten one of the Weather Shield hoods for the optic as well, to see how it works and if it inhibits function at all.

While I have no reason to suspect any failure, I was surprised that the battery compartment is secured only by a friction detent. Part of me wants to think a screw or other mechanical method of securing would be better. But in all my shooting, I cannot think of a scenario where it could be knocked out. So I think its fair to say my concern is misplaced.

Last Words

Much like my previous experience with Apex Optics, the Atom has left me with a great impression. There are so many options out there for red dots these days, so standing out from the crowd is a challenge. I think the Atom offers some great features, there are others that offer similar performance for less, but they don’t stack up as well. And those who’s features exceed these, are priced above and even well beyond what the Atom costs.

While I like my dollars to stay in America, I’d rather send them to Canada than China or some other sweat shop. Especially when there are better options like these made in Japan where there is a higher quality standard. If you find yourself looking at the Apex Optics Atom red dot, I think you will enjoy shooting with it and feel satisfied with your purchase.