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Mueller, mueller optics, tac III, 2.5-10, riflescope, scope, ruger, .22lr, ruger precision rimfire,

Low Power Variability: The Mueller Optics 2.5-10×44 Tac III

Optics, Product review, , , , , ,

Introduction

The Mueller Optics Tac II rifle scope came out to fill a purpose between tactical shooting and everyday hunting. That idea has been revisited now with Mueller’s new 2.5-10×44 Tac III. Today we are taking a look at one of these scopes, to see how it fits into the dual roles. We’ll test the scope on various rifles, and bring you our best informed opinion on it. With that said, lets get into the review of the Mueller Optics 2.5-10×44 Tac III.

Mueller, mueller optics, tac III, 2.5-10, riflescope, scope, ruger, .22lr, ruger precision rimfire,

Mueller optics 2.5-10×44 Tac III

The Tac III riflescope has received so significant upgrades. Starting on the foundation of a 30mm tube, which has become the minimum standard for tactical riflescopes. The larger tube supports a 44mm objective lens, which is a little smaller than many tactical scopes. Perhaps for a lower profile.

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Inside the scope you will find a first focal plane reticle, which means the reticle will change size depending on the magnification setting. This has become a conspicuous trait of tactical scopes, as it allows quicker use of the reticle for measuring downrange details. And using these details for on-the-fly corrections.

The capped turrets can be used for zeroing the scope as well as dialing corrections. They are graduated in 1/4 MOA clicks which are very popular with hunters. The fine scale allows for precise corrections. Mueller uses what they call camera grade lenses, for precise images for accurate engagements.

Specifications

Eye Relief3.25″
Length13.125″
Weight17.6 oz.
Tube Size30mm
ColorMatte Black
LensesFully Multi-Coated
Magnification2.5 – 10 × power
Objective44 mm
F.O.V.36 – 11.4 feet @ 100 yards
IlluminatedAdjustable Brightness
Click Value1/4 M.O.A.
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fresh out of the box!

Out of the Box

After my initial inspection, finding all the included accessories and such. I decide to mount the scope first off on one of my .22lr rifles, as this would allow plenty of inexpensive shooting to test the functions of the scope.

I would mount the Mueller to my Ruger Precision Rimfire rifle, using a ZRO Delta 30mm Cantilever mount. These two went together nicely with a perfect height for the rifle. Once mounted I spent some time looking through the scope to get a feel for it. The initial clarity and sharpness of the scope was nice. And with it mounted properly I was excited to get outdoors and put the scope to work.

Mueller, mueller optics, tac III, 2.5-10, riflescope, scope, ruger, .22lr, ruger precision rimfire,
I mounted the Mueller Tac III on my Ruger RPR using a ZRO Delta cantilever mount

On the Range

With a target setup at 50-yards, I did a quick boresight job on the rifle and scope. And after loading a magazine I fired a few shots to see how close I was. It only took a couple additional adjustments before the little rifle was hitting everything I put the crosshair to. I stretched it out a bit further and I was very impressed with how consistent this combination was. It didn’t take long to figure out corrections for one-hundred, one-fifty and two-hundred yards. There was too much fun to be had. I zeroed the turrets of the Mueller Tac III, to ensure things would stay this predictably fun.

Accuracy

Adjustments of the Mueller Tac III were crisp and consistent. And they matched the values shown on the FFP reticle. The sharpness of the imagery in this scope made for very precise shot placement. I found myself taking tiny white pebbles out of a hillside some 115 yards out. And dialing corrections would make holding dead center an easy option.

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the reticle as seen at 2.5X and 10X (right), seen at maximum illumination in daylight

I am a huge fan of FFP scopes, and the execution on the Mueller Tac III is fantastic. I prefer MRAD over MOA, perhaps someday they’ll produce that option as well.

Tracking the scope across its full sweep of movement showed a smooth return to where it started. Accurate erector movement made the corrections line up with predictions.

mueller optics,

Reliability

So many scopes these days are manufactured in Asia, even though they may have higher quality components from elsewhere. You can’t blame people for being suspicious of product quality coming from such places, though there seems to be a huge improvement recently. So far, I see nothing in the Mueller Tac III that suggests it won’t perform very well. I have drug it all over the hills here, bounced it around on the back of an ATV and it hasn’t lost zero or its great image quality.

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the uncapped turrets of the Mueller Tac III

Quality

Lower magnification optics tend to suffer less from optical aberrations. But adding the FFP option of this scope throws a level of complexity back into its construction. With that said I can say the optical quality of this scope is much nicer than my pictures can show. That said, keep in mind that this scope is priced under $300. For that price I think its quality is at or above its price point.

Value

Looking at similar optics in similar configurations, there isn’t a lot of competition. Mainly its competition comes from low power variable optics (LPVO) that have 24 and 28mm objectives. These aren’t going to have as bright and impressive an image as the Mueller Tac III with its 44mm. And the few options that are also FFP like this one come from other brands mainly unknown and unproven in the US market.

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With an MSRP of $299 this scope is neither Temu trash tier, nor is it unreachable for the masses. It offers a great optical performance and FFP reticle without having to spend a lot of money.

Pros and cons

I like this scope quite a bit, it has handsome good looks which goes a long way. The imagery seen through it is even better though. The sharp details are very nice, making this rifle seem even more accurate. It’s a great match for this 22lr, but would also do very well on a centerfire rifle. I usually prefer dialing turrets over holding over, but with this scope being an FFP I am more likely to use its reticle for holding over instead. Especially since it uses MOA versus my preference of MRAD.

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Docking a few points from the Mueller Tac III results from few things; First off is the illumination. It is challenging to make an LPVO with FFP and great illumination, and the Tac III shows that. In bright daylight, I found the illumination to be okay. If you are running the scope at low power for fast sighting the illumination would be more helpful if it was brighter. It does have off settings between each brightness setting, which is a plus.

I guess this isn’t exactly marketed as a long-range optic, but it does use some features useful in long-range shooting. The 30mm tube is pretty standard for such shooting, and having a reticle designed for hold-over corrections on longer shots would suggest it could be purposed on at minimum a medium range rifle. I’d prefer it had adjustable parallax as that would make it much better for that purpose. But this feature also has to be weighed against price as well, because adding adjustable parallax would increase the cost.

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my Ruger Precision Rimfire rifle shot extremely well with the Mueller Tac III and Anechoic Pipsqueek Suppressor

My conclusion

With medium range carbines becoming ever more popular, scopes in this range have gone up in demand quite a bit. I find the Mueller Tac III to be a significant improvement over the Tac II, but it does find itself in a flooded market full of other great options as well. I found this scope to be a great companion to my 22, and I also think it would do very well on a medium range carbine or hunting rifle. As competition in this market grows, I expect Mueller Optics will continue to adapt their offerings to customers needs and budgets.

-CBM

nutrek optics, silvermark, 1.7-10x40, riflescope,

Reviewing the Nutrek Optics Silvermark ED 1.7-10X40 Riflescope

Optics, Product review, , , , , ,

Foreword

Recently I have felt like a broken record, introducing ever more new and unheard of rifle scopes. But in the interest of both curiosity and a desire to shoot and share, I am here at it again. Today I bring you another fresh review of a previously unknown to me brand and product. Todays scope is from a company called Nutrek Optics, another obvious import from the far east. And the product we are reviewing today is the Nutrek Optics Silvermark ED 1.7-10X40 Riflescope. A low power variable optic (LPVO) with a non-typical 40mm objective. Unless this is your first time reading, you know I am a sucker for LPVO’s, so I wasted no time to see this one.

The Nutrek Optics Silvermark ED 1.7-10X40 Riflescope

Nutrek is a brand from a company called Enjo Sports, and they have quite the spread under their brand. Making everything from red dots to spotting scopes and everything in between. Like most optics manufacturers, Nutrek has several lines and the Silvermark line is where we are starting for now.

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the Nutrek fits nicely on my custom 22, seen here in a KRG Bravo chassis and using an Anechoic suppressor

The Silvermark 1.7-10 is built on a 30mm tube, which has become the new standard. The relatively compact scope has a 40mm objective, which is bigger than most 1-10 LPVO scopes. It looks like the traditional 3-9×40 hunting rifle scope, but hiding inside is a six power zoom.

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the uncapped turrets, very clean and easily read and adjusted, and MRAD for a touch of class

Capped windage and elevation turrets keep them from being inadvertently adjusted. But when caps are removed they are easily finger adjusted 1/10th of MIL per click. There is a parallax adjustment on the left side of the erector housing, and stacked on that is an illuminated reticle rheostat control.

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adjusting the parallax, also note illumination control left

Inside the scope we find the second focal plane reticle, for those wondering that means; the reticle stays the same regardless of magnification setting. If you have more questions about that, go read this when you’re done here. When illuminated, only the very center of the reticle lights up, like a dot. I do like that the reticle has some holdover and windage subtensions you can use for corrections.

the Nutrek’s reticle, note the illuminated center

In the box you’ll find the typical cheesy flip caps to cover the scope lenses, as well as a nice little screw in throw-lever.

Specifications

Nutrek Optics Silvermark ED 1.7-10X40
Magnification Range1.7-10X  (6X)
Tube Diameter30mm
Reticle Focal PlaneSecond Focal Plane
ReticleIlluminated Glass etched
Click Value0.1 MRAD
Field of View73.7 Feet at 100 Yards
Parallax SettingSide Focus Adjustable
Length11-Inches
Weight23.5 Ounces
BatteryCR2023 coin cell

Initial Impressions

As I lifted the scope from the box, it only took a few moments to find out some things I had serious questions about. First of all was the weight, it was impressively heavy for such a small scope. For comparison, I have several large scopes in the 5-25 range that weigh only a few ounces more. That said; I like heavy things, they are usually valuable.

I then turned my attention to the controls, the magnification and parallax were both quite stiff out of the box but quickly became softer after working some lubrication around inside the scope. The illumination knob was also very stiff, so stiff in fact that I had to carefully adjust the brightness trying not to unscrew the battery compartment.

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installing the included throw-lever

These concerns were quickly subdued when I lifted the scope to my eye as I peered down the street. I was quite impressed with how good the image was, even at max power. The scope was very bright and clear, I expect this is because of the ED (low dispersion) lenses. Furthermore, adjusting the parallax for various ranges show great focus and parallax removal. Suddenly I was in a hurry to get this scope mounted and on a range.

Mounting and Shooting the Silvermark 1.7-10

My custom 10/22 currently needs a more permanent scope option, so I figured this would be an easy choice. I mounted the scope using a set of Leupold Open Range 30mm Low rings, which made the scope fit so close you’d swear it was touching the base-rail. Not only did it look sharp but it worked great, I screwed in the throw-lever because I still wished the power ring had less resistance. After torquing it all down, I stuck the battery in the scope, and grabbed some ammo.

On the Firing Line

In just a few shots I had the scope and rifle zeroed, a testament to how accurate this little rifle is. It happened so fast that in no time we were blasting every conspicuous point on the range. In a very short time I had figured out the drop holdovers for a hundred yards and further. For the remainder of the morning we kept the little rifle in action.

nutrek optics, silvermark, 1.7-10x40, riflescope,
this rifles uses an Area 419 ARCA Rail to secure the MDT GRND Bipod

Since then we’ve made several other trips into the mountains giving the little rifle and scope a work out. Both myself and the kids have had a great time smacking little targets one after another.

Optical Performance

My initial impression of the glass quality hasn’t changed, I still quite like the look through this scope. Shooting the rifle in bright sunny afternoons as well as overcast snowy days gave variety in conditions that make me feel pretty good about this scope.

I love 1-10 LPVO’s, and I suppose I use them differently than most people. This is one of the few LPVO’s that actually has adjustable parallax, which is a big deal for long-range shooting. But who does long-range shooting with a 1-10 you ask? Me, I do, right here. And I quite like having the option of removing parallax from an image. This is a surprising feature for a scope like this, and greatly enhances the optical performance at further distances.

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Reliability

I mentioned the controls already, a little stiffer than I’d like. The turrets on the other hand are an absolute joy to function, making easy corrections for zeroing. Both the parallax and mag-ring could use a friction diet in my opinion. And it doesn’t end there, I also seemed to detect a touch of slop in the magnification ring. It feels like the ring turns ever so much before you feel the resistance of the internal zoom. I saw no other flaw as a result, so I suppose no foul inflicted.

I am tempted to mount this scope to a longer range compact rifle. Adding to the recoil impulse will give the scope more of a workout. And using the turrets for corrections at further range will also prove its potential.

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Value

At the time of publishing, these optics are only available ordering directly from the manufacturer. And I have heard the MSRP is $529, though it would surprise me if they actually sell for that price on the street.

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That price point for this scope is a little steep methinks. I like the scope, but I can come up with other imported Asian scopes that offer more for the same price or less. If this scope showed up in US optics retailers for 200-300 dollars from a well-known manufacturer I think it would be a slam dunk. But without any name behind it, I think it might be a hard sell for that price, especially weighing this much. If it was a little lighter I’d for sure have it on one of my hunting rifles to give it a challenge. As it sits, I’ll probably keep searching for the perfect rifle to add it to.

Final Thoughts

nutrek optics, silvermark, 1.7-10x40, riflescope,
shooting the rifle supported on the Two Vets Inverted Tripod

I am not so ignorant to think something is junk just because it comes from China. But I’ve also learned to be skeptical of such things. In the very recent past, I have seen quite a few good products come from overseas. And those things have begun to sway my opinion for the positive. The Nutrek Silvermark scope isn’t perfect, but I still like it more than expected. And depending on what it will cost on the US market it could be a great option for a compact riflescope. With a little refinement, and a diet on both its weight and resistance, this scope would serve many purposes very well. I don’t expect it will be long before I bring you another scope review, but I will continue shooting with this one and update how it goes.

-CBM

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Vortex Optics, Razor HD, Gen 3, gen III, 1-10x24, ffp, lpvo, zro delta,

Vortex Razor HD Gen III 1-10

Optics, Product review, , , , , ,

Introduction

When I first saw the Vortex Razor HD Gen III 1-10, it was in that sexy marketing video you probably saw too. If I remember right, it was mounted on a precision carbine, kind of like a DMR rifle. Thus was born a quest for a perfect little DMR rifle wearing the 1-10 LPVO for a sight. This scope has moved down a chair as the new AMG 1-10 LPVO has recently been released. I’ll get to that one as soon as I can, but for today lets take a look at the Gen 3 version.

The Vortex Razor HD Gen III 1-10

host rifle the Desert Tech WLVRN, under that Cole-TAC Python cover is a YHM Fat Cat suppressor

Part of the allure for me of the Vortex Razor HD Gen III 1-10 is that its not just a low power variable optic (LPVO). With a maximum power of 10X, this scope can be used for reasonably distant engagements. Shooting even out to a kilometer can be done well with 10X. So having a medium carbine rifle that can engage targets at fifty-yards and as far as a thousand sounds enticing.

The Razor’s 34mm tube gives it a great deal of internal movement as well, making corrective travel of the erector pretty broad. The turrets are capped, but are easily adjusted should you wish to dial corrections for distant shots.

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Illumination on the reticle is solely on the circle around the center. This translates to a bright red dot when the scope is at 1X, as much of the reticle detail is to fine to see at that power. But when the scope is zoomed into 10X, there is a great deal of reticle detail. This allows you to use holdover and wind corrections should you wish.

Aside from the scope itself, the Razor comes with a sunshade, battery, tools and manuals. All in a very nice package. Also, this scope came with Vortex’s Switchview throw lever.

Specifications

Magnification1-10x
Objective Lens Diameter24 mm
Focal PlaneFirst Focal Plane
ReticleEBR-9 BDC (MOA)
Eye Relief3.6″
Field of View116.0′ – 11.7′ @100 yds
Turret StyleCapped
Tube Size34mm
Adjustment Graduation1/4 MOA
Travel Per Rotation25 MOA
Max Elevation Adjustment120 MOA
Max Windage Adjustment120 MOA
Parallax Setting150 yds.
Length10.1″
Weight21.5 oz
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Mounting The Razor

I used a Zro Delta cantilever 34mm mount to install the Razor HD on top of my Desert Tech WLVRN. This allowed perfect eye relief and use of the picatinny sight rail on the receiver. Setting the throw-lever to the right spot was helpful to avoid it colliding with anything on the rifle.

After torquing everything down, opened up the rifle so I could do a little boresight job on it. This was quick and dirty as I knew I could easily correct it at the range.

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On the Range

I’ve shot quite a bit with my WLVRN, so once I got the Razor zeroed it was a simple matter of seeing how everything else matched up. I zeroed the scope at 100-hundred yards on 10X, before shooting a couple groups to confirm.

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I love throw-levers on LPVO’s

A couple of my first immediate notations were how clean the image was through this scope. The optical clarity is fantastic, adding some definition to everything I looked at. The Switchview throw-lever was incredibly handy, dare I say a must have. I wish I had it on the 1-6 Razor I recently reviewed. I spent quite a bit of time changing magnification between different targets.

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We also did a little bit of long-range shooting out in the desert, I say long-range but it was only with 5.56 55-grain ammo so really I wasn’t shooting much past four or five-hundred yards. It was certainly enough that I needed to make corrections and for that the Razor’s turrets were incredibly handy. I did notice though how much I would have preferred adjustable parallax.

Switching Host Rifles

The Razor HD might be a little much scope for a 22, but I don’t care. I figured it would give additional opportunity and perspective to shoot with the scope. So I mounted it to a Desert Tech Trek 22 rifle, a bullpup clone of the Ruger 10/22 outfitted with an Anechoic Anechox 22 suppressor.

Vortex Optics, Razor HD, Gen 3, gen III, 1-10x24, ffp, lpvo,
for a change, I also mounted the razor to a Desert Tech Trek 22 (a 10/22 clone) seen here with an Anechox 22 can

The rimfire routine gave much opportunity to use the scope at closer distances obviously. The sharp imagery of the Razor HD made picking apart targets quite fun, and the detail of the reticle came in handy for holding corrections at distances you normally wouldn’t.

I found that with the illumination on at 1X the scope was essentially like a red dot. With only the center circle illuminated at 1X the rest of the reticle is practically invisible. But when you zoom into the higher magnification all those details of the EBR-9 reticle become sharp and handy.

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Here you can see the EBR-9 reticle at around 5X and 10X, you can even see Delta Airlines in the background. DISCLAIMER: images through the scope almost always look better than the camera can show.

Optical Performance

I already mentioned the optics on this scope are great. Even as the daylight wain, I was surprised how good the picture was through this scope. The larger lenses and 34mm tube surely have something to do with good light transmission. This came as no surprise really, as Vortex Razors are well known for their quality glass and robust durability. People far harder on them than I and they are still kicking.

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Usability

There is very little to mark against this scope when it comes to useability. In fact there is only one thing I would change, and that is adjustable parallax. Maybe I’m the only one who likes engaging far targets with LPVO’s, but it feels like a crime for this scope to not have adjustable parallax. I felt like I could easily engage targets at some pretty significant distances, I even did. But I really like the ability to refine the focus and parallax at those distances.
Other than that, the controls on the Gen III Razor HD are fantastic. The perfect amount of resistance on the control surfaces and the throw lever was the icing on the cake. I like the locking illumination control, preventing unwanted shifting of the knob. And the turrets are of course both classy and compact.

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Value

The MSRP for this scope is not for the faint of heart, coming in at $4000.00. Luckily Vortex’s exorbitant prices are greatly tempered by retailers. It can be had at places like Optics Planet for $2190 which is much more reasonable. Which is within a hundred bucks of other great options like the Eotech Vudu 1-10. Obviously how much you want to pay depends on you and your budget, but you often get what you pay for in the optics market.

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both the turrets and illumination control are very precise and high quality

Closing Thoughts

As I expected, the Vortex Optics Razor HD Gen III is a 1-10 that I could run indefinitely. It has outstanding clarity and definition, a great history of robust service, and service from a company that cares for its customers. Little things like an included sunshade are also very nice. All in all the features on this scope make for an excellent weapon sight for anyone looking to to be accurate from close to medium ranges. It would be a great scope for an accurized carbine, or what all the kids call a DMR or RECCE rifle. It fits right into my collection of excellent LPVO options, maybe it will fit into yours?

-CBM

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Vortex Optics Razor HD Gen II 1-6 LPVO

Optics, Product review, , , , , ,

Introduction

If you’ve followed me for very long, you know I have a soft spot for low power variable optics (LPVO). I use them quite a bit, and have dug deep into the subject many times. Part of the allure for me with great LPVO’s is the ability for rapid close engagement with carbine sized rifles. Without giving up the accuracy these same guns can use at greater distances. So, as I continue my quest to play with all the good LPVO’s out there, I bring you today’s subject; the Vortex Optics Razor HD Gen II 1-6 riflescope.

The Vortex Razor HD Gen II 1-6

Unless you’ve been hiding under a rock for the last few decades, you know who Vortex Optics is. The company has become a dominant force in the optics industry, well known for excellent customer service and listening to what shooters want. I guess its fair to say Vortex offers a lot of inexpensive products as well (like I said, they listen to their customers). But in my experience the higher end products like the Razor line are fantastic professional grade optics. So it was with anticipation that I opened the box of the Vortex Razor HD Gen II 1-6.

vortex optics, razor, 1-6x24, lpvo, riflescope,

As is typical with Vortex products, the scope came in nice packaging and included the typical stickers, manual and tools. Because I had it handy, I decide to mount the scope in a 34mm Primary Arms cantilever scope mount for testing. This would allow proper eye relief on a variety of host rifles.

Specifications

Magnification1-6x
Objective Lens Diameter24 mm
Focal PlaneSecond Focal Plane
ReticleVMR-2 (MRAD)
Eye Relief4.0″
Field of View115.2′ – 20.5′ @ 100 yds
Turret StyleCapped
Tube Size30mm
Adjustment Graduation.2 MRAD
Travel Per Rotation20 MRAD
Max Elevation Adjustment43 MRAD
Max Windage Adjustment43 MRAD
Parallax Setting100 yds.
Length10.1″
Weight21.5 oz

My initial handling of the scope was quick. It wasn’t as heavy as I’d expected, like other Razors I’d handled before. The finish and textures were perfect, so I lifted it to my eye to get that first look. As I expected, the Razor has an immaculate image. Sharp detail and contrast is what makes these Razor HD scopes so desirable.

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Controls

A cursory investigation of the controls felt good, the power ring being easy to adjust quickly between one and six-power. I was slightly surprised that Vortex hadn’t incorporated a throw lever attachment, but they do offer an attachable Switchview throw -lever you can add. The illumination control is also a little fancier than others. The rheostat knob must be pulled out slightly to allow it to turn and ignite the reticle inside. Pulling the knob out also exposes the white background of numeration labels for various power settings.

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The 20 MRAD turrets certainly give plenty of travel should you choose to use them such. Inside the scope, the second focal plane VMR-2 reticle gives some fairly course MRAD subtensions. This is fine in my opinion as it gives you all you’ll likely need for the effective range of a carbine. Whole MRAD marks are shown with only the very center of the reticle illuminated, and the marks are accurate when used at the full six-power.

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as always, images through the scope are far better than pictures can show

Shooting with the Vortex Razor HD Gen II 1-6

For testing purposes, I used the Razor HD on two different carbines. The first one is my OG Desert Tech MDRX chambered in 308 Winchester, and the other is an AR15 I put together using various parts (read about that here). The Razor made an excellent scope choice for both of these rifles, as they are both accurate enough to take advantage of the scopes range. Shooting these two rifles both on and off the range would give a good feel for how well the Razor HD is for engaging different targets.

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It was quick to zero the Razor HD using the turrets for a perfect zero at about 75 yards. From there we switched it up, shooting various different targets at differing ranges.

Optical Clarity

As I mentioned, the Razor HD lenses offer a fantastic viewing experience. Both in the open country of the mountains and on the range I found the image to be above average quality. At 1X the Razor gave a broad field of view, making it very fast for moving between close targets. And zoomed in to 6X it gave more than adequate presentation for making sharp shots at distances well beyond six-hundred yards.

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my Quattro-15 AR with the Razor and Huxwrx Flow 5.56

The parallax adjustment allowed excellent focus of the reticle against targets, leaving me with a sharp holdover for distance. And the bright dot in the center was fantastic for use like a red dot at low power.

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A quick barrel swap made the rifle a 20-inch .223 fitted with a YHM Turbo suppressor

Mechanical Function

I definitely need to get the throw lever for this scope, as I want something to grab onto to switch magnification. I do like the level of resistance on the mag-ring, it is frustrating when they are too stiff to turn quickly. The locking function of the illumination is great to prevent accidental rotation of the knob. Nothing worse than turning on your reticle only to find a dead battery. It’s also easy to keep it in the off-position between two brightness settings so you don’t have to search for the one you want.

Vortex optics, razor HD, 1-6, vortex razor, illumination, illuminated reticle, desert tech, MDRX, WLVRN,

The turrets on the Razor HD are capped which makes it easy to not worry about them while maneuvering. Underneath the caps the low-profile turrets are easy to turn with just fingers, and their audible click of .2 MRAD can be both felt and heard. I am used to .1 MRAD clicks, but for a scope like this I get why they went with .2. The courser scale is fast to make adjustments, and scopes like this are less likely to be used in a precision shooting scenario. Where a 1/4 of an inch on target one way or another is not a big deal.

Durability

Vortex Razors have a pretty good history of standing up to abuse, much more abuse in fact than I like to give. I love packing my guns all over these mountains, where the worst abuse they usually get is lots of turret twisting. But a scope like this one I am far less likely to adjust the turrets often. Far more likely it will get slung and rubbed against a pack while hiking, maybe smacked on a rock in a hasty pursuit. I have every confidence this scope is prepared for far harsher abuse than what myself or typical gun owners will sustain. And the famous warranty that Vortex owners love to to tout, is always there for you. A warranty that likely had a large influence on the entire industry to follow.

Vortex optics, razor HD, 1-6, vortex razor, illumination, illuminated reticle, desert tech, MDRX, WLVRN,

Pros and Cons

As long as you have the understanding of the scope’s application, I don’t think theres anything wrong with this scope. Or at least anything you can knit-pick on it. I like FFP scopes, but I totally get why this one isn’t, and it works just the way it is.

It has an excellent optical quality, robust construction with great features. There is very little about this scope I would change but for personal preferences and reticle details. All these features do come at some cost however, as none of the Razors come cheap. With a current street price around $1300, the Razor is roughly double many other good LPVO options. I only bring this up because I have several other 1-6 scopes that I quite like that are significantly less.

Vortex optics, razor HD, 1-6, vortex razor, illumination, illuminated reticle, desert tech, MDRX, WLVRN, Huxwrx, flow 7.62,
My Desert Tech MDRX with the Razor and the Huxwrx Flow 7.62 suppressor

Final Verdict

I have never picked up a Vortex Razor and thought “this won’t do”. On the contrary I feel like every Vortex Razor I’ve ever used has been great, and at best all I could complain about was a reticle option or cursed MOA turrets or something like that. The Vortex Razor HD 1-6 is another great option for those looking for a quality LPVO. If you are considering dropping some serious money on an LPVO, make sure to at least look at one of these.

-CBM

Check out more LPVO reviews here

gideon optics, guardian, 1-6x24, lpvo, low power variable optic, riflescope, scope,

Looking Through the Gideon Optics Guardian 1-6X24 LPVO

Optics, Product review, , , ,

Preface

Gideon Optics draws its name from the the historical character in the bible. Leading the charge with affordable sighting options seems to be the mission for them, and today we are looking at another product from the manufacturer; the Gideon Optics Guardian 1-6X24 rifle scope. The Guardian is a low power variable optic (LPVO) which has become a very popular choice for carbine and short-range rifles. I’ve been a bit of a fan since I got my first LPVO, so as my collection grows with the Guardian 1-6 it already had a variety of competitors for comparison. In today’s review we are going to evaluate the Guardian 1-6 as it compares to other similar LPVO’s, and see if Gideons value makes it worth your consideration.

gideon optics, guardian, 1-6x24, lpvo, low power variable optic, riflescope, scope, ar15, carbine,

Gideon Optics Guardian 1-6

Gideon’s 1-6 LPVO joins a family of scopes including their 1-10 Guardian that uses a 34mm tube and exposed turrets. There are both FFP and SFP options in the 1-8 sized Guardian, so the 1-6 is in good company for sure.

gideon optics, guardian, 1-6x24, lpvo, low power variable optic, riflescope, scope,
My Athlon Rangecraft Chronograph is always handy to have, you can read more about it here

Built on a 30mm tube, the Guardian 1-6 has a 24mm objective. The reticle is placed in the second focal plane, and has a very sharp red or green illuminated dot at the center of its reticle. Its controlled by a variable rheostat on the left-side of the turret housing. Additionally the reticle features a couple different hold points for either measuring or corrections. The low-profile capped turrets are .25 MOA per click, and reticle subtensions are in MOA as well.

The Guardian comes with a removable throw-lever installed to make quick changes in magnification. It can be purchased together with a Gideon scope mount for a discounted price as you’ll see here. As is typical in the optics market, the Guardian comes with a set of flip-caps, battery, and tools for zeroing.

Specifications

  • Magnification: 1-6x
  • Objective Lens Diameter: 24 mm
  • Main Tube Size: 30 mm
  • Turrets: Capped
  • Click Value: 0.25 MOA per click
  • Parallax Free: At 100 yards
  • Illumination Brightness Setting: 12 levels
  • Illuminated Dot Size: 0.6 MOA
  • Power Supply: 1x CR2032 3V Lithium battery
  • Shockproof: 1000G
  • Waterproof: IPX7
  • Elevation/Windage adjustment range: +/- 70 MOA (Total 140 MOA)
  • Field of View: 125.0 ft – 20.0 ft
  • Eye Relief: 3.9 in
  • Exit Pupil: 9.1- 3.5 mm
  • Weight: 19.4 oz (approx.)

Mounting and Zero

I mounted the Guardian using the Gideon 30mm cantilever mount, which of course was a perfect fit for my AR15 rifle. ThenI leveled the scope and torqued everything down before I boresighted it. I did this using my traditional method, looking down the bore of the secured rifle, and adjusting the reticle to coincide with the boreline. After adding a suppressor to the rifle, I was ready to head to the range.

Shooting with the Guardian

My first trip was to a public range, where I typically don’t go. But this was an opportunity to do some good testing of the scope on paper. But before I even fired a shot, I spent a good deal of time simply looking through the scope, and getting a feel for it. I was quite happy with the optical presentation of the Guardian 1-6, at all magnifications it looked very bright and clean. I didn’t notice any significant blurring around the edges or other aberrations. And the bright illumination of the dot stood out with great contrast against the downrange view.

gideon optics, guardian, 1-6x24, lpvo, low power variable optic, riflescope, scope, reticle, illumination,
It’s hard to get a perfect picture through a scope, but it does look better than these pictures portray

I removed the caps of the turrets in preparation for some adjustments, and fired a few shots. It took very little adjustment to get on target, this rifle typically shoots around 1 MOA patterns. And with a zero confirmed at one-hundred yards, we went to shooting. With distances as far as two-hundred yards on the range, it was simple and fun to engage small targets holding over with the Guardian reticle.

gideon optics, guardian, 1-6x24, lpvo, low power variable optic, riflescope, scope,

Later the rifle would come along with us on various trips into the open country of the wintery Rocky Mountains. For fun we typically set up a variety of shooting drills and transitions, this allows plenty of opportunity to shoulder the rifle and adjust the scope. We did shoot as far as four-hundred yards using the Guardian 1-6, holding over the targets using the reticle. Most of it was done using 55-grain ball ammo.

Optical Quality

The Guardian 1-6 had great transmission of the target image, with sharp detail. I am a big fan of adjustable parallax scopes, but I understand that it doesn’t always make sense for scopes in this power and price range. And that said, I found the fixed parallax of the Guardian to be perfectly serviceable. Picking out things as small as tiny birds on the hillside 200 yards away was easily done, even allowing identification of them. Using this scope for sport shooting inside the effective range of a 5.56 carbine would make target acquiring and engaging very doable.

gideon optics, guardian, 1-6x24, lpvo, low power variable optic, riflescope, scope,
my Quattro 15 rifle is supported by a Precision Rifle Solutions tripod

Controls

The controls of the 1-6 Guardian are simple and effective. The resistance on the magnification ring is just right. I don’t like it when they are too easy or hard to turn. And only the ring turns, not the whole eyepiece.

gideon optics, guardian, 1-6x24, lpvo, low power variable optic, riflescope, scope,

Illuminating the center dot is done by turning the left-side turret. There is an “off” setting between each of the 12 brightness settings allowing you to keep it close to ready but not powered up.

gideon optics, guardian, 1-6x24, lpvo, low power variable optic, riflescope, scope, turret, brightness,

Value

Optical quality is very subjective, as my eyes age I seem to notice a little more between glass qualities. I have several other 1-6 LPVO’s that I have used quite a bit over the years, and so far I feel like the Guardian 1-6 stands up to the same useability as my others. Sure there might be some in my collection with an optical quality higher than the Guardian. But it usually comes down to the users choice.

For the price of $299 I think the Guardian is an easy choice for those looking for a good LPVO for their carbine. Any of the big names in optics are going to cost you more for a comparable scope, and lower cost will only come from other bargain brands. Gideon’s warranty mirrors what has become the standard in the optics industry, with a lifetime warranty against defects. So you can count on their products being there when you need them.

gideon optics, guardian, 1-6x24, lpvo, low power variable optic, riflescope, scope, ar15, carbine, yhm , yankee hill machine, fat cat, suppressor, cole tac, python, quattro-15,
this rifle is perfected with the YHM Fat Cat Suppressor, and a Cole-TAC Python suppressor cover

Pros and Cons

I really like the optical quality of this scope, it has a forgiving eye-box, and I found it easy to focus for clear reticle definition and target clarity. The textures of the controls surfaces are not too flashy and they work perfectly. Capping the turrets was a good choice for a scope like this, as I don’t anticipate doing much dialing. I’ll throw in an honorable mention for Gideon’s cantilever scope mount, the four bolt caps are just right for properly clamping down your scope, and the foot makes excellent contact with your picatinny rail. I especially grateful they didn’t put the cheap protruding nut fasteners on the foot, which alway get hung-up in things.

gideon optics, scope mount, scope rings, cantilever, mount,
Gideons Guardian Mount was a perfect fit

The only things I would like to add to this scope would also drive it’s cost way up. And that would kind of defeat the purpose of an affordable 1-6. But I’d love to see an option with MRAD exposed turrets, and adjustable parallax. But those are features probably better suited for the 1-8 or 1-10.

gideon optics, guardian, 1-6x24, lpvo, low power variable optic, riflescope, scope, ar15, carbine,

Last Thoughts

Having used various Gideon Optics products over the last few years, I feel pretty confident that they will be around for a while. And providing additional options for those looking for quality sighting products. The Gideon Guardian 1-6 is a great choice for a short to medium range rifle like the one I used here. The variable power gives the shooter dexterity in aiming options. Whether you are after a fast shooting sport rifle optic, or something for defensive situations, the Gideon Guardian 1-6 gives a great value and performance.

-CBM

gideon optics, guardian, 1-6x24, lpvo, low power variable optic, riflescope, scope, ar15, carbine, yhm , yankee hill machine, fat cat, suppressor, cole tac, python, quattro-15,

US Optics SXR 1-6 LPVO

Uncategorized, , , , , ,

Introduction

I have grown quite fond of low power variable optics (LPVO’s), and they have worked their way into my gun collection nicely. Today I am taking a fresh look at a relatively new LPVO from US Optics, it’s called the US Optics SXR 1-6. I have had several US Optics LPVO’s over the years and have been very happy with them, you can read about the TS Series of LPVO’s here. But today its more about the new stuff, and the newest line of scopes from US Optics is the X-Series of scopes. The SXR 1-6 is the smallest member of that family, but does this scope punch above its weight?

fresh out of the box

US Optics SXR 1-6

Upon inspecting the US Optics SXR I was very pleased with its presentation. The scope is available in either a second focal plane option or a first focal plane. The option we are testing today is the FFP version, with the SRM MRAD reticle. I like this version a little more than the other alternative as I’m not a big horseshoe reticle kinda guy.

US Optics, SXR, 1-6, lpvo, USO, low power variable optic, desert tech, WLVRN
the SXR made a perfect companion optics to my 20″ 5.56 Desert Tech WLVRN

The first thing to stand out to me was the robust 34mm tube which is bigger than most LPVO’s. Typically I prefer 34mm tubed scopes, but for LPVO’s I am still deciding if I prefer them over 30mm. The larger 28mm objective lens certainly does offer more collection of imagery.

With capped turrets you can use the reticle of the SXR to hold over for any distant shooting. Though the turrets do appear to be quite useful uncapped as well. The finger adjustable turrets are 1/10 MRAD per click, and have a total of 10 MRAD per rotation. This is great on many scopes, so I found it particularly welcome on this little scope.

US Optics, SXR, 1-6, lpvo, USO, low power variable optic,
If you like the Desert Tech WLVRN, you can read more about it here

Adjusting the power magnification is done at the rear, I was glad that US Optics had incorporated a removeable throw lever to the magnification ring as well. This makes it easy to blindly grab for and adjust your scope in a quick shooting scenario.

Specifications

Magnification:1-6X
Focal Plane:First Focal Plane (BDR5556, SRM) | SFP (SFP MIL)
Eye Relief:3.5 in
FOV @ 1x:119.16ft @ 100y
FOV @ 6X:19.86ft @ 100y
Parallax:Fixed @ 100y
Illumination:Red
Tube Size:34 MM
Objective Diameter:28 MM
Ocular Diameter:39.92 MM
Elevation Adjustments:1/10 MIL
Windage Adjustments:1/10 MIL
Length:11.835”
Weight:22.265 oz

For mounting the SXR to a rifle, I used the ZRO Delta 34mm cantilever mount. This would make it easy to mount on most rifles with the proper amount of eye relief. The first rifle I would mount the scope to would be my Desert Tech WLVRN chambered in .223. It was a great companion for this rifle, as it does very well at short and medium ranges.

US Optics, SXR, 1-6, lpvo, USO, low power variable optic, ar15, ar

On the Range

My first trip to the range was to zero the SXR on my WLVRN. I zeroed the rifle at 100 yards, which was quite easy using the finger adjustable turrets. After confirming a good zero, I set to zeroing the turret. This was easily done using a coin to loosen the turret cap, then setting the turret to zero and reinstalling the cap.

US Optics, SXR, 1-6, lpvo, USO, low power variable optic, turret,
resetting the turret to zero after pairing with the rifle

After zeroing the scope, I did some additional shooting at both 100 and 200 yards using the reticle to hold over. I found the reticle to be perfectly serviceable for precise shooting within the limits of the six power magnification. And at lower magnification particularly with the reticle illuminated it gave a great field of view. Bracketing targets in red made shooting fast up close.

US Optics, SXR, 1-6, lpvo, USO, low power variable optic, desert tech, WLVRN
the WLVRN shot very well with the SXR and YHM Turbo T3 suppressor

Quality

This is the highest quality US Optics LPVO I’ve used, at least recently, it reminds me of the old SN and SR scopes they made. The optics are top notch, giving and incredibly clear picture at all power settings. The sharp reticle is great for hold overs, and isn’t overbearing for a short range optic.
The Turrets are also fantastic, whether you choose to run them exposed or cap them. They feel very tactile, and you can hear each click. they are also low profile to keep them from snagging on everything.

Durability

While I believe durability is best tested over the course of a year or so, I feel this scope is very robust in structure. And based on my experience with other similar scopes from US Optics, I expect it will stand up to my typical routine. Switching the scope from rifle to rifle, and mount to mount. Be sure to follow along, as I will update this article in the future with additional feedback on durability.

US Optics, SXR, 1-6, lpvo, USO, low power variable optic, ar15, banish speed k
the SXR mounted to an AR with a Banish Speed K suppressor

Value

In a market flooded with LPVO scopes, it might be hard to stand out. The under $500 market is packed, and there are plenty of good options. The $500-$1000 market is a little more competitive, and the SXR is on the lower end of that spectrum.

The US Optics SXR 1-6 is in good company, comparing to other brands like Eotech and Trijicon. And available for less depending on where you buy it, of course if you use my %15 promo code shown here you can get the best price.

us optics

My Summation

Having spent some time shooting with the SXR scope, I have become quite a fan. It is a big step up over previous LPVO’s in the TS line from US Optics, and it gives users a high quality product for a good price. The large lenses give fantastic clarity and high definition of targets and their surroundings. The overbuilt turrets are great for dialing if you choose to use them so. The SXR SRM reticle is a great dual-use reticle, it can be used for fast target bracketing up close or for more precise work. Using its graduations allows you to make accurate holdovers and corrections should you use the scope for precision shooting.

US Optics, SXR, 1-6, lpvo, USO, low power variable optic, ar15, banish speed k
I also used the SXR on a pieced together AR seen here

I am a big fan of 34mm tubes, especially on precision optics. It makes sense that for some folks the 34mm tube may be a bit much, and adds both bulk and weight. But so far it hasn’t bothered me at all.

US Optics, SXR, 1-6, lpvo, USO, low power variable optic, desert tech, WLVRN

Little add-ons like the built-in throw lever and the easy to adjust turrets add more value and usability to the scope. It may be a step up in cost, but I think the scope punches above its weight. And it compares well to scopes that cost more. I would love to see another variant of the SXR in a 1-10 with adjustable parallax.

-CBM

Vector optics, continental 2-12x44, riflescope, desert tech, quattro 15, aero precision, quadmag 53, yankee hill machine, fat cat, suppressor

Vector Optics Continental 2-12X44

Optics, Product review, , , , ,

Preface

You may have seen my past reviews of other Vector Optics, but today we are diving into another one. This time we are looking at the Vector Optics Continental 2-12X44 riflescope, I think this one fits into a very niche purpose. Its almost a low power variable optic (LPVO) by some standards, and yet it shares some of the long-range features of the other Continental scopes. But will this medium power scope fit into one purpose or the other? Let’s find out together.

Vector optics, continental 2-12x44, riflescope, turret, bergara, premier canyon,
almost an LPVO? check out more on that subject here

Vector Optics Continental 2-12

Lets get one thing out of the way, foreign made optics have taken up a massive share of the market. A huge number of them are coming from China, Japan and the Philippines. Whether we like it or not that is the way things are going, and since it’s spoiled us for choice there is a positive side. Vector Optics are made in China, and I’ve mentioned before that these Continental scopes have made a strong case for changing our perception of what made in China means.

Vector optics, continental 1-12x44, riflescope, desert tech, quattro 15, aero precision, quadmag 53,

The 2-12 is built on a 34mm maintube. Most scopes in these lower power ranges use a 30mm tube or perhaps even the smaller 1-inch tube. This scope like the other Vector’s I’ve tried is a first focal plane design, which means the reticle changes size with the power magnification.

The reticle is moved inside the large erector housing using the exposed turrets. Both turrets have a push/pull locking feature to prevent unwanted movement. And both are graduated in MRAD with 1/10 MRAD clicks and a total of ten MRAD per rotation.

Vector optics, continental 2-12x44, riflescope, turret,
note rotation indicator pin elevated on top of the turret. On the 1st rotation it pops up red, and on the second rotation it exposes the silver under the red.

The adjustable parallax is another nice feature, and one that is paramount for shooting long-range (you can read about why HERE). Additionally, there is illumination for the reticle which is stacked on top of the parallax adjustment knob. This makes the milling reticle even more useful in scenarios where light might not be adequate.

Specifications

Magnification2-12x
Objective Lens Dia44 mm
Focal PlaneFirst Focal Plane
Eye Relief100 mm / 4.0 in
Lens CoatingFully Multi-coated
Linear Field of View @ 100 yd62.4 – 10.8 ft @ 100 yards
Linear Field of View @ 100 m20.8-3.6 m @ 100 meters
Angular Field of View11.92 – 2.06 °
ReticleVET-CTR 2 Etched Glass
Tube Dia34 mm
Side Focus10 yards to Infinity
Click Value1/10 MIL
Turret FunctionZero Stop, Turret Lock
Elevation Adjustment Range≥63 MIL
Windage Adjustment Range≥30 MIL
Diopter Compensation-2 to +2
Illumination Setting11 Gears, On/Off Switch
Battery TypeCR2032
WaterproofIP67
FogproofNitrogen Filled
Shockproof1000 G
Housing Material6061-T6 Aluminum Alloy
FinishMatte Black
Length317 mm / 12.5 in
Weight767 g / 27.1 oz
Items in the PackageUser Manual, Cleaning Cloth, Plastic Wrench, Lens Caps, Spare Elevation Turret, sunshade, scope rings

Unboxing the Continental 2-12

Unfortunately, my package was mistreated during delivery which resulted in some damage to the box. But after close inspection the packaging was very good at protecting the scope and its accessories inside.

plenty of added accessories included

Inside the box, there is the scope, a sunshade, a set of 34mm rings, an extra elevation turret (for use without zero-stop). As well as the owners manual, lens cloth, a tool for adjusting the turret, and a battery. It was a very nice package before it was damaged.

Mounting Solution

I really appreciate the included rings with these Continental scopes. Often when rings are included they look so cheap you don’t dare use them. These ones on the other hand look very adequate for a scope like this.

Vector optics, continental 2-12x44, riflescope, rings,
the included rings from Vector Optics

Even so, I chose to use a different mounting solution for my initial purposes. I grabbed a Zro Delta cantilever 34mm scope mount, it would allow proper mounting and eye relief on different rifles. The strong oversized screws give robust even clamping.

Vector optics, continental 1-12x44, riflescope, desert tech, quattro 15, aero precision, quadmag 53,

With the scope mounted in the Zro Delta mount, I attached it to the picatinny rail of my rifle. This rifle is a hybrid made from an Aero Precision upper and a Desert Tech Quattro 15 lower. After which I did a quick boresight job to get it on paper at one hundred yards.

Shooting with the Vector Continental 2-12

My first outing with the Continental 2-12 was to a rifle range. With a target hung at one hundred yards, I fired a few shots to see where they impacted. With the rifle resting securely on sandbags, I measured the distance from my point of aim to the impacts using the reticle. And dialed the correction with the turrets before firing another shot. That shot landed right where I expected it to, and drew smug chuckle out of me.

Vector optics, continental 2-12x44, riflescope, desert tech, quattro 15, aero precision, quadmag 53, yankee hill machine, fat cat, suppressor

Using the scope at 12X I fired a few groups at the 100 yard target. I was quite pleased with how sharp and clean the image was, and at that high power setting the outer ring of the reticle is not visible. Leaving only the center part of the reticle with all its details.

Round Two

For a little more long-range testing, I chose to mount the Continental 2-12 on the Bergara Premier Canyon 308 Winchester. For that I did use the rings that came with the scope, and mounted it to the pinned picatinny rail of the Bergara.

Vector optics, continental 2-12x44, riflescope, turret, bergara, premier canyon, tripod
shooting the Bergara Premier Canyon rifle with the Banish Backcountry suppressor

I’d take the rifle into the mountains to see how the combination would perform in more open country. I really liked this setup to be honest, it made an excellent lightweight hunting rifle. The accuracy of the Bergara paired with the sharp images of the Vector made for fast and sharp shooting.

The wide angle of view at low power was excellent. If I had to take a quick shot at a running animal up close, it was ideal. And being able to zoom the scope into 12X made making precise shots very doable. I did find that most of the time I was shooting, I rarely took it below 5-6 power. Mainly because in this open country everything is far away.

Vector optics, continental 2-12x44, riflescope, turret, FFP, reticle
The VET-CTR 2 reticle seen at 12X left, and 2X right. When illuminated the outer ring and center most ring are lit.
Vector optics, continental 2-12x44, riflescope, turret, FFP, reticle, illumination,
illumination setting 9 out of 11 as seen at 5X

Zero Stop

Vector optics, continental 2-12x44, riflescope, turret,

Setting the zero-stop requires use of the turret with the red pin. Once the rifle is zeroed, you can remove the elevation turret using the plastic included tool. Underneath the turret, you rotate the inner ring of the turret clockwise until it stops. There is a small pin that snaps into place, you can then install the turret at zero. The turret then will stop at zero every time you wind down the turret.

Vector optics, continental 2-12x44, riflescope, turret,
the two elevation turrets, the zero-stop feature is present only in the left cap with the red pin

If you don’t want or require the use of the zero-stop feature, you can remove that turret and install the other. With the zero-stop set with my one-hundred yard zero, the scope had 29.5 MRAD of elevation left for elevation. That’s more elevation than most folks are going to need with a scope like this.

Turrets

Like the other Continental scopes I’ve used, these turrets are fantastic. The clicks are very crisp and audible, making it easy to adjust even without looking. The push/pull locking feature is also very nice, making it easy to prevent unwanted movement of the turret.

Vector optics, continental 2-12x44, riflescope, turret, bergara, premier canyon,

With 10 MRAD per rotation, a lot of my shooting might not even require hitting the second rotation. But the pop-up indicator is excellent for showing you which rotation you are on. The red button pops up when you hit the second rotation, and it pops up even further exposing a silver ring when you hit the third rotation.

Vector optics, continental 2-12x44, riflescope, desert tech, quattro 15, aero precision, quadmag 53, yankee hill machine, fat cat, suppressor
check out the YHM Fat Cat suppressor

The parallax adjustment is easily read from the shooting position, and has perhaps a touch more resistance than I would like. But it is perfectly serviceable. The 11 position illumination knob has off settings between each power setting. The texturing on all control surfaces is great for purchase with fingers or gloves.

Optical Performance

The large tube does a great job of passing the image to your eye. The 44mm objective while smaller than some precision optics is still more than adequate at compressing the landscape into a bright and clear image.

Vector optics, continental 2-12x44, riflescope, turret, bergara, premier canyon, tripod, two vets tripod, no name,
steady shooting off my Two Vets No Name Tripod made clear and precise use of the reticle

The HD lenses used in these scopes are pretty impressive considering their price point. I found picking out tiny holes in paper to be surprisingly easy, and seeing the movements of small animals two and three hundred yards out to be suitable for precise identification. I found this scope to be impressive considering it’s only a 12X, engaging targets as far as 1000 yards would still be quite doable. And with all that elevation and precise parallax there’s no reason not to.

Browning, x-bolt, x-bolt 2, x-bolt speed, 308 win, vector optics, continental, 2-12x44, banish backcountry suppresor,
I’ve also tested the Continental 2-12 on the Browning X-Bolt 2 308, shooting easily out to 1000 yards

Pros and Cons

Because I am a bit of an enthusiast for long range shooting, I think one thing I would change would be the ring around the reticle. With that said it is handy when trying to shoot using low power settings, because the center part of the reticle becomes very fine and harder to see. This appears to be by design, at 2X you have a ring and a center dot when illuminated. Its like looking through an Eotech in that scenario.

deer hunting, mule deer, kids, children, browning, x bolt 2, 308 win, vector optics 2-12x44, banish backcountry suppressor,
this combo worked out great to take this young buck from 470 yards

Twelve power isn’t a lot, but it is plenty for much of the shooting I do. I think this scope is an excellent choice for a hunting rifle or a fast action carbine. It has excellent clarity, a good reticle, and an impressive erector range allowing for broad corrections when shooting long-range. The turrets are excellent, the image is fantastic, and removing parallax with the focus knob is simple. There is really very little to take away from this rifle scope.

Last Words

As with the other Vector Continental scopes I have used, this one seems to be a hit. Whether on one of my carbines or a hunting rifle it performed exactly as I hoped it would. And when you consider the price point of this scope, with a street price of only $499 it is hard to pass on it. I would feel absolutely confident in taking this setup on one of my big game hunts, or a shooting competition. If you are looking for a scope in this range, you’d be injudicious for not at least taking look.

-CBM

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What is an LPVO and do you need one?

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Introduction

I joined the cult of shooting long ago, with a focus mainly on long-range shooting and hunting. Like many others in that sub-group of shooters, I felt that I needed as much magnification as possible. In the decades since I have learned that there is not always a need for such high power optics. You can read more about that subject in this article. But today’s subject is a little more specific, today we are on the topic of: what is an LPVO and do you need one?

the Primary Arms PLx Compact is an excellent 1-8 LPVO with an impressive image. together with the Anechoic 35 suppressor they make this Steyr AUG a fantastic little carbine

LPVO is an abbreviation for Low Power Variable Optic. There are quite a few LPVO’s on the market, I suspect it has something to do with marketing medium range optics for the massive AR15 customer base. Everybody want’s to build their own version of a “Recce rifle” and they usually put some kind of LPVO on it.

us optics

What is an LPVO?

A low power variable optic is just what it sounds like. Typically they feature variable zoom settings between 1-4 and as much as 1-10 or more. Not all of them are 1X at the lower end, some are 1.5, 1.8 or sometimes even a little bit more. The reason for this is pretty simple, at 1X or near there, the optic can be used almost like a red dot or holographic sight. And should you need to engage a target at a more significant distance, you can zoom the scope in to its higher power settings.

LPVO’s like all scopes can vary greatly in quality and construction type. It might be a 30mm tube or a 34mm, you might find one for $150 or you could pay upwards of $2000 if you want. Other features like exposed turrets and illuminated reticles are also possible features that might be incorporated.

on this Eotech VUDU 1-8, you can see the diopter focus at the very rear. the magnification ring with the added throw-lever. The turrets are capped on this one, and the illumination is on the other side of the scope.

Many LPVO’s do not have a large objective lens in the front. This has had the comedic effect of people mounting them backwards because of a lack of understanding. Most LPVO’s are just like larger rifle scopes, they have a diopter ring at the back to focus the reticle. And a power adjustment ring near the eye-piece to adjust the power setting. It’s not rocket science or brain surgery, its just a smaller scope with the same job; to allow accurate aiming on target.

Why So Low?

Having such a low magnification serves several purposes. I mentioned above that the scope can be used like a red dot, but there is more to it than that. Having low magnification also widens the view angle, allowing you to see more through the scope’s field of view.

the reticle of the SAI6 LPVO

Many manufacturers like to tout “true 1X”. Meaning that the image through the scope will be identical to what your non-sighting eye sees. This is because many folks shoot with both eyes open when the shooting is fast and close. Having a 1X image that matches you other eye will help keep perception and boost your situational awareness. This can come in very handy when shooting while moving through obstacles and potentially dangerous scenarios.

Why Might You Need an LPVO?

The traditional purpose of LPVO scopes has been on firearms that might be used at short or medium distances. For example, a three-gun shooter might be engaging many targets in rapid succession. The targets might be 30-yards away, or 300 yards away depending on the course of fire. 30-yards is pretty close, you probably don’t want a 4X scope for shooting that close. And 300-yards is a bit far for 1X or iron sights. You can see how a scope that can be quickly switched between 1X and 6X for example might be perfect for such a scenario.

Now imagine you are hunting Cape Buffalo on the dark continent, with dangerous animals lurking in the brush. If the possibility exists of needing to make a shot at a charging buffalo from 50 yards, 1X might be great option. And if you need to take an accurate supported shot at the animal from a hundred or more yards it would be nice to have more than 1X.

My son has hunted the last eight years with his little .260 topped with an LPVO of one kind or another. This US Optics TS8X helped him make an excellent shot on this buck as he bounded off

New Shooters

These are just a couple situations where an LPVO might serve you well. I’m sure you can imagine others where it might come in handy. One of my favorite uses has been for helping new shooters. Its often hard to get a child or someone new to rifle scopes to be able to see properly through the scope. And even harder sometimes to get them to actually find the deer or target in the scope. Too much magnification in this situation often exacerbates the issue. That is why I like to use LPVO’s for my kids when getting them started into shooting. They can find the target using low power then zoom in in for a better view.

Choosing the Right LPVO

Typically the best way to choose an optic depends on the activities you anticipate doing with it. If you plan on shooting targets on a short range with a 150 yard maximum range. Something like a 1-6 scope like the Vortex Venom would probably work fine. Whereas if you plan on shooting further distances like three to five-hundred yards, you might want something like the Vector Continental 1-10.

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The Vector 1-10 LPVO on my Desert Tech WLVRN

Like all rifle scopes, there are varying levels of quality. Price is also usually a concern to keep in mind as well. There are some great less expensive LPVO’s like the ones I mentioned above. I can also recommend the US Optics TS6X and TS8X, as I’ve used them extensively.

I’ve even used the TS8X to accurately engage some target as far away as 1000 yards. If you plan to use an LPVO at distances beyond say 300 yards, look for one with adjustable parallax. Many LPVO’s come with fixed parallax around 100 yards, and for semi-close distances that is fine. But for long-range shooting you may want to adjust for parallax, if you aren’t sure why you should read All you need to know about Parallax.

the US Optics TS6X on the IWI Tavor X95 bullpup

If you’d like to step up in quality a bit, and price, I’ve got a few more recommendations. The Eotech VUDU line of LPVO’s are great. I have both the 1-6 and the 1-8 and they have been very solid and repeatable on a variety of firearms.

I’ve used the VUDU LPVO’s extensively for a few years now, very good scopes

Illumination

The VUDU pushbutton controls are very handy for illumination, and the very bright dot in the center makes it almost like a red dot sight at 1X. Most scopes these days have some form of reticle illumination. Some are the old fashioned way with an LED just lighting up the reticle, and others have very high intensity LED dots centered in the reticle for and unmistakable aimpoint even in high-noon daylight.

For a few more dollars the SAI Optics LPVO’s are another fantastic scope, I am waiting to get hands on their 1-10 so stay tuned for that.

this SAI 6 has been a great scope, cant wait to get the SAI 1-10

I’d also feel awful if I failed to mention the great LPVO’s I’ve used from Sig Sauer Optics. They make a few different ones, and to be honest the two that I have used were both fantastic. The Tango 6T is definitely not inexpensive, but it is very clear and bright. The FFP illuminated reticle can be used for a great many tasks.

The Tango MSR is more made for average shooters who maybe want to spend their money on ammo and training instead of optics. It too is impressive optically and has some very useful features.

the Tango MSR was a perfect fit for this Sig MCX

Reticles

There is a huge variety of reticle options among LPVO’s. Some of them are fairly simple while others are quite complex, some even have dual focal plane reticles. As I mentioned these are typically marketed for medium range rifles, they often have drop compensating reticles.

FFP drop compensating like this one from US Optics allow you to hold over for distance

Again this is where you need to evaluate your purpose when choosing a reticle. If you do plan on shooting medium ranges, you might want one of those drop compensating reticles. Whereas if you plan on doing a lot of long-range shooting, you might be better off with exposed tactical turrets.

the VUDU SR1 reticle has a large circle you can use to bracket targets up close, and a finer inner reticle that can be used for corrections

There seems to be a split in LPVO reticles, they are either optimized for short range shooting, or medium range and beyond. Some have large horseshoe features, and some have thin and precise features for corrections. Do some homework on them before you pick one.

Medium or Long-Range?

If you truly want a capable long-range LPVO, it’s going to cost a bit more. Snipers have been shooting long-range with 10X scopes since before I was born, so there’s no reason you and I can’t keep it up. I mentioned you’ll want a scope with adjustable parallax, most LPVO’s with adjustable parallax are at the larger end of the magnification spectrum.

Primary arms

The US Optics FDN 10X is a great scope for shooting long range, and it’s been around for a while so checking out its record is easy. Leupold makes a 2-10 Mk5 that I haven’t used yet, but it certainly has caught my eye. I’ve also noticed that March scopes make a few different models with adjustable parallax

All that said, you can still do well with a typical LPVO. I mentioned my son has been hunting with the same little rifle and an LPVO since he was twelve. We spent a lot of time practicing so he was ready when it mattered. His first year hunting he took this cow elk with his little .260 Remington at over 500 yards using a 1-6X Minox.

Conclusion

I like doing a lot with just a little, maybe it’s a fool’s errand. You can certainly use an LPVO for a great many purposes, and I hope we’ve given you some ideas here today. I love the idea of a compact and accurate carbine with a great LPVO, pulling of shots better suited to big precision rifles. But as I mentioned I have a bit of bias towards long-range shooting and hunting.

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my latest LPVO love, the US Optics SXR 1-6

But perhaps more realistic is using a good carbine with an equally adequate LPVO to pull off the shots the rifle was made for. Proper training with such a weapon can make you deadly fast and accurate, whether it be charging hordes of feral swine, or picking off a deer at the far end of a deep pasture. Try out a few different options before you buy, and then practice hard with it. You may find it to be the best thing you never knew you needed.

-CBM