Tag Archives: optic

Vector Optics Paragon Micro Prism Magnifier Combo

July 3, 2026Optics, Product reviewmagnifier, micro prism, optic, paragon, sight, vector opticscoldboremiracle

Introduction

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.

one of my test rifles, the **DS-25 6.5CM** seen here with my **Silencerco Omega 36M**

Vector Optics Paragon

Paragon Prism

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.

Dark Storm Industries, DS-25, modern fighting rifle, MDR, 6.5 Creedmoor, short barreled rifle, sbr, vector optics, micro prism, magnifier, — 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.

wolfpack armory, romulus, suppressor, silencer, 5.56 .223 rem, 3d printed, dmls, radial flow, low backpressure, AR15, quattro 15, vector optics, — this rifle uses a **Desert Tech Quattro 15** receiver and the WPA Romulus suppressor

Pros and Cons

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.

-CBM

Looking at Prisms? Check this one out

Maven Optics M.2 12x50mm Monocular

April 10, 2026Optics, Product reviewmaven, maven built, Maven M.2 12x50mm, maven optics, Monocular, optic, spottercoldboremiracle

Preface

Maven Optics has worked very hard at producing quality optics and selling them direct to customers. Their products are built in Wyoming (one of my favorite states) from high quality components sourced from places like Japan. I am not new to Maven’s products, and I’ve been very happy with my experience so far. You can read more about other Maven products I’ve used here. But today we are looking at a more recent product, the Maven M.2 12x50mm Monocular. A compact handheld 12X monocular, basically a handheld spotting scope.

maven, maven built, maven optics, Maven M.2 12x50mm, Monocular, optic, spotter, packaging, display

I love optical devices like this one, but my immediate thoughts were whether or not I would want this monocular over binoculars. Or if I would leave my spotter in the truck to carry this instead. Hunters love reducing their loadout weight, so carrying an extra optic might be a big ask. But what if it fits in the palm of your hand?

maven, maven built, maven optics, Maven M.2 12x50mm, Monocular, optic, spotter, size, in hand, — it fits nicely in the palm of your hand

The Maven Optics M.2 12x50mm Monocular

I eagerly opened the box containing the Maven monocular, and was impressed with the packaging and quality. The monocular came with a soft Maven cinch-bag, as well as front and rear rubber lens covers. It also came with a wrist strap that attaches to the lens body, but can be quickly detached by a clip if needed.

The controls of this thing are as simple as you’d expect. There is an adjustable eyecup at the rear, and a ring around the center of the body to adjust focus. That’s about all there is to it, as this thing was made for looking.

Specifications

Magnification	12x
Obj. lens diameter	50mm
Exit pupil	4.2mm
Field of View (FOV)	5.5°
Apparent FOV (FOV x Power)	66°
Field of view (ft/1000 yds)	289
Brightness	17.6
Light transmission (%)	93.80%
Twilight factor	24.5
Multi Position Eyecup Y/N	Yes
Eye relief	17.5mm
Near focus	7.5ft
Dimension WxHxD	2.31″x6.56″x2.31″
Weight	20.0 oz
Lens constr. obj.	3 groups 4 elements (ED)
Lens constr. ocular	4 groups 6 elements
Prisms type	Wide Angel Schmidt-Pechan
Prism reflective coating type	Dielectric Coating
ED Glass	Yes
Phase correction coating	Yes
Lens coating	Scratch and Oil Resistant
Pressure tested to what pressure	1m for 30 min. (IPX7)
Storage temperature	-40°~158°F
Functional temperature	-13°~140°F
Frame material	Magnesium
Internal gas purged	Nitrogen
Tripod Adaptable Y/N	No
Origin	Japanese components assembled in the U.S.

I spend a lot of time in the springtime Rocky Mountains, mainly chasing Rockchucks. I couldn’t think of a better reason to break the little Maven M.2 out, it would be great for glassing up some chucks.

maven, maven built, maven optics, Maven M.2 12x50mm, Monocular, optic, spotter

In the Field

On a beautiful spring day, my son and I climbed to the eight-thousand foot peaks near our home. And in the cool breeze we sat in the sunshine, looking for varmints that might be doing the same thing.

In the process I got very comfortable with the M.2. I was impressed with how small it is, and how great the image is when looking through it. Whether we were looking close at 100-yard targets or across a deep canyon, the M.2 provided a great picture. It’s 50mm objective lens is likely responsible for taking in so much of the view.

I was also surprised at how sharp the focus was, and particularly how close you could focus on things. It was also impressive that I could focus on things across my kitchen, as well as across a canyon. I wish I could attach this little monocular to my phone for taking pictures.

maven, maven built, maven optics, Maven M.2 12x50mm, Monocular, optic, spotter, looking over mountain range, — the wrist-strap is handy for keeping the M.2 close and safe from falls

The rubberized eyecup is nice, and rotating it you can accommodate your preference from the eye. Both front and rear lens covers are made of that stretchy and sticky rubber texture. This makes them more likely to stay in place. It also made it a little more challenging to put into the cinch-bag. The sticky texture of the rubber doesn’t like to slide against the fabric. Not a big deal, but slightly annoying as I like to keep it inside the bag to keep it clean and dust free.

The small strap loop built into the bottom of the housing is perfect for attaching the sling and lens cover lanyards. The wrist-strap is nice, but not sure I’d use it much. I almost wish they’d have put a small threaded boss in the bottom to allow attachment to a tripod. But I have no problem just setting it comfortably in one of my rifle saddles just as I do with binoculars.

Optical Clarity

I have been quite happy with the optical performance of this unit since I first looked through it. The images are very sharp and detailed, giving excellent observational use. Low light conditions like just before dark or as the sun rises are also seen very well through the Maven M.2. The large objective does a great job compressing the landscape into a smaller high definition package for the eye.

With its 12X, some might feel it is a bit much for a handheld device. As I only plan on using it supported, its almost like having a tiny spotting scope in your pocket. When supported by a tripod or backpack, it allows impressive definition of targets and their surroundings.

maven, maven built, maven optics, Maven M.2 12x50mm, Monocular, optic, spotter, viewing in thick wooded forest

Usability

This thing is much smaller than I anticipated, which is great news. You wont believe this, but it just like having… half a binocular…

It fits great in the pockets, and is easily used single handedly while your other hand holds a gun or tree branch. The real question when it comes to usability is whether you want to carry the M.2 monocular AND a pair of binoculars, or the M.2 monocular OR a pair of binoculars. It seems not only superfluous to have both, and perhaps even a bit gaudy if you throw a rangefinder into the mix as well.

maven, maven built, maven optics, Maven M.2 12x50mm, Monocular, optic, spotter, canada goose standing next to water,

Durability

As with other Maven products I own, this M.2 Monocular is very well built. Everything is tight and tucked neatly together, I have every expectation that this optic would last for years. There is very little to wrong with it, so unless it gets dropped or run over I don’t see how it might otherwsie fail. And even if it did, Maven has a great unconditional lifetime warranty.

Value

Looking for comparable monocular choices, I found very little that is even close. There is a wide variety of monoculars for significantly less money than the M.2, but they don’t look to be anywhere near the same class either. Most other monoculars that cost more are thermal monoculars that cost thousands not hundreds.

That said, I think you really need to want this monocular in order to justify it. For around the same price you can get a similar pair of binoculars from Maven. Unless you are a one-eyed pirate, there must be a good reason to want the monocular configuration.

maven, maven built, maven optics, Maven M.2 12x50mm, Monocular, optic, spotter, viewing in thick wooded forest, tripod, two vets tripod, — set atop my Two Vets Tripod, this thing is stable and very handy for spotting

Pros and Cons

One reason you might want a monocular is because they are lighter than binoculars. This unit is surprisingly light for what you get from it. If I was on a very remote hunt where every ounce mattered, the lightweight of this unit would be appealing. Its amazing views would be very helpful for both identifying and evaluating trophy animals. As well as general observation. The controls are tight and feel very smooth.

The only downside I can think of is that if you already have comparable binoculars then you probably dont need this. In my opinion it would be an excellent optic to keep handy, unless you already have a pair of binoculars for the same purpose. This does fit easily in the glove box of the truck, giving me an always available high quality optic for observing.

Last Thoughts

Whether you use this as your main spotting optic, or like me, as a capricious indulgence, the Maven M.2 is a very nice addition to your kit. Its quality build and excellent imagery make it suitable for just about anything you need to look at.

-CBM

EOTECH EFLX Red Dot

December 18, 2023Optics, Product revieweflx, eotech, opticcoldboremiracle

Introduction

Shooting with red dots has dramatically increased my desire to shoot pistols. Judge me if you must, but I claim no purity as a pistol shooter.

I have been increasing my collection to include quite a variety of red dots from various manufacturers, so when given the opportunity to test the new EFLX from EOTECH, I was eager to volunteer.

It would be hard to discuss weapon sights without mentioning EOTECH. The US manufacturer has been in the business for nearly two decades and is famous for its holographic sights.

Now that it offers the EFLX in the same footprint (DeltaPoint Pro) as many other popular optics on the market, it’s time we see if it’s just another run-of-the-mill optic or a game changer.

Specifications

Magnification	1X
Dot Size	3 MOA (also available in 6 MOA)
Adjustment value	1MOA per click
Dimensions	1.9 x 1.2 x 1.0 inches
Brightness settings	Eight daytime settings, one night vision setting
Auto-Shutdown	User controlled 12-hour
Battery	Top Loading CR2032
Battery Life	25,000 hrs at setting 5
Footprint	DeltaPoint Pro
Weight	1.4 ounces

Pros & Cons

Pros

Rapid target acquisition
Large window
Tactile control pad
Aluminum housing
Auto-shutoff/always on
NV compatible
Popular DeltaPoint Pro footprint
It says EOTECH on it…good for all the fanboys
A variety of mounting accessories are included

Cons

Contains products known to the state of California to cause cancer
Open emitter (I had to dig really deep for that one)

Unboxing & First Impressions

Opening the sturdy case, I found everything I needed to mount the EFLX to my chosen pistol: my Shadow Systems DR920. It almost seems a shame that it comes in such excellent packaging because I will likely never use it again. But that’s just me.

The hard case with a custom foam insert is a nice touch.

The screw assortment and included tools allowed me to get the red dot mounted and zeroed quickly, and the thin base of the EFLX allowed me to continue using the fixed sights on the pistol, which is a plus.

The sights are still usable, thanks to the low deck height of the EFLX.

Like all red dots, the EFLX presents a red aiming dot in the window of your sight picture. This allows the shooter to keep their focus on the target rather than the sights and simply bring the aiming dot onto the target.

I quickly found the large window of the EFLX to give a more forgiving area with which to aim.

In the short time I’ve been shooting with the EFLX, I’ve really grown to love the large sight window. And in fact, there are very few things about it I don’t like.

Features

The EFLX boasts many features that I’ll get into below, but one often-overlooked bonus is the top-loading battery. It operates on a single CR2023 lithium battery and has two buttons to adjust the brightness.

It’s a small but useful feature. Now, let’s look at some of the other features.

Auto-Shutdown Control

To save battery life, the EFLX has an auto-shutdown function that will cause the unit to shut down after 12 hours.

This feature is easily activated or deactivated by using one of the two buttons to turn on the unit. Enabling the power using the down button will start the 12-hour shutdown while powering it up with the up button will cause it to stay on until manually shutdown.

Deltapoint Pro Footprint

Many of the best red dots out there have a Deltapoint Pro footprint option. This makes it more universally adopted by shooters, as it fits a wide variety of firearms and mounting systems.

Always ensure you have a compatible mounting area before ordering any red dot.

Large Sight Window

As I mentioned before, I love the large sight window on the EFLX. If you are used to red dots like the Shield or the Holosun 407, you will find this to be significantly bigger.

On the other hand, if you are used to the Trijicon SRO or the Deltapoint Pro, it may seem pretty standard.

The large window made acquiring my target(s) very easy.

Score Card

Reliability (9/10)

Carrying this pistol for several weeks with the EFLX installed has resulted in no issues. It’s been in below-freezing and humid conditions for extended periods with no problem.

It fits great in the holster, and when I leave it on, it’s always there glowing when I need it.

Ergonomics (9/10)

The EFLX has simple and easy-to-understand controls.

Customization (8/10)

The auto-shutoff feature is nice, as are the varied mounting screw sets included.

Appearance (9/10)

It’s an EOTECH, so it gets points for its traditionally good looks. I think the EFLX is a handsome addition to any weapon.

Value (8/10)

There is a lot of competition in the red dot market, meaning plenty of more affordable options exist.

That said, the EFLX isn’t a bad purchase compared to its competition. But you can find less expensive optics with similar quality and functions.

I also used the EFLX on the Smith and Wesson M&P 9 2.0 10MM

Conclusion

While red dot sights are pretty simple devices, the EOTECH EFLX seems to have everything you could want in one.

It does everything I hoped it would, and it looks sexy while doing it. It has kept its zero, stayed on or off the way I wanted it to, and has withstood extreme conditions.

On top of it all, with the EOTECH name behind it, you can count on first-class service if you ever need it.

You can’t go wrong by adding another red dot to your collection, and there is no reason I wouldn’t recommend this particular one. If you have the money to spend, get your own ELFX to test out for yourself.

-CBM

2026 update:

After using the EFLX on many different firearms over the past few years, I can still say I quite like this red dot. It maintains zero, and its big window is great for target acquisition. I would love it if they made it with the Eotech reticle as an option.

ar15, quattro 15, desert tech, eotech, vudu, LPVO, desert shooting,

Sig Sauer Tango 6T

October 25, 2020Optics, Product reviewoptic, scope, sig, sig sauer, tango, tango 6coldboremiracle

Introduction

Low Power Variable Optics (LVPO’s) have been flooding through the firearm market for years now. This is likely due to the proliferation of medium-range carbines. It didn’t take long for shooters to realize the value of variable low power optics, but what makes an LVPO shine over another?

Sig Sauer has long been a big name in the firearms industry. I’ve been a big fan as long as I’ve been a gun owner. So it came as no surprise several years ago when Sig brought their own line of optics to market. What was a surprise, at least to me, was how invested I would get.

Sig Sauer Tango Riflescopes

My first Sig Sauer optic was a Tango 6 5-30. A high powered riflescope with all of Sig Sauer’s bells and whistles. It has been a great scope for several years, and still enjoys its place on one of my favorite rifles.

The 6T features Sig’s high quality, clear lenses for which they are well known. The 1-6 power 6T features a 30mm tube and a front focal plane 5.56/7.62mm/300 Blackout Horseshoe Dot ballistic reticle with illumination. There are a couple of different configurations for the 6T, the one I ordered came in Flat Dark Earth only. It also features a line lengthwise down the side of the tube. Which eases the scope’s mounting by giving a reference point. This allows users to evenly seat the scope in the rings. A “cattail,” or clamp-on handle, gives the user better purchase when adjusting the magnification setting.

I mounted the Tango 6T in the Strike Industries ASM mount, an adjustable scope mount that can cantilever the optic out to several different positions. After mounting the scope, it was time to zero it — an easy task using the finger adjustable turrets. When not in use, the turrets are capped. I installed the CR2032 battery into the illumination turret and lit up the Horseshoe reticle. The 8-position rheostat has an off setting between each number and a push-pull lock to avoid accidental adjustment.

On the Range

My first impression on the range was the image. My eyes were swept from their sockets by the crystal clear and bright image. I am more of a 1-8 fan than a 1-6, but this 1-6 is so beautiful I would have a hard time turning it down for more magnification. The Tango 6T has parallax set to 150-meters, so shooting targets further out isn’t a problem.

This was very convenient because I ran the Tango 6T on two different rifles, both capable downrange performers. I first mounted the scope on the Armalite M-15 Comp Rifle, a match-grade competition rifle built specifically for 3-Gun. I found the M-15 to be very accurate, and with the Tango 6T mounted, it was a nearly unstoppable setup. The low power setting of the Sig made closer targets easy to engage accurately with both eyes open. Zooming in to 6X gave me enough magnification to pick out distant targets, while the Horseshoe reticle offered handy hold points for those distances.

I never expect ballistic reticles to match perfectly. It’s nearly impossible unless you are shooting the same ammunition in the same conditions as those who designed the reticle — the same goes for custom scope turrets. The good news is that it’s pretty close. Modern flat-shooting cartridges have a fairly similar trajectory so drop points on the reticle are close enough to be useful.

Read the full article on Guns.com

Round Two

After testing the Tango 6T on the Armalite, I moved it over to the Desert Tech MDRX. The MDRX is a multi-caliber rifle, and I shot it with both .223 Remington and 6mm ARC barrels. The Tango 6T felt right at home on top of my MDRX, a much more compact rifle than the Armalite. Maneuvering around obstacles for shooting positions was much easier, and regardless of how close or far away the targets were, the Sig provided a beautiful sight picture with bright images.

I keep bringing that up, but the optical clarity may be the part I like the most about this scope. There is more to the Tango 6T than just optical clarity, though. The engineers at Sig paid attention to so many little details like the texturing of control surfaces, high visibility green fiber optics markers around the magnification ring, and other little features that make you feel good about purchasing this scope.

Shop Sig Sauer optics at Palmetto State Armory

Euro Optics Has the full line of Sig Sauer Optics as well

Turrets and Reticle

The turrets of the Tango 6T are 0.2 MRAD per click, which matches the MRAD reticle inside. The clicks are very clean and audible, and the grip surfaces inside the turrets are rubberized for easier grip, whether using gloves or your bare fingers.

As far as the reticle itself, this might be one place where I wish they had put just a tiny bit more effort into it. Some people like a simple and clean reticle, while others like a reticle with many hold points to use. Being that I am a bit of a distance junkie, I find myself in the second camp. I like a reticle with plenty of hold-over positions, and accompanying wind holds as well.

While the reticle in the Tango 6T is plenty useful, it wouldn’t have hurt my feelings to see a bit more detail to the reticle. That said, Sig also offers the 7.62 Extended Range reticle in this scope, which is better for that kind of shooting. I completely understand that most people might not need or care about this, and if you like just a few simple hold-over points, you will more than likely love this reticle.

Concluding Thoughts

In a market flush with many great options across nearly every price range, the Sig Sauer Tango 6T stands out as a spectacular LVPO. You would have to spend significantly more money to get a noticeably better scope with the same features. Not to mention, the Tango 6T is significantly better looking than scopes that are only 10 to 20 percent less on the market. At least, in my opinion, it would be worth spending a little bit more to step up to the Sig Sauer Tango 6T.

-CBM

Rangefinder Shootout

January 9, 2018blog, Optics, Product reviewbinoculars, distance, optic, Optics, range, rangefinder, scope, spotter, spottingcoldboremiracle

Rangefinder Shootout

One of the most important tools a marksman can have in his bag, is a good rangefinder. When I first started shooting, I didn’t have the money to buy one, neither did I have the sense to. Interesting how something seemingly insignificant would soon become indispensable. I figured a lot of these things out the hard way, the stupid way you could even say. Despite my hardheaded approach to distance shooting, I got pretty good at estimating range. A skill that was later confirmed by the rangefinder that had done without far too long.
By the time I finally purchased a laser rangefinder, I had at least gained enough smarts to recognize what I needed.
My first purchase was a Leica 1200, a good piece of equipment that served me very well. I quickly learned as I played with other rangefinders that good ones usually reach beyond their limits. While lower end units, wouldn’t even reach advertised distances.
As my skills matured, and distances became longer, I out grew that old Leica, and it’s since been replaced by a newer CRF model. I also stepped up to a Swarovski Laserguide, as with my Leica, the Swarovski reached well beyond its advertised envelope, reaching to 1800+ yards in the right conditions.
These tools have sharpened this shooters abilities, through day to day use, and confirming estimations.
Well, I was recently handed one of the new Sig Sauer Kilo 2000 rangefinders. I have heard many good things about this new line of optics from Sig. And this Kilo seemed like a big winner.
With an advertised range of 3400yds (reflective) I was very optimistic. In my opinion, it fell into that price range where rangefinders always underperformed. But even so I thought, if it reaches half what they advertise, it’d be worth the money.
I quickly made my way to my Rocky Mountain haunt, to put the Kilo against my Leica CRF1200, and my Swarovski Laserguide.
I’m a simple guy, I don’t care much for bells and whistles. So though the Kilo features an angle adjusted range, I switched it to simple range only. I can do field math, I like whole numbers, and percentages. I don’t need my optics to do it for me. Plus I like to know exactly what I’m getting into.
A quick run through the various rock piles in my cold and snowy canyon would tell me how well the Kilo measured up.
At the quarter mile mark, all three rangefinders barely broke a sweat. My first impression of the Kilo was how fast it returned with a reading. Faster than my Leica, and twice the speed of the Swarovski. “This will triple the speed at which I miss my targets.” I thought to myself, “better slow down”.
I soon noticed a slight difference in color while looking through the Kilo, a bluish hue that was quite apparent (see pics). This is certainly not a big deal, at least to me. It was certainly lighter as well, easily placed in a pocket to be carried. The optical field of view looking through the Kilo was almost exactly the same as my CRF1200, the quality was comparable as well. Both of them were narrow compared to the Laserguide, which also had a better image I might add. But for twice the price of the others, it ought to.
I pushed all three RF’s one after another out to 1050yds, all three of them working flawlessly. And returning ranges to within +/-1 or 2 yards. Perfectly acceptable for a guy who’s targets are +/-2 or 3 yards wide right?
Up to this point I had to say I was pretty happy about the results. Simply because For most people I know, a good rangefinder that will reliably hit 1,000yds plus and cost under 500$ is a pretty good deal.
Well I had to push them further. The sunlight was fading somewhat as it hid behind the evening clouds to the west. I thought surely I could push the Kilo further, but to my surprise I couldn’t get it to read on anything further out.
I thought that perhaps maybe this Kilo couldn’t hang with my “higher end” RF’s. So I pulled out my Leica, and the Top hat it came with, and tried to hit the same rock. To my surprise, it wouldn’t read either. I suppose the light and conditions weren’t good enough for either RF to read. But before I put shame upon the two smaller units, I figured I’d check to see how the Swarovski would fair.
Sure enough, as usual, the Laserguide came through. Showing 1300yds. My suspicions about light angles and conditions were confirmed, as my Swarovski would reach no further in the cold quiet canyon. Leaving me scratching my head.
Further testing is warranted, and no doubt I will get more info. I’d like to see how far this Kilo will really go, I am skeptical that it will actually reach advertised distances due to my experiences, as well as those of others. None the less, I am very impressed that Sig has produced this RF for less than 500$ and that easily hits to 1000 yards and beyond. If I could go back to the beginning of my shooting career and sell myself this Kilo, it may have been one of the best purchases made.
I won’t be replacing my Swarovski anytime soon, but if I was in the market for a new rangefinder, for hunting, or practical shooting, the Kilo 2000 would be top contender.