Need advice for a true 1X-? scope

Status
Not open for further replies.

Fatelvis

Member
Joined
Dec 25, 2002
Messages
1,949
Location
Lockport, IL
I'm looking for a QUALITY true 1X scope that works great at very close distances, as well as at 600 yds. I'm putting it on my S&W M&P10 and will be shooting 168 SMK loads. So far I've been eyeballing the SS 1-6, Vortex Razor 1-6, and Leupold. Any input would be appreciated, thanks!
 
There is no such thing as a variable scope with true 1x. At the lowest setting there will be magnification of some degree.

Which to get really depends on your budget. I really dig the Leupold Mark 6.
 
There is no such thing as a variable scope with true 1x. At the lowest setting there will be magnification of some degree.
Is that true? So shooting with both eyes open at 1X would be different than using my Aimpoint?
 
limited eye relief is a problem with a scope and both eyes open. I put a 2x7 pistol scope on the forward rail and there is where you can keep both eyes open within a large eye relief window
 
Vortex has the best glass for the money, at least to my eyes, and I did a side-by-side of Vortex Razor 1-4x and a Swarovski (not sure which one, but it was a 1-4x and >$2k). The Razor 1-6x is better. I own the Razor 1-4x for 3-gun.

There is no such thing as a variable scope with true 1x. At the lowest setting there will be magnification of some degree.
No reason for that. They do not always make it, but even if it is 1.1x (like my IOR was), your eyes cannot tell. Lots of 3-gun competitors shoot both eyes open with a variety of low power (1-?) variables.
 
I shoot with both eyes open at 1x using my Nikon Monarch African 1-4x and with my 15-22 using a Weaver Classic 1-3x. The Nikon 1x is so good, i can't see a difference. The weaver is very close, but i do see a little mag, very little.

I have been thinking about the Vortex 1-6x. Vortex makes great scopes.
 
Question #1 that hasn't been asked is what's your budget? A S&B Short Dot or a Leupold 1-8x are both awesome piece of optical technology. The major downside, is that they often cost about 2-3x as much as the rifle they are mounted on.

If you're not looking to drop $2-4k on an optic, the Vortex Viper is a great $500-range optic, the Weaver V-1 is a nice little no-frills entry level 1-3x scope in the sub-$200 range.
 
I shoot 3 gun with a 1-4x Burris MTac out to 625 yards. It is a good scope, and at 1x I am unable to tell the difference between it and an Aimpoint once I start aiming at a target further than 5 yards away (but inside of that I can tell a difference).

I have shot the new Leupold Mark 8 and it is a mice (read 'nice') scope, but the reticle was too busy for me to use it quickly like I need for 3 gun.

Bushnell has a couple great 1x-? scopes that are definitely worth looking into.
 
Last edited:
My Leupold VXR 1.25 X 4 is absolutely fantastic

You can go a long way with 4x



I LOT further than I thought I could.....
 
I am digging the Trijicon 1-4X on this POF AR-10. It's got a simple post with their tried and trued green tritium triangle. It's real easy to pick up and yet offers a defined aiming point. At 1x it is easy to run with both eyes while at 4X it offers adequate power for longer shots. They run $850ish.

IMG_5287_zpsbe8da0d8.jpg
 
dubbleA, is that yours? That paint job is awesome.

as i said, i think the vortex 1-4x is a good choice, but a post above reminded me of the Leupold 1-8x. That would be a very versatile scope. We all know leupold is gtg.
 
No reason for that. They do not always make it, but even if it is 1.1x (like my IOR was), your eyes cannot tell. Lots of 3-gun competitors shoot both eyes open with a variety of low power (1-?) variables.

No reason but the laws of physics. Even the most high end 1-4x variable optics will magnify some at the lowest setting. I agree, that does not mean you can't shoot both eyes open but it is not the same as a true 1x for this application.

The link below displays clearly that at the lowest setting there will be some magnification: http://www.m4carbine.net/showpost.php?p=627913&postcount=13
 
I know there is ONE true 1x scope out there, but I can't recall what it is. What it actually is, is a fixed power scope of around 4x power, but with an inverting lens that can be flipped up to actually cancel the magnification. So when you're at full magnification, you're only looking through 2 lenses, but at 1x you're looking through 3. This works out well because the minute loss of clarity is largely a non-issue on an unmagnified optic.
 
I know there is ONE true 1x scope out there, but I can't recall what it is. What it actually is, is a fixed power scope of around 4x power, but with an inverting lens that can be flipped up to actually cancel the magnification. So when you're at full magnification, you're only looking through 2 lenses, but at 1x you're looking through 3. This works out well because the minute loss of clarity is largely a non-issue on an unmagnified optic.

That's an interesting concept but would require a very large housing for the scope. Is it the Elcan?
 
I agree that most all variable powered scopes on 1x will give some magnification.

I have a older Weaver steel tube fixed K1.5x that I have on a Swiss K31 rifle. For clarity, the K1.5x optics are hard to beat and with the WFV, getting quickly on target is fast and easy. Can't hardly tell difference in magnification between it and a Bushnell Banner scope 1-4x set on 1x.

But like most low powered scopes, seeing the front sight etc. can be a bit disconcerting for some people.
 
Last edited:
gotigers said:
dubbleA, is that yours? That paint job is awesome.

Thank you....

Yeah I just finished Cerakoting it with earthtone colors. With the varying/irregular surfaces of this platform the digital was very challenging to say the least.
 
Also, since most 1-4x scopes have a diopter adjustment, its possible to set it to 1x, and fiddle with the diopter until it is a true 1.0x scope. Truth be told, you'll be hard-pressed to tell the difference between a 0.9x-1.1x magnification range vs true 1x unless you look at a ruler. That's been my experience, YMMV.
 
regardless of true 1x or not, me and every 3 gunner i know, says the same thing. We can shoot with both eyes open with scopes made from most quality manufacturers that state 1x. Nikon, Weaver, Burris, Leupold and a few more. Some better than others.

Fatelvis: get a scope from a manufacturer you trust and you'll be fine.
 
i have the swaro z6i 1-6x and the vortex 1-6x HD and the USO 1-8x. They're all phenomenal.

for the money, you can get the vortex for just over 1/2 the price of the others. it's glass is almost as good as the swaro (close enough to not matter to me) and the eyebox is almost as fantastic (close enough to not matter) but it's quite a bit shorter and feels lighter. and the knobs are better than the swaro

the advantage of the USO is a little more power, and a better reticle

the trijicon is cool. the NF 1-4x is a piece of crap.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top