Looking for advice for a LVPO

[Nclear79]

Been wanting to buy an optic for my AR for years but ACOGS never topped in price so I have been looking at the LVPO. Not looking for a top-of-the-line model.

I'm looking for something that will work but not cost a lot. Been looking at Swampfox and Vortex 1-10 or could go 1-8 power.

Thanks!

 

[powermad]

I had a Primary Arms 1-6 and still have a PA 1-8 Slx.
Both are decent for under $400

If I was going to buy another LPVO it would be the Kahles 1-6, but those are over $2,000 now so that isn't happening anytime soon.
The Primary Arms 1-8 compact should be out by now and is in the $1,500 range.
I was kinda sorta looking at it but went with a 2.5-10 instead.

 

[FL-NC]

I like the 1-6x Vortex. I am used to using a fixed 4x ACOG anyway, so 2x more is a treat, not to mention the versatility of those types of scopes at varying distances from close quarters to extended ranges. Also, the Vortex warranty is hard to beat.

 

[arsterling180]

I wouldn’t do 1-10 on an optic with a 24mm objective lens. Even the 1-10 razor gen 3 has complaints at 10 power. If you go down to a cheaper lvpo like the swampfox the lesser glass will become noticeable at 10 power. You will get annoyed and frustrated. Spend the money on a good 1-6. Since you have a budget I’d look at the viper or Burris rt-6.

Or if you want that x10 power look at the 2-10 scopes with a larger objective lens and better eye box.

 

[powermad]

For the 1-10x30 this one doesn't look bad for $800, 35mm tube.
https://atibal-optics.com/products/atibal-x-1-10x35-ffp

I was kinda looking at it but for a 10 power scope a 2.5-10x42 seemed even better.

 

[Jonesy814]

I bought a 1-4 Swampfox last year to kind of test the waters. I liked it so when they had their big 4th of July sale I picked up a 1-8 Tomahawk at one third off. I moved the 1-4 over to my 15-22.

 

[TonyAngel]

I went through all of this myself recently. I have 2 goto rigs. I bought and sold a lot of optics trying to find what would work for me. On my 12.5" AR I settled on a 1-6x Razor gen ii E. On my 11.3" I settled on a 4x acog. Both also have a red dot on a 35 degree arisaka offset mount.

What I found on my hunt for the perfect optic is that it doesn't exist. If you really want a 1x, stick with a red dot. If you need magnification, get a 2-10x for medium ranges. Unless you're willing to spend over $2500, anything with a 1x is going to have big sacrifices either at the bottom or the top, especially if you go over 6x on the top end.

Of all that I tried, the razor was close to being perfect, if you ignore the weight. That's why I kept it. Reasonable size, good eye relief and good eyebox. I still added the red dot though. I got pretty fast with the razor on 1x at close ranges, but it still wasn't faster or easier than a red dot.

The acog replaced a steiner 1-4x. Again, the setup with the offset mount was just faster and easier.

 

[Nclear79]

I wouldn’t do 1-10 on an optic with a 24mm objective lens. Even the 1-10 razor gen 3 has complaints at 10 power. If you go down to a cheaper lvpo like the swampfox the lesser glass will become noticeable at 10 power. You will get annoyed and frustrated. Spend the money on a good 1-6. Since you have a budget I’d look at the viper or Burris rt-6.

Or if you want that x10 power look at the 2-10 scopes with a larger objective lens and better eye box.

Thanks for the information on the 10x and it not being as clear. The 10x I wanted just because I'm alright with a 6 or 8x.

 

[TonyAngel]

If it hadn't been for the 1-6x Razor, I would have stuck with the Steiner P4xi. It's only a 1-4x but its an amazing little scope that can be had for about 500 used.

 

[BreechFace]

The Burris RT-6's are a good option as well. They don't get mentioned very frequently.

I have the following LPVO's

Leupold VX-R Patrol 1.25-4
Vortex 1-4 Viper PST
Burris RT-6

I like them all, I like the Leupold the best though, but not by much. I appreciate the firedot simplicity rather than a much of reticle being lit like the other two. Out of the other two I would pick the Burris RT6.

But if your are in the Razor price range then there are a lot of other options that would be better.

 

[citizenconn]

I had a Primary Arms 1-6 and still have a PA 1-8 Slx.
Both are decent for under $400

I have several Primary Arms LPVOs. For under $400 they have a lot of reticle choices in 1-4 and 1-6.

https://www.primaryarms.com/rifle-scopes/brand/primary-arms/optic-series/slx

My favorite LPVOs were made by Nikon who has unfortunately pulled out of the scope market. If you can find one of their Black series in 1-4 or 1-6 I'd scoop it up. I have over a dozen and their glass is superb.

 

[Buzznrose]

I bought a 1-4 Swampfox last year to kind of test the waters. I liked it so when they had their big 4th of July sale I picked up a 1-8 Tomahawk at one third off. I moved the 1-4 over to my 15-22.

How do you like that 1-8? Nice and clear?

 

[Buzznrose]

The Burris RT-6's are a good option as well. They don't get mentioned very frequently.

I have the following LPVO's

Leupold VX-R Patrol 1.25-4
Vortex 1-4 Viper PST
Burris RT-6

I like them all, I like the Leupold the best though, but not by much. I appreciate the firedot simplicity rather than a much of reticle being lit like the other two. Out of the other two I would pick the Burris RT6.

But if your are in the Razor price range then there are a lot of other options that would be better.

I have the same Burris and Vortex as you. I like them both and would recommend either.

 

[Jonesy814]

How do you like that 1-8? Nice and clear?

Very clear. A friend has the 1-6 Vortex Strike Eagle and both Swampfox Tomahawks are definitely better as far as definition, clarity and color reproduction. The illumination is also much brighter.
If not in a hurry, they will probably have a heck of a Black Friday sale. Last year almost everything was one third off. I picked up the 1-8 on the July 4th sale for $265.00. Normally $379. You can get them at Optics Planet for about 10% below the Swampfox web site

 

[12Bravo20]

I have found that with any brand of LPVO scope that once you get above 6X in magnification, the eye relief/box gets smaller. For me a 1-8 or 1-10 are more like shooting a 2-X scope.

I have been very happy with the Swampfox 1-4 and 1-8 LPVO scopes I own. I prefer them over the Primary Arms LPVO scopes. The reticle in the Swampfox scopes are a little bigger and easier to use even on 1X compared to the PA scopes.

And Swampfox has excellent customer service if it is ever needed.

 

[Buzznrose]

Very clear. A friend has the 1-6 Vortex Strike Eagle and both Swampfox Tomahawks are definitely better as far as definition, clarity and color reproduction. The illumination is also much brighter.
If not in a hurry, they will probably have a heck of a Black Friday sale. Last year almost everything was one third off. I picked up the 1-8 on the July 4th sale for $265.00. Normally $379. You can get them at Optics Planet for about 10% below the Swampfox web site

Thank you for your reply….

 

[12Bravo20]

And Swampfox has an excellent MIL/LEO discount program if you qualify. You just have to purchase direct from their website to get it. I can tell you that their MIL/LEO discount beats any sale price on other websites.

 

[Buzznrose]

And Swampfox has an excellent MIL/LEO discount program if you qualify. You just have to purchase direct from their website to get it. I can tell you that their MIL/LEO discount beats any sale price on other websites.

Yes…I can definitely vouch for that.

 

[Space Ghost]

I have several Primary Arms LPVOs. For under $400 they have a lot of reticle choices in 1-4 and 1-6.

https://www.primaryarms.com/rifle-scopes/brand/primary-arms/optic-series/slx

My favorite LPVOs were made by Nikon who has unfortunately pulled out of the scope market. If you can find one of their Black series in 1-4 or 1-6 I'd scoop it up. I have over a dozen and their glass is superb.

+1 on Primary Arms. I have one on an AR, and one on my Remington 700 Classic in 7mm Mauser.

 

[syntaxerrorsix]

I've got two of the Vortex Strike Eagles. I'd skip the 1-6 and opt for the 1-8 for the ~1oz weight savings alone. Both are "good enough". The 1x is "close enough" the max magnification is more than sufficient for PID although as already stated, the eye box suffers.

Something you have considered is a fixed magnification. ACOG isn't the only game in town for solid lightweight prism scopes.

Check out the PA 3x micro prism. My astigmatism moved me to try their 1x option. I liked it well enough to try the 3x. If I had to choose one optic today it would be that 3x.

Here's the 1-8 and the 3X.

 

[gotboostvr]

I've got two of the Vortex Strike Eagles. I'd skip the 1-6 and opt for the 1-8 for the ~1oz weight savings alone. Both are "good enough". The 1x is "close enough" the max magnification is more than sufficient for PID although as already stated, the eye box suffers.

Something you have considered is a fixed magnification. ACOG isn't the only game in town for solid lightweight prism scopes.

Check out the PA 3x micro prism. My astigmatism moved me to try their 1x option. I liked it well enough to try the 3x. If I had to choose one optic today it would be that 3x.

Here's the 1-8 and the 3X.

View attachment 1100971
View attachment 1100970

I really want to pick up one of those PA 3x's. They tick alot of boxes for me. I'm actually looking to replace my StrikeEagle 1-6x with either that PA or an ACOG.

 

[syntaxerrorsix]

I really want to pick up one of those PA 3x's. They tick alot of boxes for me. I'm actually looking to replace my StrikeEagle 1-6x with either that PA or an ACOG.

The only issue with the ACOG (beyond price) is the reticles are 100% dependent on what ammo you use. There are only about 100 different models Heck even ACOG wanted the ACSS reticle.

I wouldn't hesitate to replace a 1-6 with the 3X for general use and leave a LPVO on 18"+ rifles.

 

[TonyAngel]

The only issue with the ACOG (beyond price) is the reticles are 100% dependent on what ammo you use. There are only about 100 different models Heck even ACOG wanted the ACSS reticle.

I wouldn't hesitate to replace a 1-6 with the 3X for general use and leave a LPVO on 18"+ rifles.

I just ordered one of the PA 3x microprisms. It should be waiting for me when I get home. I got to shoot with one this past weekend and ordered it from my phone as soon as I put the rifle down. I'm not expecting it to be ACOG tough and the glass certainly wasn't in the same class as an ACOG, but for the price, I'll certainly find a use for it.

As for BDC reticles, they often don't match up but that's true of many reticles that are caliber based. Just spend the $15 on an app like Strelok and don't worry about it. I punch in all of my info, including my specific reticle and beam my holds to my watch.

 

[syntaxerrorsix]

I just ordered one of the PA 3x microprisms. It should be waiting for me when I get home. I got to shoot with one this past weekend and ordered it from my phone as soon as I put the rifle down. I'm not expecting it to be ACOG tough and the glass certainly wasn't in the same class as an ACOG, but for the price, I'll certainly find a use for it.

As for BDC reticles, they often don't match up but that's true of many reticles that are caliber based. Just spend the $15 on an app like Strelok and don't worry about it. I punch in all of my info, including my specific reticle and beam my holds to my watch.

Yep, I've got the pro version on my phone and tape a dope card to the rifle. As far as toughness goes, prism scope are inherently hardy optics. I have no doubts that it could be broke but you'd have to really go out of your way to do so. In the same breath, ACOGS are not impervious to a Marine in the field either.

Hope you enjoy your as much as I enjoy mine. Only thing left for this one is the Sandman S to get out of jail.

 

[TonyAngel]

I did see that review where the guy mamaged to bend the mount on the PA 3x. I have a couple of Kram spacers sitting around that may be more robust than the spacers that come with the little 3x. I'm gonna see if one if them will work. I'm gonna have to play around with the setup and see if I can get my arisaka offset mount in a good place.