5x micro magnifier options(or lack thereof)

JDB55

Gunny Sergeant
Full Member
Minuteman
Apr 21, 2021
528
397
Tennessee
So this is kind of a question and a topic of discussion. I have a 3x vortex micro on my rifle, it's fine, but it doesn't give me much magnification obviously compared to a 6x. The 6x micro(vortex)seems to be stretching the capabilities of the current technology based on reviews I've seen, and capabilities are compromised (subjective I know).

The eotech g45 seems to be fairly well regarded in its balance of eye relief, size, weight etc, but is really expensive. The only other contender I've seen is the Sig Juliet 5x which seems semi capable, but the mount and glass quality isn't near that of the g45.

I would love to see another contender put something out closer to the eotech in quality and hit that middle ground between the g45 and Juliet 5 micro price wise; does anyone know if there is something coming out or already out?

Feel free to tell me a 3x is better or a larger 5 or 6x is better as well. Just coming from my use case and what I would like to see/wonder if something is on the way. Thanks!
 
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I have a 3x vortex magnifier that I have used on and off a couple of AR's. I do think that the Eotech 5x would be your best option at this time. I am not sure if we will see new and innovative magnifiers? I am guessing, but I think that they are less popular than they were a few years ago. I think a lot of people have went the LPVO route with or without a companion red dot.
 
Feel free to tell me a 3x is better or a larger 5 or 6x is better as well. Just coming from my use case and what I would like to see/wonder if something is on the way. Thanks!
Sorry I missed where you have mentioned your use case. What type of shooting are you doing?

I have used 3x magnifiers from a few brands including vertex, I also used a 5x from Athelon. I think that the FOV tradeoff from 3x to 5x is too great. I would take a 3x over 5x in any dynamic situation.
 
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Sorry I missed where you have mentioned your use case. What type of shooting are you doing?

I have used 3x magnifiers from a few brands including vertex, I also used a 5x from Athelon. I think that the FOV tradeoff from 3x to 5x is too great. I would take a 3x over 5x in any dynamic situation.
Makes sense, especially with eye relief.

This rifle has a BDC dot on it that can get me out to 500 yards on target. Would like to maximize that, 3x seems a little weak at that distance, depending on the size of the target of course.
 
I've used the Vortex 3x and 6x and much prefer the 6x. I'll preface this by saying I like magnifiers with an optic with multiple aiming points (like the Eotech EXPS-3-2). The typical holds with a 50 yd zero are great if you're shooting at full size IPSCs (hold the "head", hold "the hat", etc) but not as easy to apply if shooting at smaller targets. The 6x gets you out to 500 yds with the usual caveat that it's much easier to do with mild wind on a range with good berms and high contrast targets and a lot more challenging in wooded terrain with targets that aren't high contrast and in any kind of wind (due to the lack of precise wind holds ). To me, if you're running a magnifier, it's flipped to the side as a default and only flipped in front of the optic to PID or engage a further target so you might as well have more magnification.