AR optics with etched reticle and no magnification

[Casey Lee]

A few years ago I had an eye injury resulting in an inability to clearly see the red dot in my optics in bright daylight. I can see the etched reticle in my Vortex Viper just fine and in low light the red dot is good, but my department won’t let us use magnification on our rifles. The only sight I found with etched reticle, red dot and no magnification looked like something for an airsoft gun. Suggestions for a quality sight for my AR?

 

[srt-4_uk]

Vortex Spitfire AR

 

[jabonra]

Primary arms has 1x prisms

 

[Redlion]

Primary Arms has a couple 1x prism sights that may interest you.

Primary Arms SLx 1X MicroPrism™ Scope - Red Illuminated ACSS Cyclops Reticle - Gen II

Primary Arms SLx 1X MicroPrism™ Scope - Green Illuminated ACSS Cyclops Reticle - Gen II

 

[Casey Lee]

The lighted prism doesn’t show up in my vision against light background. I need something like a standard scope crosshairs, I can see that.

 

[srt-4_uk]

Everything listed is an etched reticle that has the option of illumination.
They are basically 1x scopes.

 

[Redlion]

Everything is an etched reticle that has the option of illumination.
They are basically 1x scopes.

Yep. The PA prism sights have etched reticles that you can use without illumination on.

 

[flogxal]

The Primary Arms SLX 1x prism is pretty doggone good for the price. Steiner makes a couple of prisms if you want better glass.

 

[Im2bent]

 

[sam4886]

PA is also close to releasing a GLx or whatever their nicer version is on the 1x prisms. They've been teasing for s whole now.

I will warn you that the eye relief is real short on both the PA and the vortex. I've got an astigmatism, so I'm stuck with them too.

I could never find a reticle subtension page for the PA stuff, but their Gemini reticle is small. I'm using it to hunt, so no biggie, but for Dept use I bet it would be hard to pick up when running and gunning. The vortex reticle is bigger, and I've also heard that the other PA reticles are a bit bigger too.

 

[srt-4_uk]

Idk about the PA but I've never had a problem with eye relief on the Vortex Spitfire or Spitfire AR shooting it in 3 gun. We shoot from lots of weird positions too.
For my eyes, a reticle is useless in the 1x. I had a Burris AR1X and the subtentions were worthless. Also with the Burris, it has a massive center dot. Completely covered up small targets at distance but might actually be beneficial for your use.
Also skip the discontinued Leupold Prismatic. Illumination was only usable at duck/dawn and the mount was hot garbage.

 

[flogxal]

Unless you are young and have exceptional vision, the subtensions/holdovers seem to be there for when you put a magnifier in the mix. They don't do much for me at 1x, but I'm old with very tired eyes.

 

[chevy_man]

PA is also close to releasing a GLx or whatever their nicer version is on the 1x prisms. They've been teasing for s whole now.

I will warn you that the eye relief is real short on both the PA and the vortex. I've got an astigmatism, so I'm stuck with them too.

I could never find a reticle subtension page for the PA stuff, but their Gemini reticle is small. I'm using it to hunt, so no biggie, but for Dept use I bet it would be hard to pick up when running and gunning. The vortex reticle is bigger, and I've also heard that the other PA reticles are a bit bigger too.

I have astigmatism and eotechs are awesome. Nice and crisp.

Subtensions are definitely meant for use with a magnifier.