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Rifle Scopes Budget prism scope
- Thread starter Blazin88
- Start date
Not really the thing most of us use.
I have 8 scopes. Only have 1 basic red dot for a blackout pistol. It works, but I along with many others have went the lpvo traditional scope route.
Thing is, most times you won't get an answer here unless someone actually has experience.
I know I've looked through a few prisms, wasnt impressed enough to change, and decided when my current 1-6 dies I'll just go back to an eotech.
I have 8 scopes. Only have 1 basic red dot for a blackout pistol. It works, but I along with many others have went the lpvo traditional scope route.
Thing is, most times you won't get an answer here unless someone actually has experience.
I know I've looked through a few prisms, wasnt impressed enough to change, and decided when my current 1-6 dies I'll just go back to an eotech.
Although I’ve never tried one I plan to purchase a couple primary arms 3x blems at $219.99 for my two centurion carbines. Reviews seem very favorable and as everyone knows the ACSS is a phenomenal reticle.
Plus it won’t have that shitty eye relief of the TA31 it’s replacing.
Plus it won’t have that shitty eye relief of the TA31 it’s replacing.
I have tested a bunch of prism scopes. What do you mean by budget?
The lowest I would probably go is Crimson Trace's 3.5x Battlesight. I've been beating one up for a few months now and it has not skipped a beat.
Going up in price, Sig Bravo4 has that crazy FOV. I have one and like it.
My go to prismatic scope is Elcan Specter 4x, but that really comes down to budget.
ILya
The lowest I would probably go is Crimson Trace's 3.5x Battlesight. I've been beating one up for a few months now and it has not skipped a beat.
Going up in price, Sig Bravo4 has that crazy FOV. I have one and like it.
My go to prismatic scope is Elcan Specter 4x, but that really comes down to budget.
ILya
Spitfire 1x is quite good. I am not as impressed with the magnified version, but it works.
There should be some higher end 1x prism scopes coming to market that are just a touch more expensive, but I am not sure what the timeline is.
Ilya
That's interesting news. I have two rifles set up for home defense that have 1x Spitfires on them due to my astigmatism. They are perfectly fine in the role except there is no available ARD. I've been hoping that a higher end 1x would be released...I'd love to see Vortex make a 1x Prism AMG.
Excellent news! I like the 1x Spitfire but the illumination went out a while back and I haven't bothered to send it in. It's something I rarely use anyways. Overall I much prefer a 1x prism to a RDS.
I know, here comes that Burris guy..
But I truly have a dog in this fight, as Burris has an excellent line up of affordable prism sights.
They offer a BDC reticle in 1x, 3x, and 5x, and a 3x coupler if you want some magnification behind a 1x. OR, you can buy the 3x or 5x in a kit with a mounted Fastfire 3 RDS. They all have red and green illumination or a black reticle if its it not powered up or the battery is dead. All are NV compatible.
Then there's the modular T.M.P.R system which has an extra-wide field of view and is designed to mount items like RDS and laser sights. When those items are mounted they share the power source of the primary optic, which is pretty cool.
Then there is the Ballistic (no I'm not done yet) AR-1X and 3X which offer the ballistic AR reticle. This sight also has a variant of the Ballistic CQ that is quite simply the easiest to use 1x prism sight for targets at distance. It uses a bracketing BDC that doesn't obscure the target, which in my experience, the lines of most BDCs do. It works great, it's pretty popular with Limited division 3 Gunners.
These are a pretty good gig. Check them out here..
www.burrisoptics.com
www.burrisoptics.com
But I truly have a dog in this fight, as Burris has an excellent line up of affordable prism sights.
They offer a BDC reticle in 1x, 3x, and 5x, and a 3x coupler if you want some magnification behind a 1x. OR, you can buy the 3x or 5x in a kit with a mounted Fastfire 3 RDS. They all have red and green illumination or a black reticle if its it not powered up or the battery is dead. All are NV compatible.
Then there's the modular T.M.P.R system which has an extra-wide field of view and is designed to mount items like RDS and laser sights. When those items are mounted they share the power source of the primary optic, which is pretty cool.
Then there is the Ballistic (no I'm not done yet) AR-1X and 3X which offer the ballistic AR reticle. This sight also has a variant of the Ballistic CQ that is quite simply the easiest to use 1x prism sight for targets at distance. It uses a bracketing BDC that doesn't obscure the target, which in my experience, the lines of most BDCs do. It works great, it's pretty popular with Limited division 3 Gunners.
These are a pretty good gig. Check them out here..
AR Prims Tactical Sights | Burris Optics
Burris AR prism sights are made specifically for close-quarter engagement with an AR. These prism sights allow for nanosecond target acquisition.
www.burrisoptics.com
T.M.P.R. System Prism Sight | Burris Optics
www.burrisoptics.com
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I agree, a dedicated AR-3X would be great. It's very compact. But you got it right, the AR-3X is what they call the AR-1X Tactical pack. It's the 1X With the 3X Tripler and mount. Great value there at only $299 though.
I've used the AR-1X on my 308 SASS running Heavy Metal division 3 Gun. That reticle really is the best in the game for 200 plus.
Just so you guys know what reticle I'm talking about, I pictured it below.
Rather than having a center post or vertical reticle line with cross subtensions, it has open brackets. On 1x and even 3x, the targets get pretty small and hard to see as they get out there. So rather than a reticle design that obscures or partially obscures your target, you bracket the target in the open areas between the subtensions. And the brackets come closer together for smaller, longer range targets.
It's super simple to use, and the most effective low magnification or 1x prism sight I've ever used. It adds some versatility to the optic.
Rather than having a center post or vertical reticle line with cross subtensions, it has open brackets. On 1x and even 3x, the targets get pretty small and hard to see as they get out there. So rather than a reticle design that obscures or partially obscures your target, you bracket the target in the open areas between the subtensions. And the brackets come closer together for smaller, longer range targets.
It's super simple to use, and the most effective low magnification or 1x prism sight I've ever used. It adds some versatility to the optic.
I'm not sure if there's a reason the Burris AR-332 hasn't been mentioned. I have two. It's super clear with a generous field of view. If you practice a little, it becomes two optics in one. 3x with one eye closed and holographic-like floating reticle with both eyes open. I'm still on the fence between these and the Nikon 1-4x, but the AR-332 can be a great system if you use it right.
I have one of the Primary Arms 3x gen 2 scopes. It’s got the reticle for 7.62x39/300BO. I like it well enough for what it is.
I have the same complaint about it as I do damn near every prism scope. I hate they have BDC reticles. I picked mine up for my dedicated deer carbine.
I would love to have a 3x, 4x, or 5x prism scope with good FOV, a course aiming point for up close, and a mil scale for hold overs and windage. Something that would work on anything.
Unfortunately I don’t think there’s enough market for one that isn’t BDC.
I have the same complaint about it as I do damn near every prism scope. I hate they have BDC reticles. I picked mine up for my dedicated deer carbine.
I would love to have a 3x, 4x, or 5x prism scope with good FOV, a course aiming point for up close, and a mil scale for hold overs and windage. Something that would work on anything.
Unfortunately I don’t think there’s enough market for one that isn’t BDC.
I think there is a market. All it will take is one company to stop with the herd mentality and make the plunge.
This is a niche that they can own for at least one or two product cycles.
ILya
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I just purchased a pc carbine and my aging eyes need a little magnification so I’ve been looking at the prism scopes because they have etched reticule low magnification small package still useable after I forget to turn off the illumination and battery goes dead. Been really looking at the athalon Midas btr pr31 kind of liking its reticule. And thanks for the replies every one I kind of know this sight is more geared for 1000 yards and beyond but I also like to plink and shoot gophers and such!
I don’t mind BDC reticles for the type of rifle these scopes go on. Play with your zero a bit and the BDC reticle will line up plenty good to make good hits to reasonable distances. Precision scopes they are not. But more options are never bad.
The PA 3x works great on my 300BO. It’s close enough out to 300 that I was hitting steel just using the holds. That’s the farthest I’ve tried it.
The scope is stuck where it is. I would rather a reticle that’s generic. I could slap it on anything and make a drop chart and done. Then when I’m tired of that rifle or caliber I could swap it around.
I find BDC reticles quick and easy to use. More so than a mil reticle.
Having used them extensively in 3 Gun I think they are faster to sort out where you need to be than the mil reticle. I've used them with 5.56, 6.5 Creedmoor, and 7.62. Just match the reticle to my dope.
For what they are made to do they are perfect for the task.
Having used them extensively in 3 Gun I think they are faster to sort out where you need to be than the mil reticle. I've used them with 5.56, 6.5 Creedmoor, and 7.62. Just match the reticle to my dope.
For what they are made to do they are perfect for the task.
I agree. In low power scopes if it has a mil reticle, which I do like, i like just whole mil markers and nothing else. Old school. Vortex does it well in their 1-6 optics. Less clutter and easy enough to bracket and fire.
I have used 1-6 with half mil marks and they are not quick or easy to use to get off quick shots. It is too easy to get lost in the tiny reticle.
I also agree. BDC prism scope work great for their intended purpose.
BDC’s suck when trying to adapt them outside of their intended cartridge.
I bought a cheap prism scope for my 300BO because I didn’t want to tie up ACOG money for an optic that sits on a rifle that stays in the safe 48+ weeks a year.
If there were an option for a straight up MIL (or maybe even MOA) scale fixed power prism scope I would be all over it. I could slap one on a 5.56, .308, 300BO, .458 socom, .450BM, or 6.5 Grendel and it would work just like the optic on my precision rifle.
Exactly. I bought the 1-6 Gen II Razor back when the mil reticle first came out. Used it for a few months and swapped it out for the Miculek BDC.
Havent looked back.
Different folks different strokes. I tested both and really preferred the mrad version.
ILya
Another option not mentioned yet is the Steiner M536 or, M332 (I have the M536) and it's fantastic. Not sure if this model is still in production? However, I've been more than impressed with mine...purchased when they first came out a few years ago.
AvsFan
AvsFan
Have you heard of Swampfox optics? Supposedly owned by by a larger known company and they own one of the better factories in China according to their marketing manager Mike (formerly from primary arms)
He was just discussing the above idea on TOS. Something 3 to 4x with large fov. BDC and MOA or mil grid.
I have heard decent things but haven't seen in person. Did you plan on checking any of.these out?
I have never seen anything from SwampFox. I do not currently have plans to look at them, but if there is interest I will.
ILya
I know you post on TOS as well. They seem to be gaining a bit of a presence over there. A couple multi page threads. I would have interest in your thoughts of it is something you could make happen.
if you reach out to.Mike he might be able.to send you some.stuff. They have a 1x10 coming as well I believe
I looked at the specs on their website and some are quite odd. It will be interesting to talk to them.
ILya
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Just as a follow up, I discovered that the Primary Arms PAC1X ARD works great on the Spitfire 1x (Model SPR-1301). Vortex really should have offered one of these originally.
was looking at the primary arms prism and a 6x's mag price is nice at under or at 400 just have not pulled the trigger on buying it yet . keep thinking I'll find something better for less or it will go on sale .
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