Rifle Scopes LPVO alternatives

[stemikel]

I have been considering the purchase of an LVPO. I have been following many of the posts here trying to determine which scope I should mount to a 16" LMT 5.56. The concept of the variable optic is great, but the reality is that I would probably only use 1x and the max power (5-6x). It is really unlikely that I would use any setting in between.

Now with that being said, does anyone have experience running a fixed 5-6 power scope with an offset RMR? Any advantages or disadvantages? It seems that the options for fixed low-mid power optics are kind of limited. I really want something illuminated. I found a few Steiners (T and S series) that look interesting. S&B has a fixed 6x but I don't believe that it is illuminated.

Thanks for your thoughts.

 

[david223]

I've tried it a few times and I always went back to LPVOs. Had a Steiner battle sight that had pretty good glass, but the thick housing steals alot of apparent FOV. A nice scope like a K16i or Razor is alot more forgiving imo and just nicer to look through for an extended period of time. The eye relief is also usually limited on the fixed prism sights which is usually not a big deal with LPVOs.

 

[Shooter McGavin]

I have a Trijicon AccuPower 1-8 with an offset Delta Pro red dot. The red dot makes it easy to find targets when the LVPO is turned up to high magnification. Once the target is acquired with the red dot I just get on the scope and take the shot. Takes some practice. Also, nice to have a red dot when practicing clearing rooms and hitting closer targets faster. My LVPO is heavy at 25 ounces, that's why I went with the Delta Pro instead of an Aimpoint micro. The Vortex Razor 1-6 Gen II seems like a good way to go. I was able to pick up the Trijicon for less than $900 so I get to carry the extra weight.

 

[midSCarolina]

I have personally moved from an LPVO to an ACOG (fixed 4x so similar concept)w/ offset RMR and have been happy with it. I mainly did it to save some weight. With my LPVO, I would typically have it set to 3-4x. At 6x (razor 1-6), it was taking me longer to transition from target to target at intermediate ranges and was not significantly increasing my hit probability. And since I pretty much left it around 4x anyways, I decided to save some weight and just go with the acog. But I guess the point of that story is that if you are dealing with multiple targets 300-500 out, you may want to drop the magnification down, but not all the way to 1x, in order to get a better fov

 

[PBWalsh]

A TA31 ACOG plus and ADM mount is 12.6 oz. Add an RMR (1.6oz) and mount and you’re just less than a pound. Weight was the main reason I went with this setup. Currently, I have not purchased the RMR and may not do so.

I primarily use the optic with the objective cover flipped down, using both eyes to look at the target and at the reticle via the Bindon Aiming Concept; similar to how a RDS is used. While doing this in the daytime, the occluded reticle is very fast (.6-.7 up times from a low ready, 7/10 yards) for my skill level. My brain is not seeing a 4x and a 0x image, just one flat 0x image with a reticle floating in space. I’m a bit slower with the objective cover up (looking at 4x) but its doable. I only use the actual magnification if needed or if time permits.

In other words, my ACOG’s default use is a red dot with the ability to use 4x magnification when needed.

I have not had the opportunity to shoot at night so I cannot speak to the effectiveness of the tritium. I’d probably just use the cover down and run the 4x BAC with a white light. Due to this, I may get an offset RMR in the future, maybe.

The TA31 is gorgeous to look through assuming you get a proper mount that compensates for the short eye relief. It takes some getting used to, but it is quite nice when you get there.

If weight is a concern, I highly recommend looking at the TA31, mine has the red ACSS Aurora reticle. Its cool, but just get whatever reticle you like. If weight is not a concern, there are plenty of LPVOs that will do a fantastic job.

 

[2muchcowbell]

A TA31 ACOG plus and ADM mount is 12.6 oz. Add an RMR (1.6oz) and mount and you’re just less than a pound. Weight was the main reason I went with this setup. Currently, I have not purchased the RMR and may not do so.

I primarily use the optic with the objective cover flipped down, using both eyes to look at the target and at the reticle via the Bindon Aiming Concept; similar to how a RDS is used. While doing this in the daytime, the occluded reticle is very fast (.6-.7 up times from a low ready, 7/10 yards) for my skill level. My brain is not seeing a 4x and a 0x image, just one flat 0x image with a reticle floating in space. I’m a bit slower with the objective cover up (looking at 4x) but its doable. I only use the actual magnification if needed or if time permits.

In other words, my ACOG’s default use is a red dot with the ability to use 4x magnification when needed.

I have not had the opportunity to shoot at night so I cannot speak to the effectiveness of the tritium. I’d probably just use the cover down and run the 4x BAC with a white light. Due to this, I may get an offset RMR in the future, maybe.

The TA31 is gorgeous to look through assuming you get a proper mount that compensates for the short eye relief. It takes some getting used to, but it is quite nice when you get there.

If weight is a concern, I highly recommend looking at the TA31, mine has the red ACSS Aurora reticle. Its cool, but just get whatever reticle you like. If weight is not a concern, there are plenty of LPVOs that will do a fantastic job.

Now that is a really interesting idea, covering the 4x objective and just using the Bindon aiming concept. I picked up a 4x ACOG for the simplicity and the weight, but noticed my shots from low-ready were a tiny bit slower than through an Eotech. I'll have to try covering the optic on my next range trip. Thanks for a cool idea!

 

[midSCarolina]

A TA31 ACOG plus and ADM mount is 12.6 oz. Add an RMR (1.6oz) and mount and you’re just less than a pound. Weight was the main reason I went with this setup. Currently, I have not purchased the RMR and may not do so.

I primarily use the optic with the objective cover flipped down, using both eyes to look at the target and at the reticle via the Bindon Aiming Concept; similar to how a RDS is used. While doing this in the daytime, the occluded reticle is very fast (.6-.7 up times from a low ready, 7/10 yards) for my skill level. My brain is not seeing a 4x and a 0x image, just one flat 0x image with a reticle floating in space. I’m a bit slower with the objective cover up (looking at 4x) but its doable. I only use the actual magnification if needed or if time permits.

In other words, my ACOG’s default use is a red dot with the ability to use 4x magnification when needed.

I have not had the opportunity to shoot at night so I cannot speak to the effectiveness of the tritium. I’d probably just use the cover down and run the 4x BAC with a white light. Due to this, I may get an offset RMR in the future, maybe.

The TA31 is gorgeous to look through assuming you get a proper mount that compensates for the short eye relief. It takes some getting used to, but it is quite nice when you get there.

If weight is a concern, I highly recommend looking at the TA31, mine has the red ACSS Aurora reticle. Its cool, but just get whatever reticle you like. If weight is not a concern, there are plenty of LPVOs that will do a fantastic job.

Nice... the occluded objective does work really well. I have had multiple people ask me why I only have a cap on the objective and that is why. I don’t really shoot like that since I have the rmr but it’s good to have the option. ACSS aurora is also the way to go. Good post. Right on

 

[PBWalsh]

Now that is a really interesting idea, covering the 4x objective and just using the Bindon aiming concept. I picked up a 4x ACOG for the simplicity and the weight, but noticed my shots from low-ready were a tiny bit slower than through an Eotech. I'll have to try covering the optic on my next range trip. Thanks for a cool idea!

Yeah, I’m sure I’d be faster with a dedicated Aimpoint or EoTech, especially while on the move. I will estimate this would boil down to the flexibility of the eye box of one of those sights compared to a TA31. The TA31, even occluded, still wants to be a bit picky when it comes to picking up the reticle whereas my Sig Romeo 5 is more forgiving and a bit more natural.

Again, this is a training issue. Rounds down range and purposeful dry fire sessions will help the ACOG‘s case.

 

[2muchcowbell]

Yeah, I’m sure I’d be faster with a dedicated Aimpoint or EoTech, especially while on the move. I will estimate this would boil down to the flexibility of the eye box of one of those sights compared to a TA31. The TA31, even occluded, still wants to be a bit picky when it comes to picking up the reticle whereas my Sig Romeo 5 is more forgiving and a bit more natural.

Again, this is a training issue. Rounds down range and purposeful dry fire sessions will help the ACOG‘s case.

Absolutely. A 0.2-s delay* (roughly what I've measured in hitting the 0 zone on an IDPA target at close range, compared to my Eotech) is not quite enough for me to move from the ACOG. The ACOG is a very solid do-all optic for my carbine.

(*there may also be the confounding factor that the Eotech is on an 8" pistol, and the ACOG is on a 16" M4-profile carbine)