I recently picked up a new to me Eotech Vudu 1-8 SFP and that spurred me to do a side-by-side comparison of all of the LPVOs I currently have ranging from cheap to mid-tier. I figured it could be helpful to others to share my observations. There are some things I wish knew when I bought my first LPVO. I'm not a glass snob and top out at what most consider mid-tier optics but I've started to appreciate better optics more and more as I've upgraded some of my scopes. I did a side comparison of a Strike Eagle Gen II 1-6, Atibal XP8 1-8, Viper PST Gen II 1-6, Bushnell SMRS II Pro 1-6.5 and Eotech Vudu 1-8 SFP. I went through my house acting like I was using it in them in a home defense situation, used them in a 50-yard 3 sided bay on cardboard targets and took them out to a 200-550 yard range with steel targets. The important thing is I compared them all back-to-back on the same day for each comparison.
- 1-6 vs 1-8: As you increase the magnification range compromises are introduced. At the same level of optics and general quality when you go from a 6x to a 8x magnification range it introduces some compromises either in the forgivingness of the eye box or the quality of the 1x image.
- I've had both 1-6 and 1-8 Vortex Strike Eagle's and prefer the 1-6 due to this.
- I purchased the Vudu 1-8 SFP to see how I like a 1-8 a better level of optics and quality.
- Eye relief is important and having the scope mounted slightly too close can result in everything looking worse and the eye box seeming tighter than it really is. I didn't realize I had one of the scopes in this comparison mounted slightly too close to my eye until I looked at it side by side with other scopes and was surprised by the difference. Once mounted it slightly further forward I saw a big improvement.
- There are a lot of things that are personal preference for LPVOs. I personally don't like FFP in an LPVO even though I prefer that in just about everything else besides and LPVO but plenty of people disagree with me on that.
- Vortex SE and Atibal XP8: These seem identical glass quality and feel. I prefer the SE 1-6 over the 1-8 and sold the SE 1-8 I ad but still have the XP8. I started with these as my first LPVOs and shot several 3-gun completions with them. Before I used anything better, I had no complaints and really like them. They are good enough to work but once you use a better LPVO you notice the difference and can potentially get start nit picking them and not want to use them as much. I was able to make out more resolution and detail at distance with even the PST Gen II on 6x than I could with the XP8 on 8x and I think that would be the same for a SE 1-8.
- Viper PST Gen II 1-6: I recently picked up one of these used and wish I had sooner. I am shocked at how much of a difference there is between the SE level and the PST Gen II level for and LPVO. The glass is much better both on 1x up close and on 6x at longer distances. The fit and finish is also noticeably better, but it does come at a penalty of being a few ounces heavier than the SE and some other LPVOs. I think the PST Gen II 1-6 is one of the best bang for the buck out there especially if you get a decent deal on a used one for the same price as buying a new SE. The glass difference between the SE & XP8 to the PST Gen II is very noticeable, but the glass difference between the PST Gen II and the SMRS II Pro and Vudu is much less noticeable and harder to quantify event when looking through them back-to-back in the same environment.
- Bushnell SMRS II Pro 1-6.5: I think this is a very underappreciated optic. The 1x is very good and the edges of the scope almost disappear when looking through it almost as well as a Razor Gen II 1-6. I unfortunately don't own a Razor to do a side-by-side comparison but have looked through several on multiple occasions. It's a glass etched reticle and for the most part I like the reticle but wish the center aiming dot was a little smaller, it's 1.25 MOA. Also with being an etched reticle the illumination of the center dot isn't as bright as the wire reticle illumination of the PST Gen II, Razor Gen II or Vudu SFP. I can see the illumination on a sunny day but it’s not red dot bright. But with the really good 1x and the 1.25 MOA center dot I don't see the need for illumination that is red dot bright. This is also the lightest and most compact scope of the group at only 17.3 ounces.
- Eotech Vudu 1-8 SFP: I like it a lot and when put on the same magnification as the SMRS II Pro they both have equal clarity and resolution to my eye. The 1x is as good as the PST Gen II but not quite as good as the SMRS II Pro mostly because the edges of the scope don't disappear as much. The eye box is also slightly tighter than the SMRS II Pro and about the same as the PST Gen II. the extra magnification along with the glass quality did allow me to see more detail at distance compared to any of the other scopes. I think it's well executed and the slight compromises of being a 1-8 vs 1-6 are worth if for this level of quality and for my intended use for the rifle. I like the small 1/2 MOA center aiming point and was able to shoot better groups with this when zeroing it than I have with any other LPVO. This is coupled with very good illumination to get close to red-dot bright level illumination but not quite as bright as the Viper PST.
