Low-Power Illuminated Scopes

[Sheperd80]

Finally took the plunge and bought an AR. Ive decided on a low-power illum but the options are a bit overwhelming.

What i want is a 1-3x or 1-4x under $400. The Burris tac30 is interesting. Comes with PEPR mount and has the features i want but i hear (on the interwebz) its not a true 1x and therefore not as good for both-eyes-opened quick target aquisition. Any truth to this?

Am i asking for too much in that price range? Any advice is greatly appreciated.

[nastyhabts26]

I have the dedicated marksman from Millet.
1X4 illuminated dot in a donut.
put it on a bubbad out SKS.
I love it can shoot one eye or both open onlow power also crank it up and it works great out to 300 yards.
If the battery dies you have a black dot in a black donut which is easy to see and use in daylight.

[FMJBT]

Leatherwood CMR is a great option under $400. The reticle design in the CMR is great for mid to long range use, but I find it to be a bit thin and under illuminated compared to some other 1-4X scopes for close range work. If you tend to shoot a lot at ranges less than 100 yards, the CMR might not be the best option. For 100 yards and out though, there are not many 1-4X scopes I'd take over a CMR.

[SilentPea]

Don't forget the Vortex PST -- the illumination is a little weaker than some of the other ones mentioned here, but it is pretty much dead on 1X (for pretty much any distance greater than the end of your barrel)

[ExtremeX]

I am a huge fan of low power variable scopes... one of my favorite type of optics to use on the AR platform.

Vortex PST is a fantastic option, but the illumination isn’t really day light bright... use on an overcast day is good as it gets. I have a couple Vortex PST scopes and its one of my go-to brands for optics.

I haven’t tried the Leatherwood CMR, but if FMJBT is recommending it, I would give it a look. I still have to get my hands on one to try it for myself.

There are many options like the SWFA 1-4 and 1-6x scopes along with other higher end options but those options unfortunately run significantly more than $400…

I think a good way to start narrowing down what you want is to decide if you want a BDC reticle or traditional crosshairs with graduations in MIL or MOA.

[Sheperd80]

Thanks for the input. I looked at all of those and they all seemed like decent options. Almost ordered the millet then i had the luxury of seeing the Mtac in person and was impressed. Im always leary buying something i havent looked at.

So i ordered one and dammit i splurged! I got the package with the pepr mount and the fastfire 2 rds on top.

So much for 400 or less... :-/ Im thinkin the rds add on is a little hokey...if i like it, good. If not, it was only $100 with the package so i can probably resell it for a profit.

Pics coming 7 painstaking days from now. Ill have rifle, optic and magpul goodies by then. Aagahahajmkh F***ing Brady bill.....

[SilentPea]

Worst case scenario, you can chuck the fastfire on your rimfire plinker or possibly even a handgun.

[Sheperd80]

Worst case scenario, you can chuck the fastfire on your rimfire plinker or possibly even a handgun.

True enough. I suppose i could put it on the old ladys 10/22.