The Mamba with the right reticule costs $350 at TI while they can get it for $150 with a mount in the states. 133% markup is a bit much for me. Somebody mentioned that the right model is available for $250, but didn't say where. Instead of $350 for the Mamba, I'd rather go with the DMS for $290 and buy a RRA mount. If the right Mamba can be had for $250 with a mount, I'd consider it otherwise but TI is the only place that carries Mambas and their markup is a bit rich for my blood when there are better-known names in the same price range.
AR 1X4 optic choices
- Thread starter maurice
- Start date
The Mamba with the right reticule costs $350 at TI while they can get it for $150 with a mount in the states. 133% markup is a bit much for me. Somebody mentioned that the right model is available for $250, but didn't say where. Instead of $350 for the Mamba, I'd rather go with the DMS for $290 and buy a RRA mount. If the right Mamba can be had for $250 with a mount, I'd consider it otherwise but TI is the only place that carries Mambas and their markup is a bit rich for my blood when there are better-known names in the same price range.
The most comprehensive review of 1-4 scopes that I have found is at http://www .ar15.com/forums/t_3_18/421244_The_variable__low_power_multipurpose_scope_review_thread.html
If you ask a question like this you will usually get people trying to convince you to buy what they have bought. The true 1x 1-4 scopes I have bought have been the Millett 1-4 DMS and the Vortex Viper 1-4 PST capped. I like both scopes, however the Viper ($529 at P&D) is twice the cost of the Millett ($260 at P&D), so it stands to reason that it is an optically better scope. It is also worth noting that some 1-4 scopes do not have a true 1x magnification, such as the Leupold VX-2 and VX-3, also I do not understand why the 30mm illuminated VX-3 has a 20mm objective lens with a 30mm tube, since most 1-4 scopes with 30mm tubes have 24mm objective lens. One of the comments about the Millett DMS that I often see is about its weight of 18oz, however when I weighted mine I found it only weighted 17oz. If you check the table in the review you will see that there are a lot of other 1-4 scopes that weigh more.
If you ask a question like this you will usually get people trying to convince you to buy what they have bought. The true 1x 1-4 scopes I have bought have been the Millett 1-4 DMS and the Vortex Viper 1-4 PST capped. I like both scopes, however the Viper ($529 at P&D) is twice the cost of the Millett ($260 at P&D), so it stands to reason that it is an optically better scope. It is also worth noting that some 1-4 scopes do not have a true 1x magnification, such as the Leupold VX-2 and VX-3, also I do not understand why the 30mm illuminated VX-3 has a 20mm objective lens with a 30mm tube, since most 1-4 scopes with 30mm tubes have 24mm objective lens. One of the comments about the Millett DMS that I often see is about its weight of 18oz, however when I weighted mine I found it only weighted 17oz. If you check the table in the review you will see that there are a lot of other 1-4 scopes that weigh more.
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I'm very happy with my Trijicon TR24G. It's above your budgeted amount but the optics are incredible. I checked out several manufacturers, but was very disappointed in the glass in the Nikon, Burris, Millet, and even the Leupold 1.5-4 had distortion in the glass of the unit I looked at. The Trijicon is like looking at High Def images vs. Low def, the difference is quite visible.
What shooting are you going to do, that is what you need to ask yourself.
Id tell you the Burris MTAC, mainly for price, and if you do not like it you are not out much money when you sell it. I personally am partial to the MTAC because it is a fast sighting scope, but again out past say 300 m, the dot will cover too much of your target to have precision results.
Im not a precision kind of guy, for now, so the MTAC meets my criteria.
Do you want long range precision? Then you will need something with fine cross hairs or a fine reticle. That's where cost will go up. So try the CMR, same reason, cost, and recovery afterwards if you do not like it.
My advice is to find a shooter with this kind of set up, try the rifle/scope, and see if it is your kind of gig. It may not actually be.
Id tell you the Burris MTAC, mainly for price, and if you do not like it you are not out much money when you sell it. I personally am partial to the MTAC because it is a fast sighting scope, but again out past say 300 m, the dot will cover too much of your target to have precision results.
Im not a precision kind of guy, for now, so the MTAC meets my criteria.
Do you want long range precision? Then you will need something with fine cross hairs or a fine reticle. That's where cost will go up. So try the CMR, same reason, cost, and recovery afterwards if you do not like it.
My advice is to find a shooter with this kind of set up, try the rifle/scope, and see if it is your kind of gig. It may not actually be.
Mtac is the best low budget. Decent glass, daylight illumination, ok reticle. They'd sell a lot more of them if they'd redesign their reticle with something less cluttered.
Next up in the price scale would be the swfa 1-4. Ffp, mil/mil, daylight illumination excellent glass, great reticle.
After that I'd go with a 1-6 vortex. It'd be perfect if they'd ditch the bdc reticle and put a mil based one in there.
The cmr's have poor illumination and not good glass.
The tr24's have terrible reticles and a lot of fisheye effect in the glass. One of my least favourite 1-4's actually.
The vortex 1-4 has poor illumination. Not very fast on 1x.
The vxr patrol 1.25-4 would be great, but no 1x unfortunately, and so are a bit slower.
The short dot is great, but a mil based reticle would make the price more bearable.
The night force 1-4 has poor illumination, and is a bit slow on 1x due to he reticle being hard to pick up quickly.
Next up in the price scale would be the swfa 1-4. Ffp, mil/mil, daylight illumination excellent glass, great reticle.
After that I'd go with a 1-6 vortex. It'd be perfect if they'd ditch the bdc reticle and put a mil based one in there.
The cmr's have poor illumination and not good glass.
The tr24's have terrible reticles and a lot of fisheye effect in the glass. One of my least favourite 1-4's actually.
The vortex 1-4 has poor illumination. Not very fast on 1x.
The vxr patrol 1.25-4 would be great, but no 1x unfortunately, and so are a bit slower.
The short dot is great, but a mil based reticle would make the price more bearable.
The night force 1-4 has poor illumination, and is a bit slow on 1x due to he reticle being hard to pick up quickly.
Well Bushnell has a bunch of new optics coming out soon. 2 of them are 1-4s. One has a hinged throw lever and illumination and the other is non illuminated with no throw lever. Higginsons has them on their 2013 price list at $188 and $280ish. Expected July 2013. I might try the non illuminated model but more than likely will just go for an NF.
I bought a Vision king on Ebay for $100, delivered. Do a search on ebay for: Visionking 1.25-5x26 Rifle scope
it looks very much like the Mamba, and has the same reticle as the Millit. I have used it for one match and it worked well. The zoom range of 1.25 - 5 is very handy.
it looks very much like the Mamba, and has the same reticle as the Millit. I have used it for one match and it worked well. The zoom range of 1.25 - 5 is very handy.
How is it for close distance work? How many rounds have you put through the rifle with it mounted? Some of those Chinese scopes don't hold up to centerfire too well.
Only 300 rounds with it so far. I will use it for a full season of CQB and see how it goes. I have had cheap scopes fall apart, and I have had a cheap Bushnell last for years.
I went out on Sat looking for an 858 but came home with a shiny new XCR in 7.62x39 instead. With an 858 budget I knew I couldn't afford high end glass so I mounted a Hi-Lux 1-4x24 AK762 as a temporary measure. I put 400 rounds downrange on Sun and I think the scope found it's permanent home. My only complaint is the reticle being very fine, almost too fine. Other than that, I'm quite impressed with it.
I'll run another 400 this weekend just to make sure.
Fwiw, I got a smoking deal on it from Jones at Wanstalls. Thanks Craig.
I'll run another 400 this weekend just to make sure.
Fwiw, I got a smoking deal on it from Jones at Wanstalls. Thanks Craig.
300 is a good start, thanks for the heads up.. That's how long a cheap "Bushnell" scope lasted me until it started popping ballbearings.
Just got some additional questions on this scope:
1) What are you using to mount it?
2) Have you tried true 1x sights and how was your speed of acquisition in comparison?
3) Was it maintaining zero or did you need to adjust it?
4) Have you compared it to other entry-level scopes like Millett DMS?
5) Any other thoughts?
Thanks in advance for the more detailed review
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300 is a good start, thanks for the heads up.. That's how long a cheap "Bushnell" scope lasted me until it started popping ballbearings.
Just got some additional questions on this scope:
1) What are you using to mount it? I used high (see thru) cheap 30mm rings. $10 a pair on ebay.
2) Have you tried true 1x sights and how was your speed of acquisition in comparison? Did not try 1x. But with both eyes open the 1.25 still looks good.
3) Was it maintaining zero or did you need to adjust it? Have not touched it since initial zero.
4) Have you compared it to other entry-level scopes like Millett DMS? Yes. I have Millett DMS on another AR. It is very similar to the $100 scope. might have come from the same factory.
5) Any other thoughts?
Thanks in advance for the more detailed review
I am exploring the cheap end of the product pool because it amuses me to do so. I am not saying or thinking it is a mistake to pay more for quality.
Thanks for the heads up.. I'll give it a shot then. Any thoughts on using a scope base instead of rings? Those can be had pretty cheap too.
I have the hilux CMR on my 14.5" AR. I love it, great price, clear glass, really like the reticle and the zero lock feature is a great feature to have.
I am very intrigued with this optic. I have read many many reviews on this and seem only positive. The only gripe I have read is that the crosshair is really thin and can be hard to pick up. Do you find this the case?
