Current Best LPVO?

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lsnek

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Considering an LPVO, was wondering what are generally considered to be the best options today? Anything interesting coming soon? Will probably have to go with something lower budget but in case I’m able to get something better I’d like to know what’s best. Also, MRAD vs MOA?

These are what I’m thinking are the best? Idk

Vortex Razor 1-10
Nightforce ATACR 1-8
Nightforce NX8 1-8
Vortex Razor 1-6

Anything I’m missing?
 
Bonjour43ma said:
You missed a big one:

Primary Arms PLx Compact 1-8x
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I'm tempted to try this one, it's getting rave reviews.

I have a Minox ZP8 1-8. Top notch optic. The only downside I can think of is the raised magnification adjustment knob would interfere with the bolt handle if you were to use it on a bolt action.
 
I've got a Bushnell Elite SMRS 1-8.5 and a Razor Gen 3 1-10, both of which I've used extensively on .223 gas guns.

The Bushnell is a nice optic, like all the Elite Tac line it's been bombproof and tracks perfectly. The downsides are that the reticle really isn't day time bright and the glass quality starts to suffer from 6-8.5x. The locking elevation turret is nice for dialling on dope for longer shots (I've shot it out to 650 yds). Because of the lack of brightness in the reticle, it really benefits from an offset red dot. The reticle is also a "circle dot" style (think Eotech) but imo the dot is too small (and not bright enough) at 1x but too big at 8.5x for accurate holds on small targets (I tend to dial on the dope minus 1.0 mil and holdover the rest since the tree is thinner).

The Razor 1-10 is a fantastic optic. The reticle is super bright and works just like a red dot at 1x and at 10x is fine enough for precision work given it's segmented nature. It has a nice tree for holdovers which brings me to it's only downside, imo, which is the capped elevation. Although I understand why Vortex would do that on a LPVO, I would really like to see locking elevation since the great glass quality and 10x mag really allows you to stretch out the effective range of .223 (with 75/77gr ammo).
 
If you want to talk about best you might want to narrow down the use a bit, but most of the following suggestions are not highly thought of, aside from the Razor. The Minox is probably quite good too.

Stuff that's really up there:

Kahles K16i/K18i
S&B 1-8 Shortdot CC/Dual CC
Swarovski Z6i/Z8i
Zeiss V8 1.1-8 (hunting only really)
Trijicon VCOG
Eotech Vudu 1-6/1-8/1-10
Steiner M8Xi
March makes a variety of LPVO's
Elcan 1-3-9 (I don't really think this is good, but the glass is stellar)
 
Mik123 said:
I'm tempted to try this one, it's getting rave reviews.

I have a Minox ZP8 1-8. Top notch optic. The only downside I can think of is the raised magnification adjustment knob would interfere with the bolt handle if you were to use it on a bolt action.
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No issues running the zp8 on a cz557 ranger with low rings though it's close. But yes the throw lever could block the bolt on some setups if it's set all the way to the right. It is an amazing lpvo. I think the only downside is the eyebox gets pretty small at 8x. Haven't played with other lpvos that go this high enough to say if its equivalent across brands.


rommelrommel said:
If you want to talk about best you might want to narrow down the use a bit, but most of the following suggestions are not highly thought of, aside from the Razor. The Minox is probably quite good to

Stuff that's really up there:

Kahles K16i/K18i
S&B 1-8 Shortdot CC/Dual CC
Swarovski Z6i/Z8i
Zeiss V8 1.1-8 (hunting only really)
Trijicon VCOG
Eotech Vudu 1-6/1-8/1-10
Steiner M8Xi
March makes a variety of LPVO's
Elcan 1-3-9 (I don't really think this is good, but the glass is stellar)
Click to expand...

The Kahles is really nice. I am extremely satisfied with the k15i which is similar to the k16i but only has 1-5x. Very wide field of view at 1x with amazing edge to edge clarity. It's also reasonably light at about 16 oz. The k16i is also know for these features.

Depends on your use and budget. You definitely hit diminishing returns at some point. The vortex razor is a good scope (I've only played with the gen 2 1-6x24). The Kahles and minox are for sure better but not by the same factor as their price difference. The minox is good but not twice as good as the Kahles. The Kahles is IMO much better than the vortex especially now that they are pretty much the same price ? I'm almost certain the gen 2 vortex used to be priced almost half of the Kahles ? At the current price 2100$ in Canada for the vortex (it's still 999 in the us) I'd pick up a Kahles for sure. When GBT was offering the zp8 demos for 2k then it was tremendous value and the one to grab IMO. At 4k it does become an expensive proposition.
 
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Great points made. Personally if I was buying I would go for an LPVO (or any other scope) made in Japan by LOW. Pick the brand that has the features you like and go for it. To me they are the best combination of price and quality and my unqualified eyes can't tell a noticable difference from the more expensive optics.

doctor_meltdown said:
No issues running the zp8 on a cz557 ranger with low rings though it's close. But yes the throw lever could block the bolt on some setups if it's set all the way to the right. It is an amazing lpvo. I think the only downside is the eyebox gets pretty small at 8x. Haven't played with other lpvos that go this high enough to say if its equivalent across brands.




The Kahles is really nice. I am extremely satisfied with the k15i which is similar to the k16i but only has 1-5x. Very wide field of view at 1x with amazing edge to edge clarity. It's also reasonably light at about 16 oz. The k16i is also know for these features.

Depends on your use and budget. You definitely hit diminishing returns at some point. The vortex razor is a good scope (I've only played with the gen 2 1-6x24). The Kahles and minox are for sure better but not by the same factor as their price difference. The minox is good but not twice as good as the Kahles. The Kahles is IMO much better than the vortex especially now that they are pretty much the same price ? I'm almost certain the gen 2 vortex used to be priced almost half of the Kahles ? At the current price 2100$ in Canada (it's still 999 in the us) I'd pick up a Kahles for sure. When GBT was offering the zp8 demos for 2k then it was tremendous value and the one to grab IMO. At 4k it does become an expensive proposition.
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Mik123 said:
Great points made. Personally if I was buying I would go for an LPVO (or any other scope) made in Japan by LOW. Pick the brand that has the features you like and go for it. To me they are the best combination of price and quality and my unqualified eyes can't tell a noticable difference from the more expensive optics.
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How do you know which brand is made by LOW?

Ted
 
Razor 1-6 or 1-10 MRAD, depending on your use. It's incredible how they nearly disappear from view when used. I prefer MRAD over MOA for anything to be used under 1000m.
 
Don't discount the Eotech Vudu 1-10x FFP LPVO at approx $2K. At half the price of the Vortex Razor HD 2 1-10x, the Vudu offers excellent glass and is manufactured in Japan for those who care about such things. The unique "evolving reticle" transforms from a Dot in Circle at low power to a Dot with Milradian stadia lines and a Christmas Tree for elevation and windage holds. It features a locking elevation Turret and a capped Windage Turret. I currently have the Eotech 1-10x Vudu on my CZ Bren 2, where it is providing stellar service.

Other, equally or lower priced options are plentiful. I either currently own or have owned many of them including the Trijicon Accupower 1-8x SFP, the Vortex Strike Eagle 1-8x SFP, the Bushnell Elite Tactical 1-6.5x SFP, the Swampfox Arrow 1-10x SFP, the Bushnell Forge 1-8x SFP, the Minox ZF5 1.2-6x SFP, and several others such as the Burris RT-6 1-6x SFP scope. I also run 1x Holographic and reflex sights with 3x magnifiers on selected CQB-style firearms for comparison and contrast with the LVPOs. Each scope has its own advantages and disadvantages, as do the LVPOs versus the 1x Sights and magnifiers. There are multiple options at each price-point to please all.shooters. After the Vudu, my recommendation at the higher end ($2K) is the superb, bomb-proof Trijicon 1-8x SFP scope.

Further down the scale at ~$800 are the Vortex 1-8x Strike Eagles SFP optics and the Swampfox 1-10x Arrow SFP LVPO. Those Scopes have served me very well at a relatively low (sub-$1K) price-point, so I also recommend them. At the end of the day however, when it comes to optics you definitely get what you pay for in terms of glass quality, features and quality components. You also have to pay to play", and I could not comfortably recommend anything less than a Vortex Strike Eagle in terms of price and associated quality. YMMV...


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I really believe there is a floor with LPVO's where the disadvantages add up to a scope that's overall poor, and I have to put the strike eagles in there. The glass is mediocre, the illumination could be better, 1x is not really 1x, etc.

If you look at 1-4's there is stuff like the Steiner P4Xi, some Trijicon offerings, etc that are around 1k and are solid offerings all around. As you want more high end magnification and more features the price goes up.

And yes, once you're up around 2k+ diminishing returns are kicking in significantly. I really think the scopes that are priced fairly for what they are in the 1k-2k range are the best value. To cut a LPVO down to 500 generally leads to significant compromises, although there's the odd scope like a Burris RT-6 that is pretty impressive for the low price.
 
Don't overlook the Vortex Razor 1-6 (particularly the Gen 2 E).

From what I have read / heard it very much punches above its weight, in particular on 1X (the consensus is that it is pretty comparable to a simple red dot with excellent glass and a super bright red dot).

I have a Trijicon Accupower and I like it, it is FFP which I feel is an asset (small simple red dot at 1X and a big easy to see reticle at 8X) as the drops work immaterial of what the magnification level is. I honestly feel that the most important thing when picking any optic is getting a reticle that feels "right" / works for you.

My understanding is the Razor 1-6X is SFP but the 1-10X is FFP.
 
Sniffer said:
Don't overlook the Vortex Razor 1-6 (particularly the Gen 2 E).

From what I have read / heard it very much punches above its weight, in particular on 1X (the consensus is that it is pretty comparable to a simple red dot with excellent glass and a super bright red dot).

I have a Trijicon Accupower and I like it, it is FFP which I feel is an asset (small simple red dot at 1X and a big easy to see reticle at 8X) as the drops work immaterial of what the magnification level is. I honestly feel that the most important thing when picking any optic is getting a reticle that feels "right" / works for you.

My understanding is the Razor 1-6X is SFP but the 1-10X is FFP.
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Yeah, Razor 1-6x is SFP and the 1-10x is FFP. For what it's worth, with 6x and below, FFP isn't really better. Odds are if you're trying to make an accurate hold, you'll be at 6x anyways. Once you get above 6x it's far superior, imo, to have an FFP scope as you can conceivably be going for accurate wind/elevation holds even if not on full magnification.
 
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