Looking for tactical optic suggestions that meet 2 criteria

r34skyline said:
Accupoint sounds like the ticket.

P.s. this belongs on the optics sub forum for future reference.
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Thanks for your replies everyone. FWIW, I posted in this forum as I didn't think I could afford the price of admission to the Optics sub, but you guys are leaning hard on my wallet too!

Blackbird Pilot said:
Go to the optometrist and get an eye exam. Get corrective lenses for your shooting glasses.
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I've thought about that, but other than the astigmatism I have 20/15 vision so my GP doesn't think I need to see an optometrist. I can read a golf ball logo at 20 paces but can't discern the centre of a red dot apparently.

Anyway, thanks again all for your input. Happy shooting!
 
If you are serious about the "tactical" part, I would say two other things/criteria: 1) how much does the illumination leak / reflect out the front toward the target, and 2) is the illumination constant or pulse width modulated? My Nikon 1000 1-4, for instance, leaks a lot of light out the front and on anything but level 10 illumination, the illumination is pulsed, which is really noticeable and annoying if you are rapidly swinging your firearm.
 
I say "tactical" as it's for use on range/plinking toys as opposed to hunting and I wanted to try to stay away from glass that would force me to re-mortgage my house, not that it's working out for me so far!
 
jacotsmith said:
Hi everyone,

I'm hoping some of you can point me in the direction of an optic or two that suits my needs. I pretty much have 2 main criteria:

1) True zero magnification (no fisheye) in a variable power optic
I've tried a few of the common budget options out there in 1-4x, (Bushnell, Burris, etc.), but found all of them weak in the zero magnification department. I use red dot-style optics on most of my toys, (I say "style" because of my astigmatism I go for optics that have a circle dot reticle as a sole dot is too blurry for me), and as such I do most of my shooting that way. But I would like the option of a quick transition to some low power magnification for some shots. This is all intended for <100m shooting so don't need too much magnification on the high side.

2) Etched reticle visible without battery illumination
As I mentioned, with my astigmatism and depending on lighting conditions, I find it easier to see some targets if I turn the illumination off. So something with even simple crosshairs is preferable to no etching, I don't need some fancy bullet drop calculator, although I wouldn't scoff at one either.

Bonus round) "Affordability"
I'm not looking to spend a bazillion Canadian pesos if I can help it, I would really prefer something well under $1000 new, which means $800 or south used on the EE. And of course the less money I spend on an optic the more I can spend on ammo :)

I read somewhere once that the Vortex Strike Eagle has good true-zero magnification, so maybe that's a contender, but thought I would ask here for some of your thoughts. Any advice is appreciated.

Thanks for looking!
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Wherever you heard/read that Vortex optics have little distortion at 1x is full of it. If you've ever looked at high end optics and compared them to a Vortex you'd be laughing at the mere suggestion that the Vortex has "little dostortion" at 1x.
 
Yycbulletsandbrass said:
Wherever you heard/read that Vortex optics have little distortion at 1x is full of it. If you've ever looked at high end optics and compared them to a Vortex you'd be laughing at the mere suggestion that the Vortex has "little dostortion" at 1x.
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Thanks for your input. I am really after something that is as close as I can afford to a standard red dot for true 1x, (and yes I realize a variable power scope doesn't have unlimited eye relief). I am definitely leaning towards saving up my shekels after all the input so far.
 
Yycbulletsandbrass said:
Wherever you heard/read that Vortex optics have little distortion at 1x is full of it. If you've ever looked at high end optics and compared them to a Vortex you'd be laughing at the mere suggestion that the Vortex has "little dostortion" at 1x.
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This. I've looked through two Vortex Strike Eagles and both had more distortion at 1x than my Burris MTAC 1-4.
 
jacotsmith said:
Thanks for your replies everyone. FWIW, I posted in this forum as I didn't think I could afford the price of admission to the Optics sub, but you guys are leaning hard on my wallet too!



I've thought about that, but other than the astigmatism I have 20/15 vision so my GP doesn't think I need to see an optometrist. I can read a golf ball logo at 20 paces but can't discern the centre of a red dot apparently.

Anyway, thanks again all for your input. Happy shooting!
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Quality isn't cheap. It's not badge snobbery optics are expensive. Not that I have ever been involved with the manufacturing of them but nothing about making precision glass and the turret components sounds like a cheap unskilled job. And that would always translate to the prices you pay at the counter.

I did forget about the steiner. But I only know of their t and m lineup of scopes so i have no experience behind their p4xi if its like their higher end stuff you won't be disappointed.
 
I was in your position recently and in addition to what you listed, I also wanted a day light visible reticle, good glass, and as light as possible. I had the trijicon 1-8 and vcog before. When i say good glass, i mean something better than the trijicon.

Since now you decided to save up, consider these:
Leupold mark 6
Kahles K16
Swarovski Z6/Z8

Or if you dont care about weight you can also consider:
NF ATACR 1-8
Minox ZP8

I dont know about S&B low power variables, but I find the minox ZP5 to be better than the S&B PMII, so I’m guessing the minox low power variables are better too.
 
You could also consider the Vortex Strikefire II and a 3X magnifier. The magnifier swings away when you just want the 1X red dot.
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Have you considered a red dot/ prism optic with a 3x flip magnifier? Like the holosun HS503G ACSS with a 3x magnifier? Cheap, True 1x magnification and its a chevron so no blur dot for the astigmatism.
 
jacotsmith said:
I've thought about that, but other than the astigmatism I have 20/15 vision so my GP doesn't think I need to see an optometrist. I can read a golf ball logo at 20 paces but can't discern the centre of a red dot apparently.

Anyway, thanks again all for your input. Happy shooting!
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Your GP doesn't know much more about they eyes than what they teach in basic med school. He's a GENERAL practicioner. Optometrists are specialists. If you can function normally without glasses, that's great. You should still look into Rx shooting specs. I have a pair with a different Rx than my daily wear glasses. I use them primarily for shotgunning and red dots. I can get away with my regular Rx for my magnified optics, but the dot is still a bit smudgy, and my bead isn't as easy to pick up. My eye doc gets it, since he shoots too.
 
Tiker said:
I was in your position recently and in addition to what you listed, I also wanted a day light visible reticle, good glass, and as light as possible. I had the trijicon 1-8 and vcog before. When i say good glass, i mean something better than the trijicon.

Since now you decided to save up, consider these:
Leupold mark 6
Kahles K16
Swarovski Z6/Z8

Or if you dont care about weight you can also consider:
NF ATACR 1-8
Minox ZP8

I dont know about S&B low power variables, but I find the minox ZP5 to be better than the S&B PMII, so I’m guessing the minox low power variables are better too.
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There is also the nx8. Lighter and more compact.

If you have the money for it that to me is THE lpvo to have atm for most applications.
 
Funny thing, the Millet DMR 1-4x 24 scope met your requirements perfectly, but I haven't seen one for sale in a while. They were under $500 and a great deal for that price. True 1-4, etched reticle, decent glass, bright enough for use in bright sun, even a "donut of death" reticle. A little heavy, but for under $500 they were "the cats...." An old member here even took one to A'stan and had no issues.

Found One! - for $339 it's a hell of a deal

http://frontierfirearms.ca/millett-1-4x24mm-dms-1-black/
 
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