Hey guys, planning a big (for me) purchase for the spring, decided on a Tavor. Now need some advice on optics. I'm very amenable to Eotech's, and am willing to spend up to ~1200 on optics. I'm really leaning towards an Eotech 552 with a G33 magnifier. I would --love-- to find a quality holographic sight with a red triangle reticle. I know Eotech doesn't make those. I've poked around a lot and found the Trijicons with red or amber triangle reticles, but I'm not a fan of their appearance. Can you fine folks make a recommendation? Something out there you'd recommend instead of the Eotech setup, or a good sight with my preferred reticle? For information's sake, it will be used mostly for target shooting at up to 100 yards. No hunting.
Optics for a Tavor
- Thread starter Marilius
- Start date
onetwentyish
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- East Central AB (AKA Northern Texas)
I know you have a budget amd kinda know what you are looking for already, but I will go out on a limb to reccomend something thats just out of reach for the used market, which is the Elcan Specter DR 1-4x. I have 2 of them that I picked up for significantly less then they typically cost new at $2200 before tax. I got mine for $1556 and $1650 each, the latter being LNIB. Its a great piece of glass with great features. I will be back with some video reviews.
onetwentyish
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- East Central AB (AKA Northern Texas)
[Youtube]bdIYsdUMXcs[/youtube]
[Youtube]TnjNmNdjk1A[/youtube]
There are also a number of Tavor-Elcan users on the forums like DILLIGAF, Mikethebike, CODFan, and others besides myself that enjoy this combo.
It is important to note that the Elcan does sit rather low on the Tavor as it was designed for an AR rail height, so a Gear Head Works Razorback rail may be in need as I feel it is a great addition.
[Youtube]TnjNmNdjk1A[/youtube]
There are also a number of Tavor-Elcan users on the forums like DILLIGAF, Mikethebike, CODFan, and others besides myself that enjoy this combo.
It is important to note that the Elcan does sit rather low on the Tavor as it was designed for an AR rail height, so a Gear Head Works Razorback rail may be in need as I feel it is a great addition.
onetwentyish
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- East Central AB (AKA Northern Texas)
Yeah, I picked mine up at some hard to beat prices. Maybe get an optic or red dot that you can later put on another rifle or shotgun. I ran Eotech XPS2-0 until I could afford a Elcan. The Eotech now rests on a KSG.
TV-PressPass
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Mountains, Alberta
If you like the triangle reticle... well the Tavor was made for a Mepro21!
Although that is an amber reticle, it's a passive red-dot that's easy to mount with a magnifier on your flattop.
I'm a big fan of variable power scopes on my guns. 1-4 power gives you a lot of options.
The Viper PST is a common choice, as they're usually around the $500-600 mark.
But if you're on a budget, they just started doing an entry level 1-4 in their crossfire IIs. I wouldn't put it on a 300 win mag, but on a .223 range gun it'd be a blast.
That's like $350 with the illuminated reticle?
I had considered the Viper PST on a PEPR mount. I like that idea. I've just had a very longstanding attraction to Eotech. What's the reason you gentlemen would go with EXPS-3 over the 552? Is it just the mounting height? I have no dire need for AR cowitness height, so I'm curious as to that recommendation.
There are no dealers within a thousand KM in any direction. Seriously. That is the primary reason I'm on here and not in the shop talking the guy's ear off. If I had a shop I could wander in and test everything out, feel out what's my style and fit, I'd do that
I went with an Aimpoint PRO on my Tavor, and love it to death, more than my XPS3. For the price, its one of the best optics purchases I have made over the years.
I also dislike the bulk of a holosight/magnifier, so if magnification is a must, I would got eh Viper route.
I also dislike the bulk of a holosight/magnifier, so if magnification is a must, I would got eh Viper route.
There are no dealers within a thousand KM in any direction. Seriously. That is the primary reason I'm on here and not in the shop talking the guy's ear off. If I had a shop I could wander in and test everything out, feel out what's my style and fit, I'd do that
Maybe TVPP can chime in here, he's the resident expert. His HOB seems to be quite high. Also his cranium is more normal-sized than mine.
If you go with a standard AR height setup and find it too low, it's not that hard to add a riser. I tested a Eotech 512 and also a Leu Mark AR 1-4 (1" tube) in an Aero mount and both were too low for me - had to smash my face hard into the stock to see through the sights. I now have a Vortex Sparc 2 on there with a lower 1/3 setup and it's perfect. YMMV.
onetwentyish
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- East Central AB (AKA Northern Texas)
Gotta remember that he is also using a Gen 1.5 Tavor with I believe a Raunch tactical aftermarket full length rail or factory short rail, so it will be quite a different set up compared to a factory Gen 2+ or Gen 2+ with a GHW Razorback attached.
TV-PressPass
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Mountains, Alberta
I wonder if I can find a dealer that'll sell me an Aimpoint, an Eotech, a Viper PST, couple risers, and a PEPR mount, and just let me return whatever I don't want
You can! That dealer is called The EE and she is a fickle mistress.
I still use risers on some of my optics. With my Razor 1-6 I have close to a 4" height over bore. With the little razor red-dot I need a riser to get it right.
My suggestion: don't let height influence your choice of optics. You can change height later. Let things like battery, reticle, and quality influence your optics choice.
There's lots of ways to move an optic up. Razorback rail, pica-tinny riser, or just a higher set of rings.
If you're buying anything other than lower 1/3rd cowitness optics, I'd still consider adding one of those riser options to your shopping cart so you can tinker when you get it all together.
onetwentyish
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- East Central AB (AKA Northern Texas)
You can! That dealer is called The EE and she is a fickle mistress.
I still use risers on some of my optics. With my Razor 1-6 I have close to a 4" height over bore. With the little razor red-dot I need a riser to get it right.
My suggestion: don't let height influence your choice of optics. You can change height later. Let things like battery, reticle, and quality influence your optics choice.
There's lots of ways to move an optic up. Razorback rail, pica-tinny riser, or just a higher set of rings.
If you're buying anything other than lower 1/3rd cowitness optics, I'd still consider adding one of those riser options to your shopping cart so you can tinker when you get it all together.
Pretty sound advice!
With that in mind, and I DO appreciate all your guys' suggestions, I think the Eotech 552 with the G33 magnifier is for me. It's not my FIRST choice for reticle, but it IS my second. Uses the batteries I want, and is of the proper quality. I thank you guys for your input. Whether I have to buy a riser or not remains to be seen.
