3X scope, 1-4x LPVO with illuminated Duplex red dot, or 2.5x ACSS?

2450 Views 36 Replies 9 Participants Last post by undeRGRound, Apr 13, 2022

ajole

Discussion Starter · Feb 6, 2022

So, in my search for more stuff to bolt on top of an AR, I have tried everything from 45 degree irons, to $20 red dots, to $150 red dots, to $200 ACSS 2.5x “not a red dot, but pretty much a red dot”, to a 3x Nikon with BDC, to various 2-7 or 3-9 or 4-16 or more by Vortex, BSA, Center Point, Nikon, and Bushnell. BDC reticles, target turrets, AO, illuminated, etc, etc…

But right now I am looking at the LPVO. I don’t have one yet, but I just ordered the base model from Primary Arms.

I LOVE the 3X Nikon P223, and I LOVE the Primary Arms Holographic 2.5X ACSS optic. Both can be used with both eyes open, which still is a learning curve for me, both are just easy to use, as in point and shoot, just hold over at ranges over 250 -300 yards, if you feel like trying it. They both have lines for that.

But the Nikon is no longer made, and the low end ACSS unit is $250. Though it does have etched reticles, meaning battery life isn’t such a big deal.

So…I also love the old German T post style reticle. And the $150 PA LPVO has this…

there are a bunch of teeny tiny sub tension, but no one has time for that crap. It’s supposedly a 2 MOA red dot, 1MOA gaps between the dot and the stadia, and the horizontal line is 9MOA from end to end of the short part in the middle, and they are 5 MOA thick.
Point is….it’s almost a T-Post, it has a red dot, it can easily be used both eyes open, and it will dial up to 4x, which some of us like…I still have a hard time of being too critical with too much zoom, and not being very good at finding my rhythm in my heartbeat to hit the right part of the figure 8 track….I’ll let Rach explain that part. I just like putting the post close enough and sending it. No second guessing, no trying to be “more perfect”.
What it boils down to is…I’m hoping this is the one, for the carbines. Enough zoom, enough speed, clear glass, good battery life.

Anyone running similar setups, and what are your conclusions? Do I need to spend more on a “better” scope? More magnification, even though it almost doubles the price to get 6X?
Or what?

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Visper

· #21 · Mar 5, 2022

undeRGRound said:
I guess I'm just being Jelly

If you followed Mole's Rules, you'd be weighed down with too much battle rifle ammo to move, my friend :rotfl:
That's why I don't have anything in x51 (yet) because Mole's Rules call for copious amounts of ammo for a main rifle caliber. What's the price of 10,000 rounds of .308 right now?

Well when I was stocking that caliber it wasn't horrible, lets say $0.50 a round ish on average. I have some good hunting/match stuff all the way to Tula Steel, whatever was on sale and reasonable. For x39, 223/556, 9mm I do follow a ammo guideline of "rounds per firearm" but prolly nothing along your lines lol.

Pistolkitty said:
At least you could get 308 right now. It's probably the 1 caliber I have seen consistently on the shelves everywhere I've been throughout this whole thing.

And of course I don't have anything in 308, lol.

@Pistolkitty that is easily remedied!! You can build a 308 - there are quite a few of us on here that have built/assembled a few and would be more than happy to assist with any questions you may have. Even if you don't have the money for the ammo. The steel stuff actually isn't horrible ATM, right around brass prices pre biden/covid.

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Visper

· #22 · Mar 5, 2022

ajole said:
Not until next week, I’ve been in St.George with an Academic Decathlon team for a few days.

Ahh, OK. I was supposed to head out yesterday shooting myself and of course damn work stuff always get's in the way!!! At least an academic decathlon, while work, is still kinda fun!!

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histed

· #23 · Mar 5, 2022

Visper said:
Ahh, OK. I was supposed to head out yesterday shooting myself

It isn't that bad, Visp! Really! And it hurts - a lot!!

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Pistolkitty

· #24 · Mar 5, 2022

Visper said:
@Pistolkitty that is easily remedied!! You can build a 308 - there are quite a few of us on here that have built/assembled a few and would be more than happy to assist with any questions you may have. Even if you don't have the money for the ammo. The steel stuff actually isn't horrible ATM, right around brass prices pre biden/covid.

I've been thinking about it. Husband has been eyeballing Christensen Arms, so I may have to start squirreling away some cash for a birthday present. I've got until October. I got him a Ruger Precision in 6.5 creedmore for his last bday and he really wanted that caliber, but I've been joking all winter that I should have gotten it in 308.

I still have an extra ar15 lower I need to decide what to do with before they decide to start serializing uppers, etc. We've been a little over zealous with our guns/ammo/accessories purchases this winter though so we are trying to take a gun buying break. We bought a pole saw the other day instead of another gun, lol

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histed

· #25 · Mar 5, 2022

Pistolkitty said:
We've been a little over zealous with our guns/ammo/accessories purchases this winter though so we are trying to take a gun buying break. We bought a pole saw the other day instead of another gun, lol

1st - there is no "over zealous" with guns/ammo/ect. There are only future purchases, hedges against tyranny. 2nd, guns can be used as pole saws IF you have the right gun/ammo. I find the 12 ga. to be quite useful in removing unwanted tree limbs and small saplings. A SAW works well on medium trees. So, invest, invest, invest!

Machine gun Air gun Trigger Gun barrel Gun accessory

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ajole

Discussion Starter · #26 · Mar 19, 2022 (Edited)

2

Took out the PA scope on a 5.56 gun, got it zeroed.
It worked OK, I’m happy with it, but as the reviews all said, the red dot is not a red dot in the daylight, not bright enough for that. But the reticle is good. Though I think the cheap “Sniper” one may be better.

Also installed a new light on the truck gun, it’s an Olight Mini Valkyrie. It has a Glock rail mount, or a Pic rail mount. QD, magnetic cable recharge. Small and light. I only have a rail on top, but it sits where my thumb is, and barely shows in the glass.

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moona11

· #27 · Mar 19, 2022

ajole said:
Took out the PA scope on a 5.56 gun, got it zeroed.
It worked OK, I’m happy with it, but as the reviews all said, the red dot is not a red dot in the daylight, not bright enough for that. But the reticle is good. Though I think the cheap “Sniper” one may be better.

Also installed a new light on the truck gun, it’s an Olight Mini Valkyrie. It has a Glock rail mount, or a Pic rail mount. QD, magnetic cable recharge. Small and light. I only have a rail on top, but it sits where my thumb is, and barely shows in the glass.

Put some window tint on the front of the sight.

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histed

· #28 · Mar 19, 2022

@ajole - Can't see your pics. DK if it's your end or mine, but I can see all the other pics here. Just FYI

Reactions: 1

undeRGRound

· #29 · Mar 20, 2022

ajole said:
Took out the PA scope on a 5.56 gun, got it zeroed.
It worked OK, I’m happy with it, but as the reviews all said, the red dot is not a red dot in the daylight, not bright enough for that. But the reticle is good. Though I think the cheap “Sniper” one may be better.

Also installed a new light on the truck gun, it’s an Olight Mini Valkyrie. It has a Glock rail mount, or a Pic rail mount. QD, magnetic cable recharge. Small and light. I only have a rail on top, but it sits where my thumb is, and barely shows in the glass.

Ok AL, can you recommend the O-Light brand?? Seems the cheaper Chinesium lights get dim after a while.
I'm interested in this mag-link charging. I like a light you can charge w/o pulling the battery.

I have a pair of EDC lights that are super simple. 5 lumens or 300 lumens, the default is 5lm and turns on at 5 every time unless you double click it. It's listed as a tactical patrol light, I got it from a clickbait site somewhere, it was Fightfast.com I believe. $20 each but the led seems to be holding up very well!

ajole

Discussion Starter · #30 · Mar 21, 2022

2

Lots of good reviews for Olight. I’ve had it for less than a week, I can’t say much except it’s a 600 lumen light for $85 that fits Glock or pic rails, and has strobe. To get a remote pressure switch, you’d have to buy a diffferent more expensive Olight model, but they are priced like Streamlight.

I also have a $50 Tacticon light, same type of charging. See the metal circle? A magnetic USB cable sticks on, and charges the light.

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undeRGRound

· #31 · Mar 21, 2022

How long you had the Tacticon?
Do you recommend it?

ajole

Discussion Starter · #32 · Mar 22, 2022

undeRGRound said:
How long you had the Tacticon?
Do you recommend it?

6 months or so? It’s on my bedside pistol. Still lights up when I check it, and it’s the one I’ve never charged since the first time, to see how long it will go.
I haven’t pistol whipped anyone, nor dropped it, but so far, it seems solid.

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histed

· #33 · Mar 22, 2022 (Edited by Moderator)

ajole said:
I haven’t pistol whipped anyone.

I am very disappointed in you. Must be your age catching up to you - like mine did

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ajole

Discussion Starter · #34 · Mar 22, 2022

Got the AR47 out today, the “Sniper” brand scope zeroed right up, shooting both eyes open is easy enough, and the red dot is, again, not visible in daylight. But the zoom is easier to move than the PA scope. It has locking turrets rather than caps, which is kind of odd for a 1-5x scope with a reticle that makes holdover easy enough. It also has red green and blue on the dot. But shooting things at 25 yards and 100 and back to 25 was easy.

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undeRGRound

· #35 · Apr 13, 2022

ajole said:
Got the AR47 out today, the “Sniper” brand scope zeroed right up, shooting both eyes open is easy enough, and the red dot is, again, not visible in daylight. But the zoom is easier to move than the PA scope. It has locking turrets rather than caps, which is kind of odd for a 1-5x scope with a reticle that makes holdover easy enough. It also has red green and blue on the dot. But shooting things at 25 yards and 100 and back to 25 was easy.

Can you recap the Sniper Brand LPVO?

That was an acronym I never bothered to look up, nor figure out,
but since I saw a fine presentation by T-Rex Arms, I'm pretty sure
I now need an LPVO 😹 with etched reticle, of course.

ajole

Discussion Starter · #36 · Apr 13, 2022

undeRGRound said:
Can you recap the Sniper Brand LPVO?

That was an acronym I never bothered to look up, nor figure out,
but since I saw a fine presentation by T-Rex Arms, I'm pretty sure
I now need an LPVO 😹 with etched reticle, of course.

Of course.

Sniper VT 1-5X24 First Focal Plane Scope with Red/Green Illuminated Reticle 30mm Tube with Lens Covers.

It actually has Red/Green/Blue illumination. Only three settings on each one. And it’s not an illuminated reticle, it’s just the dot in the center. But it IS an etched reticle.

It’s got the FFP thing, so your reticle changes size with the zoom, meaning you can use it to range targets at any magnification, instead of just one, like “normal” scopes.

The turrets are pull-to-unlock, 1/2 inch per click.

$129 with the mount, so it’s cheaper than the name brands, but only slightly less than the Primary Arms 1-4x. I prefer the reticle on the PA, it’s almost like a German T-post and a Duplex had a baby, easy to find, easy to center, not busy at all. But it makes calculating real holdovers harder. On the other hand…it’s a 5.56 and a 16” patrol rife, so you just point and shoot out to 250; hold 9 inches high at 300, and don’t screw around much past that using this gun and scope.
PA reticle:

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undeRGRound

· #37 · Apr 13, 2022

Thanks AL!

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