L.P.V.O. SHOWDOWN

With all the low-power variable optics on the market today, how do you choose? Here's one expert's take on what to look for and five hot models from EOTech, Vortex, Nightforce, Leupold and Kahles.

Low-power variable optics are the way to go for modern sporting rifles. LPVOs can be used by sport shooters, hunters, 3-gun competitors, law enforcement and the military. It combines two things in one system: a “red dot” holographic sight for taking quick shots on zero or low magnification, coupled with a scope with enough power to reach out to far targets.

The “L” in LPVO is somewhat misleading. Early models usually only went up to 3 or 4 magnification. Now, on the low end of the scale, most optics can be cranked up to 6 power while many now go up to 8 or 10 magnification. That’s plenty of zoom to allow for long-distance shots that are within the ballistic capability of 5.56mm, the most common caliber these optics are paired with.

In my opinion, these are a much better option than flip-up magnifiers paired with 1 power red dot optics. Flipup magnifiers generally only increase magnification three or four times. They also magnify the reticle itself, which can cause the red dot to block the target partially, or completely.

WHAT TO LOOK FOR IN AN L.P.V.O.

There are currently a lot of LPVOs on the market. As with all optics, they range in price from a few hundred dollars all the way up to thousands upon thousands.

In the world of optics, the price is generally going to be an accurate representation of what it is capable of doing. This goes for holographic sights, scopes and LPVOs.

Why are the good ones so expensive? It comes down to quality and reliability.

The $100 “cheaper than dirt” model, painted in a cool color like Ranger green or coyote tan and covered with lots of knobs, is probably a waste of money. As with most things in life, you get what you pay for.

Realistically, plan on spending more for the optic than you did for the sporting rifle. With that being said, most reputable optics companies sell different grades of their product (think bronze, silver or gold). The lower-end models are usually fairly decent and reliable, but may lack some of the finer features mentioned below. Decide what you need, what you plan to use it for and then start looking at prices.

A good LPVO will have the following:

Rigid, durable structure: Since these were originally designed for the military, the better ones are designed to take a beating. They’re built to be banged around in armored vehicles, thrown out of aircraft, submerged in water, exposed to extreme temperature variances, and so on.

As a sport shooter or hunter, you may not need this, or the expense that goes with it. That being said, it’s nice to know you can drop your rifle/optic combo and it won’t be damaged or compromised. The “bronze” or “silver” models often lack the same level of protective armoring found in the more expensive models.

Ability to retain zero: The best scope in the world is worthless if it can’t consistently place rounds in the same place, especially in adverse conditions. Good optics, paired with good mounts, will be able to accomplish this task.

Coatings: Different manufacturers treat the glass portions – the lenses –with different types of coatings. These coatings increase clarity and visibility in all types of conditions, including low light. They reduce glare and provide protection from incidental scratches. The compositions of these coatings are often proprietary in nature with each manufacturer having their own secret sauce to apply to glass.

Glass: The portions you look through. Like coatings, good lenses give the user a clearer, crisper view in various conditions.

Five Hot Models

I recently had the opportunity to test some of the better LPVOs on the market. They include:

EOTech Vudu

LPVO range: 1x8

Weight: 20.8 ounces

Length: 10.9 inches

Reticle: HC3 reticle

Price: $1,399

Info: eotechinc.com

EOTech has been a long-time player in the red dot optic game, being one of the primary suppliers of holographic optics to the military and law enforcement. Their Vudu series optics continue with the tradition of making quality optics for military, law enforcement and civilian applications.

The HC3 reticle is simple, consisting of crosshairs and four stadia lines to use for engaging targets at a distance. On the plus side, there is little to obscure the user’s view through the tube. On the down side, there are no markers for accounting for wind or for engaging moving targets, and the stadia used for elevation aren’t labeled for the elevation they would be used for.

I haven’t had a chance to use one, but the new Vudu Model 1x10 power has a T-shaped reticle that includes horizontal and vertical numbered stadia lines. The turrets are adjustable at ¼-minute-of-angle, or MOA, increments and are covered by caps. A quick throw lever is provided. The dot is red in color.

Price-wise, this optic ties with the Leupold for lowest retail price.

Vortex Razor Gen II

LPVO range: 1x6

Weight: 21.5 ounces

Length: 10.1 inches

Reticle: JM-1 reticle

Price: $1,999

Info: vortexoptics.com

Vortex is the relative newcomer to the optics world. With that being said, they make high-quality products. Featuring an easy-tomanipulate throw lever, the Razor Gen II is built like a tank, which explains why it is the heaviest on this list. But with that weight comes an advantage of a nearly indestructible optic. I recently spoke with a SWAT team member who was running one and weight was his only complaint. Ounces equal pounds when carrying heavy gear in law enforcement and military circles. In fairness, though, all the LPVOs discussed in this article (and all models in general) are going to weigh more than standard, nonvariable magnification optics.

The glass has proprietary antireflective coatings that also increase light transmission for increased brightness. They also add a coating that resists scratching on the lens.

The turrets are also covered by caps. The reticle is similar to the EOTech HC3. Vortex includes a lifetime warranty as well.

I use a Vortex Strike Eagle 1x8 on my patrol rifle at work. It is a lowerend model with many of the same features as the Razor Gen II. I have found it to be an excellent optic.

Nightforce ATACR

LPVO range: 1x8

Weight: 21 ounces

Length: 10.1 inches

Reticle: FC-DMx

Price: $2,800

Info: nightforceoptics.com

Nightforce is best known as one of the premier optics providers to the military's special operations community. The ATACR is the most expensive optic on this list, but with that you get a piece of gear that has proven itself in the most austere of environments. ATACR is short for Advanced Tactical Riflescope, and it lives up to its name.

The reticle is a T-shaped design with a red dot surrounded by a horseshoe-shaped red circle for quicker acquisition. It has stadia lines for elevation come-ups out to 1,000 meters, as well as lines for wind and moving target adjustment.

The ATACR can be acquired in flat black or dark earth finishes. A throw lever is included. The optic I tested for this article came with a backup one-power red dot optic. This is not a standard feature for this, or any optic mentioned in this article. However, it is a good idea to have one – or a sidemounted BUIS (backup iron sight), in case the LPVO fails to function for some reason.

Leupold Patrol HD

LPVO range: 1x6

Weight: 16.2 ounces

Length: 10.8 inches

Reticle: Firedot or CM-R2

Price: $1,399

Info: leupold.com

Leupold is one of the oldest, most respected names in scopes. They were one of the first producers of LPVOs, and their Patrol HD is a well-built optic. Although it can be used for many applications, it was designed mainly for police officers to use on patrol rifles. There are various options you can pick from. The Firedot reticle system has been used in Leupold LPVOs for most of their history. The Firedot is a fairly simple affair and lacks some of the features found in other optics. Another option is the CM-R2, a more functional reticle with a horseshoe-shaped red dot and stadia lines for elevation. You may also choose from a lockable elevation turret or to add a bullet drop compensator turret. A BDC turret allows a user to change elevation from specific calibers and bullet weights. It includes a removable throw lever.

LPVOs aren’t limited to AR-15s and M4s. I carried an earlier model of this optic on my department-issued SWAT M4 for many years. I found it to be a highly functional, robust piece of gear. Earlier models had exposed, nonlocking turrets. This was problematic because they could be inadvertently changed. The newer locking models have eliminated this potential risk.

The only real downside to this optic is that its maximum magnification is 6 power. Most LPVOs can be found with an 8 or even 10 power, so 6 power is a little on the low side. Given the fact that this is designed primarily for police officers to use in conjunction with their patrol rifles, 6 power would be sufficient for most patrol situations.

Kahles K16i

LPVO range: 1x6

Weight: 16.9 ounces

Length: 10.9 inches

Reticle: Multiple options

Price: $2,049

Info: kahles.at/us

If you haven’t heard of Kahles before, don’t feel bad. I hadn’t either until, while doing research for this article, I found out one of the snipers on our SWAT team uses one on his patrol rifle. The company has been in business for over 120 years and is a subsidiary of Swarovski, considered by many to be one of the premier optics producers.

The K16i has an ultrawide field of view, which allows for maximum viewing when looking through the scope. There is a reticle available designed specifically for IPSC and

3-gun competitors. There are two additional reticles available, both with horseshoe-style red dot and elevation strata.

It comes in second in cost, with the Nightforce ATACR being the most expensive, but with the Swarovski name behind it, it’s money well spent. Like the Leupold, it maxes out at 6 power. Since it costs $600 more than the Leupold Patrol HD, it should have a higher magnification.

Conclusion

All of the optics I reviewed for this article are excellent and will meet the needs of most shooters, including military and law enforcement operators. Due to accessibility and time constraints, I didn’t get a chance to test out all of the LPVOs on the market, but I definitely recommend checking models made by Sig Sauer, Swamp Fox, Primary Arms, Trijicon, Bushnell, Steiner and others. So do your research, save your pennies, and get an LPVO that meets your specific requirements.