With the purchase of the 2nd AR with the Vortex Prism and the 1st AR with the EoTech sight I'm wondering about what others use.
I really like the prism sight as if the batteries go down there's still an etched reticle to use. I also like the EoTech as the window is bigger and it's right there when you shoulder the rifle. I have never used an LPVO on an AR so I can't share an opinion.
What does the hive think of the 3? Preferences or pros/cons of each?

I started with red dots, tried LPVO's and ACOGs (prism), and came full circle back to red dots.

I love Holosun 530G's with the Eotech type reticle. My second choice is the Holosun 510C, again with the Eotech type reticle.

Most LPVO's worth their salt are too heavy for my tastes and they're expensive.

ACOG's are bullet proof and the glass is crystal clear, but eye relief can be difficult.

A red dot is simple, bullet proof, and does everything I need it to do at any reasonable range.

You're going to get 50 different answers.

I can't see very well these days so went with an LPVO.
It works for me and isn't too heavy at 7.8 pounds no mag.

I'm kinda looking at a 14.7" upper and have a Romeo5 to use on that for a GP gun.

quote:

Originally posted by SIG228:

You're going to get 50 different answers.

I'm sure I will and I value everyone's opinion.
Kind of debating whether to stick with the prism on the one AR and would like feedback on different optics from different people.

No good answer to give because what YOU use them for will be different than others, they all do different things well and the quality of the item makes a huge difference in the answer. Comparing brands/models against each other is hard enough, let alone generalizing against other types.

Example, I’ve had 4-5 different LPVO’s, all worked. Some were really just low power scopes with a lighted reticle. The others (of course the higher-priced ones) with true 1x glass and full daytime brightness, are no different than using a good dot sight with a great lens. Plus it also works like a scope. Two birds with one stone with those, but not with the others.


Pros and cons to all of them.

Me: I’ve owned all three, currently my AR uppers are two LPVO’s and the rest are iron sight. Dot sights just don’t provide any benefits for what I actually do with them.
(now the only long gun I own with a dot sight is a single shot 10ga shotgun. But as my eyes get worse and worse with age, there will certainly be more dots sights in my future)

1 of 50.

Well, how are your eyes? If you have an astigmatism then red dots may be of limited utility though still usable. Are you just setting up a carbine for HD in which case you likely do not need magnification? A dot or prism will do most things people will likely want to do but if you are ok with a bit of a speed penalty then a LPVO offers flexibility.

For example, my travel gun has a 1-4 on it as its a swiss army knife. I suppose I could throw a dot on it in an offset but then it becomes a coathanger in my bag. Everything is a trade off.If you just want a fun gun for classes or range time then do whatever, a serious CQ gun should probably have a dot on it. I try to tailor my optic to my needs.

I have an astigmatism that does not allow me to use a red dot. LPVO’s are fantastic except for the weight. My primary has a 2x ACOG that I can use like a dot optic and still have a bit of magnification. If I had the funds, I’d buy an Elcan Specter DR.

quote:

Originally posted by Anubismp:
Well, how are your eyes? If you have an astigmatism then red dots may be of limited utility though still usable. Are you just setting up a carbine for HD in which case you likely do not need magnification? A dot or prism will do most things people will likely want to do but if you are ok with a bit of a speed penalty then a LPVO offers flexibility.

For example, my travel gun has a 1-4 on it as its a swiss army knife. I suppose I could throw a dot on it in an offset but then it becomes a coathanger in my bag. Everything is a trade off.If you just want a fun gun for classes or range time then do whatever, a serious CQ gun should probably have a dot on it. I try to tailor my optic to my needs.

My eyes are decent but not great anymore. 54 year old eyes.
Compared to 18 year old eyes back in 1986 boot camp, iron sights for me out to about 300 yards is it and that's pushing it. Did it a few months ago with my Garand.

The AR is no longer the HD weapon as I purchased a Mossberg 590 Tactical. That took over. The ARs are still readily available but not as close as the shotgun is. More of a fun gun as you put it. Still want accuracy but would only probably be used seriously in a SHTF situation.

Note to add: I've never used an ACOG before. It was irons in 1986 and I never got around to buying one or even trying one. They do pique my interest a bit.

Depends what the tool is for.

Typically I run holo's on less then 12 inch guns. I use lpvo on 13-16 inch guns as well as reflex with 3X magnifier. Longer guns usually get higher power scopes.

It all depends what you do with your gun. Is it a home defense gun or does it serve bench duty at a range?

The lpvo's for me are not as fast, not even close. There is the delay of finding the reticle and eye relief every time I shift targets or come off my cheek weld. With practice it gets better, but nothing as easy as the open holo sites. I'm sure there are guys like garandguy who have so much time behind an lpvo that they don't notice a difference between an open site and lpvo.

But at the same time, it's nice to crank up 8 or 10x and have that advantage. With my old eyes shooting a dot site at 100 yards is not fun. At 10x the hundred yards is extremely easy.

I don't think lpvo is the one size fits all solution. But it is still an excellent setup and I love the ones I use.

I have used LPVO on my AR's, for me changing the magnification takes time. What worked for me is running an offset dot for up close need & keeping the scope on a higher setting. I quit using them for the cost of a good one & the weight.
Red dots are usable but with an astigmatism, the dot just isn't clear enough for precision.
I've completely switched over to prism optics (namely the PA 1x cyclops with ACSS reticle) for my short AR's. I like them because my astigmatism has no effect on them & like was said, if the battery dies the etched reticle is still usable.
I'm a huge fan of ACOGs & use them on my non sbr/pistol AR's. They give me everything I need for precision work at distance & can be utilized for "up close" if needed. Virtually bomb proof & combat proven. High quality construction but pricey. I'm a "buy once, cry once" guy but with ACOGs you get what you pay for. They have many variations & magnification. I'm sure one of them would fit your needs.
As for holograph sights i.e. EOTech, besides reading others having issues with theirs & having had two in a row that quit working on me, the battery life is low. There are far to many other choices that are far better than an EOTch.

My 16" AR carbine has an RDS on it, a Romeo 5. I also have a scope set up for it on a QD cantilever mount, so I can swap it in if needed. It's not an instant changeover as the RDS needs a Torx key to mount or dismount, but it works. Both sights maintain their zeros as long as I be sure to mount them on the same rail slots every time. The scope is not a typical LPVO, it's a 4-12x Vortex. I generally only use it when the occasion calls for more precision than the RCS is capable of, typically beyond 100 yards or so, or when I'm doing load testing. The rifle also has a set flip-up BUIS on it. This is my SHTF rifle.

My other AR is one I built myself around a 20" Krieger barrel. It always wears a 5-25x scope, it has no iron sights on it at all. I know, that means if the scope takes a shit or gets pranged I'm done shooting, but this is a range toy not a combat rifle.

I've never owned or even shot an EOTech. I like the reticle, but I've heard enough about their lack of reliability and battery life that I won't buy one. ACOGs, and the majority of LPVOs, are generally out of the price range that I can see myself paying for a relatively low powered optic, and generally I don't care for the their reticles.

Your's truly is partial to the LPVO.

From 10-600 yards in one stage and with not very many misses.

It really depends on what you want the AR to do.
The core of what I want is for self defense in the end. Long range doesn't matter too much. The gold standard for that is an aimpoint.
And so that's what I run in general and its pretty much perfect. Eotech lost my confidence years ago and the other options pretty much suck.
Now when I compete then all bets are off on what's the best answer. If long range stages are in the cards I really like the NF 1-x options, but I'd never suffer the weight or time penalty to use it in real life.
FWIW> But every gun that doesn't have an aimpoint you better make sure you know the answer why and can deal with the consequences...

I like red dots and holosights because they are fast. LPVOs are good for longer ranges, but I've never been a fan for close quarters.

I have a 4x32 ACOG on my AUG because it seems to be the best of both worlds. An offset micro red dot helps with the really short range engagement.

I like plain old Iron sights. No glass to worry about scratching and no electronics needing batteries. As for accuracy, I know I'm capable of shooting 1 MOA off a rest with a good peep sight because I've done it many times.

quote:

Originally posted by Scooter123:
I like plain old Iron sights. No glass to worry about scratching and no electronics needing batteries. As for accuracy, I know I'm capable of shooting 1 MOA off a rest with a good peep sight because I've done it many times.

Until the sun is in your eyes, or the target is in the shade, or the target is gray and the background is grayish brown.

Iron sights are fine on high contrast targets. They are woefully inadequate on targets that are difficult or impossible to resolve with the naked eye.

Optics are like a superpower. I've used some hard for more than a decade now. Good optics are FAR superior to iron sights. The only penalty is weight and cost.

I run mainly Eotechs and Aimpoints. If I need to stretch it out, I’ll add a magnifier.

quote:

ntil the sun is in your eyes, or the target is in the shade, or the target is gray and the background is grayish brown.

Iron sights are fine on high contrast targets. They are woefully inadequate on targets that are difficult or impossible to resolve with the naked eye.

Optics are like a superpower. I've used some hard for more than a decade now. Good optics are FAR superior to iron sights. The only penalty is weight and cost.

Exactly! Or if old age is catching up with you & your eyesight starts to diminish.

quote:

Originally posted by hrcjon: Eotech lost my confidence years ago.
FWIW> But every gun that doesn't have an aimpoint you better make sure you know the answer why and can deal with the consequences...

Understand completely.
I have a newer EoTech that supposedly doesn't have the thermal drift problem. I have yet to verify this though.

I have the iron sights dialed in in such an event that the EoTech goes down. I do not like the battery consumption of the EoTech at all but it works for me.

I am tempted to buy an ACOG and replace the EoTech.

Age and astigmatism have gotten to me. Red dots are too blurry for me. I now have several prism sights that I really like. I have a 1x vortex a Steiner and an acog depending on the gun and what I use it for. For the money the vortex prisms are pretty good.