Best Optic, 1x4 or 3x9-40 with Offset Red Dot

All of the exit pupil specs are very much on the small side for the 1-6x scopes, which keeps steering me toward a two optic setup. The ACOG or Browe are something to the order of 8mm for a 4x scope, which is actually pretty high. The TR24 has always kind of been my baseline for this, and is really more like best in class when it comes to eyebox. Even my Short Dot wasn't quite as good in that regard.

What didn't you like about the VX-6?

Like all things cost is a factor in all of this, but buying twice is much harder on the budget thatn buying something expensive.

I've found that tech specs do a fairly poor job of representing the actual use of the optic. I default my optic to 1x until I need magnification, and at that point, eye-box isn't too much of an issue. Then again, I can tell in a few minuted of handling if the optic is going to be something I want to work with or not. There are a lot more optics that don't meet my preferences than those that do. I feel your pain on not wanting to drop a lot of cash on something that isn't going to work for you. I invested a significant amount of money into a PR 1.1-8, only to find out that it was not suited for my application.

As far as the VX-6 goes, the reticle is not what I want and reported issues with image turned me off. Much like your position, I did not want to waste my time or money on it.

Unitl I have my own Mk6 to shake out, my current recommendation for a 1-6x is the Z6i.

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Originally Posted by Mikey

You should be able to hit at 2-300 yards with a red dot fairly easily.

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Sure if all your shooting at is man sized targets. However if you need to target ID or you need to shoot a threat using cover and only exposng his head and shoulders then a red dot at 200 yards is not so good. I have seen tons of new shooters struggle at matches with red dots at 100 yards on 4 moa targets.
Pat

I wonder how many of the 3x9 type scopes hold zero well with rough handling? I am sure that they are mostly fine for hunting rifles. However if I drop mine or it gets banged (currently hunting with a Kahles 3.5 x 10 x 50 American 1" tube in an LT-104 mount) I always check the zero. My NF NXS 1-4 (while the glass and image is not near the Kahles) its also in an LT-104 mount and it holds zero pretty good. I looked thru a TR24 yesterday with the post-triangle thingy my impression was that the image/glass was pretty good, but I dont know how well they hold zero.

Most all quality scopes in quality mounts will hold zero even with rough handling these days.
Pat

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Originally Posted by jwfuhrman

For the price you pay for the Vortex Viper 1-4, you get what alot of doubly priced optics cost.

I've used alot of the top 1-4's for 3gun and I always find my self coming back to the Vortex line of glass. For its price point and the quality its just damn hard to beat and it lets me accurately get hits out to 450 which is the farthest I've ever had to shoot at a match.

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Ive had the same experience with Vortex. Honestly I dont see what the trijicon has over the vortex besides the batteryless illumination.

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Originally Posted by jimmyp

I looked thru a TR24 yesterday with the post-triangle thingy my impression was that the image/glass was pretty good, but I dont know how well they hold zero.

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The TR24 is a tough scope. I've only dropped and bumped mine a few times, but it hasn't budged. I know a couple guys that have really abused theirs and also haven't had a problem, which is why I bought mine.

Still waiting for that 1-6 or 1-8 version.....

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Originally Posted by VIP3R 237

Ive had the same experience with Vortex. Honestly I dont see what the trijicon has over the vortex besides the batteryless illumination.

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The Trijicon has daylight visible illumination. The Vortex can't be seen in bright sunlight a definate downside. But their 1-6 corrects that.
Pat

I have a related question. I have a bit of rds and iron experience, but no long range scope experience.
Im looking at a low power variable, and want to be able to make hits to 600 yards for fun. Would a 1-4 work, if so what kind of reticle? I was thinking a tr24 and just dial it in since Id be proned out for that kind of shooting. Would this work out okay? Or is 4x not really enough magnification at that range?

I also saw the eye box on the vortex 2.5-10(pst) was huge(17mm or so) and was wondering if using it it as an occluded optic would be feasible or if a rds would still be much better.

Thank you for your thoughts.

Note:I have a thread about this but got no replies after a couple days so mods can scrap that if you want.

Exit pupil doesn't directly equal eye box. Its an indication, but IMO, eye box is a subjective thing. Trijicon attempted to apply a measurement to it, calling it eye volume. But in that case its a proprietary term and they are the only ones using it.

17mm is pretty impressive at 2.5x, but that scope does have a large objective.