BTW, has anyone seen any published subtensions for each of the reticles?

I wish my experiences had mirrored yours, Stickman. I really wanted to like the VCOG as it runs on a AA, it has an integrally keyed mount interface, the weight is livable as any other 1-6X, although a TINY bit heavier (but made up for in other features), so on and so forth. What flat-out killed it for me was the eye-strain/headache it caused. Every time I changed magnification, I had to re-focus it or the reticle or target would be blurry.

No, I don't take offense that you differ with me on your experience. Maybe a bad batch DID get out. I really hope that is the case, and I will try one again later this year next time I am near the place I tried the first two.

Like I said before, noone from Trijicon kicked my dog. That's just my experience and I can't change what I experienced.

If the focus issue was a batch issue, I would HEAVILY consider the optic, as the eyebox is not a deal-breaker, as it is quite sufficient, and I will trade some off there for the AA battery and keyed mount.

Correct. Multiple people have the issue I'm talking about, but Stickman doesn't. Ergo, the multiple people who have issues are "unimportant" or "doing it wrong" or "trolling".

Not that Stickman's intent was to discredit me and the others who have complained about the issues we have stated, but it just goes to show how industry names can affect product perception. It's something people should always keep in mind when buying a product---or representing on, if they are as name-recognition gifted as Stickman is.


*Not a jab at stickman in the least, just a "market observation". I really hope me and the others who have had the issues just got a bad batch, as the VCOG looks killer on paper, and I like the features, just not the performance I experienced.

I saw Taran's video with the VCOG, and noticed that he opted not to run one.

Noone at his level is running one, that I am aware of.

This is "a clue", IMO.

Like you, I hope the later scopes are better. I tested it out earlier this year, and did not post in this thread for some time about it. I hope I just got ahold of an early one/bad batch. It was when they first hit the public market.

MULTIPLE PEOPLE?!?

There were only TWO folks who PARTIALLY agreed with SOME of what you said (Spartan-Racing & SoloDallas).  And SoloDallas had/has his VCOG mounted too far to the rear.  So while that might Technically be considered "multiple", it is a SMALL percentage of the folks who've posted in this thread.

Like I said, a layperson says it, noone listens. I held 2 optics that had issues. The sales rep agreed with me.
Then I linked to another person who had issues: Tmanker
So those are 3 optics and 3 people who have had issues focusing it, and who agree that illumination on a sunny day is not up to snuff. Plus Spartan-Racing, who agreed with some of it.

Like I said, maybe a bad batch got out. I will handle a newer one. Tmanker just got his, though, a couple of months ago. So it's significantly newer the one's I looked through which had the same issue.

The VCOG just isn't impressing me nearly as much as the other optics in its MSRP range like the K16i and Z6i. I can't help that my findings with the optic are what they are. YMMV, and I hope it does, because if I spent even $1500 on the VCOG I looked through, it would be refund time.

Here is another user who mentions the illumination issues:


Again, I linked to all of this stuff, but maybe everyone is scared of TOS. So I just will post the quote here.

So, yeah, 4-5 people either refused to buy it, bought it and dumped it, or bought it and are trying to get their money back. Huge sample? No. but I haven't seen that many people trying to get rid of the other optics I mentioned in this price range after 1-2 range sessions.

Regardless, I don't work for Trijicon. I don't work for a competitor of Trijicon. I get commission from noone. I started this thread a good while back, answered my own question, reported back, and was attacked for it.

So...realistically...let me just throw this out there...I hope everyone who disagrees with me buys the damn thing. If your experience mirrors mine, then that is the best possible jab I could take at you, because know that I am laughing at you, or would be, if I could see your frustrated "bastard was right. Screw him" look on your face. So, by all means, buy before you try!

But please...if it has any of the issues I found...post up here...I want the lolz. If not...post up here in my thread, anyway, because it does add another datapoint!

Finally got some time behind one this past weekend. Hmmm.. some observations:

1. Glass quality was very good to excellent. IMO, it's a hair below the Swarovski Z6i but not much.
2. Horseshoe reticle works well, although I don't like the crossed big black lines. I wish they would have just stuck with their ACOG reticles, which are relatively clean and uncluttered.
3. Illumination was good, although not as bright as I would have liked. It's definitely not ACOG bright but usable.  I've heard that FFP is harder to illuminate than SFP so that may play a part.
4. The weight is noticeable but I'm used to shooting an EOTech + magnifier setup so they feel about the same.
5. The zoom ring is great and very smooth. No need for scope lever.
6. With this model's 55gr BDC, I had a hard time matching the drops to the upper I was using (14.5" with 55gr PMC, 2850fps).  I tried to find the BDC subtensions but haven't seen them online and didn't get an email response from Trijicon.

So, in summary, it was pretty much the same scope I saw when it was Taran's prototype.  Very good scope with great features.  Steep price.  
Would I recommend one to others?  Given the price, probably not but if you can afford it and want the Trijicon toughness, give it a go and see for yourself if it works for you.

I contacted Trijicon a few weeks ago about the VCOG's BDC for the 5.56 55 grain version and their response was:







 

 


 

I didn't notice any changes between magnification ranges. I usually adjust the diopter at 6X and then leave it there for all other magnifications.  
My eyes aren't as sharp as they used to be so there could have been slight focus issues at other magnifications.  I just didn't notice it, especially at 1X when I'm moving fast.



Thanks, man. That's fast and probably XM193 out of a 16-18" barrel.  
Trijicon should just publish the MOA subtensions between the drops like all other optic manufacturers do.

I haven't looked, but the reticle might be in Strelok Pro.

Great info, and I am looking forward to any videos you make in the future.


 

350 yards. Pretty busy with school so I'll see if I can put some video together since there's not too many YT reviews out there for it.

So, I took a look at the diopter focus again and still didn't see any issues with it as I changed magnifications. When adjusting the diopter, make sure you're making the adjustment at max magnification and in short bursts or your staring at it will cause your eye not to relax and you'll get false reticle focus. This is mentioned in the VCOG manual.

Anyways, I have a day off from both work and school soon so will put together some video with my thoughts. Coming soon!

 

As promised, my quick take on the VCOG. Hope it helps those who are deciding.

I do not own a VCOG. But, when I use my Swaro or Kahles 1X6, I also have to refocus to get a perfect sight picture when changing from 1X to 6X. This seems to be more pronounced in the Kahles. Not a big deal. Maybe since I use it on 1X with both eyes open at close objects (inside 50yds) and only use strong eye only at 6X. Or I have issues with my eyes. My right eye is stronger than my left...

I have wondered if other variable 1X4 or 1X6 scopes need some focusing when changing magnification.

Thanks for the excellent overview of the VCOG!

Welcome, man!

Oh BTW, fellas, I didn't have time to add it to the video but I did a long range testing comparison between 2 optics.  It consisted of shooting long distance targets from 200 - 375 yards with the VCOG vs the TR24 AccuPoint.  The result was that their runs were within 1-2 secs of each other, with the TR24 taking 1-2 extra shots on the 375 yard flasher. So, having 6X is nice but not mandatory IMO.

So do you feel the VCOG reticle is busier than the XTR?

 

On 1X, no but on 6X, yes. Being that it's a FFP reticle, that horseshoe and the lines are going to be huge at 6X.  I don't like that because they may block other targets that are in the field of view.

Also looking for specs on the BDC reticle.  Would like to know the bullet drop (in inches) for each hash on the .223 77gr reticle.

Thank you, more confirmation the Mk6 1-6 is the way to go.

Perhaps for you.

As said, I sold my Mark 6 1-6x after I picked up a VCOG.

And I can tell you I'll be picking up a second VCOG, and not another Mark 6.

I do want a Mark 6 3-18x though...

Do you also feel the reticle is busy on 6x like SuprSet72 does?


 

I know a few dudes that are running and enjoying their Mk6 but I didn't really like the reticle on it either. If you're shooting in a lot of wind, you will appreciate the ton of wind holds the CMR-W has though!
Reticles are really subjective.

I wouldn't say it's busy on 6x compared to a lot of other reticles.

It's pretty large on 6x and does take up some FOV of course, but it's nothing I find to be a crutch considering the type of shooting I would be doing at 6x.

On 1x, it's just like using an RDS, and blows every other 1-x I've used out of the water.

Sure you've said so much, but like I stated before Mk6 IS daylight bright, VCOG is not daylight bright and considering it's price point it leaves me scratching my head what Trijicon was thinking.  I also think the CMR-W & TMR-D reticles are substantially better allowing for ranging, quicker & more accurate hits on target especially with unknown distances than the VCOG provides, which is kinda the point of having a LPV otherwise why not run a red dot?

I also prefer the Mk6 glass to the VCOG glass, better glass, better field of view, better adjustments (also allows the ability to dial your dope in, VCOG does not)...  That isn't even going into the other reported issues from decrease in clarity dialing up to 6x & Vickers losing his zero.  I'm glad you are happy with your VCOG, but definitely not for me and I'm not alone in that regard.

My VCOG's illumination is far brighter than the Mark 6 1-6x I owned, and the other Mark 6's I've looked through. In fact, the Mark 6's illumination is one of the cons I found with it. Beyond it not being as bright as the VCOG, you also run into flickering/washing out issues without ideal head position/eye relief. So I'm not really sure how you came to your observations there.

In fact, the VCOG's illumination, and long and forgiving eye relief are what really sold me on it over my Mark 6. I wanted an urban combat variable optic, not a more DMR/precision type optic. If I were mainly looking to use one of these on 6x for ranging and precision, then yes, I'd opt for a Mark 6 with the TMR reticle.

That's not what I was looking for though. I wanted a 1-6x that I would feel comfortable grabbing in any scenario, and that performed like an RDS on 1x. The VCOG blows the Mark 6 out of the water in this aspect. I would have never felt comfortable grabbing a Mark 6 equipped rifle to clear a house, or in a similar CQB scenario. With the VCOG, I wouldn't even hesitate.

As for glass quality, I find them pretty much on par. I may give a slight edge to the Mark 6, but it's not enough to be a selling point.

And sure, I guess your opinions aren't alone, but just the few similar ones we've heard in here are primarily coming from people who have solely looked through a VCOG at a retailer, and not from people who have actually put one to use. And I like how this Larry Vickers zero issue continues to be brought up. He had one of the early pre release VCOGs. And I'll stress one. Do you really think Leupold never released a Mark 6 with a kink in it? Especially with one of their pre release units.

You're the only person That I know of reporting VCOG having better brightness, but I'll leave it at that.  One final point before I bow out, the so called flickering Mk6 experiences is over blown.  By the time you notice the flickering your head is leaving the generous eyebox, rendering it a moot point.  Here is a video (not mine) demonstrating the flickering and judge for yourself:

http://youtu.be/q9yhgABY97c

The Burris XTRII has the same type of illumination and you have to be right behind the scope to see full illumination.  It is BRIGHT, though.