In terms of clarity and low light performance which is better ?
I have the vortex Viper PST 1-4 it is a great scope very clear and works well in low light conditions.
I use mine to shoot coyotes and shots are often at night under decent moonlight.
How well will the PA 1-8 acss work in the moonlight ?

I am also somewhat interested in the 4-14x44 acss hud.

Thanks

Are you talking about the $1300 PA 1-8 Platinum or the regular $400 PA 1-8?

24mm objective at 8x in moonlight?  Uh, that's a 3mm exit pupil.  Your own pupil will be open to about 5mm maybe 6mm.  Much of your retina will not be activated.  Image will be dim until you lower magnification to about 5x.  This assumes equal optical lens quality and equal coatings.

My problem with the current darling 1-8x24mm scopes is that they need a larger objective lens to be useful in low light at 8x.  Otherwise, their low light utility is limited and you have to dial magnification back until you get an exit pupil that matches that of your own eye.  You can see the image noticeably brighten as you reduce magnification at dusk or "moonlight."

I'll be interested when they come out with a 1-8x40, or maybe just a 1-8x36.

I have Primary Arms older 1-6.5 on my AR-10, Vortex 1-4 on my AR-15 14.5 upper and the Primary Arms 4-14 on my 18 upper.  All three are clear, I wouldn't call anyone of them clearer than the other.  They are all easy to focus, easy to gain sight picture and I haven't had any issues where they lose their zero or get out of adjustment.  I have yet to use any of them at night or low light situations so I can't help you there.

I have the PA 1-6 ACSS, glass is good, but not sharp as I'd like (looking at a 1" ring at 100yd). I would go with the Viper.

I just ordered the Viper PST Gen II 1-6.

OP is asking about low light performance of a 1-8x24.

yes is that a problem? My 1-4 does very well in low light. I was hoping to up the magnification and not loose the low light capability.

I go over the 1-8 SFP in the video below and I also have a PST.   In terms of light gathering I'd say they're equivalent.   Glass clarity is about the same with the PST being slightly clearer on the edges.   But, the lack of clutter in the 1-8x will help you see objects in the real world vs the cluttered (my opinion) PST reticle

I'd go with the PA because the 1-4 PST has an almost useless reticle.

Can't speak to the 1-X versions, but I do have one of the illuminated 4-14 ACSS FFP HUD on one of the bolt guns. Glass is excellent, especially for the price. I was on the fence about the reticle before purchasing. I thought it might be too cluttered. Definitely not the case. It's very well thought out and is quite effective. I've had no issues and would definitely consider another if I was needing something for a different rifle.

Honestly, the only "issue" was the lack of a zero stop. But, I don't know of many scopes in that price range with that feature. Fortunately, I found a video a guy had posted that effectively acts as a zero stop with no permanent modification. I gave it a shot. Cost less than $1 and only took about 30 seconds to "install". And it freaking works!  

Anyone with one with this, or any of the PA scopes, might want to check out this solution...

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=bhqvQUCVrHw

Amen to that.  Ditched mine for a XTR 1-4.  Wish I would have waited a bit for the 1-5, still like the XTR though.  

I had a 1-6 for what it's worth.  That glass wasn't as clear as my Vortex but the eye box was unbelievably unforgiving.  

I have a 5.56 3x prism inbound from PA.  We'll see how that works out.

Thanks I was hoping you may  chime in. I have watched all your visitors on the lower power scopes more than once.
Thanks for all you do for the gun community keep up the good work !

Thanks for watching.

Same here. I burn through my data plan if I'm at a slow post at work watching Mrgunsngear vids. In my top 3 YouTube channels! Great reviews on PA optics.

S/F

Al

Well I sold my Vortex 1-4
My new PA 1-8 will be here friday.

I bought one of them blem models off of ebay. It was replacing a Burris 1-4 on my 16'' middy. Very pleased with it so far, burned 250 rounds last Sunday at the range at 50 and 100 yards. Pretty much just as clear as the Burris that was on there, the eyebox is tight on 8x. As someone who owns an ACOG with the chevron shooting this 1-8 with a chevron above 4x was pretty neat. Next ranch trip I will stretch it's legs to see what I can do at extended range.

Unpossible due to exit pupil. In low light, your pupil will dilate to maybe 6mm. If the scope's exit pupil is smaller than that, your eye will not receive all of the available light from the scope. Calculate exit pupil by dividing the objective lens size by the power. A 24mm objective at 8x has a 3mm exit pupil. That's going to suck in low light (and have a small eye box which creates another set of issues). You have to dial down to 4x to get the full low-light capabilities.