User Panel
Posted: 7/25/2017 3:30:08 PM EDT
I'm sure this is beat to death, but I figured what the heck..... I've been shooting and fondling my recce more lately and I kind of wish I had different glass. But the grass is always greener.
If only I could afford a 4x acog with a mini RDS on top. For some reason I feel like that would be ideal. I like the idea of the Elcan too. Seems like there's not really a point to 2 or 3 power on a 1-4. I have a 2x7 on it now and I like the extra power when shooting for groups. But I'm not sure it's overly practical. I would probably prefer a 1-4 for most situations. But like I said, I almost think an ACOG with an mini RDS on top would be better. So.... who's making a poor mans version of the elcan? That weighs less. |
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Not sure there is a best. I have an ACOG, a Comp M3, and a Trijicon 1x6. Each is good in its own right and best is subjective. If I was going to war, I would take the ACOG. If I was going to an uncertain situation where targets are unknown -- probably the 1x6. If I am defending the house -- the M3.
Different optics for different situations. Sorry -- not sure this is much help. |
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I'm sure this is beat to death, but I figured what the heck..... I've been shooting and fondling my recce more lately and I kind of wish I had different glass. But the grass is always greener. If only I could afford a 4x acog with a mini RDS on top. For some reason I feel like that would be ideal. I like the idea of the Elcan too. Seems like there's not really a point to 2 or 3 power on a 1-4. I have a 2x7 on it now and I like the extra power when shooting for groups. But I'm not sure it's overly practical. I would probably prefer a 1-4 for most situations. But like I said, I almost think an ACOG with an mini RDS on top would be better. So.... who's making a poor mans version of the elcan? That weighs less. View Quote |
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For MY purposes, which may or may not be relevant to YOUR purposes an Aimpoint M3.
Short of some apocalyptic fantasy I will never use an AR defensively OR offensively outside of 200yds. |
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How much lighter does it have to be?
My Elcan only weighs 1/2 ounce more than my 1-6 with mount. And it has built-in BUIS. So, lighter overall. |
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I like 2-7 scopes. I have two Leupold European-30 scopes (now discontinued) that are perfect for use on AR-15's. 1.5-5's or 2.5-8's work great also.
I use Aimpoint's on half my rifles, the scopes listed above on the other half. |
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I'd go with an Aimpoint. I'm good out to 200+ yards and it's fast up close. Anything further I'm getting out.
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I fought it for the longest time but I'm fully on board with the LPV crew. True 1x to 4x/6x.
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For me it's the Aimpoint T2
I own guns setup with Nightforce and Trijicon 1-4, Leupold 3-12, and numerous Aimpoints The red dot can do anything I need from 0-250 yards. Throw a magnifier behind it for the distance stuff |
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IMO, I think General Purpose is hard to define so I think you should get an optic that best matches what kind of shooting you actually do. Plinking, Hunting, Competition, Training.
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If I have to choose only one for an AR it's going to be a TA31 4x ACOG with a chevron reticle.
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If I want small groups I use a scope. If the targets really big, a red dot is okay.
My favorite carbines have those old SUIT optics on them. |
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You said "poor mans" version... so this would probably be what I'd look at if I wanted an uber-inexpensive optic of that type. Plus I think this new FDE version looks really nice!
Primary Arms 3X FDE |
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Any Aimpoint.. I can fuck some shit up from 0 out to 300meters + and with a little distance... I can tag someone further.
Works day or night. |
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The ACOG with an RMR is a poor mans Elcan.
Elcan Specter DR is 23.28oz ACOG is 9.9oz, RMR is 1.2oz Elcans are just too damn heavy. |
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I guess it depends on what you generally use an AR for.
I punch paper and shoot hogs and coyotes, so my best general purpose AR is an 18" SPR with a 4-16 on it. |
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Ta31rco is the only optic anyone needs. I have used eotech, aimpoint and vortex. Acog is best
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MRO or ACOG for me, depending on the situation. I'd go with the ACOG all around, but I just think in a SHTF scenario, you'd be more likely to shoot close in than very far out. That favors the MRO.
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LPV
or a dot and 4x ACOG both in QD mounts to,swap out as needed |
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2-7x might not be trendy, but it's a pretty good choice for a general purpose optic, especially if the purposes are those for which ARs are actually generally used.
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Just add a 45 degree offset min reflex red dot to your 2-7x and you are good to go.
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2-7x might not be trendy, but it's a pretty good choice for a general purpose optic, especially if the purposes are those for which ARs are actually generally used. View Quote |
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The WPA PSU 1x/4x is the only switchable magnification alternative to the ELCAN. It's on clearance for $699 if you can find one.
All the other recommendations above are fixed magnification or convention scopes, and none of them could match the PSU's field of view or it lever switchable zoom function. plus, none use Schott glass......yes, the PSU features Zeiss optical glass. |
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View Quote What about you Edwin, does it work for closer range for you? Or do you feel like you need a mini rds on an offset or something...... |
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What exactly 'general purpose' entails will vary for different people, but for me a red dot sight is still the best choice.
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I fought it for the longest time but I'm fully on board with the LPV crew. True 1x to 4x/6x. View Quote View All Quotes View All Quotes Quoted:
I fought it for the longest time but I'm fully on board with the LPV crew. True 1x to 4x/6x. Quoted:
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Ta33 by far. Best all around. |
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I have a few variables and fixed power scopes and I keep falling back to the fixed option.
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My choices would be the Steiner P4Xi, an Aimpoint PRO, or Luepold VX-R either the Hog Plex or the 2-7 ballistic Hunter.
Each has a good reason to make it a shtf scope. I consider general purpose to be from 3 yds to 250-300 yds. Targets about the size of a 'C' zone target (12x18") |
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I have one of almost everything. I really like the Bushnell Mark AR scopes. I can be poor anywhere I want.
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Do you find yourself able to do close up work with it? Both eyes open or BAC. View Quote View All Quotes View All Quotes Quoted:
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Ta33 by far. Best all around. The Ta33 is a good closer medium range optic, but since the question was a single best general purpose optic, this is my favorite. Very rugged, mutiple non battery methods of illumination. |
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General purpose would probably be a 1-4x. The steiner seems to be popular and a good price.
If for strictly defensive purposes, a civilian should never need more than an aimpoint(or whichever red dot tickles your fancy.) |
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It depends on what you consider to be your general purpose AR.
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To me, general purpose means taking the last 1000 rounds you fired and tailoring your optic choice to that. To me, that means competition. If I extend it out to the last 5000 rounds fired, that means competition, training class and coyote hunting.
I'm exclusively using 1-6x scopes now as my other optics sit on the shelf with the exception of a red dot on my PCC. |
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it depends what your general purpose is for sure. Mine was competition, with everything from 1 yard targets to 10" targets at 400+ yards. I went with a 1-4. I can run it like a dot or zoom in.
I was thinking like you that I wouldn't use anything but either end, but that turned out to not be the case. I'm between 1-4 way more than I'm at 4. hell even 2x makes everything easier to see but still keeps a really wide field of view. I would dial the scope in to whatever would still show me 2 targets in the array, that way I wasn't spending time shooting the same one twice and I was less likely to skip targets. If I could only have one optic or one rifle even I would be hard pressed to use anything but a 1-x. a dot is great, but something that helps with target identification or precision at distance is needed. A red dot will probably get you a hit on torso at 200 yards, but even a 4x (and my young eyes) would let me pick an eye. sometimes needed, sometimes not. |
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If a 2-7x LPV is good, then a 1-8x should be even better. View Quote View All Quotes View All Quotes |
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The problem with 1-8 is the very small exit when you at 8 power. The 2-7 gather a lot more light due to the large bell and exit lens View Quote View All Quotes View All Quotes Quoted:
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2-7x might not be trendy, but it's a pretty good choice for a general purpose optic, especially if the purposes are those for which ARs are actually generally used. |
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2-7x might not be trendy, but it's a pretty good choice for a general purpose optic, especially if the purposes are those for which ARs are actually generally used. My 6.8 has a Burris 1.5-6 on it and for what I paid for it it gathers light real well. |
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The Swarovski z6i is the best all around optic, IMO. 1x is fantastic, gets nuclear bright, 6x is excellent, the glass is unreal, and it's pretty damn light for a 1-6.
I wouldn't even consider spending elcan money when there's much better LPVO's out there. I've now had my Swarovski for a little over a year, that's a record for me as I swap optics like I swap underwear. That optic will always have a place in my gunroom |
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