After a great deal of hands-on research, plus reading several long tacked threads on several sites, I am questioning whether a 1-4 scope is really the right answer for me.
At 4X I haven’t found one that’s as anywhere near as sharp as an ACOG; at 1X they are nowhere near as easy to use as a good red dot.
I’ve handled scopes from $400 to $2700.
Some of them weigh a great deal as well. . . . .
So the question I’m trying to answer for myself is whether it’s worthwhile compromising both ends of the spectrum-- Or just buy an ACOG and mount a T1 offset.
Has anyone else done better than me in the quest?
Closest might be Trij TR24-- unless you anticipate holdover.
Also, the Elcan SpecterDR is a ridiculously sweet 1-4x. Not as long ad traditional 1-4x “scopes” and rugged as hell. You only get 1x and 4x (nothing in between) but the multiple illumination options offer a nice red dot option.
Rather than me casting aspersions on brand names, how about if you tell me what 1-4 optics you’ve handled that have the brightness and resolution of an ACOG at 4X?
That might be more helpful than someone criticizing someone else’s favorite optic.
I’ve owned several ACOGS; I run a T-1 on a 14.5in carbine. Looking at outfitting my 16in for magnification.
A few hours ago I was looking through an ACOG and comparing with an $885 1-4 and a $2700 1-4. Neither could resolve the stucco on a building 100 yds away nearly as well as the ACOG, and neither was as bright. Both the 1-4s showed distortion at 1X when you move your eye around a bit-- not the case for a red dot.
ACOG’s are made by Trijicon. Trijicon has the TR-24, a 1-4x that uses the same fiber optic technology as the ACOG.
I have never compared the TR-24 directly against an ACOG, but doesn’t the ACOG have a larger lens? If it does, it would make perfect sense that it would have better sight quality.
I have a TR-24 on my 300BLK SBR. I like it a lot and it is an outstanding optic –> best damn optic for the price range IMO. But it is still limited by 1" tube and smaller lens to allow light in vs. the ACOG.
I have been really looking forward to all these new 1-8x variables by Leupold coming out and am anxious to see one in person. The price tag is a little far of a reach but the value seems to be there if they really do offer clarity & of course… one has the coin to flip for it.
I have a TR24 myself, and it’s 30mm. Also, in daylight the size of the lens dosn’t matter, it’s still going to let enough light through for your eye to perceive.
And it’s easier to make a good fixed power scope than a variable one, so if you compare an ACOG to a TR24 it would be obvious to me that the fixed acog would be better.
Still doesn’t mean I want one though, I shoot my rifle more at 1x than 4x, so running around all day with a canted rifle doesn’t appeal to me
I don’t own one, but I’ve looked through ACOG’s at the range and nothing about the clarity stood out to me. No way in hell I’d give up my 1-6 Swarovski for an ACOG. The comment most folks offer up when looking through the Swaro is along the lines of, “Wow! Look how clear this is!”
As for use as a red dot on 1x, I am very pleased and have not felt that it slows me down (previous glass on the rifle was an Aimpoint PRO). We didn’t have our local carbine match last month, so hopefully this month I’ll be able to run the Z6i on the 9-hole wall to see if I’m slower or what.
Whether or not it’s right for you, only you can determine. If you already have an ACOG and like it - then master it and drive on. If you are getting the performance you need/want, then I would suggest not switching to a variable unless it gets you something you need that the fixed doesn’t.
I’ve got a TR24R on my FAL and love it. I’ve never had the opportunity to even look thru an ACOG though.
As far as the TR24’s, I’ve found it to be a very capable piece of glass. Curious about the question of holdover though. Knowing your rifle and the optics on it really isn’t about fancy reticle’s, it’s more about understanding how that rifle works with that optic.
Sure, there are ranges between a zero and after the zero point that need hold over/under and I’ve found that indexing the tip or bottom of the triangle dependent on range covers most issues. Same goes for T1’s or Eotechs, just learn where to put the dot.
I have recently spent a lot of time seeking out different 1-4x scopes for my FAL… I also wanted it affordable, so a S&B was out, although I have looked through a few… It also had to have a DAYLIGHT useable illumination for RDS-type uses…
That said, I think the Meopta Meostar has great glass clarity for the $$$, and it also has an illumination system close to S&B Shortdot. The only down side is that it is somewhat sensitive to the eye being in the center for proper use.
The Trijicon Accupoints had great glass, IMO, just a bit pricey…
I think my Aimpoints are FASTER, but the magnification is a huge plus for me…
The TR24 really is the best optic under $1300 in the low powered variable range - it gives up some FOV compared to a TA31 or TA01 ACOG, as well as giving up the BDC reticle for the simpler filled in triangle.
I can drill targets out to 235m with a TR24 on my Mk12 upper at a scary fast pace, but the utility starts to drop as I’m having to aim at targets below the triangle, in effect roughly 300m before I’d need to start using a turret to make quality point target hits.
Not a huge effective envelope improvement over an Aimpoint, BUT, that zoom is invaluable when you need it, especially as a patrol or hunting optic.
I’m currently saving up for a Z6i & been doing a lot of reading on them. My only concern is that they are a little delicate from folks posting their comments about breaking them. Not sure how much is rumor but it does concern me a little bit.
I have a Z6i I’ve been running for about 5 months now. I would say that it is very durable. Now I haven’t completely beaten the shit out of it, but its got some hard use; several classes and a bunch of competitions. Hands down my favorite optic right now.
I don’t think you need worry. I searched but couldn’t find the youtube vids where a couple guys torture the crap out of a Z6. They throw it in a pond attached to a steel cable. Then they drag it out by the cable with an ATV and drive around towing it on the ground. They shoot it with a shotgun… all the normal stuff you’d expect in a torture test these days. They shoot it in between to show that it’s still holding zero.
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