I know there has been a lot of interest in IOR’s new 1x/4x32mm tactical scope
I managed to be the first person to get my hands on one, so here’s a review
http://www.tacticalgunfan.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=578&Itemid=1
It’s a pretty interesting design with a field of view on 1x that must be seen to be believed. Vastly bigger
than anything else out there. Lot of optical performance stuffed into a small package.
check it out and tell me what you think
David,
Nice review, just a couple of questions:
I’m interested in the concept of field of view at 1x. If it were a true 1x like a t-1, and you shoot both eyes open, doesn’t the concept of ‘field of view’ become irrelevant (maybe a strong word). At a true 1x with binocular vision, does it become more of an issue that the dot is visible in a wider envelope of head positions?
Really interested in this one! How is the build quality?
No cat tail?
Great, another option for a scope. First ACOG, the accupoint, now pitbull. Decisions, decisions, decisions.
Give it some time, Charles Drissel will make one for anything! 
He made one for my wifes 1-4x Leupold VX-II 1" and already makes one for the Burris I haven’t even bought yet.
Manufacturer’s tech specs: http://www.valdada.com/product/6928a7e3-e3bc-48d0-9e8a-4ac78862cd81.aspx
Reticle options: http://www.valdada.com/reticules.aspx
I like what I see, just based off of that. They SAY it’s a true 1x, which is really no never-mind to me if it isn’t, and I like the idea of around a 3.5" eye relief. Weight for the potential level of capability isn’t appalling, either.
I wish those that make tactical-oriented scopes would completely get off of using yards on which to base these things, or at least stick to one measurement format across the board, whether it’s distance or angular. Personal pet peeve, only, which I recognize as being sorta silly since it’s so easy to convert that stuff in your head, with a little practice.
Has anyone gotten hand-on with one of these yet? Comments?
I was strongly considering the IOR Valdada Pitbull 1x/4x x32 and have done quite a bit of research.
Pros:
[ul]
[li]Very wide field-of-view
[/li][li]huge exit pupil
[/li][li]short length (7.28 inches)
[/li][li]BDC reticle
[/li][li]The new version (available now) has digital illumination controls
[/li][li]Good low light performance
[/li][li]Clarity is good (but not earth shattering)
[/li][/ul]
Cons:
[ul]
[li]It’s heavy (23 oz)
[/li][li]It’s only 1x or 4x and nothing in between
[/li][li]illumination can cause internal glare at the brightest settings (assume this is still true for digital illumination control version)
[/li][li]fish eye/chromatic aberration at 4x along the outer edge (but with this wide of a field of view, not such a concern)
[/li][li]illumination not visible in bright daylight (assume this is still true for digital illumination control version)
[/li][li]Reticle is a bit small for high speed close up work
[/li][li]Not a huge selection of mounts for 35mm tubes (like there are with the more common 30mm tubes on other 1-4x scopes)
[/li][li]Might have some reliability issues (glass cracked during install for one reviewer, but was eventually covered under warranty)
[/li][li]Might have some quality control/calibration problems (for a couple of samples, when set to 4x, the picture was fuzzy and you had to dial down to 3.75x to get it clear)
[/li][/ul]
The best price I’ve found is from Scott at LibertyOptics.com. It isn’t listed on their site, but Scott sells them for $999 shipped with your choice of 3 ring heights.
Full reviews and pictures are on this page and this page at ar15.com.
At this point, I’m not ready to make the purchase. At $1000, I think it should be a little more of a sure thing. The field of view and exit pupil size are why I want this scope. If it had brighter illumination or a flawless reputation or a lower price, I’d be ordering one right now. Instead, I’m waiting and researching other options.