Trying to come up with the best and most sensible choice for me. One, I don’t want a LPVO for my own reasons. I have a Aimpoint 3x magnifier with the twist off mount but I want a flip to side mount so I need a reasonable recommendation there. If price were no object I would have a Elcan but that’s out. I just saw the Wolf
1X/4X variable zoom which looks like an Elcan copy but I don’t know anything about it’s quality.
My main focus is on a 2-3X fixed optic or a Eotech type with my magnifier. A real ACOG is out due to price but the Primary arms versions and Vortex seem high quality but… made in China. So that’s were I am, get a high quality, reasonable price but made in china optic or go Eotech with my magnifier. I want up close speed with some magnification so 2X fixed is OK, not sure about 3X and the space used seems like a small footprint. Or a bigger footprint with the Eotech+magnifier.
The Aimpoint while high quality is a smear to my eyes not a dot.
I love my EXPS2 and G33 magnifier. I swapped out the factory mount on the magnifier for a LaRue version.
LaRue may have a mount for your magnifier and then just add an EOTech.
ETA: LaRue LT755
Put an Eotech on a Unity FAST riser and put your Aimpoint magnifier in a Unity FTC mount. Heads-up position, rapid deployment of the magnifier, nothing hanging off the side of the gun.
If you go fixed power the 2x Primary Arms recently released is getting really good feedback. I am sure it is durable but understand the China thing I really wish they made these in Phillipines like most of the other products int eh GLX line
I have an older Primary Arms 2.5x and it’s good, the ACSS CQB reticle is easy to pick up and gives me the ability to hit targets out further than my red dot.
I understand your apprehension because it’s made in China.
The other fixed magnification prism scope I just bought is the Sig Bravo3, the first thing I noticed was it’s big, it has a horseshoe reticle but not the CQB style like the Primary Arms.
The glass is crystal clear, it is motion activated which is nice so you don’t have to turn it on if you need it.
I think it was manufactured in the Philippines, but I’ll have to check to confirm.
Just got an online look at the new Vortex 3x Spitfire Gen II. Looks good, smaller than others, I like it. Not sure where it’s made, maybe I don’t want to know… Hoping it’s anywhere but china…
You indicated a preference for non-Chinese products - the database includes Country of Assembly (and OEM if known) for nearly all optics.
If for home defense, look for optics with “always on” capability: never needing to manually switch on the optic. The list below includes reflex dots, prism scopes, and LPVOs. Most feature motion-on or battery life measured in years.