Ep. 164 | LPVO, Red Dot, or Prism for your AR?

Looking for an optic for your AR? Maybe you already have one set up, but you’re curious about the other options and what makes them so special? Jimmy and Mark sat down with Reuben and Adam, our in-house AR junkies, to talk all about red dots, magnifiers, prism scopes, LPVO’s, offset red dots, etc. What’s so special about each one of these categories? Why would someone want to pick one over the other? Does one option reign supreme as the best overall way to go? Are any of them potentially just outdated at this point?? We also get the chance to talk about some brand new optics in our lineup with the SPARC Solar red dot and the Gen II Spitfire HD prism scopes. Tune in to find out!

As always, we want to hear your feedback! Let us know if there are any topics you'd like covered on the Vortex Nation™ podcast by asking us on any one of our social media platforms and using #VortexNationPodcast.

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[SpetsnazBear-]

BEST talk on LPVO, Red Dots and Prisms on the net.
Answered the questions I had on prisms.

[TheYemcl]

As a combat veteran and Industrial Designer/SME who works in this industry, I think this was a VERY beneficial conversation for the AR shooting public, and even shooters of other platforms as well. Food for thought at its finest.

[Drew]

This episode is three years old, but I have to bring this up. For all practical applications if I had to choose, I would choose the jack of all trades master of none the LPVO. It doesn’t matter what price point you are coming in at, the utility of an LPVO is unmatched. The etched reticle and the diopter are the unsung heroes that make the LPVO the most utilitarian choice. Without a secondary aiming system the LPVO is equipped to handle all situations and has the highest probability of success in most if not all practical applications. I don’t know if anyone has ever brought this up in discussions before but should you loose or brake your prescription eye glasses in a fire fight, your diopter can compensate and correct your vision in at least one eye. In a SHTF situation, that quick transition could save your life especially if you are taking fire. This channel continues to put out excellent content and vortex continues to put out excellent optics keep up the good work.

[JG]

I had no idea you guys had a YouTube channel or a podcast. I’ve really been enjoying this. Definitely subbing.

[hotdognobun]

The way Vortex got their 3x/5x that compact with a super clear quality is incredible

[RockyMountainMotoAdventures]

As someone who is new to the sport and who is looking for a first optics options to install on my AR15 I really found this completely helpful.

[jimaronson]

These long sessions take a lot out of my day but the content is great. Good discussion. The bottom line is it really does depend on the user's purpose. Many pros and cons to each type.
I tried the piggyback red dot on top of a holographic and didn't like it because I lost the check weld. I changed it over to a angled offset.

[stephensmith]

as someone who is getting into hunting ... and shooting on a regular basis ... love these podcasts.

[i_make_sounds]

I really appreciate that this show doesn't waste time on the politics and focuses strictly on legality, function and utility. As someone who's been shooting all my life but is brand new to the AR Space, wants to learn one platform functionally from another and hasn't made any purchases yet, it's been incredibly helpful to getting my hands dirty in a meaningful way. Thanks guys!

[DanielBoone]

Most of my 16" guns and shorter have just a red dot and backup irons. I have a couple 16" guns with a 3x prism and a dot on an offset mount and all my 18" and up have either a lpvo or a 4-16×44mm so I can stretch them out a ways. That said I think the majority of people that ask what should I put on my AR15 would be perfectly suited with a red dot, maybe back up irons and a flashlight if it's for selfdefense. I've shot one if my 16" guns out to 600 yards just playing and was amazed at how easy it was to ring steel at that distance so much so I have a red dot on some of my hunting rifles now. Great podcast

[noHandle]

They are so crazy good and not mentioning any competition by name. Cracks me up. Very good info here btw

[George-ntuw]

Many years back, I had a red dot on my AR15. After shooting some rounds I went down to the target at 100 yards. While there, I looked back at my rifle on the bench and saw what looked like an orange flashlight pointed at me downrange. When I returned home, I did some reading about "dot" sights for rifle and ordered aa EO Tech 552 that has no tint on the glass. Trying to see the glass from downrange was virtually impossible with the EOTech. Another reason for purchasing the EOTech 552 was the AA cells used. I call it mom-n-pop battery which can be obtained a lot easier that batteries used in other sights.

[slmyatt]

Buncha young whippersnappers.
I remember shooting from the hip, out of a damascus double barrel, using home-made black powder and rock salt...

[chipsterb]

“I do this for the people…” Excellent start for your rebuttal. One of my favorite rifles has a fixed 2.5x Scout scope on it. With practice, I can shoot it with both eyes open or really concentrate with just my left eye. My scope is very light weight - for a scope - but one of those 3x prism sights is both lighter weight and much smaller.

I have a holographic sight with a 3x magnifier but haven’t used it enough to say that it’s better or worse than a fixed 3x prism. The prism is smaller. There’s less that can go wrong, including a dead battery. KISS. However, being able to quickly switch to 1x open sighting has a lot of appeal too.

I have to add that my Dad’s Mauser 98 chambered in 270 wears a 2x Lyman Alaskan AllWeather scope. It worked for New England deer hunting.

[zman]

Need a 1-5 prism like the Elcan Specter dr

[ROTT_LIFE]

What would be cool is a new Huey 3 brother. I know this is an old video 3 years but the gen 2 came out 4 years ago! In 2020.
“It’s time!” Bruce Buffer voice.
Ya dig
So make it!
Send it!
Also one “defective” needs to be recycled to me.
GOD BLESS BROTHER!!!

[danbandito]

Lol best of both worlds lpvo + 45degree off set dot= love mine for three gun and honestly it’s my go too.

[andrewpeterson]

Best 0-1000 optic for the SCAR17! Not the lol what ever junk with buffer tubes 😂

[derekadierker]

A jack of all trades is a master of none...but oftentimes better than a master of one....people leave second part out...Great ...informatve video

[breckenridgelong]

I'm in this situation right now. I bought my first AR with an 18" barrel cause I just didn't know any better. Slapped a red dot on it and it's been great. But I can't help feeling like with an 18" barrel I should go to an lpvo because that's kinda what it's meant for. It's for home defense but also a sorta SHTF gun too. To make it even more complicated I have astigmatism and it affects any shots over 100 yards with the red dot. I can make it work but it doesn't feel great. The thing is I love not having an eye box and scope shadow to deal with. Would love to hear what others think. Oh, I've also looked at 1x prism scopes but I ruled them out when I realized they have scope shadow.