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john gault View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote john gault Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Topic: Scope Suggestions
    Posted: April/13/2020 at 18:36
Hi Folks!

New member here after lurking for a while. Decided this group likely has the most combined experience/knowledge around in the world of firearm optics.

I'm sure this has been covered before, but not quite experienced enough yet to find it among all the collected knowledge here!

I'm looking for input/suggestions on a new LVPO for a new home defense AR-15 I just acquired. I'm on Soc. Security, so Uncle Sam doesn't pay me enough to get a top line scope like I'd prefer, so I'm limited to the $400-$500 range, and have narrowed my choices thus far to several based upon my research as follows:

1.    Atibal XP8 1-8x24 FFP or SFP
2.    Vortex Strike Eagle 1-8x24 SFP
3.    Athlon Argos BTR 1-8x24

I looked at the Primary Arms line as I've bought a lot of "Stuff" from them over the years, but they're not available right now.

The above are all close in price and within my budget, so I'd like expert opinions from members on which of the above is a better choice, or, other options I didn't turn up in my research.

Thanks in advance for any help you can provide!

john gault
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Rancid Coolaid View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Rancid Coolaid Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: April/14/2020 at 08:33
Home defense means close quarters and the need to see as much as possible; and to me that means red dot. I too love LPVOs, but for the task you specify, it begins and ends with red dot. You definitely don't need something that requires precise head position, and there is no value in 8X for this application.

All that said, the other thing your AR needs (that you probably haven't budgeted for) is a good weapon-mounted light. Were I to need to strip one component from my CQB AR, it'd be the optic before it was the light. On a budget, look at streamlight, and get a pressure switch activation light.

On red dots, confirm that is the direction you want the conversation to take - or not take - and I can make several recommendations.

If it is truly a home defense gun, the light is super, super important; target identification and disorientation is of paramount importance, optic - to me, in that application - is a distant secondary.
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john gault View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote john gault Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: April/14/2020 at 11:59
Thanks Rancid!

I should be more clear on "home defense". I'm well covered for CQB "inside the house" defense, light and all. I live in the country and am thinking "outside the house" defense at short to medium ranges. I'm 70 and as with all 70 ish folks, my eyesight is not perfect, and I need the LPVO  to aid vision in my old eyes.    Smile

I own several Athlon's and Vortex's for medium to long range, and like them, but the reviews on the Atibal are great and tempting but I need expert opinion. Swampfox, which I found last night, also looks good but few reviews available being such a new company.

Hope this helps you in your suggestions!

john gault
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Rancid Coolaid Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: April/14/2020 at 15:54
I'll let someone else chime in on that specific need. My preference goes to scopes a bit above that budget, and they are usually offsetting a suppressor, so weight isn't as big a deal.
I haven't used the 3 your reference, but I know other users here have.
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john gault View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote john gault Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: April/14/2020 at 16:21
UPDATE FOR ALL

I looked more at the Swampfox 1-10. Limited reviews are excellent, and with a 25% off coupon code they gave me, it brings their top line Arrowhead 1-10 within my budget. Add this to the list above. Ilya, you know everything optics, suggestions?

Thanks!    John
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koshkin View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote koshkin Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: April/27/2020 at 18:31
Originally posted by john gault john gault wrote:

UPDATE FOR ALL

I looked more at the Swampfox 1-10. Limited reviews are excellent, and with a 25% off coupon code they gave me, it brings their top line Arrowhead 1-10 within my budget. Add this to the list above. Ilya, you know everything optics, suggestions?

Thanks!    John

Sorry I missed this earlier.

I just wrapped up with the review of the SwampFox 1-10x24.  It will be published soon. For the money, I like it quite a bit.  I am not terribly impressed with Atibal scopes I have seen.

ILya
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john gault View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote john gault Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: April/27/2020 at 18:54
Thanks much Ilya! I got the Swampfox 1-10 and couldn't be happier with it!
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