Print Page | Close Window

Best lightweight 1x variable under $600?

Printed From: OpticsTalk by SWFA, Inc.
Category: Scopes
Forum Name: Tactical Scopes
Forum Description: Police and military tools of the trade
URL: http://www.opticstalk.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=44350
Printed Date: March/29/2024 at 01:35
Software Version: Web Wiz Forums 12.01 - http://www.webwizforums.com


Topic: Best lightweight 1x variable under $600?
Posted By: atp
Subject: Best lightweight 1x variable under $600?
Date Posted: September/10/2017 at 05:51
I like my SWFA HD 1-6x24, but at 22 oz and $1000 it's both heavy and expensive. My other baseline low-power scope is the Nikon 1-4x20 (Monarch 3, formerly the "African"), which although obviously simpler (no illumination), is pretty nice for a $280, 12 oz scope.

So I'm curious about good quality, low-power (1x bottom) variable scopes that are noticeably lighter than the SWFA HD 1-6x24, and hopefully also cheaper, while still being a step up in capability over the Nikon. Primarily for use on an AR-15. What would you recommend for that niche?

Some possible candidates are listed below (most of which I know little about), along with the SWFA SS HD and Nikon I already own:

- $1000, 22.4 oz, https://swfa.com/swfa-ss-hd-1-6x24-tactical-30mm-riflescope.html - SWFA SS HD 1-6x24 Tactical
- $580, 17.3 oz, https://swfa.com/catalog/product/view/id/118543/ - Steiner 1-4x24 P4Xi
- $400, 14.1 oz, https://swfa.com/swfa-ss-1-4x24-tactical-30mm-riflescope.html - SWFA SS 1-4x24 Tactical
- $399, 14.5 oz, https://swfa.com/burris-1-4x24-mtac-30mm-rifle-scope.html - Burris 1-4x24 MTAC
- $397, 16.4 oz, https://swfa.com/catalog/product/view/id/118235/ - Nikon 1-4x24 Black Force 1000
- $395, 17.1 oz, https://swfa.com/catalog/product/view/id/118108/ - Leatherwood 1-4x24 CMR4
- $310, 16.6 oz, https://swfa.com/hawke-1-4x24-endurance-30mm-riflescope.html - Hawke 1-4x24 Endurance
- $270, 17.3 oz, https://swfa.com/bushnell-1-4x24-ar-optics-30mm-rifle-scope-1.html - Bushnell 1-4x24mm AR Optics BTR-1
- $277, 12.2 oz, https://swfa.com/nikon-1-4x20-monarch-3-riflescope-1.html - Nikon 1-4x20 Monarch 3
- $175, 8.5 oz, https://swfa.com/weaver-1-3x20-classic-v-rifle-scope.html - Weaver 1-3x20 Classic V



Replies:
Posted By: Greenhorn#1
Date Posted: September/10/2017 at 07:44
I've got a 1x6 strike eagle and it's a boat anchor . A good friend has a pride fowler that is light weight and seems well made . Think he got his right around 350 bucks . Just comparing the vortex and fowler I can't say I noticed a difference in image or clarity . I've noticed that when I switch ammo and make adjustments on the strike eagle the adjustments aren't repeatable . If that makes sense . Sorry man I'm a rookie and can't help more . Check out the pride fowler as well . His adjustments seemed more crisp and I would also check out SIG . Two companies I didn't see on your list and maybe for a reason . Have a good day sir .


Posted By: koshkin
Date Posted: September/10/2017 at 10:35
I am testing Burris RT6 and like it a lot. It is really my favorite of the budget 1-6x scopes. It is around 17ozs, so it is not the lightest, but quite respectable.

If you can live with something that is not true 1x on the bottom, consider Leupold VX-R 1.25-4x20. it has a very bright for and weighs around 12oz.

ILya

-------------
http://www.darklordofoptics.com - www.darklordofoptics.com
https://rumble.com/c/DLO - Rumble Video Channel


Posted By: atp
Date Posted: September/11/2017 at 12:43
That https://swfa.com/catalog/product/view/id/118183/ - $349, 17.4 oz Burris http://www.burrisoptics.com/scopes/rt-6-riflescopes-series/rt-6-riflescope-1-6x24mm - RT-6 1-6x24mm must be very new, no picture yet on SWFA. How would you say it compares quality-wise to other scopes?

Hm, I'll have to think about that Leupold VX-R option. I didn't realize it was only 12 ounces, same as the Nikon 1-4x20. Ilya, which reticle do you personally like there? I see four different ones (all illuminated), https://swfa.com/leupold-1-25-4x20-vx-r-30mm-riflescope.html - Duplex $500, https://swfa.com/leupold-1-25-4x20-vx-r-30mm-riflescope-2.html - Circle $550, https://swfa.com/leupold-1-25-4x20-vx-r-hog-30mm-riflescope.html - Pig Plex $550 (which is a weird looking circle reticle), and https://swfa.com/leupold-1-25-4x20-vx-r-patrol-30mm-riflescope.html - SPR $600 (with uncapped turrets).


Posted By: koshkin
Date Posted: September/11/2017 at 16:11
RT-6 is pretty new indeed, but it is in production and very good for the money.  I like it more than Vortex' Strike Eagle.

With VX-R reticle, the choice is sorta personal.  I kinda like that goofy Hog reticle.

ILya


-------------
http://www.darklordofoptics.com - www.darklordofoptics.com
https://rumble.com/c/DLO - Rumble Video Channel


Posted By: Rancid Coolaid
Date Posted: September/12/2017 at 06:25
Does the pig plex actually say " pig plex" on the horizontal?

-------------
Freedom is something you take.
Respect is something you earn.
Equality is something you whine about not being given.


Posted By: Kickboxer
Date Posted: September/12/2017 at 09:48
Yes, it does...

-------------
Opinion,untempered by fact,is ignorance.

There are some who do not fear death... for they are more afraid of not really living


Posted By: Son of Ed
Date Posted: September/14/2017 at 05:39
Does anybody know what the eye relief is on the Nikon Monarch? I want to put something like this on my Winchester 75 Sporter 22.....I want something lightweight that doesn't have eight miles of eye relief like the Leupolds....I would like to hold the rifle up on my shoulder instead of looking through the scope from across the street and firing the gun with a string!! 





-------------
Visit the Ed Show


Posted By: cheaptrick
Date Posted: September/14/2017 at 06:23
The "new" Monarch's typically have 4" of eye relief, all through the power range.  

The older ones, (like you sold me) more like 3.5" @ full magnification.  


-------------
If at first you don't secede...try..try again.


Posted By: koshkin
Date Posted: September/14/2017 at 09:14
New Monarchs have fairly long eye relief. If this is for a 22, try Weaver Rimfire scopes. Also, Leupold 3-9x33 EFR has a tad over 3" of eye relief.

ILya

-------------
http://www.darklordofoptics.com - www.darklordofoptics.com
https://rumble.com/c/DLO - Rumble Video Channel


Posted By: atp
Date Posted: July/26/2020 at 09:52
Well, now that it's July 2020, the Steiner P4Xi 1-4x24 is around $700 instead of last year's $500, and the highly recommended $350 Burris RT-6 is out of stock everywhere. So I'm revisiting this "best lightweight 1x variable under $600" question, for something I can buy now or soon, for use on an AR-15.

SWFA has the (discontinued) Burris 1-4x24 MTAC on sale right now for $330, but I recall Ilya saying that this scope, while ok, is inferior to the RT-6. There are https://www.swfa.com/optics/riflescopes.html#sort=priceasc&magnification_by_group=Low%20Power%20Variable&minimum_magnification=1x&price_sale=200,750&mpp=48 - many other scopes I know nothing about. Some of the ones I wonder about are:

- $330, 15 oz, https://www.swfa.com/burris-1-4x24-mtac-30mm-rifle-scope-16.html - Burris MTAC 1-4x24
- $530, 18 oz, https://www.swfa.com/athlon-1-6x24-midas-btr-30mm-riflescope-2.html - Athlon 1-6x24 Midas
- $400-$500, 16 oz, https://www.swfa.com/sig-sauer-1-4x24-tango4-30mm-riflescope-16.html - Sig Tango4 1-4x24 , Horseshoe Dot
- $440, 17 oz, Zeiss Conquest V4 1-4x24 ZQAR Illuminated Reticle #62
- $750, 18 oz, Bushnell Elite Tactical II Pro SMRS 1-6.5x24
- $530+, 20 oz, Meopta Optika6 1-6x24, lots of different reticle choices. (Getting pretty heavy.)


Posted By: atp
Date Posted: July/26/2020 at 10:01
Hm, and it seems like both the Nikon Monarch 3 1-4x20 and Weaver Classic V 1-3x20 are vanishing from the web. Discontinued, I think. What did they get replaced with?


Posted By: hatton mann
Date Posted: July/26/2020 at 23:49
I read recently Nikon was was out of the rifle scope business. And  Weaver has folded again ?


Posted By: koshkin
Date Posted: July/28/2020 at 10:13
Both Nikon and Weaver no longer make riflescopes.

I would give a close look to Swampfox Arrowhead LPVOs.

ILya


-------------
http://www.darklordofoptics.com - www.darklordofoptics.com
https://rumble.com/c/DLO - Rumble Video Channel


Posted By: atp
Date Posted: July/28/2020 at 12:13
Hm, looks like the Swampfox Arrowhead comes in three different magnifications, $350 1-6x, $390 1-8x, $450 1-10x, and several different reticles. All are listed as 20.3 ounces, and I think all are second focal plane. Are these exactly the same scope except for the magnification range, or are there other differences that matter?


Posted By: koshkin
Date Posted: July/28/2020 at 14:57
I tested the 1-10x and liked it.

ILya


-------------
http://www.darklordofoptics.com - www.darklordofoptics.com
https://rumble.com/c/DLO - Rumble Video Channel


Posted By: hatton mann
Date Posted: July/28/2020 at 21:44
The problem w/ Low Power Variables  is that they are not necessarily 'light weight' variables. Everything is heavy tactical. I just don't want that.  
I'm more interested in losing some weight in the mid-section and in my field kit.

Oh ! And I might as well thank the low IQ commie governor in this state for closing down the gyms,,,along w/ everything else...Sad


Posted By: supertool73
Date Posted: July/28/2020 at 22:13
the vx-3 1.5-5x is a pretty good scope and is light. If u can live with 1x 

-------------
Lifetime warranty and excellent customer service don't mean a thing when your gun fails during a zombie attack.

"A Liberal is a person who will give away everything they don't own."


Posted By: supertool73
Date Posted: July/28/2020 at 22:14
i have a sightron s-2 blue sky (i think) 1.25-5x i bought off Ilya years ago and just love.  I wish they still made it. 

-------------
Lifetime warranty and excellent customer service don't mean a thing when your gun fails during a zombie attack.

"A Liberal is a person who will give away everything they don't own."


Posted By: hatton mann
Date Posted: July/29/2020 at 01:20
Originally posted by supertool73 supertool73 wrote:

i have a sightron s-2 blue sky (i think) 1.25-5x i bought off Ilya years ago and just love.  I wish they still made it. 

I first heard of this model a few moths ago on another forum, a guy posted an ISO, 'Sightron SII Big Sky 1.25-5x. There were no positive responces, or any responces other than me saying I was not familiar w/ that model and now I was on the hunt for one. (fat chance of finding one)

Not only does Sightron not make that model, they canceled the entire SII line. Apparently they were too good for the price point. What they offer now is nothing I need.

I'm glad  I bought an SII Bigsky  when SWFA closed them out several years ago. 


Posted By: atp
Date Posted: July/29/2020 at 15:20
Those Swampfox Arrowheads sound compelling, but they're also all 20+ oz. If they made an equally good but lighter 1-4x or 1-6x, I'd have ordered one already.


Posted By: JimFromTN
Date Posted: July/30/2020 at 09:41
Originally posted by supertool73 supertool73 wrote:

i have a sightron s-2 blue sky (i think) 1.25-5x i bought off Ilya years ago and just love.  I wish they still made it. 

Thats the one thing I don't like about Sightron.  They come out with a great scope and then discontinue them shortly there after.  I have an SII 1.5-6x42 and an SIII 1.5-6x50.  They are both great scopes that I got on clearance off of swfa many years ago.


Posted By: p230
Date Posted: May/24/2021 at 08:45
Let's fast forward again since things are slowly coming back into stock here and there.  I picked up a couple of the Burris 1-6 earlier this year and just looking through them I like them.  I do however need several more scopes to put on AR's.  Probably my kids 20" models first.  Lets leave weight out of the equation.  If the prices I have been seeing are going to be accurate for the next 6-12 months I would say the Swampfox has the edge in price since you could go to the 1-10 but Between the Burris and Swampfox which is the better made/dependable scope? 

-------------
Rico, we'll need special tactical equipment



Print Page | Close Window

Forum Software by Web Wiz Forums® version 12.01 - http://www.webwizforums.com
Copyright ©2001-2018 Web Wiz Ltd. - https://www.webwiz.net