Does anyone have any experience with the Mako 3x/5x magnifiers? I have a M&P 15-22 with a 1-32 Bushnell Trophy Red/Green T-Dot on it and was considering the possibility of picking up a magnifier for longer range shots. Because even with the small, sharp dot on that scope the target can start to be obscured at longer ranges.

The Mako's seem reasonably priced when compared to the high end, name brands and much more in my price range. (especially considering how much money I've already invested in my 15-22! ) I don't need anything super fancy as this is for plinking, hunting and target shooting. So I'm just looking for some feedback and/or suggestions.

http://www.makosecurity.com/Merchant...COPESandSIGHTS

For anyone who has experience with these I have a couple questions... First, would it be a problem using a 30mm magnifier with my 32mm T-Dot scope? Would I just loose a bit from the field of view or would it be impacted in some other way?

Also, in the product description it says "The ability to switch in a split second from CQB (Close Quarters Battle) to longer range." This seems like exactly what I would want but I don't understand how that works since it's a fixed magnification and the ring mount seems to be a solid piece of metal.

How does this switch take place? Do you have to remove the mount and magnifier completely? The mount doesn't appear to rotate or swivel out of the way or anything like that so I'm a bit confused. Can anyone explain how it works?

Oh, one other question... Would you recommend the 3x or 5x? Are there any disadvantages to going with the 5x? Would clarity be degraded at all compared to the 3x? I really have no idea as I've never used a magnifier before so forgive me if these are dumb questions.

Any help or recommendations would be greatly appreciated!

P.S. As soon as I get the rest of my parts in and on the gun I'll get some pictures posted to the 15-22 picture thread!

the problem i see with a 3x or 5x magnifier placed behind the red dot objective lens (like your link shows) is that it will also magnify the dot. if you have a 5 MOA dot (most are) at 5x it would appear like 25MOA (or 25 inches in diameter at 100 yards).

if the magnifier is placed in front of the objective, then the red dot stays the same size and only the target is magnified.

you can't tell from the pic but i think the magnifer in your link does tilt out of the way. i don't have one so i'm not 100% positive on that.

as far as clarity, the difference between 3x and 5x should be negligible. it all depends on the quality of the glass in the optic.

when I get to my underground bunker I will snap some pics of my 15-22 with my flip to the side (FTS) 4x magnifier. The mount and magnifier says L3 Eotech all over it. I paid about $60 for it shipped from hong kong. I wish it didn't have the text on it, so I may take some acetone or something to attempt its removal.

I haven't had the chance to shoot with it, but looking down the sights things are magnified. Eye relief is almost next to nothing, and the field of view is very small.

Here is a pic I nabbed from the seller I purchased it from:

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Cliff Rock

I checked out the Mako 3x at a gun show. It was hooked up with a red dot on a rail so you could pick it up and look thru it. The dot had a long tail on it like a comet. Wasn't impressed.

As far as dot size... I just took a BSA red dot and put it in front of a 3-9x scope. The dot size did not change in relation to the target backdrop. However, if I put the red dot in front of the scope then the dot became much smaller in relation to the target backdrop... in addition to eye relief issues of course.

I got to shoot an AR last week using an Aimpoint ML2 2x. That was really nice... crystal clear. I don't think they make that model with magnification anymore.

I was thinking the same thing. Can they be placed after the Red Dot? Every picture I have seen shows them set up before the red dot scopes... I would definitely want to try and place it in front if at all possible.

Hotnanas - That looks pretty nice. Where did you purchase that from? Do you have a link? And perhaps you can answer my question from above... can it be placed "after" the red dot so that it doesn't magnify the reticle as well as the target?

it was on ebay, but i can't find the seller name or product as I only have feedback fromm it and I don't know which item it was. it was about a year or more back.

my dot does not seem magnified by any noticeable margin, but now that the question has come up, I will look at it with greater detail next time.

EDIT: this seems like the people, but this is from canada i think
http://dragonredairsoft.com/catalog/...products_id=37

EDIT #2: I failed to mention that I never shot with it because I really don't like it. The mount is cool so hopefully I can make use of it one day. The glass sucks. I really don't like having to put my eyes right up on the glass.

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Cliff Rock

I picked up a magnifier from The Sportsman's Guide. Good return policy if you don't like something. And have coupons all the time.

Mako 5x Magnifier, Shooting Supplies, Mako at Sportsman's Guide

And...... ?

And what

thoughts? do you like it? does the dot grow larger? is the mount fixed in position? how does the switch happen? would there be a problem using a 32mm sight with this 30mm magnifier?

and so on.

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Cliff Rock

If the eye relief is that short requiring you to get that close to it then I doubt it could be mounted in front of a Red Dot.

I too like the look of that mount. It appears to be a replica of the Samson FTS Mount. Anyone know where you can get one of those by itself?

This was my solution for a red dot and have magnification since my eyes suck paste 50'
Its a Nikon 3-9x40 on top and a Bushnell micro TRS-25 red dot mounted on a 45 degree side mount.
The best part is i just twist the rifle a few degree's while still keeping a good cheek weld and can use either scope/sight the situation calls for.
I think cost wise it would be about the same price if you use quality items, But more use friendly.

I like Nikons. Which model is that one?

Buckmaster 3-9x40 Matte finish
Buckmasters 3-9x40 | BUCKMASTERS | RIFLESCOPES

$220-$180 depending on where you buy it.
The eye relief and how it cuts off side to side made me choose it over the Prostaff series which was $100-$125. It was a great scope too, But i was already have eye relief issues with such a low mount so the extra money was worth it to me.
If thats not an issue the Prostaff is a a great low priced option.

you can place the magnifier in front of the red dot.

check out the catalog, accessories, 2x booster at ADCO: Advanced Dichroic Combat Optics

i have an adco red dot that came last night but i didn't buy the booster. maybe i will, not sure. according to adco, if you remove the magnifier after sighting in you may need to resight in with the plain optic. i don't like that.

sorry, i'm an idiot. because the target is also being magnified 5x the dot should remain more or less the same size.

sometimes the stupids just get the best of me.

You and I alike my friend. haha


I found a site that sells both the EOTech/Samson and LaRue Style FTS mounts. Given, they're knock offs.... Too bad the EOTech style is out of stock as that one seems preferable to me. Can anyone compare the function between the two style of mounts if you've had a chance to use both of them? I don't know if I can justify buying the real thing at this point in time so a knock off would be ok for me.

http://shop.ehobbyasia.com/accessori...vot-mount.html

http://shop.ehobbyasia.com/accessori...l-adapter.html

So it appears as though the LaRue style mounts will not work with the Mako Magnifiers as I don't think their rings come all the way apart. I believe that only one side of those rings is adjustable and because of that you cannot fit the Mako Magnifiers with their larger ends into them. Just as an FYI for anyone else who is interested in that combination.

In my life.... I can only wish it was merely 'sometimes'.

When you put a magnifier behind a red dot, it does indeed magnify the dot, but it also magnifies the target at the same rate. So the dot does not increase in size in relation to the target. A 1 moa dot at 1x (no magnifier) will cover about 1" at 100 yards. A 1 moa dot with a 3 x magnifier still only covers about 1" at 100 yards.

Ah ha. So what does a 4 moa dot ( no magnification) do at 50 yards?

at the risk of getting my basic math wrong again, a 4 MOA dot at 50yds will cover 2 inches.

Same as with magnification.

And what can you tell us about it other than you picked it up?

Yes 27 Beck, If you picked up that Mako 5x can you give some first hand feedback on it?

How do you like it? What mount are you using for it? The factory mount or a different one? Does the factory mount actually have a quick disconnect function or is it just a standard ring? Does the magnification actually seem to be 5x?

I've found a few more sources for inexpensive flip to side mounts. Again, these are essentially knock off products (and may be more intended towards airsoft) so they wouldn't be the best option for a SHTF scenario, but might be ok for plinking/hunting... especially on a .22 platform.

Also, I have no connections to any of these website or companies... just trying to provide you guys with information and vendors as I find them. No need for others to repeat the work of searching all over the web for this stuff if I've already done so.

Primary Arms Flip-to-Side Magnifier Mount

Flip-to-Side Mount for Magnifier

QD Flip to Side Mount for Aimpoint Eotech Magnifier

Im personally not looking for these but i do appreciate you shairing the info with others... you gotta love people helping other gun owners

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07/SOT2
NRA Instructor

the last two links are identical to my mount. It seems a bit loose, as I can center the dot, give the magnifier a good tug in any direction, and the dot is no longer centered. some loc-tite may fix the problem though.

EDIT: i'll run out to my truck if i get a chance and line them up on my desk for some cell phone pics.

EDIT #2: And of course my batteries are dead. Will try again next time.

EDIT #3: Going to the range after work...will try it out with my Bushnell 1x32 if I get the time.

Battery came on for a second...enough for a few pics...door knob is about 15 feet away.





this pic came out a bit nicer as I lined the camera up better with the scope:

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Cliff Rock

just got back from range...didn't use the magnifier (yet again).

on another note, the 15-22 performed great again. another 300-ish down the barrel. 3 failure to feeds which are probably my fault. I was just dropping the carrier down and loading 25 as fast as I could.

and of course, they were sent down range as fast as I could reload them. I love this little guy.

I did also use my bushnell 1x32 on my m&p15 (.223) and love that sight. my sightmark aimpoint clone also performed flawlessly on the 15-22 with a fresh battery installed.

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Cliff Rock

hotnanas, thanks for the updates and pictures. That's very helpful. I went ahead and ordered a Mako 5x and one of those FTS mounts. For the price I figured I could risk it and give them a try.

I'll hopefully get them next week and will post some pictures of my own and my impressions after I get it all set up and can take it to the range.

Plus, the girlfriend will be gone for 10 days so hopefully that will provide ample opportunity to get out to the range and shoot!

okay, ignore the fact that the front sight doesn't line up with the bushnell 1x32. I have the bushnell on a different rifle and didn't have rail space behind it for the magnifier, so I had to place it on the 15-22.

furthermore, i accidentally left the optic on for another 20 hours, and the battery is still good. The bushnell is at about 30+ hours of being left on without my knowledge and still ticking. I should probably order a few backup batteries.

This picture is taken with the red setting on #5.

The post is around 100 yards (estimated)




next time I get to shoot a decent distance, I will give this thing a whirl (maybe).

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Cliff Rock

"The post is around 100 yards (estimated)"

Were you able to hit it?

i'm actually not certain if my elderly neighbors' hearing aids could pick up the sound of the 22. maybe I should give the telephone post a shot or two?

i think in my very much liberal neighborhood, I'd have a few uniformed visitors pretty quickly.

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Cliff Rock