LPVO Scope or Red Dot with Magnifier?

[snubbyfan]

I'm kinda new to AR's. Got my first one last November when my sister took me to a gun show for my birthday.


I put a red dot on it and flip up back up sights. The trigger is pretty smooth but a bit heavy. I'm going to try a reduced power spring set to see if that works for me.

Then one day, on my way home from the gym, I stopped at a West Virginia general store and left with this.


I put a Holosun HS510C red dot with an HM3X flip to side magnifier on it and I have a Larue two stage trigger on the way for it.

Most recently, at another gun show, I walked out with this guy.


I put a Vector 4-12x40 scope on it and a Larue two stage trigger in it.

I was thinking of replacing the red dot and magnifier on this guy with a 1-4x24 LPVO Scope. I don't intend to take it out beyond 100 yards and with a LPVO instead of a red dot, it'll be one less battery to concern myself with.


Any advantage, disadvantage, opinions or should I just save my money for more ammo?

 

[Glenn R. McMannly]

I’m partial to LPVOs.

 

[TheTinMan]

It depends on what you intend to use the rifle for. General range use, games, etc. the red dot plus magnifier works well. Flip the magnifier out of the way and you have a very wide field of view and forgiving eye box for 100 yards and in. Put the magnifier in line and you have 3x-5x on that red dot.

However, for hunting I would go with the illuminated LVPO. When flipped to the side, the magnifier is a guaranteed snag. In line you just don’t have the same sight picture resolution. I’d prefer a fixed 2.5x scope over the red dot/magnifier combination. YMMV

 

[Harv 24]

Having used both for many years, I still like a good red dot. Fast and works day or night. But can reach out to 300meters if I need to.

 

[Harv 24]

But on the other hand, a LVPO can give you an edge on accuracy and a bit more reach out and touch. You have to have the discipline to make your long shots, then move the magnification back to zero for close in targets. You usually have the time to stop and dial up for longer range targets, but if your in higher magnification and a short range target pops up, you don't have the time to dial down, and it can be difficult to find the close range target a 4x-5x.
Thats why a fixed ACOG with a red dot on top is popular with many.

You have to get out there and try different set ups and find what works for you.