Best budget LPVO Scope
Low-power variable optic (LPVO) refers to scopes with low power of 1X and the variable magnification increases to 4x, 6x, or even 10x. These scopes are perfect for close-range target acquisition and function almost as the red dot, especially in their lowest magnification.
LPVO has become a common optic choice for many shooters, in tactical shooting, self-defense and even hunting. They are loved for their versatility, and accuracy at different ranges.
Because of this popularity, the market is flooded with many different options, and this article reviews the best you can get without spending too much say anything less than $500 or $1000.
Best Budget LVPO Scope-Top Picks
| Product | Best Price | |
Vortex Strike Eagle 1-8x24mm |
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Atibal XP6 Mirage 1-6x24mm  |
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Firefield RapidStrike 1-6×24 |
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Bushnell AR Optics 1-8x24mm |
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Primary Arms SLx Series 1-6 x 24mm |
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Swampfox Tomahawk 1-8x24mm |
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Burris Fullfield TAC30 1-4×24 30mm |
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| SIG SAUER TANGO-MSR 1-6x24mm
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The detailed reviews….
1) Vortex Strike Eagle 1-8x24mm
The Strike Eagle 1-8x comes at a price of just under $600. It delivers excellent value and is backed by a solid reputation from Vortex.
The scope features the renowned BDC reticle from Vortex that gives an estimation of the holdover, to aid in shooting targets at varying distances. It will give you holdovers up to 650 yards, but considering the 8x magnification, that range requires a pro with real skills in shooting.
The scope features a throw lever that makes changing the variable magnification quick and easy. It also gives you a clear image thanks to a multicoated lens An illuminated reticle gives you accurate readings even on a bright day.
The reticle carries the form of a broken circle and a center dot and is tuned to the ballistic performance of 5.56 loads out of an AR-15
Features
- Magnification 1-8x
- Field of View 109 -14.4 ft @100 yds
- Eye Relief 3.5 inches
- Capped Turret
- Armotec lens scratch-resistant coating
- Weight 17.6 oz
Pros
- High-quality optics
- BDC reticle
- Quick magnification changes
- Lifetime warranty
2) Atibal XP6 Mirage 1-6x24mm Rifle Scope
The XP6 is a rugged alternative that costs less than $400. It uses a fully multi-coated optic that allows up to 85% light ingress and features a low-profile turret that gives the user precise windage and elevation adjustments.
It optimizes the accuracy of the shooter, by use of a reticle featuring a BDC with 4 MOA drops, and a 1MOA center dot for close targets.
This LPVO can be used in a wide number of applications which include close combat, hunting, and pest control. This is because it gives great accuracy, which is aided by the rapid view lever that helps the shooter to make lightning-fast magnification changes.
In addition, it uses an FFP that adapts the reticle to the variable magnification to give the user accurate reading irrespective of the distance of the target.
Features
- Magnification: 1-6x
- Eye Relief: 4 inches
- Field of View: 116.5-19.3 ft at 100 yards
- First Focal Plane (FFP)
- 1 MOA center dot with BDC with 4 MOA drops
- Illuminated reticle
- Weight: 18 ounces
Pros
- Ergonomic low-profile turret
- Budget-friendly
- Good quality glass
- Generous eye relief and eye box
3) Firefield RapidStrike 1-6×24 Rifle Scope
This is an LPVO created specifically for the AR platform. It is calibrated for 55-grain 5.56 NATO ammo and can withstand .338 of recoil. The scope can also be easily zeroed for other calibers by using the lockable turrets.
One of the stand-out features is durability. It features a rugged aluminum casing that has been properly built, and it’s dustproof, fogproof, and it has an IP67 waterproof rating. Mounting is simple with a cantilever, and once securely attached, the accuracy is pinpoint, if your skill matches.
The scope is very light, weighing only 13.8 ounces. Moreover, the multi-coated lens and illuminated reticle ensure that it can be used precisely regardless of the amount of light available outside.
Features
- 1-6x Magnification
- Red or Green illuminated reticle
- Field of view: 102 – 18.2ft at 100 yards.
- IP67 waterproof rating
- Cantilever Mount
- Flip-up caps
- Weighs 13.8 oz.
Pros
- Rugged construction
- Lightweight
- Easy to install on most firearms.
4) Bushnell AR Optics 1-8x24mm Rifle Scope
The AR is one of the most popular LPVO scopes on the market, this is because of its reliability coupled with good performance at an affordable price. The scope is very capable with an 8x magnification that can be used to acquire targets as far as 500 yards out.
The variable magnification of 1x allows for faster target acquisition on close-range targets, and the generous eye relief of 3.6 inches allows you to position your head in a variety of ways when firing.
It employs high-quality glass and produces one of the best images possible due to the use of high-quality multicoating.
Overall, this is a tried and tested LPVO scope that has generally received good reviews across the board. It gives the user good value at a price just shy of $350
Features
- Magnification 1-8x
- Eye Relief: 3.6 in
- Illuminated reticle
- field of view: 100ft -16ft at 100 yards
- IPX7 waterproof rating
- Weight 16.5 oz
Pros
- Efficiently illuminated reticle
- Compact and lightweight
- Good customer support
5) Primary Arms SLx Series 1-6 x 24mm Rifle Scope
If you want something that assures you of dependability, then you’ve got the SLx 1-6x. It’s covered by the primary arms lifetime warranty, confirmed by rigorous testing during development. The primary arms are also very common to many law enforcement officers which further verifies their dependability
it is also renowned when it comes to performance, owing to its good glass and fully multicoated lens, that guarantees optimal light ingress and a resulting clear image. The accuracy is also aided by the reticle which comes with a small aiming point, and a BDC which provides quick range estimation, wind holds, and moving target leads. Moreover, it is illuminated with 11 levels of brightness.
Features
- Magnification: 1 – 6X
- Field View – 19.30-110 ft at 100 yards
- Second Focal Plane
- Eye Relief: 3.30-3.50 In.
- BDC Illuminated reticle
- Weight: 16.9 Oz
Pros
- Sleek and stylish
- Bright image quality
- One of the longest eye-relief
6) Swampfox Tomahawk 1-8x24mm Rifle Scope
At just over $300, this LPVO comes with almost every other feature you’d expect from a good scope, leading you to presume it’s a knockoff, but it isn’t. It just so happens to come from a reputable manufacturer who has managed to keep the price low to provide the shooter with the best value possible. You get clarity durability and accuracy all in one.
The lens uses rare earth materials to provide maximum brightness and clarity up to the edges.
The LPVO scope has a zero-reset turret, which is useful for shooters who want to adjust for windage and elevation to a medium target, and then quickly return to zero.
If you don’t want to make the adjustments physically, the glass-etched reticle includes a BDC. Moreover, it is illuminated with 11 levels of brightness for increased accuracy.
Overall, this is excellent value for money, and anyone looking for a good deal should consider it.
Features
- Magnification: 1-4x
- Eye Relief (in) 3.7-3.8″ (1X-4X)
- Field of view @ 100 Yards (ft) 95.1-23.6 in (1X-4X)
- IPX7 waterproof rating
- Impact resistance up to 1,100 G Forces
- Weighs 17.5 oz.
Pros
- Budget-friendly
- Great value for money
- excellent durability
7) SIG SAUER TANGO-MSR 1-6x24mm
The SIG SAUER TANGO-MSR 1-6x24mm is a versatile and high-quality scope designed for both tactical and hunting applications. It comes with a high-quality low dispersion glass, that allows for for quick target acquisition and enhanced visibility in low-light conditions.
The TANGO-MSR is robust in its construction and built to withstand the rigors of field use all at an affordable price. This scope is both waterproof and fog-proof, ensuring reliable performance in various weather conditions.
The LPVO also boasts user-friendly adjustments, with easy-to-reach turrets that provide precise windage and elevation changes. Moreover, the scope has a low profile and it’s lightweight making it easy to mount and use.
Features
- Magnification-1-6x
- Eye relief-3.93 -3.74 In.
- Field of view-124.8-19.6 In.
- Illumination-Yes
- Weight-18.5 Oz.
Pros
- Great performance in low light
- Robust build quality
- Fantastic illumination
- Includes lens caps
Cons
- The eye relief feels shorter
Why choose an LVPO vs Red-dot
The LPVO and the red dot both rely on a small magnification to give the shooter the agility and quick acquisition of targets. Only the LPVO allows the shooter to alter the magnification, the only significant difference between the two.
LPVO provides greater versatility due to its variable magnification, as it can be adapted for both close and mid-range targets.
Regarding eye relief and target acquisition, it also compares favorably to the red dot. It will easily handle targets up to 400 yards away, which makes it ideal for a wide range of purposes, including hunting and combat.
If your intentions, however, are only for the close-quarter battle (CQB), the LVPO can’t match a red dot sight that’s paired with a magnifier. The red dot is a lighter alternative providing the shooter with more agility and accurate shots.
Best budget LPVO Buying Guide
These are some of the characteristics that you have to keep in mind when buying an LPVO scope.
Reticle design
Some scopes feature a holdover reticle, which is useful when aiming at a medium or fairly long distance target. This type of reticle, however, is most commonly found on scopes with higher magnification, such as 1-6x or 1-8x.
The reticle can be either a first focal plane (FFP) or a second focal plane (SFP). The size of the reticle changes with magnification on the FFP but remains constant on the SFP. An FFP scope is useful if the LPVO has a high magnification, such as 8x or 10x, and can be used on a medium to a long-distant target.
Other scopes may provide an illuminated reticle which may bear a huge advantage, especially on a very bright day. This however can result in a slight increase in the price of the LPVO.
Eye relief
This measures the distance behind the scope to the shooter’s eye where he can view a full image of the target, without any dark or blurred edges. A bigger eye relief gives the shooter flexibility in his shooting positions, and also, he is able to get behind the lens quicker.
Magnification
We have low-powered LVPO and high-powered ones with magnifications like 1-10x, 2-12x, and 2-16x. If you are using the scope for a short range and want better accuracy and faster target acquisition do not opt for high magnification.
However, if you intend to use the LVPO for distant targets once in a while you can sacrifice close-range precision, for more long-range capability.
Price
LPVO’s are available with different prices depending on the manufacturer and the quality. Budget LPVO starts at prices in the $200 range with higher-end models costing more than $1000. A higher-priced model will carry a large number of quality features and a better performance.
Glass quality
Good glass adds value to your scope and makes shooting more enjoyable. This is because it results in good image clarity. Extra-low dispersion (ED) glass is one of the descriptions that define good glass. These glasses are renowned to give accurate color rendering and an overall sharper image.
Glass coating is the other thing that makes glass able to give a sharp image. What a glass coating does is reduce the amount of reflection, on the glass surface, and more light gets inside as a result. A description like a ‘multi-coated’ on the lens means that the lens has numerous coatings. Which is a good indicator that the images will be good.
Mounting
A quality mount makes the scope solid and one can attain a great performance. A cantilever, one-piece, Picatinny, and dovetail mounts are some examples of mounts that one can use with the LPVO. Personal preference, which is influenced by how you shoot, largely determines the style of mounting.
Durability
This is a subjective characteristic, but it is clear that some manufacturers build their LPVO’s scopes more ruggedly and with higher quality than others. Some manufacturers that have great quality include Vortex and Primary Arms
The materials used and how well they are built determine the durability of an LPVO scope. Check to see if your LPVO is waterproof or if steps have been taken to make it resistant to impact and recoil.
FAQs
What LPVO does the military use?
The military currently uses the SIG SAUER TANGO6T 1-6x24mm Rifle Scope and it’s a 1x to 6x power optic.
What is an LPVO good for?
The LPVO is usable in a wide range of applications, firstly it can be an effective tool for a home defense rifle because it’s versatile and allows a quick transition between close and medium targets.
The agility of the LPVO, when compared with high-powered scopes, also allows it to be an option for the military during combat or gun CQB competitions.
What Range is an LPVO good for?
Depending on the magnification, an LPVO is good for 100 to 600 yards. With high magnification, such as 1-8X you can tackle the longer distance.
Can I use an LPVO for long-range shooting?
Because of their lower magnification ranges (up to 10x), LPVOs are rarely suited for long-range shooting. However, with the right reticle and proper abilities, they can be used for extended distances, however, their precision will fall short of that of dedicated long-range scopes.
Are LPVOs good for home defense?
LPVOs can be suitable for home defense, particularly because of their 1x setting, which allows for quick target acquisition in close quarters.
Is it necessary to have an illuminated reticle in an LPVO?
An illuminated reticle is not necessary, but it can be quite useful in low-light situations. It can also help with faster target acquisition at 1x magnification, much like a red dot sight.
CONCLUSION
By the end of this article, you will know the best budget LPVO scope you can use with your weapon, The LVPO scopes we reviewed will provide you with the most dependability and performance at the lowest possible cost.
However, it is critical to recognize that there are better alternatives on the market that will provide you with even better performance, but these will come at a higher cost.
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