I’ve had that very same PA 2.5x prism on my 16” .223 Wylde rifle for a good year so far and I have loved every bit of it. Only been able to go to a 100-yard range, but it works phenomenally. Got it on sale when PA was discontinuing that optic for $100 and I can say with certainty that it is the best $100 I’ve ever spent on an optic. The etched reticle is wonderful, the eye box is a little close, but the glass is super clear. Thanks for doing a full breakdown on this subject! Very informative and definitely helps with both optic choices and strategy for existing setups.
@brendenhinspeter2939 I appreciate that. Yeah, this one isn't mounted at the moment, but I refuse to get rid of it. It's just a really good prism for the money.
One other point about the Acog short eye relief - a higher mount helps with this (like, a lot), and the short eye relief essentially all but removed head positioning issues. The only other optic that has a field of view even close to the ta31 Acog (37 feet left to right @ 100yd aka 7 degrees), is the elcan specter d.r. (34-36 feet left to right @ 100 yards). The elcan also has longer eye relief, acog level glass quality, a badass etched crosshair with Acog style BDC stadia lines, AND a built in 1x with an illuminated daylight bright red dot in the center. 6moa @ 1x, flip the lever to go to the 4x lens and the dot remains the same size, making it a functional 1.5 moa dot @ 4x. And you can always turn it off to get a nice pitch black reticle in mid day when the red dot is obscuring the target. The elcan also is built bombproof like Acog, and comes with a built in 2 lever quick disconnect mount. My favorite optic by far.
I have yet to use or know anyone who has an elcan, but the price is twice what I paid for the TA02. Not gonna get into the "Made in the USA" rant becuase the Holosun I mounted on top dispproves that point. Not a fan of 6MOA on a rifle optic, pistol is fine because trying to shoot accuratley past 100 yards is something hardly ever done in a real situation. I'm going to look into the height difference of the two mounts and figure out what the offset would be for the both.
@victordogeman I don't have much experience with higher mounts and zero when it's combined with a magnified optic. I'm what's considered a battle nome. As for the Elcan, while it's a prism, it's uses a rotating prism. I like the idea of it but it's not without it's short comings. For instance, if you zero on 1x, it's not perfectly aligned at 4x, or its size and weight. And ita no tas bomb proof as you may think. I mean, it will be for the average civilian, but there's plenty of data on them failing. The Swapmfox Trihawk 3x prism has a FOV of 52ft @ 100 yards (10 degrees). Their 5x supposedly maintains that 10 degree FOV. My issue with the Elcan DR is that their hasn't been much updating done to them over the life span, and they're ridiculously expensive. I wish someone like Primary Arms or another company would make a variable prism like the Elcan but at a much more affordable price point. For poors like me.
@victordogeman I am curious how a higher mount helps with the short eye relief issue when the mount changes the height but doesn't actually address the eye relief. The head position issue is more related to the tighter eye box. I'm guessing if you're a taller person with larger bone structure, getting a proper head position with an absolute height would definitely be an issue. I'd have to try it out to really see.
I started my journey into prism optics with the Vortex Spitfire 5x. I paid around $650 for that with a red dot to piggyback the prism through GovX. I wasn't comfortable paying ACOG prices at the time and I wanted something cheaper in price to practice and get used to the eye relief. It took no time to get used to working with it, though I still struggle trying to find the eye box when my rifle was canted at a 90 degree angle using the VTAC Barrier (The red dot helped in those situations). In less that 8 months the illumination went out on the prism, and now a year and a half later, the red dot is kaput. It would turn on by itself and stay on the highest brightness. I recently purchased the ACOG TA02 and threw an old Holosun (515CM) on top. I am loving it so far but waiting on the ADM Cantilever mount to be restocked and sent to me. Liking what you've put out so far and am subscribed now. Keep up the good work.
@RouseDas this always a risk with some of the "budget" stuff. I've had very bad experiences with Vortex's budget line and refuse you use their stuff as a result. That prism with the top mounted dot is great, but like you said, you gotta train to get familiar. I do like the ACOG, I just can't justify the cost. One day, tho, I'll get one. I appreciate the feedback, and thank you for the sub.
@@victordogeman Need to see if it will clear a matech rear sight. Not liking the price but the weight is good in either 1.93" or 1.75" heights. I've got a month before it is expected to ship, so here I go down another rabbithole. Not seeing any reviews on youtube though.
@@mrguiltyfool I just did a quick search of it. It's definitely interesting. I may have to get one just to see how it is. Unless, I reach out to them, but I highly doubt they'd entertain the idea of sending me one.
I admit I've become a huge fan of primary arms prisms. The 1x seems about bomb proof . Just put a 3x mini on my primary rifle and started doing local matches. So far its been phenomenal out to about 200 yds, i have aging eyes and it helps me ID the target. I'm interested to see how it holds up over time.
You can use up to a 3x magnifier on the 1x microprism, and as for the GLX version someone asked about ? It’s very very similar. As in, same glass, slightly different body, buttons instead of a dial (which to me is a downgrade). I’d say take a hard look at the SLX version, the cyclops gen 2, because those things are bombproof and just so nice for $270-$280 retail. Also? They fit on ADM mini ACOG QD mounts. Makes for quite the impressive offering @$400, maybe another $300-$350 for a vortex micro 3x. Best value magnifier by far. Eotech g33 is built a little tougher, but they’re very close in quality, and the glass is about identical to my eyes ( and I’m admittedly a snob about glass ).
@victordogeman I actually ran a 3x magnifier behind a 1x primary arms slx for a while. I lived it shooting from a bench, but not once I started action shooting with it. The magnifier also increases the size of the chevron, and got in the way of target acquisition. I went to a 3x and couldn't be happier..... at the moment anyway. 😆 I found the magnification not to be an issue for me on the closer targets, and the chevron to he the perfect size out to 200 yds. Will update when I have the chance to use it further than that.
@SammyGill for hunting, a 4-16 or 3-18 scope. That will get you out to 500 yards, no problem. You probably won't even need that higher end of the magnification range. I've shot out to 1000 and beyond. Typically, I'm between 12x and 16x. As for FFP or SFP, you have to ask yourself if you plan to use the reticle to hold or determine the distance of the target. If you are, FFP is where you want to go. If not, SFP. I'd say, whichever way you go, make sure your optic has a parallax adjustment. It will help with those more precise shots by removing some of the head position issues that could arise from unconventional shooting positions.
I have a couple dots, my stigmatism over the years has got worse and my dots turn into stars now so I started looking into Prisms. I enjoyed your video and breakdown with pros and cons. This all helps a lot thank you!
I’ve had that very same PA 2.5x prism on my 16” .223 Wylde rifle for a good year so far and I have loved every bit of it. Only been able to go to a 100-yard range, but it works phenomenally. Got it on sale when PA was discontinuing that optic for $100 and I can say with certainty that it is the best $100 I’ve ever spent on an optic. The etched reticle is wonderful, the eye box is a little close, but the glass is super clear.
Thanks for doing a full breakdown on this subject! Very informative and definitely helps with both optic choices and strategy for existing setups.
@brendenhinspeter2939 I appreciate that. Yeah, this one isn't mounted at the moment, but I refuse to get rid of it. It's just a really good prism for the money.
One other point about the Acog short eye relief - a higher mount helps with this (like, a lot), and the short eye relief essentially all but removed head positioning issues. The only other optic that has a field of view even close to the ta31 Acog (37 feet left to right @ 100yd aka 7 degrees), is the elcan specter d.r. (34-36 feet left to right @ 100 yards). The elcan also has longer eye relief, acog level glass quality, a badass etched crosshair with Acog style BDC stadia lines, AND a built in 1x with an illuminated daylight bright red dot in the center. 6moa @ 1x, flip the lever to go to the 4x lens and the dot remains the same size, making it a functional 1.5 moa dot @ 4x. And you can always turn it off to get a nice pitch black reticle in mid day when the red dot is obscuring the target. The elcan also is built bombproof like Acog, and comes with a built in 2 lever quick disconnect mount. My favorite optic by far.
I have yet to use or know anyone who has an elcan, but the price is twice what I paid for the TA02. Not gonna get into the "Made in the USA" rant becuase the Holosun I mounted on top dispproves that point. Not a fan of 6MOA on a rifle optic, pistol is fine because trying to shoot accuratley past 100 yards is something hardly ever done in a real situation. I'm going to look into the height difference of the two mounts and figure out what the offset would be for the both.
@victordogeman I don't have much experience with higher mounts and zero when it's combined with a magnified optic. I'm what's considered a battle nome. As for the Elcan, while it's a prism, it's uses a rotating prism. I like the idea of it but it's not without it's short comings. For instance, if you zero on 1x, it's not perfectly aligned at 4x, or its size and weight. And ita no tas bomb proof as you may think. I mean, it will be for the average civilian, but there's plenty of data on them failing. The Swapmfox Trihawk 3x prism has a FOV of 52ft @ 100 yards (10 degrees). Their 5x supposedly maintains that 10 degree FOV. My issue with the Elcan DR is that their hasn't been much updating done to them over the life span, and they're ridiculously expensive. I wish someone like Primary Arms or another company would make a variable prism like the Elcan but at a much more affordable price point. For poors like me.
@victordogeman I am curious how a higher mount helps with the short eye relief issue when the mount changes the height but doesn't actually address the eye relief. The head position issue is more related to the tighter eye box. I'm guessing if you're a taller person with larger bone structure, getting a proper head position with an absolute height would definitely be an issue. I'd have to try it out to really see.
I started my journey into prism optics with the Vortex Spitfire 5x. I paid around $650 for that with a red dot to piggyback the prism through GovX. I wasn't comfortable paying ACOG prices at the time and I wanted something cheaper in price to practice and get used to the eye relief. It took no time to get used to working with it, though I still struggle trying to find the eye box when my rifle was canted at a 90 degree angle using the VTAC Barrier (The red dot helped in those situations). In less that 8 months the illumination went out on the prism, and now a year and a half later, the red dot is kaput. It would turn on by itself and stay on the highest brightness.
I recently purchased the ACOG TA02 and threw an old Holosun (515CM) on top. I am loving it so far but waiting on the ADM Cantilever mount to be restocked and sent to me. Liking what you've put out so far and am subscribed now. Keep up the good work.
@RouseDas this always a risk with some of the "budget" stuff. I've had very bad experiences with Vortex's budget line and refuse you use their stuff as a result. That prism with the top mounted dot is great, but like you said, you gotta train to get familiar. I do like the ACOG, I just can't justify the cost. One day, tho, I'll get one. I appreciate the feedback, and thank you for the sub.
@@airborneivan I got lucky and paid $1050 (after taxes) for one from Optics Planet over Labor Day weekend. Maybe Black Friday will have a better deal.
@RouseDas hell yea! that's not bad.
Try the Scalarworks leap 14 for the Acog. arisaka offset mount for dot. Ridiculously good combo, both are best in class imo
@@victordogeman Need to see if it will clear a matech rear sight. Not liking the price but the weight is good in either 1.93" or 1.75" heights. I've got a month before it is expected to ship, so here I go down another rabbithole. Not seeing any reviews on youtube though.
Have you check out the monstrum tactical forward magnifier
@@mrguiltyfool I didnt know that was a thing. I'll have to research that.
@@airborneivan btw you know trs25 style of low profit red dot? Is there magnifier that works with that sort of low profile
@@mrguiltyfool I just did a quick search of it. It's definitely interesting. I may have to get one just to see how it is. Unless, I reach out to them, but I highly doubt they'd entertain the idea of sending me one.
@@airborneivan no harm in asking them lol
@@mrguiltyfool we'll see.
I admit I've become a huge fan of primary arms prisms.
The 1x seems about bomb proof . Just put a 3x mini on my primary rifle and started doing local matches. So far its been phenomenal out to about 200 yds, i have aging eyes and it helps me ID the target. I'm interested to see how it holds up over time.
@leewilkinson6372 Yeah, man, I hear nothing but good things about their 3x micro prisms. I'd like to get my hands on the new GLx 1x prism.
@@airborneivan same! Maybe one day when we're rich you tube celebrities..... 😆
You can use up to a 3x magnifier on the 1x microprism, and as for the GLX version someone asked about ? It’s very very similar. As in, same glass, slightly different body, buttons instead of a dial (which to me is a downgrade). I’d say take a hard look at the SLX version, the cyclops gen 2, because those things are bombproof and just so nice for $270-$280 retail. Also? They fit on ADM mini ACOG QD mounts. Makes for
quite the impressive offering @$400, maybe another $300-$350 for a vortex micro 3x. Best value magnifier by far. Eotech g33 is built a little tougher, but they’re very close in quality, and the glass is about identical
to my eyes ( and I’m admittedly a snob about glass ).
@victordogeman I actually ran a 3x magnifier behind a 1x primary arms slx for a while. I lived it shooting from a bench, but not once I started action shooting with it. The magnifier also increases the size of the chevron, and got in the way of target acquisition. I went to a 3x and couldn't be happier..... at the moment anyway. 😆
I found the magnification not to be an issue for me on the closer targets, and the chevron to he the perfect size out to 200 yds. Will update when I have the chance to use it further than that.
What you guys suggest for 58 year old with not 20/20 eyesight ?
Left Eye- Cylindrical 1.5
Right Eye- Cylindrical 4.5
Rifle is - 6.5 Creedmore
@SammyGill what type of rifle is the 6.5 creedmoor, and what are you looking to do with it? What role/roles do you want rifle to do?
@@airborneivan bolt action, hunting
@@SammyGill what's the longest distance you plan on hunting to?
@@airborneivan 500 yards
@SammyGill for hunting, a 4-16 or 3-18 scope. That will get you out to 500 yards, no problem. You probably won't even need that higher end of the magnification range. I've shot out to 1000 and beyond. Typically, I'm between 12x and 16x. As for FFP or SFP, you have to ask yourself if you plan to use the reticle to hold or determine the distance of the target. If you are, FFP is where you want to go. If not, SFP. I'd say, whichever way you go, make sure your optic has a parallax adjustment. It will help with those more precise shots by removing some of the head position issues that could arise from unconventional shooting positions.
I have a couple dots, my stigmatism over the years has got worse and my dots turn into stars now so I started looking into Prisms. I enjoyed your video and breakdown with pros and cons. This all helps a lot thank you!
@sean-m9l I'm right their with ya. Older eyes are catching up to me. Glad I could help and thanks for the feedback.