Early Low Powered Variable Optics (LPVO) scopes had 1-4x, 1.5-5x or even 1-6x magnification. We are finding that recent advances in optics have created individual scopes that are eminently usable for up-close shooting in a 3 Gun match as well as precise hits at 600 yards — but only if the reticle is designed correctly to handle both duties.
The Eotech Vudu 1-10x FFP VDU1-10FFLE5 riflescope, $1639, has an LE5 reticle that’s an FFP (First Focal Plane) design. Such reticles change size but not subtension as magnification is dialed in or out. At 1x, it looks like the speed ring on the Eotech holographic sights so commonly found on AR platforms. There is a center dot visible as well. Eotech understands that a 1-MOA dot that becomes a 10-MOA dot at 10x magnification is almost worthless for precision shooting, so they designed the center dot to morph. By the time the Vudu scope has been dialed up to 3x or 4x, the center dot becomes visible as a donut with vertical and horizontal crosshairs and the speed ring is moving almost out of the field of view. At 10x, the shooter can see a full horizontal reticle with half-milliradian hash marks and a full Christmas Tree display below. Both the dot and the donut can be illuminated with controls on the left turret of the scope. Even the Christmas Tree is illuminated and visible at 10x. We found the scope fast to use at 50 yards while easy and precise to use at 600. The lower-magnification 10x setting, versus, say, the 15x or 18x magnification we might normally use for intermediate distances, allowed a larger field of view downrange. This, along with the very clear glass, made spotting impacts on 600-yard plates a snap.
There’s more. Our LE5 reticle could be adjusted in .10-mil increments,xand the movement proved to be very accurate. We shot the box three times moving left, up, right, and down two full mil each time, which resulted in three consistent triangles right where they were supposed to be. The elevation knob locks and the windage turret is capped, just as we would prefer because we always try to dial in our adjustments for elevation and hold for windage. The magnification ring had sufficient resistance to movement, but still moved easily enough thanks to the optional throw lever. We would love to see that lever just a bit shorter. Designed for the semi-auto user in mind, we found that the lever could interfere with bolt movement slightly if we weren’t careful with our technique. If we were to add one thing to our wish list for this optic, it would be adjustable parallax. This unit can reach out far enough that the additional focus could become important.
The 28mm objective lets in lots of light, and the 34mm tube allows for a great deal of adjustment. Sighted in at 100 yards, we still had more than 22 mil of adjustment left on the dial. For a point of reference, we were hitting with a 6.5 PRC at a mile last year using 19 mil up.
Our Team Said: If you’ve got the money to spend, this not-so-low LPVO is worth a look at EotechInc.com.
