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Best lightweight 1x variable under $600?

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atp View Drop Down
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    Posted: September/10/2017 at 05:51
I like my SWFA HD 1-6x24, but at 22 oz and $1000 it's both heavy and expensive. My other baseline low-power scope is the Nikon 1-4x20 (Monarch 3, formerly the "African"), which although obviously simpler (no illumination), is pretty nice for a $280, 12 oz scope.

So I'm curious about good quality, low-power (1x bottom) variable scopes that are noticeably lighter than the SWFA HD 1-6x24, and hopefully also cheaper, while still being a step up in capability over the Nikon. Primarily for use on an AR-15. What would you recommend for that niche?

Some possible candidates are listed below (most of which I know little about), along with the SWFA SS HD and Nikon I already own:

- $1000, 22.4 oz, SWFA SS HD 1-6x24 Tactical
- $580, 17.3 oz, Steiner 1-4x24 P4Xi
- $400, 14.1 oz, SWFA SS 1-4x24 Tactical
- $399, 14.5 oz, Burris 1-4x24 MTAC
- $397, 16.4 oz, Nikon 1-4x24 Black Force 1000
- $395, 17.1 oz, Leatherwood 1-4x24 CMR4
- $310, 16.6 oz, Hawke 1-4x24 Endurance
- $270, 17.3 oz, Bushnell 1-4x24mm AR Optics BTR-1
- $277, 12.2 oz, Nikon 1-4x20 Monarch 3
- $175, 8.5 oz, Weaver 1-3x20 Classic V
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Greenhorn#1 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: September/10/2017 at 07:44
I've got a 1x6 strike eagle and it's a boat anchor . A good friend has a pride fowler that is light weight and seems well made . Think he got his right around 350 bucks . Just comparing the vortex and fowler I can't say I noticed a difference in image or clarity . I've noticed that when I switch ammo and make adjustments on the strike eagle the adjustments aren't repeatable . If that makes sense . Sorry man I'm a rookie and can't help more . Check out the pride fowler as well . His adjustments seemed more crisp and I would also check out SIG . Two companies I didn't see on your list and maybe for a reason . Have a good day sir .
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote koshkin Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: September/10/2017 at 10:35
I am testing Burris RT6 and like it a lot. It is really my favorite of the budget 1-6x scopes. It is around 17ozs, so it is not the lightest, but quite respectable.

If you can live with something that is not true 1x on the bottom, consider Leupold VX-R 1.25-4x20. it has a very bright for and weighs around 12oz.

ILya
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote atp Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: September/11/2017 at 12:43
That $349, 17.4 oz Burris RT-6 1-6x24mm must be very new, no picture yet on SWFA. How would you say it compares quality-wise to other scopes?

Hm, I'll have to think about that Leupold VX-R option. I didn't realize it was only 12 ounces, same as the Nikon 1-4x20. Ilya, which reticle do you personally like there? I see four different ones (all illuminated), Duplex $500, Circle $550, Pig Plex $550 (which is a weird looking circle reticle), and SPR $600 (with uncapped turrets).
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote koshkin Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: September/11/2017 at 16:11
RT-6 is pretty new indeed, but it is in production and very good for the money.  I like it more than Vortex' Strike Eagle.

With VX-R reticle, the choice is sorta personal.  I kinda like that goofy Hog reticle.

ILya
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (1) Thanks(1)   Quote Rancid Coolaid Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: September/12/2017 at 06:25
Does the pig plex actually say " pig plex" on the horizontal?
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Kickboxer Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: September/12/2017 at 09:48
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (1) Thanks(1)   Quote Son of Ed Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: September/14/2017 at 05:39
Does anybody know what the eye relief is on the Nikon Monarch? I want to put something like this on my Winchester 75 Sporter 22.....I want something lightweight that doesn't have eight miles of eye relief like the Leupolds....I would like to hold the rifle up on my shoulder instead of looking through the scope from across the street and firing the gun with a string!! 



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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote cheaptrick Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: September/14/2017 at 06:23
The "new" Monarch's typically have 4" of eye relief, all through the power range.  

The older ones, (like you sold me) more like 3.5" @ full magnification.  
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote koshkin Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: September/14/2017 at 09:14
New Monarchs have fairly long eye relief. If this is for a 22, try Weaver Rimfire scopes. Also, Leupold 3-9x33 EFR has a tad over 3" of eye relief.

ILya

Edited by koshkin - September/14/2017 at 19:30
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote atp Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: July/26/2020 at 09:52
Well, now that it's July 2020, the Steiner P4Xi 1-4x24 is around $700 instead of last year's $500, and the highly recommended $350 Burris RT-6 is out of stock everywhere. So I'm revisiting this "best lightweight 1x variable under $600" question, for something I can buy now or soon, for use on an AR-15.

SWFA has the (discontinued) Burris 1-4x24 MTAC on sale right now for $330, but I recall Ilya saying that this scope, while ok, is inferior to the RT-6. There are many other scopes I know nothing about. Some of the ones I wonder about are:

- $330, 15 oz, Burris MTAC 1-4x24
- $530, 18 oz, Athlon 1-6x24 Midas
- $400-$500, 16 oz, Sig Tango4 1-4x24, Horseshoe Dot
- $440, 17 oz, Zeiss Conquest V4 1-4x24 ZQAR Illuminated Reticle #62
- $750, 18 oz, Bushnell Elite Tactical II Pro SMRS 1-6.5x24
- $530+, 20 oz, Meopta Optika6 1-6x24, lots of different reticle choices. (Getting pretty heavy.)
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote atp Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: July/26/2020 at 10:01
Hm, and it seems like both the Nikon Monarch 3 1-4x20 and Weaver Classic V 1-3x20 are vanishing from the web. Discontinued, I think. What did they get replaced with?
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote hatton mann Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: July/26/2020 at 23:49
I read recently Nikon was was out of the rifle scope business. And  Weaver has folded again ?
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote koshkin Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: July/28/2020 at 10:13
Both Nikon and Weaver no longer make riflescopes.

I would give a close look to Swampfox Arrowhead LPVOs.

ILya
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote atp Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: July/28/2020 at 12:13
Hm, looks like the Swampfox Arrowhead comes in three different magnifications, $350 1-6x, $390 1-8x, $450 1-10x, and several different reticles. All are listed as 20.3 ounces, and I think all are second focal plane. Are these exactly the same scope except for the magnification range, or are there other differences that matter?
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote koshkin Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: July/28/2020 at 14:57
I tested the 1-10x and liked it.

ILya
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote hatton mann Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: July/28/2020 at 21:44
The problem w/ Low Power Variables  is that they are not necessarily 'light weight' variables. Everything is heavy tactical. I just don't want that.  
I'm more interested in losing some weight in the mid-section and in my field kit.

Oh ! And I might as well thank the low IQ commie governor in this state for closing down the gyms,,,along w/ everything else...Sad
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote supertool73 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: July/28/2020 at 22:13
the vx-3 1.5-5x is a pretty good scope and is light. If u can live with 1x 
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote supertool73 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: July/28/2020 at 22:14
i have a sightron s-2 blue sky (i think) 1.25-5x i bought off Ilya years ago and just love.  I wish they still made it. 
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote hatton mann Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: July/29/2020 at 01:20
Originally posted by supertool73 supertool73 wrote:

i have a sightron s-2 blue sky (i think) 1.25-5x i bought off Ilya years ago and just love.  I wish they still made it. 

I first heard of this model a few moths ago on another forum, a guy posted an ISO, 'Sightron SII Big Sky 1.25-5x. There were no positive responces, or any responces other than me saying I was not familiar w/ that model and now I was on the hunt for one. (fat chance of finding one)

Not only does Sightron not make that model, they canceled the entire SII line. Apparently they were too good for the price point. What they offer now is nothing I need.

I'm glad  I bought an SII Bigsky  when SWFA closed them out several years ago. 
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