Prism scope

Rifle scopes, iron sights and optics. Spotting scopes and target acquisition devices.

Prism scope

Post by Shootermick » 26 Jul 2025, 9:34 pm

Any experience with a 1x prism?
How do they compare to a 1x red dot?
I like the idea of the illuminated prism reticle being a bit sharper than a red dot, and also being able to used it without any illumination due to its etched reticle.
But I’m not sure if it’s worth upgrading from my red dot to a prism or not.??
.22, .22wmr, 223, 243, 308, 303, 20ga, 12ga
Shootermick
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Re: Prism scope

Post by womble » 27 Jul 2025, 5:49 am

I tried one once.
Firstly no point in a 1x prism. Inferior to a red dot in a practical sense. The go to is the 4x prism sight.

Anyway, tried it briefly. Wasn’t for me. The issue for me was eye relief. Whilst generous it’s not as forgiving as a red dot. It’s something you would have to put the time in to get accustomed to and then it’s worth it.

From memory. Clearer, crisper, superior. Yes. But for fast target acquisition. You’d need to drill it into you. Coming from a red dot it’s just not the same thing. I think it’s more military suited than hunting. If you were monitoring with it much better on the eye.

But here’s the thing Mick. It was pretty bloody expensive. I gotta tell ya. Woah.

And nowadays they’re kinda obsolete because these new fandangled lvpo’s with ir dots are the same difference. If you get one with decent glass. Plus you get variable power.

So let’s just rewind that sentence to translate the wanky American acronyms.

Lvpo ir . Low powered variable optic illuminated reticle. ( but you want the dot reticle or crescent and dot whatever )

Anyway. Here’s a different idea for your consideration. Because this is what I love much more than red dots.

And they’re technically called holographic sights, so the difference is they kinda feel like they project the reticle onto the target. Which is really cool right.

So if you want to experiment with one for cheap I’ll link a cheap one that’s actually pretty good and functions correctly. Don’t touch any cheap eotech knockoffs, they’re rubbish.

Wow this postage from Ching Chong is extortion, however that’s the cheapest supplier I can find all up. I have this one on a 12 gauge and it’s holding up just fine.
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005008 ... iRsMCRoMA..

Eye relief with these is personal preference. I prefer them out past the receiver and fit a longer rail. But it doesn’t matter really.

And with these you get a selection of four reticles in red for night or green for day. Whichever you prefer. And can adjust the brightness to suit the conditions. How cool is that 8-) see look I can even use it wearing my sunnies.

What else. Battery life isn’t as good as a red dot but it’s just your common garden variety co232 I think. So pack a spare one in case.

Anyway that’s just a cheap on that’s still pretty good and functions as intended. Still a lot crisper than a red dot but the glass is a bit ordinary. You can get better ones for more expensive.
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womble
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Re: Prism scope

Post by Shootermick » 28 Jul 2025, 6:55 am

Thanks for the detailed response Womble.
I’ll have a look at the holographic sights next time I’m in a shop.
A LPVO with an illuminated reticle is already high on my list, but I do like the size and weight of the red dot I’ve currently got on the rifle.
The rifle is a Wedgetail Mini in 223, with a Vortex Crossfire II 2 moa red dot. Only a pretty cheap dot, I’ve had it for years and it’s been moved around a bit, functions well, just not super crisp, which could also be my eyes.
.22, .22wmr, 223, 243, 308, 303, 20ga, 12ga
Shootermick
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Re: Prism scope

Post by wanneroo » 29 Jul 2025, 2:01 am

I am experimenting with a Vortex 1x prism. So far it works fine. I have slight astigmatism which the eye doctor says is not worth correcting but red dots for me are not super crisp. The advantage with the prism is they have a focus dial and you can sharpen up the dot.

I would like to try the 3x and 5x prism to see what I think.
wanneroo
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Re: Prism scope

Post by rc42 » 01 Aug 2025, 10:45 am

I have a 3x prism sight, it has illumination like a red dot but can't go anywhere near as bright so isn't good for speed shooting, the typical red dot sights rule there.
Prism sights have an etched glass reticle so are much sharper, better for astigmatism and generally have holdover markings like a scope but if you have any magnification you also have eye relief distances, on a rifle this is fine but would be problematic on a pistol.
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