Review - https://youtu.be/wcEjzeFn_vY
Acquire - https://rebrand.ly/wx4k9hk
The Run Down:
- Japanese
- 19.6oz
- 9.75”
- 30mm Tube
- Insanely Bright Illuminataion
- $2,000
THIS is a really great optic. Yes it is PA’s most expensive scope yet. And Yes, I am labeling this a LPVO. Because as you will soon see in my review, the 1.5x on this performs Extremely well at closer distances. In fact, this optic performs at every level I can think of without any issues. The build quality is classic PLxC. Which if your unaware of simply means to a very high standard. The knurling on all of the touch points are sharp and well defined, all of the controls are properly damped and the detentes are sharp and accurate. Given this things size and weight I wasnt expecting a tremendous performance. Especially given how many other optics in this category I have reviewed. Happily I was wrong.
The 1.5x is really impressive. The reticle is also really well calibrated for the entire mag range. The example I was given is the ACSS Raptor Yard 5.56 / .308 Reticle - Gen II (BDC). But if I had to buy one it would be the ACSS Griffin MIL Reticle - Gen II (Traditional Mil Christmas Tree). It would give a much easier time with being able to fine tune your holds at distance. Both are a touch busy on the windage holds off center I would say, but that is a complete personal preference thing. The reticles dont need illumination to work at any magnification which I find to be extremely important. If you like running illumination then you will Love the intensity that the illumination can achieve. It hurts to look at on max brightness. Unfortunately, the minimum brightness seems to be a touch too bright for NV usage. I would ideally like to see the brightness scale be brought down a bit. As good as the illumination is it is very touchy when you get behind the scope. If your off center even a bit it will disappear on you. Some consider this a flaw and an annoyance. While others will consider it a feature. If your sensitive to flashing lights then you might want to leave it off or low. But if your trying to line up behind the scope perfectly to eliminate any parallax shift, then leave it on and use it as a guide. I will consider it a feature given how easy the reticle is to pick up without the aid of illumination.
As far as what I would put this up against as a competitor to. The list on that topic is long. I really do feel it can be a great alternative to the 1-8/10x LPVO’s. Especially if you plan on running a offset red dot. The elevation turret is the same height as the 1-8x PLxC. The ONE thing I would double check is not the clearance on the turret, but rather the clearance on the front objective. The main tube portion between the front objective and the erector housing is Very narrow. So be mindful of that. I also think this could go against most IPVO’s in the 2-10ish range. Especially given its size and weight. A bit of eyebox will be lost say compared to a Mk4HD 2.5-10. But gaining that 1x on the bottom could be utterly huge for a lot of people.
During my testing and evaluation of this optic I was left impressed. For its compact nature it performs at a very high level. I dont think that anyone buying one will be wanting more optical performance. The reticle designs are solid. The illumination is seriously bright. The build quality is classic LOW. If I were to make any sort of changes or additions it would be this.
- The option for a locking or zero stopped elevation turret. Or Both.
- The swap of the chevron to a fine dot.
- Lower illumination for dedicated NV use.
Not much of a change, but I do think that they would elevate this even further. Overall, just like this things little brother the 1-8x24 RDB. I am Painfully impressed. It cost’s a lot, but its a true premium optic. I would love to see a GLx variant of this come out eventually. But sadly I dont think it will happen. Mainly because if there were to be a 1:1 copy of this made in the Philippines and it performed half as good for half the price, It would take away sales from this. Im really excited to see what PA brings out in the PLx line up. They might cost NF money, but the innovation and performances justify it.