Review - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4fySOGoBGHs&t
Acquire:
SLx 1x - https://rebrand.ly/7bb3vr9
GLx 1x - https://rebrand.ly/ib5ozgz
GLx 2x - https://rebrand.ly/sabal0l
SLx 3x - https://rebrand.ly/d3pzh2z
SLx 5x - https://rebrand.ly/ntijfsn
The Run Down:
- Chinese made (all of them)
- Smaller size
- 6-11oz (not including mounting solutions)
- Multiple Reticle Options & Colors (not every model)
SLx 1x - $299 - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K88_lK9imvY - The smallest and lightest of the bunch. This one offers a new mounting solution using the H1 footprint, as opposed to the Mini ACOG mount of the rest of the line up. I am unsure at this time if PA is planning on introducing the H1 footprint to the rest of the lineup moving forward or not. I reckon they will eventually. Illumination is controlled by a rheostat. Reticle options have improved offer more variety then ever before, and offering in multiple calibers as well. Eye- relief is nearly infinite. PA claims its 3.6”, but say its usable from 2-7”. I would go a step further and say its more then that. If your unsure why anyone would want a 1x prism, it might not be for you. Ideally this would be for someone who:
A) Wants a redundant aiming mechanism in their optic. If the illumination dies, you still have the reticle.
or
B) Someone who has a bad astigmatism and cant use a red dot or a holographic sight.
Eye relief on this variant is Huge. And its very easy and forgiving to get behind. I currently have this on my Home Defense PPC, and dont plan on changing it anytime soon.
GLx 1x - $330 - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ioPhnZcnQs8 - Consider this a larger, heavier version of the SLx 1x. The biggest difference is the fact that this does away with the rheostat, and in its place there are buttons. You get a larger and heavier body. More claimed eye-relief (4.4”) but only a slightly larger view through it. Sure the body of the optic is more streamlined over its SLx brother. But to me, Id rather save $30 and get the SLx.
GLx 2x - $389 - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZZ6lURWg3i0 - This is the most oddball of the bunch. These use an older architecture over the more modern and organic looking SLx lineup. Despite that, this is perhaps my favorite of all of them. 2x is Just enough magnification to make quick work of most practical shooting inside 2-300 yards. It has a tremendous amount of eye-relief (3.5”). And feels more robust then the others. The only negative is that the view through it is on the smaller size. It makes it feel like it has less magnification as a result. If you want a prism that is unique and cool. This is it.
SLx 3x - $350 - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IHG8W2-1LLs - Perhaps the most versatile of the bunch. This follows the most traditional magnification for other prism’ or red dot magnifiers. For anyone that has any experience with other 3x optics, youll feel right at home behind this. Like the SLx 1x, this uses a rheostat to control illumination. Still uses the Mini Acog mount. But still has decent eye relief (2.7”) given its size and magnification.
SLx 5x - $399 - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m6OQbyi2on4 - My least favorite for a few reasons. Its bigger and bulkier with less eye-relief (2.7”). It feels less then that tho when you get behind it. All of the other options have cleaner, sharper looking glass. I had a hard time getting the 5x setup for me. Reticle options are just ok IMO. This one left me feeling like something was missing. Ultimately I think it was due to PA trying to keep it as small as possible. The glass wasnt up to par to begin with, then cram it inside of a tiny housing. Something was bound to give.
To try and summarize this as best as possible, Ill leave you with this. The SLx 1x if you are looking for a red dot replacement. The GLx 2x if you want something unique and special. Or the SLx 3x if you want to play it safe and get the most well rounded option. There are no wrong choices here. Just different perspectives.