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Low Power Variable Optic (LPVO) continues to advance in capability and decrease in cost, merging the best features of red dots and magnified scopes in one practical sighting instrument.
Low-powered scopes might be the best versatile solution for shooters who want to trade a few feet of the field of view at 1x for a full 8x magnification.
Short on time? Our Best Picks for 1-8x Scopes
- TRUGLO Omnia 8 Tactical Rifle Scope
- Atibal XP8 1-8×24 SFP
- Riton Optics X3 Tactix 1-8×24
- Eotech Vudu 1-8x24mm SFP
- Visionking Optics 1-8×24
Most hunting activities take part at short to medium distances. For a few novices entering the world of hunting, it might sound weird, but most shots at the big game are fired at 50-120 yards.
Regarding that fact, it is not surprising that classic 3-9x rifle scopes were standard optics for years on a large number of hunting rifles with common calibers like .270, .308 or 30-30. However, today we have a growing trend of mounting somewhat specialized glasses intended for the fast reaction at close distances, while at the same time capable of reaching out a few hundred yards more.
These kinds of optical sights are called Low Power Variable Optic (LPVO) or simple low-powered scopes. The whole story has started with humble 1-4x riflescopes and then moved to more versatile 1-6x and 1-8x, to ones found today with monstrous 10x zoom rate such as the high-end March Hunting 1-10×24 rifle scope.
Since the subject of this guide is the best 1-8x scope, I’ll leave these configurations for another article.
Currently, it seems that LPVO scopes within a 1-8x power range are all the rage these days, especially with a noticeable drop in prices.
What We Will Cover
What is a Low Power Variable Optic (LPVO)?
A Low Power Variable Optic (LPVO) is an ideal solution for fast target acquisition, in both long- and short-range engagements.
In other words, these low-power variable rifle scopes are real all-around scopes that come equipped with a mid-size power range and smaller objective lenses.
The best LPVO scopes offer true 1x magnification for the widest possible field of view paired with 24mm or 26mm objective lens.
Initially, the first 1-4x low powered scopes were designed for military use in so-called CQB, close-quarter tactical situations. Nonetheless, the optics industry is offering new models from this subcategory adapted for hunting with the main differences being the reticle and turrets.
The CQB scopes are equipped with tactical reticles and tactical turrets. In contrast, the wide-angle hunting rifle scopes usually come with capped turrets and reticles often featuring a centrally placed bright red dot.
Low Power Variable Optic on Short-Barreled Rifle (SBR)
Today, short-barreled rifles (SBR) are popular for home defense and Close Quarter Battle (CQB) fans, but originally, they were designed for use by military and law enforcement personnel.
As a shoulder-held weapon with an overall length of fewer than 26 inches, a short-barreled rifle, or SBR is a perfect platform for Low Power Variable Optic (LPVO).
While designed with modern AR-style carbines in mind, a good quality LPVO will give an optical advantage also to your SBR rifle.
Though offering the best at CQB distances, most SBR AR setups in civilian hands can be great for hunting in the wooded or hilly country when equipped with 1x-4x or 1-6x variable power scope with a 24mm objective.
While the LPVOs provide good target spotting and ID capabilities from about 75 yards out to about 400 yards, using a 1-8x Scope will allow you a long-distance shot out to about 600-700 yards.
How far can you shoot with a 1-4x Scope?
Generally, 1X- 4X scopes are designed for point and shoot close-range objects. Hence the shooters zero it in at 100 yards. Since the commercial 1-4x riflescopes are purpose-built for home defense use and for specialized sorts of hunting such as driven hunts, they could be zeroed in at 50 yards.
Nevertheless, when the 1-4x is zeroed at 100 yards, it would be usable for shooting at 400yards though. However, for target shooting, it would be challenging to shoot small groups with only 4X magnification.
How far can you shoot with a 6-power scope?
Although the 1x-6 powered optics are for close range and quick access on target, it would enable you distant shots at 600 yards. Remember the old rule for a scope on big game is about 1 x magnification per hundred yards.
More realistically and ethically would be to use a 6-power scope for hits on big game out to 300 yards, and maybe a bit farther in good light. Choosing the right scope magnification is key.
Best 1-8x Scopes – New Products Updated
Below I’ll offer several of the best scopes from different price ranges so you can find the features you can gain or lose depending on your budget or shooting style.
1 TRUGLO Omnia 8 Tactical Rifle Scope
The Omnia 8 by TRUGLO is arguably the most durable 1-8x scope on my list, especially if you’re in the market for the best 1-8x scope for tactical uses. The durable aircraft-grade aluminum tube is filled with nitrogen to make it waterproof, fogproof, and shockproof, so that it will withstand all shooting conditions.
The lens is multi-coated and scratch-resistant. Not only will the lens withstand scratches, but it also creates a crystal clear image of the object you are sighting through the scope.
It has an All-Purpose Tactical Reticle (APTR) etched into the lens to increase precision and clarity. The reticle can be illuminated by turning the knob on the scope. There are also windage and elevation turrets that you can adjust when you need to account for the wind and height at which you’re shooting. Each click on the windage and elevation turret will adjust ¼ MOA.
After each click, the turrets lock in place, making it easy to zoom once you have made your adjustments. You don’t have to worry about the adjustments changing after you have turned the turrets. Just magnify up to 8x and take your shot.
It comes with a mount that can fit a Picatinny or Weaver mount.
2 Atibal XP8 1-8×24 – SFP Rifle scope
The Atibal Sights is a Chinese brand whose new 1-8x low-powered scope emerged from the sea of low-cost Chinese variables.
Atibal XP8 1-8×24 has packed in this unit almost everything you may need from a low power variable optics (LPVO) and more. Along with a scope, an Atibal`s package includes a “quick-view” detachable throw lever and a quick-release mount, called the TPM.
Atibal’s XP8 rifle scope on 1x zoom is close enough to a true 1x, while the 8x magnification will allow you more precise shots at a longer distance.
The XP8 from Atibal is a second focal plane (SFP) riflescope featuring a Diamond Tactical Reticle (DTR) with a Bullet Drop Compensator (BDC) calibrated for 62gr 5.56 ammunition.
The Atibal XP8 reticle is illuminated using a CR2032 battery, and the left side positioned illumination dial has 11 brightness settings.
The scope comes with low-profile capped turrets for windage and elevation with 1/2 MOA click adjustments.
The Atibal XP8 1-8x boasts fully multi-coated lenses for increased light transmission and anti-reflective coatings on all air-to-glass surfaces. The XP8 housing is made of a 30mm tube diameter using a 6061-T6 T6 aircraft-grade aluminum.
The scope body is O-ring sealed to prevent water from entering the mechanism and nitrogen purged to eliminate internal fogging.
As a fantastic option for shooters on a budget, Atibal’s new 1-8x variable optics is an excellent entry-level optic designed for 3-gun and other competitions alike.
3 Riton Optics X3 Tactix 1-8×24
Riton Optics is an American company founded in 2013. This veteran and family-owned business established an extensive lineup of dependable and robust red dots and riflescopes purpose-built for practical, real-world applications.
The X3 Tactix 1‐8×24 is one of several low power variable optics (LPVO) designed not only for tactical users but also for avid competition shooters and hunters.
This affordable optics is capable of a multitude of uses due to its 8x zoom power and is perfectly appropriate for close- to mid-range shooting.
Besides HD glasses, the Riton X3 low powered scope boasts multiple layers of anti-reflective coating for bright and clear images, even in low light conditions.
The new Riton x3 Tactix rifle scope comes with OT style reticle consisting of a central 1 MOA aim point surrounded by an easy-to-acquire 20 MOA circle. This circle and dot design are supplemented with eight wind, and four elevation holds to give you on-the-fly correction in each direction.
Located in the second focal plane, the illuminated OT reticle has 11 brightness levels. Riton Optics X3 Tactix features capped zero-resettable turrets and a removable zoom ring throw lever.
This pocket-friendly LPVO is based on a 30mm central tube CNC-machined of 6061-T6 T6 aircraft-grade aluminum. The Riton’s one-piece construction is shockproof (tested up to 1200 G’s) and also 100% waterproof as well as nitrogen purged to prevent internal fogging.
4 EOTech | Vudu 1-8×24 mm SFP
EOTech is already known for indestructible holographic weapon sights initially made for military and combat use. Yet, EOTech’s new Vudu line of scopes with multi-distance versatility threatens to darken the glory of their holographic sights.
Designed primarily for the competition market, the EOTech’s Vudu series comes in five configuration models utilizing different magnification ranges. For this review, I’ve singled out the 1-8×24 mm SFP scope, an upgraded version of their award-winning 1-6x24mm riflescope.
Unlike the 1-6x scope, the Vudu 1-8x24mm comes with a reticle located on Second Focal Plane (SFP) to reduce the weight and additional cost.
The Vudu 1-8×24 SFP has fully multi-coated, high-definition (HD) glass which translates to a sharp, clear image and quick target acquisition. The anti-reflective (AR) coating on the glass makes for better light transmission and provides color fidelity and low-light performance.
This EOTech scope comes with a quad-level ballistic drop compensating reticle called HC3 Reticle (MOA). This quad BDC reticle is practically an illuminated, daylight bright crosshair with 1.5 MOA red center dot and four stadia lines below it for bullet drop.
Like the previous model, Vudu 1-8x is made from the single-piece 30mm tube machined from durable 6061-T6 aluminum alloy. Similar in price to their 1-6x offering The Vudu 1-8x24mm will work well either on AR platform rifles or a bolt-action.
5 Visionking Optics 1-8×24
Another 1-8x riflescope from the lower price class comes from the Visionking Optical Technology CO. LTD under brand Visionking Optics.
This Chinese brand is offering high functioning scopes at an affordable price with all specifications expected from an optical instrument intended for hunting, casual shooting, or even local competitions.
The Visionking Optics 1-8×24 Long ER (Eye Relief) riflescope, as its designation says features an industry standard 24mm objective bell and the generous long eye relief of about 4.3-3.5”, depending on magnification.
As an LPVO, Visionking is offering almost true 1x magnification without fisheye issues, due to the fully multi-coated lenses in greenish color.
A noteworthy feature is an illuminated dot reticle placed at first focal plane so it can be used equally well in close and mid-ranges.
Another highlighted feature is the low-profile turrets for windage and elevation. These precision turrets provide you with an audible click in 1/10 mil/click corrections, making it easy to count clicks outdoors.
This 30mm scope is built from a single-piece tube machined of high-quality 6061-T6 aircraft-grade aluminum.
Unlike other low budget optics which fog up in wet and damp conditions, the Visionking 1-8×26 riflescope is filled with nitrogen to prevent fogging.
Final Thoughts
In the above reviews, I’ve described a couple of high-dollar optics and a few low-priced but solid scopes. I hope you find this useful in making an informed decision and acquiring the best 1-8x scope for your budget.
