Greatest Pink Dot Magnifiers of 2023

Pink dot magnifiers maintain a peculiar spot on the earth of optics as a result of they’ve misplaced some steam because of the reputation of low energy variable optics (LPVO). So why purchase them? 

Magnifiers transition from 1x magnification as much as 3x, 5x, or 6x with the flick of your wrist. The easy movement supplies expedited flexibility between your 1x pink dot and the magnifier you’ve in your rifle or shotgun. You obtain all the advantages of a pink dot and while you want magnification to hit a goal, flip up your magnifier and take the shot. 

But it surely is determined by private choice. Some want the LPVO with 1x to 6x energy magnification, whereas others like their pink dot and magnifier. It boils right down to what your want for the optic is and what your expertise degree is. I’ve examined 5 of the perfect pink dot magnifiers to assist making a decision on which is best for you.

How We Examined the Greatest Pink Dot Magnifiers

Sturdiness

Ridgeline Protection hosted me at their state-of-the-art vary in Dalton, NH, to check the magnifiers. I kicked off my testing with 30 rounds of 5.56 with every magnifier to see if the {hardware} remained stable, if the alignment was maintained, and to judge the convenience of the sight image and eye reduction. 

Whereas working drills, I let my rifle, hooked up pink dot, and magnifier bang in opposition to my equipment in the course of the sprints to the capturing line. I beat up these magnifiers to simulate expedited long-term put on and tear use. 

One other manner I simulated long-term put on and tear was to hold all 5 pink dot magnifiers in my GoRuck GR2 for months whereas I hiked the mountains of New Hampshire, labored shifts on the fireplace division, and did normal every day back-and-forth journey. 

Capturing

I used the magnifiers to shoot targets starting from 25 to 300 yards. I may transition from goal to focus on at longer ranges with the EOTech G45 and Sig Sauer Juliet 6 because of the 5x and 6x magnification. All of the magnifiers I examined have good glass, so even with the 3x magnifiers, I may ring metal additional out. 

I sprinted 25 yards, rapidly IDed metal targets, and shot them two to 6 occasions. This evaluated the attention field and eye reduction in a kinetic setting. Not one of the magnifiers misplaced alignment in the course of the capturing or flipped out of the road with the pink dot sight in the course of the sprints. 

The highest performer on this check is Atibal’s CM3. The skinny housing grants a quick sight image at shut vary, however because of the crystal clear glass, I may ring metal out to 300 yards with ease.

Chilly Plunge  

I put the magnifiers in a freezer set to 0 levels for eight hours. Then I took the magnifiers outdoors, the place it was humid and 86 levels. Every magnifier developed a thick frost coating all the best way round whereas within the freezer however that rapidly melted. Not one of the magnifiers fogged up with the temperature transition and at most, had beads of condensation that have been simply wiped away.  

Total, I used to be impressed with the magnifiers preserving moisture out of the housing, not breaking beneath pressure and heavy use, and the crystal clear views because of high quality glass. I needed to rank each by getting choosy concerning the particulars. 

Greatest Pink Dot Magnifiers: Critiques & Suggestions 

Greatest Total: Atibal CM3 3x Compact (Micro) 

Key Options

• Value: $238
• 3x magnification
• Weight: 7.3 ounces 
• Goal Lens Diameter: 22 mm
• Eye Reduction: 3 inches
• Size: 2.72 inches
• Linear FOV: 36.7 ft at 100 yards

Execs

• Atibal provides an limitless lifetime guarantee that’s totally transferable; no receipt is required.
• Good glass
• Forgiving eye field
• Straightforward arrange

Cons

• Slight motion within the mount
• Not a fast detach mount

Atibal’s CM3 3x Compact (Micro) Magnifier is my general favourite magnifier I examined. The standard, budget-friendly worth, and a no-questions-asked lifetime guarantee make this a hard-to-beat choice. 

The skinny housing of the CM3 makes goal identification quick. The three-inch eye reduction is forgiving of head place. Through the 25-yard dash testing, I had zero points acquiring a quick sight image and getting six rounds downrange. If you need it out of the best way, hit the button launch, and the spring-loaded hinge will quickly transfer it out of the road of sight. 

The CM3’s small dimension minimizes the prospect of hanging up the optic on one thing whereas transferring with the magnifier in an out-of-line place. The Atibal has clear glass, so ringing metal out to 150 to 200 yards was simple. I didn’t see this magnifier distort the pink dot in any manner or at any angle I used to be capturing at. 

The one damaging factor I discovered in comparison with the opposite magnifiers is that the CM3 lacks a fast detach mount. As well as, I felt a wiggle within the magnifier, but it surely didn’t have an effect on a fast sight image or produce other adversarial impacts. 

I’ve my rifle arrange for CQB, so the 3x magnification works nice for this setup. However if you happen to’re in search of just a little extra attain, the EOTech G45 could also be a greater choice. 

Learn Subsequent: Greatest Pink Dot Sights

Greatest Excessive Magnification: EOTECH G45

Key Options

• Value: $589.00
• 5x magnification
• Weight: 12.8 ounces 
• Goal Lens Diameter: 24 mm
• Eye Reduction: 2.6 inches
• Size: 3.9 inches
• Linear FOV: 21 ft at 100 yards

Execs

• Wonderful readability at 5x magnification
• Prime collection of U.S. Particular Operations Command
• Doesn’t distort pink dot reticle
• Straightforward sight image in kinetic settings

Cons

EOTech has lengthy provided optics to the US navy. Their optics are battle examined and a favourite of the navy’s particular operations. The G45’s glass has crystal clear readability, and its rugged construct will maintain up in opposition to the weather. Although it’s heavier, that’s to be anticipated with a better magnification. 

The comparatively compact design—shorter than the Juliet6— permits a simple match on any Picatinny rail and provides you sufficient magnification to achieve out to 300 yards or extra with ease. The massive windage and elevation knobs require zero instruments to make changes to middle a pink dot reticle, and the identical goes for the fast detach mount. 

The G45 is heavier than your common 3x magnifier, but it surely’s as a result of it’s supplying you with a larger magnification. The most effective facet of this magnifier is the convenience of lining up and establishing a sight image for shut and much targets. I used to be capable of get on course rapidly at 25 yards after a brisk dash. Whereas I don’t advocate utilizing a 5x magnifier for CQB, the actual fact it may be achieved is spectacular and speaks to the standard construct. One notice is that EOTech’s 10-year guarantee solely has a five-year assure free restore or substitute of the magnifier if the injury is beneath a coated kind. Nevertheless, years 5 by way of 10 require a “nominal bench charge,” and you have to present proof of buy from a verified EOTech supplier. 

Learn Subsequent: Greatest Holographic Sights

Vortex Micro3X

Key Options

• Value: $449.99
• 3x magnification
• Weight: 9.55 ounces
• Goal Lens Diameter: 22 mm
• Eye Reduction: 2.64 inches
• Size: 2.9 inches
• Linear FOV: 38.2 ft at 100 yards

Execs

• Limitless lifetime guarantee that’s totally transferable; no receipt wanted
• Straightforward sight image in kinetic use
• Gentle 
• Compact 
• Fast detach mount

Cons

• Won’t work with prism scopes

The Vortex Micro3x Magnifier is the up to date, higher magnifier when in comparison with the VMX-3T, however you’ll pay extra for the facilities this mannequin brings to the desk. It’s lighter and has a superb sight image, which makes it quick on the draw with placing rounds on course in a kinetic setting. To flip it out and in of the road of sight, you solely want to tug or push the magnifier to lock it in and misplaced. 

At 3x magnification, this one is nice for brief to medium-range targets. The Micro3x Magnifier has the identical lifetime limitless guarantee the VMX-3T has, making this a secure funding. It’s a compact design, so it received’t snag on as a lot when you’ve it rotated out of line of sight and are on the transfer. 

The place Atibal lacks the ease-of-use perform of a fast detach mount, Vortex has it down pat. If you wish to pop the magnifier off so your rifle is lighter, a easy push and pull of the button and lever combo, and you may toss it in your pack. It’s simply as simple to slap it again in your rifle, too.

The glass has higher readability than the VMX-3T. It’s on the identical degree of readability as Atibal and EOTech’s magnifiers, with no distortion of the pink dot reticle. The Micro3x magnifier is a good quick to medium-range choice to your house protection or searching wants. 

Sig Sauer JULIET6 6X

Key Options

• Value: $479.99
• 6x magnification
• Weight: 14.7 ounces
• Goal Lens Diameter: 24 mm
• Eye Reduction: 2.56 inches
• Size: 5.4 inches
• FOV: 21 ft at 100 yards. 

Execs

• Sig Sauer Electro-Optic Infinite Assure covers the Juliet 6 with a no-questions-asked restore or change lifetime, transferable guarantee 
• Crystal clear 6x magnification
• Entrance and rear thread-in lens protector
• Fast detach mount

Cons

• Eye reduction mixed with general size makes the sight field small. 
• Takes up a whole lot of area on a Picatinny rail
• Heavy 

Sig Sauer’s Juliet6 6x is the heaviest and longest magnifier I examined for this story. It has thread-in lens covers, so that you don’t have to fret about mud or moisture getting onto the lenses. It’s the one magnifier that stored frost from growing on the entrance and rear glass, so after I pulled it from the freezer, it was instantly prepared to start out capturing. 

The construct is stable and held up in opposition to the wear and tear and tear thrown at it. The one criticism I’ve is its general size. I needed to transfer my pink dot sight to accommodate the Juliet6. However, due to its size, I needed to max out the extension of my buttstock to accommodate the shorter eye reduction. I had a horrible time sustaining my sight image whereas transitioning from goal to focus on.

Sig Sauers Infinite Assure makes this a really secure funding, and the construct will final you a lifetime. The Juliet6 is a good choice for these searching for most magnification for his or her pink dot sight. With additional coaching with this particular magnifier, I’ve little doubt I may resolve my concern with the sight-picture tunneling impact I used to be working into, however I don’t plan to. 

The general dimension, weight, and unforgiving eye field led to this magnifier falling out of the working for the highest advice. Although EOTech’s G45 is one energy beneath the Juliet6, I’ll nonetheless use the G45 for my longer photographs.

Vortex VMX-3T 3x

Key Options

• Value: $250
• 3x magnification
• Weight: 11.9 ounces
• Goal Lens Diameter: 30 mm
• Eye Reduction: 2.2 inches
• Size: 4.3 inches
• Linear FOV: 38.2 ft/100 yards

Execs

• Limitless lifetime guarantee that’s totally transferable
• Funds pleasant
• Straightforward twist nuts for toolless detachment that didn’t shake unfastened throughout firing iterations
• Ample discipline of view

Cons

• Quick eye reduction
• Teardrop distortion to pink dot reticle
• Heavy 
• No fast detach mount
• It doesn’t work properly with prism scopes

Vortex’s VMX-3T is an oldie however a goody. It’s not the lightest, and doesn’t have the perfect eye reduction, however it might probably take a beating and preserve performing. This magnifier has made it by way of a whole lot of abuse during the last a number of years. From searching deer to CQB drills, this RDS magnifier has by no means failed me. Rotating the magnifier out of the best way requires pushing the bolt of the hinge ahead after which transferring the magnifier to the facet. For the inexperienced, that may value just a few seconds, however with coaching, you may get quick with that movement. 

The most important benefit of this magnifier is the lifetime guarantee and budget-friendly worth–it’s on par with Atibal’s pricing. Once I first bought my VMX-3T, it did have a little bit of fog on the lens when going from chilly to sizzling and humid situations. However, as I do with all of my scopes and optics, I utilized just a little little bit of Cat Crap, an anti-fogging agent, and I had no extra points with fogging. 

It’s not a micro magnifier, so I anticipated it to be heavier than the extra compact choices. However when carrying your rifle for prolonged intervals or spending the day on the vary, you do discover the additional weight. 

I’d advocate this for freshmen or individuals dipping their toes within the pink dot pool, because it has an analogous eye reduction to typical searching scopes and can final for a very long time. Plus, you’ve a vast lifetime guarantee that backs you up in case of any points—making this a reasonably secure funding to your capturing arsenal. 

Issues to Think about Earlier than Shopping for a Pink Dot Magnifier 

Before you purchase an RDS and magnifier mixture, think about just a few issues. You’ll see lots of the three-gun rivals rocking an LPVO scope due to developments within the energy wheel design, which permits fast transition anyplace from 1x to 6x, 8x, or 10x. For a pink dot and magnifier combo, it’s a flick of the wrist reasonably than rotating the facility wheel. 

Your talent degree, expertise, and objective of the sights will dictate whether or not an RDS magnifier is sweet for you. RDS magnifiers supply flexibility with trying by way of the optic from any angle—the pink dot is the place the bullet will affect whatever the angle you utilize to look by way of it. 

An LPVO scope requires a stable cheek weld to keep away from scope shadow and sometimes has a parallax impact, so if you’re not trying straight by way of the tube, your spherical affect could also be off. You may shoot with each eyes open on an LPVO and RDS and magnifier combo, however pink dots are simpler to accumulate a sight image, whereas the LPVO sometimes requires in depth coaching to lock down a quick sight image. 

Pink dot optics rule close-quarters battle (CQB), however LPVOs are extra prevalent in 3-gun competitions at this time than ever earlier than. Your earlier expertise will decide the distinction between the 2 and what’s ‘finest’ for you. 

In case you are used to a conventional searching scope, you’ll seemingly have muscle reminiscence you possibly can apply to an LPVO. With a pink dot sight and magnifier combo, you will want to spend time coaching along with your gear, however they’re comparatively simple to study. 

FAQs

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Closing Ideas on the Greatest Pink Dot Magnifiers 

Coaching is the important thing to mastering any optic and firearm mixture, and fortuitously a pink dot sight and magnifier mixture isn’t tough to grasp. I like to recommend attempting out just a few magnifiers and LPVOs in individual earlier than shopping for. When you determine a magnifier is best for you, select one that matches your talent and expertise degree.