Red Dot + Magnifier vs Low Power Variable Optic (1-6x) 

If you're being over run by the enemy you can simply turn your magnifier backwards. It will make them further away putting you out of range and allowing more time to prepare.

"Just choose what ever looks cool because literally nothing else matters." Garand Thumb

Garand Thumb, can you break down the Nutrition values for each color of crayon in a video, for our brothers in the Marines?

My favorite setup is using a magnifier with a LPVO. Just keep your LPVO at 1X then transition to 3x when you need it. Its the best of both worlds! You can also mount your red dot in front of the LPVO for extra speed and agility. You will have to cowitness the dot with your reticle.

Pro tip: Use the EOTech magnifier and the aimpoint 6x magnifier in unison for ultra sniper magnification.

Saw the notification, took my clothes off and pressed play.

I think you should revisit this topic considering the advancements in both LPVOs and dots/magnifiers. A head to head between an ATACR and a Comp M5B/6X mag would be nice.

I got 3/4 through the video and realized I wasn’t listening just reading comments smh 🤦🏾‍♂️

What if I put a magnifier behind a magnifier so I get more magnification?

This channel has gotten to the point where I'm scared to ask a serious question for fear that it will be forever lost in the memes.

Exactly what I needed to consider getting a magnifier, thanks. Oh, and the USMC nutrition crayon question... we all knew that the purple crayon had the most calories and vitamins. In my old unit, everyone fought over the purple one.

I really like the point you make about shooting from odd angles and how the differences in optics can affect that. No one else mentions that factor when comparing scopes to reflex sights.

Dude! How did he know about the weapon light? Kinda freaky. It's like he knows.

Bro, this is the exact crossroads I am at. The question has been answered... "The EOTech with the magnifier looks really cool." Sold.

I have both set ups and some of my AR15's, my first AR has a Vortex red dot with the magnifier, it works great and I like that I can flip the magnifier to the side when not in use. I just bought my third AR and put the Vortex Strike eagle 1-8x24 on it, it has the glow reticle with 11 settings for how bright the reticle can be, having the 1-8 is great and I can hit the far targets at the local outdoor range, after getting the scope dialed in, I am hitting the 400 target with good groupings. I like both set ups and like them better than my AR with iron sights. I agree that each one serves a purpose, I was using a EoTech ret dot with magnifier when I was A SWAT Paramedic, and was shooting better than most of the Cops on the team (firefighters always shoot better), most of our training and targets were CQB and never had a target that I needed a scope for, most of the time the red dot was enough and had the magnifier flipped to the side, however, I could never hit targets at long range like I can with my 1-8 scope. So if you have multiple AR's, get both set ups, also, the AR with the scope has side iron sights for closer shots. For most situations the red dot + magnifier would work better!

I have used both and found the reflex sight and magnifier is a way more versatile combat sight, but I use the 6X magnifier instead of a 3x... The 6x version magnifier absolutely kicks ass because it gives you more of a precision view of your target when you flip over, for those 120 yard+ shots and then flip back to CQB sights... :)

Holy shit this has become a cult...

You batman impression is awesome

In terms of military, I feel a lot of people don't know but it's going to depend on your units and what sort of gear you have access to. A lot of folks would go buy their own LPVO and flashlight and put it on their own weapon. I remember in the early, early days they had DMR roles who would get the M14 rifle and oftentimes without an optic so a lot of these guys would put the ACOG on it that they were given and as you can imagine it was not very comfortable.

In my experience the G33 glass is just as good as the glass on a vortex viper pst and the FOV was identical at 3x on both optics to my eyes. At the end of the day you will need to train a lot with whatever set up you choose so you can over come the cons of each setup.

I use a Sightmark and then reach in dads desk drawer and find a magnifying glass and duct tape it behind the red dot.

"If you've ever practice drawing your handgun looking at yourself in a mirror and accidentally shot a hole through your mirror, go ahead and hit that subscribe button".

Why am I watching this? I’ve got an exam tomorrow morning in Army flight school. Whatever I’m getting the Apache. Go Guns!

I have each on different rifles. I definitely prefer the dot with flip to side magnifier. But an important thing I’ve found with the LPVO is to always set it back to zero magnification. I can hit 200 yards out on zero magnification but can’t track a target 10 yards out on 4x.

How to lose a job in less than a minute. Tell your boss to hush his mouth because you have to watch a Garand Thumb video. Worth it.

Red dot & magnifier combo works better at night operations than low variable power optics. The red dot combo is better for overall general use and speed, the low power variable is better for specific applications, especially during daylight. Both are great options.

With the advancement in magnifiers, dots and LVPOs now days I’d like to see recovered. All can be found much lighter and certain brands even have micro versions of all options. Really hope to see a new video on this. I know however same logic plays. Cqb will lean towards magnifier/red dot combo and longer range use will lean towards the LVPO

With a scope close range is secondary, and vice versa with a magnified red dot. The low power scope is making something for long range perform at close range, and the magnified red dot is making a close range optic perform at longer ranges. The real question is what range is your top priority. Both will do well at all ranges but better at some.

3:30 am and I'm here for your video Daddy Garand

Can I put any of these optics on my Hi-Point?

I have recently started following the channel. I have been selling firearms since 2005 to present. The method in which you provide your opinions and information is very easy to follow and digest. I like gathering info and others opinions when trying to give customers solid options on what to pick up. So many other channels are a pile of hot garbage. Thanks you being informative and funny.

Depends on what I'm using the gun for. I will use a red dot and magnifier for run and gun / 3 gun. Variable power scope for plinking or longer range work. Both work well

The bromance with TRex Arms is strong. Much love from this Navy SeaBee. I've been binge watching/listening to your channel for the last couple days; love the inter-service jabs.

GT, totally agree that the reflex/magnifier is meant for CQB with range capability and vice versa with a 1-6x. Where would you place an ACOG with a RMR and a specterDR in this spectrum? Because all four approaches are attempting to do CQB and 300 yards +/- at the same time, they belong in the same category.

Your videos are the best on youtube. You make actual reviews based on experience, not just overviews, show the product in use...best tactical channel around, hands down. Really appreciate it. Pls never stop.

You have such a calm and soothing voice. Have you ever thought of narrating children's bed time books?

Lmao, I have totally done that...

5:57 THE DIVISION door closer CONFIRMED!

I’ve struggled with this for years and you’ve shed a lot of light on this topic thankyou

i love rewatching these older videos. such goodness

I am truly blessed to have youtube notify me of your vids.

Imagine a Batman who just delivers 2 in the chest 1 in the head for the bad guys. Cops would be looking for a serial killer.

Very informative and reaffirmed the thoughts I had going into a build I am just starting. I have had minimal experience with red dot / magnifier (only shot a friend of mines a couple times). I have a 1-6x on an AR-15 platform I dedicated to 3 gun but now I’m starting a 300 blackout pistol build and was looking for an idea for optic. Still debating if I want to do just red dot or throw a magnifier on it or not. I enjoy your videos, and yes I see a clear “falling away” from God in society.

LPVOs make sense if the majority of your shooting is mid to long distance shooting. If the majority of your shooting is CQB and mid range distance. A simple red dot with a magnifier is the way better option. Your reaction time is slower at shorter distances with a LPVO and field of view is smaller. Also a red dot and magnifier can still shoot long distance if need be. To each their own. Yet if the majority of shooters were honest with themselves most own one because its another gun industry popular fad. I owned a few LPVOs but always go back to the red dot magnifier combo, mainly I can remove the magnifier if need be with a basic QD setup. Simply a more compact optic setup with a much wider field of view. Yes LPVOs are cool and have their place but every few months they are the latest and greatest thing and next month people are meh about them.

How much did you pay Batman to be in your video, and did you pay extra for him to wear a flannel?

can you enlighten us about the merits of tapco furniture on an SKS thanks I love you

Just like how the military doesn't use just one type of optic set up, they have several for different applications.

I just been rocking the 6X modifier, no red dot. Never been more accurate.

"Every day we stray further from god" I choked on my mint latte lol

Can we all get excited for the T-Shirts?

If you have never used any of the products he references go ahead and smash that like button

One undergraduate degree later: Daddy Thumb has gained 390k subscribers. I'm not crying, you're crying.

YES BATMAN MONTAGE

Brother, you make me laugh every time I hear you start with 'If you ever...." Great job ! Keep up the great work !

Can't we just love both? Low power optic up top, red dot at a 45? My personal fave

Dude, your content got me interested and then your Inter service rivalry humor got me subscribed. My days as a shooting operator ended 40 years ago. But I still stay in touch. Good stuff!

You've embraced your inner Bail. Welcome to the Justice League😈

People always compare Garand Thumb to god. I mean he's great and all, but he's not quite Garand Thumb.

Just a difference in eras and training, not to be negative, and I've trained most of my life, shooting since I was 4yrs old. But more to my point now. I have been training since the the early 80's, retired a couple of years ago, still go to the range and train, also keeping a PT standard. I've tried the new equipment, red dots, low power scopes, and so on. One thing I always go back to is that early training, iron sights and variable power scopes. We learned to point shoot early on, looking over the top of your sights or scopes in match houses, close quartes, I just hate depending on batteries and technology, now I do have a flash on my rifle. We became fairly proficient with this type of shooting, funny thing is, tactics go in and out of style do to arguments or a certain situation that came about, but always end up back at the basics. More to my point I would like to see a return to the basics, technology free training of the aforementioned style be for anything else. Fundamentals, fundamentals, my philosophy is, kiss, keep it simple stupid, train for the worst and pray for the best outcome. I hope this isn't precieved negative, just pointing out the different methodology from different time periods, and some of the concepts date back to WW1. Yall have a good day and God bless🙏

If you do long range shooting and sometimes short get a lpvo. If you do close range shooting and sometimes long get a dot+magnifier.

thanks Papa for another hot bomb of knowledge on anti THOT gear...

puts on batman mask * instantly hits like button*

I think it really is rifle dependent. If it’s meant to be used at shorter ranges, a red dot will always be superior to an LPVO’s 1x. Beyond that LPVO all the way. Me personally I just bought an Elcan for a short barrel build I’m doing because while I would use a red dot/magnifier on it, I’m kinda bad at estimating distance so I appreciate a stadia reticule. I think it’s a good middle ground between the two

The game has changed. Solid 1-10 offerings on the LPVO front and 6 power magnifiers that don't suck.

The thought of a hypothetical Grand Thumb vs Lucas Thotkin gun fight gets me rock hard

Holosun he510c GR+ Holosun 3xmag

I've got an LPVO on my rifle and a reflex + magnifier on my carbine. Right tools for the job.

this inspired me to go from a low powered variable scope to an EOTech with a magnifier in my latest fallout 4 play through. Thanks GT!

Oh, but you get me closer to God....

Careful the T1000 may seek you out....

For me the biggest deciding factor is if I will need a BDC reticle or not. Now there are prism optics and even red dots with much more complex reticles that just a dot, but it’s hard to beat a LPVO with a mil dot grid for really precise shots.

Six years later and I've learned this: Cheaper reflex sights like the Holosun HS510C and its magnifier are great. But if you want an LPVO, the minimum point of entry should be a good one north of $800+. Anything less, and I wouldn't do an LPVO.

At this point I just want to know where you get your flannels from

I think that the trijicon ACOG with a small red dot mounted directly on top is pretty cool. I'd be interested to hear what some people's experience is running that setup?

Just got that G33 since a mall near me price matched Amazon's deal selling it for over $100 cheaper than eotech sells it for on their website. Very excited to take it to the range later today!

I’ve never blinded myself with my weapon light while practicing in the mirror... but I have blinded myself with my unbelievably good looks.

"Omg, he closed the door" I know you got the ref grandthumb

You ever gonna drop a Larry Vickers diss track? 🤔🤔🤔

Old salty Marine and former Marine Corps weapons instructor here. Marines used to be trained to engage targets with a maximum distance of 500 meters, with, "IRON SIGHTs." Yes, use technology to close the gap and let you win battles, but never skimp on basic principles. If your optic is damaged or destroyed, all you have are back-up iron sights. Practice with all of the sighting equipment and options you have. Like I said, use technology, but don't let it be a crutch. You have to be able to shoot with and without high end optics or you are not training to maximize your effectiveness in a fire-fight.

Requesting an updated Video on this top due to the new LPVO's and the dramatic drop in price on Dot / Mag combos. Thanks Flannel man.

I just got my 1x8 vortex scope and the 1x on it is pretty damn nice

Could you possibly do a video on Compensators/muzzle breaks/flash hiders? I've seen you use several in your videos and I currently just have the standard A2 flash hider. I was curious if it would be worth investing in something new and which you prefer. I found one that is a comp/break/hider all in one but not sure if it's worth it. What do you prefer and would recommend?

I love watching your old, outdated videos. It’s like looking into a Time Machine or tasting some finely aged wine.

"if you've ever practiced drawing your hand gun looking at your self in the mirror, and while doing so you've blinded your self with your weapon light.." *raises hand*

I have watched all of your videos and they are very interesting and also help me choose what other gear I should get.

I'm ready to hear about "all that type of stuff"...might put that on a t-shirt...

I think a big thing to consider is. Marine Corp shoot out to 500yds without magnified optics. You have just as much effective range with irons or red dot as the guy with the ACOG or magnifier. I personally conclude that a magnified optic is usually to help with observation, get information on what you're looking at. So the guy leading a team is going to want that advantage the most since they are coordinating.

Hey daddy garand, heres some suggestions you may want to do: - goggles guide (you said you do it in the glasses video) - watch guide - glove guide - specifics of an IFAK - comms setup - field craft survival skills & knots - workout/combat PT guide

He closed the car door, he's in the division!

When batteries run out, your reflex dies and your scope still has a crosshair.

This channel is like fine wine.

Nothing like having a smoke, taking a dump, and watching Garand Thumb. My life is almost complete!

"So, gotcha" hahaha that was the best shit ever!

Dude with all that hand action I almost had a blow out too!

And multi videos back to back .... and now I'm happy

Finally a short garand thumb video

With some experience in both, I find a LPVO a little better. For tons of different engagement distances you’re gonna have the magnification to do so. If you just get a reflex and a magnifier it’s either 1x or what the magnifier is which is normally 4x. So you can either get CLOSE or wide FOV.

Could you do a video comparing scout scopes to regular eye relief scopes. I'm in the market with my mini and I'm deciding what to get

TL;DW Figure out what are your primary and secondary engagement ranges, i.e. Short range, Long Range If Short Range is your primary but you might every now and then need to reach out a little farther, then go Holo/Red Dot + Magnifier If Longer Ranges are your primary but may need to engage in close quarters, then go Low Power Variable Scope. There's also the second and a half option of Fixed/Variable Scope with back up Iron's or Red Dot/Holo

You need to remake this video with new optics. They have both come such a long way.