What are Red Dot Magnifiers Really For? 

Magnifiers are also useful because you can detach them quickly to look at cats closely

In my experience through thousands of hours and many reps and drills, ive found that magnifiers are very usefull for magnifying the image so that you can see more far away.

I like magnifiers because they stack. I run four 5x magnifiers inline to hit a cool 625x for long range. Works great with an EXPS3.0. I like the flexibility of running 125x or 5x too, though I don't really have a use case for the 25x mode. Good video.

Romeo 8T with a Magnifier must feel like having a USS enterprise on the rifle

I'm proud of you, Hop. Putting that EOTech behind the SIG is a great first step to overcoming Compulsive Brand Matching Disorder (CBMD)

I actually like the 6x for one specific use case. They’re great for zeroing red dots.

I remember the first time i saw one was in Modern Warfare 3, the first mission Black Tuesday. It was CRAZY to me that you could go from wide view red dot to magnified like the Acog from the last game. To think one day id be able to have them on my OWN rifle? Couldnt even imagine it as a kid.

The future is tiny little windshield wipers for all the lenses in the rain. Patent pending!

Honestly the most overlooked feature is that you can focus your dot to your eye.

As someone who ran a magnifier and eotech for a long time I have always treated it as easier to slap a target a 200 while keeping the holo for closer in rangers (200 is about the longest shot I can find being a east coaster)

Would be good if you did a segment on best to worst (or maybe just mediocre) magnifiers, mounting solutions, configurations, etc.

The majority of people truly run a red dot magnifier because they have 20/70 vision from sitting in front of their PC hopped up on 2 liters of diet coke and angrily destroying their keyboard on internet forums and shopping for Amazon Special accessories

A few notes on Magnifiers. - if you have a red dot on an AR/AK there is almost no excuse for not having a magnifier. A big part of “combat” is just sitting around “Pulling security” and “observing.” A magnifier allows you to do that better. You will go from “hey theres a dude out there” to “1 enemy pax wearing x carrying xx.” It helps with PID. I used to just run a dot and until i saw this real world. Now my personal or work guns all have some form of magnification. -Zeroing, Hop is correct that magnifiers do not require a formal zero. However, zero you dot, center the dot in magnifier, and then I like to shoot a confirmation group with the magnifier. -the quick detach is nice for when you need to look at something and dont want to point your gun at them. If you dont have one. Seriously consider it. The G33 and micro 3x by vortex are nice

I had an Eotech magnifier setup while overseas. I mainly kept it in a pouch on my PC, but I really enjoyed the setup when actually running it. It helps with keeping identifying and engaging targets throw little cracks and murderholes at closer distances.

This is finally the video about magnifiers that the world needed, from someone who has actual perspective on the many offerings and actually used them. Invaluable.

Romeo 8T with Unity FAST riser absolute cowitness and magnifier: when you want to PR curls while also crushing on the 100 yd flat range.

Having 4 lenses in Alaska turned out to be a major downside. Not only is it more glass to accidently fog when you breath near them, but when you start playing in the snow you spend more time trying to clear them than shooting.

There’s a trick to not bumping stuff with your nods called the lower 1/3rd for your night vision. Basically you move the tubes up on your eyes so your eyes are looking through the bottom portion of your tubes. This allows you to avoid the optics bumps more easily and also puts the tubes in a position where you can easily see your surroundings through your regular vision. Once I learned this night vision stuff became so much easier

This is the best most informative video on red dot magnifier combos I’ve seen thank you very much Hop! 👏

Now that is a good RU-vid video. A well written script, a well spoken person speaking, and concise information delivered in a bite-sized chunk that passes on good stuff quickly and efficiently. There was even a bit of humor in it. Great job.

You make great videos and this is in the top 3. The rational behinfd the magnifier is spot on and is an excellent source of info.

Solid video. Spot on about actual real-world uses for a magnifier. People brag about shooting a bright white target the size of a truck door placed in front of a perfect green background that doesn't move and think they will be able to engage targets past 300.

Hey, @Hoplopfheil! Good topic! Also, two good points you covered that have plagued me: co-witnessing both red dots and magnifiers and matching manufactures of both red dots and magnifiers. Covering those two issues helped me.

11:03 is where I benefited most from this video! THANK YOU FOR MIX MATCHING MAGNIFIERS TO (at the very least 1) DIFFERENT OPTIC!!

The RAIN. I never thought about the rain experience. I'm from Florida, and it thunderstorms every afternoon around 4. every. day. without question. thank you for that bit.

A: for IG clout

Thanks for providing the anecdotal evidence to further support my seemingly fringe and uncharacteristic opinions on gear choices

I love your explanation of magnifiers. I tried looking everywhere else we’re good information but you’re all facts Speaking clear and concise no bullshit

4:53 I've had a good experience with the Eotech G45 5x/unity mount combo. Clarity is excellent. Eye box is slightly less forgiving compared to the 3x. This isn't a problem for me; the holographic sight works very well out to 300. And if I'm spotting or reaching out to 4-600 then the time to target aquisition isn't as important as target ID and shot placement. This makes it a great in- conjunction- with tool to pair with your holographic sight to maximize your hit rate out to 600.

Holosun 503g ACSS with Holosun 3X magnifier is still my go to. Probably can get them both for $450-$500.

Fantastic overview as always. Thank you!

Excellent!!! Thank you man. This is the stuff we love

Hop vid on the pooper = great monday

I am from the old Marine Corps guard, pre-ACOG, got out in 2004. One of my MOSs was PMI (Primary Marksmanship Instructor). Marines, other than Recon, Force Recon, MARSOC, Scout/Snipers, throughout our history ONLY ever used iron sights. Our KD course went from 200 to 500 yards. Generally Marines are very good riflemen, at least the old Marine guard was with just iron sights. I am not saying there is a right or wrong optics set-up. I am only highlighting that I think too many people skip leg day when it comes to shooting with iron sights or a red dot at distances we Marines, other military branches, and private citizens used to regularly shoot at. LPVO have become a crutch IMO, not saying don't use them, I am saying don't disadvantage yourselves by ONLY running the envogue LPVO set-ups only. Train with all of the optical options you have on your rifles. Ask yourselves this, If you have back-up iron sights do you train regularly with them as much you many of yo shoot with LPVOs?? And yes, Hop is absolutely right about also training beyond KD. 👍

Great video bro, love the knowledge and I learned something today.

Out of the videos that Hop has made, this is definitely one of them.

I started off with the Primary Arms 3x magnifier and the Holosun 503g (chevron plus three dots) thinking I'd upgrade later, but I never needed to. Strelok says that will get me to 525yd with my 14.5" in 55gr and a 50yd zero. The magnifier is good for better seeing the dots, plus all the other stuff Hop said. I noticed the S&W M&P 15-22 in the video, and my wife has that with the same optics combo (3x and 503g). That might be the best use of the setup, to get a .22 out to 175yd on the reticle.

The secret meta is that the holosun 403 with the acss has the same mount height as a t2 so when you mount it in a flip to center setup it actually all lines up instead of the red dot standing proud like the other t2 clones. The bdc also track 9mm really well from close to far with a 25yrd zero in my use

Thorough, good quality and helpful. Thank you

I won a very budget monstrum dot and magnifier combo. My first set up as such. Been training with it and definitely see the advantage and uses.

Really like the Juliet 4 magnifier personally. Works great on my setup for my intended use case, but I think it’s important that everyone carefully consider their intended use case and their own capabilities before deciding on an optics system as that lets you make the best decision for what you’ll need it for.

I have a 6x magnifier and completely agree with you. I just have it because it's fun to mess around with, not because it's practical. I just think they are neat

very useful and practical video Hop....thanks for the info

Excellent info. Well done hop.

If I see the phrase “use case” in the comments section one more time, I’m gonna tell all your moms that you’re up past your bedtime.

Great intel. What I would really like to know is when is it best to go with a LPVO vs a Red Dot & Magnifier vs a MPVO with a red dot.

Awesome. This is how you make a video like this. knowledgable, efficient, perfect. thank you.

9:41 I've found the Larue RISR to help in this greatly. Even without the magnifier a cheek riser is a significant aid in getting behind a tall dot quickly and consistently

I have Eotech G45 and the 5x doesnt bother me at all. I think the eyebox is ok for a magnifier. The eyebox on all magnifiers leaves something to be desired so between the 3's and 5's we are sort of splitting hairs. The 3'x may be better but by how much? Is it worth the extra magnification? Questions you have to answer for yourself. I will say the Eotech 5's are much better than the Juliet 5's as far as eye box - clarity is night and day. Eotech 5's are also better than the Juliet 4's from my experience. With that said I have looked behind a 6x and to me - just my opinion - the disparity in usability between the Vortex 6x and the Eotech 5x was vast. The 6 was hard to stay behind. I like the extra magnification when needed and if you are trying to be more precise than hitting man size target the magnification really helps.

Hop and Mountains Mullets Merica have the most useful info presented in the most digestible way and it aint even close

Ive been rocking an exps3-2 with the primary arms ranging magnifier on my 300blk in the 2.26 config and honestly its been doing really well. Im probably going to get the 4xt for my 11.5 whenever they become available again, and mount that in the 2.26 height as well. Then Ill just swap the magnifier between the two.

Another solid vid Hop. Thanks. I'm a huge 36y zero fan.

I'm mildly far-sighted and never wear glasses. Dots always seem the tiniest bit fuzzy. Not enough to matter inside 200 yards. Past that, the clarity provided by a 3x is a noticeable upgrade. It's really just adding to your ability to PID targets and make slightly more precise hits. I disagree with Hop on 5x magnifiers with one caveat. I borrowed one from a friend, and it felt like cheating compared to the 3x. I did also grow up hunting with a variable power scope that was 4.5x at the bottom end, so I got pretty good at quickly finding targets with a narrower FOV. It's a trainable downside, but only a slight disadvantage. Honestly, it's a good trade-off if you're already good at making expedient hits to 150-200 without magnification.

Good explanation, magnifier doesn't allow you to shoot farther, it allows you to see what you are shooting better. I disagree with FTC though because I gave up on passive night vision aiming, I prefer to just use my laser as needed and since I'm mainly focused on CQB it works. Any long shots at night and I'm using my thermal scope.

Bro! Lots of useful info in such a short bideo

This entire video just makes me happy i went with a canted setup. 5x prism with a canted red dot does so much for most people

I don't have any issues with my G33 with the Unity FTC mount when it is stowed away in the center and I want to passively aim with my NODs and same with my ACOG TA-110 with a piggybacked ACRO P2. Maybe it has to do with your stock placement on your AR, I have mine fully extended out on a standard buffer tube.

I've found that, asthetics aside, precise vertical alignment between red dot and magnifier isn't necessary. Like more than a half inch off didn't change parallax or usability. And furthermore, magnifiers visually clean up red dots that look wonky due to my astigmatism. I set the diopter, put a strip of gaffer tape on it, and it's crisp dot reticles forever.

Thanks Hop the videos help a lot I appreciate you

so much truth in this video, from realistic target visibility to aiming and light stuff getting in the way of NODS, to crap getting wet, dirty dusty and losing vision. all stuff only embraced in the field.

The big advantage is you can completely take off the magnifier and have an ultra light rifle, while not worried about losing zero etc. so those new microprisms are sexy but even though they come in with a piggyback red dot at lighter than a red dot magnifier combo, you can still make the red dot mag combo lighter by taking off the magnifier completely if not needed for the mission. Yes the prism does have better reticles and etched no battery etc.

Holosun HM3x 1/3 spacer height lines up fine with Sig micro red dots on Scalarworks 1/3 mount. Just a data point. (Btw Holosun is the OEM for Chinese Sig dots, so this is substantially compliant with the “don’t mix makers” axiom, for those who care.)

Great info man. Well researched video.

Just got my second magnifier set up. The 1st one was free and man it sucked I’m hoping this next one is better. Great vid sir!

feel like we need a follow up to this about why some red dots work and don't work with magnifiers. I know you have touched on this with emitter location in some of your videos.

Man it's hard to find people that actually know what they're talking about and make good points. Subscribed. I admit I like my LVPO for various situations but I can't help but love my EoTech and 3X. For SHTF, in my area I don't need a 1-6X but it sure is nicer on the range!

Good video, I run exps3 and g33, very nice setup. I don’t run a riser but I take off the magnifier when using nv anyway because I’m just not going to use the magnifier at night anyway

I have a T2 and EOTech 5x magnifier both with unity 2.26 mounts on my 300 blackout. It looks good and feels right. I must have a skinny, long face, because I never feel like I get a good chic weld with most lower mounts. I am always fighting the stock with my ear pro. I am a relatively inexperienced shooter, but that is just what is comfortable for me. Thank you for the thought intriguing video!

The thing is most of my shooting is up close and I don't want to deal with eyebox unless I really need it. So lvpo acogs, etc are no go

@Hop you should check out the Trijicon 3x magnifier. Can buy it separately from the MRO and is the best magnifier IMO.

Those shots ringing across the mountainside👌

As always, great content

The circle on a circle-dot can be used as a rangefinder - but it's really only effective to about 400yd. Maybe more if you have the additional drop dots - maybe. That's the whole reason they make them 68 moa.

I always wondered how useful these 5x & 6x magnifiers are, nice of Hop to confirm my suspicions so I don't have to try it with my own money.

your point on "flip-to-center" getting in the way of NODs is super true. BUT...When nods come out of my pouch on my kit to go on my head, the quick release of the magnifier takes off the magnifier and goes in my nods pouch with the moon is out. So, good way to run a flip to center when the sun goes down and nods go on

Thanks Hop. Keep making the videos bud.

One interesting thing about the G45 magnifier + Exps models is that you can set it up for absolute cowitness height but it still works with the 1/3 cowitness eotech because of the large window size. Makes the magnifier more flush with the exps and it doesn't catch on stuff as easily.

I hoping primary arms or Holosun makes a micro 4x with some ranging or wind and mover holds built in

Nice video. I noted that you had measured and entered the height above bore of your setup for the ballistics printout. You could mention that in the future. It is real important.

I have a pa md25 acss with the pa 3x acss magnifer, i did this bc i wanted as close to an acog as i could get with a rds mag combo and so far im pretty satisfied with it

The argument for a lower power magnifier makes a lot of sense but in my case, I paired a G45.STS with an EXPS3-4 and have been really happy with it especially for pushing maximum range. After shooting this combo for a while now, it feels very natural and now when I pick up a 3X magnifier with an EXPS3, it feels really weird to me. Still usable, but weird. Like most things, I think it has a lot to do with what you get accustomed to.

Holy shit a HopLop video where I completely agree? I think I must be having a stroke

Great info, thanks man

I run a T2 on a Scalarworks 1/3 with the Vortex mini 3x which aligns perfectly. It's a small, lightweight setup for my lightweight AR. In my professional experience, carbines are carried a lot and shot little so the lightest setup works best for me. I feel very confident out to 300 and can push further if need be.

Magnifier stonks 📈

Rds magnifier combo stays winning

Excellent Video keep them coming

EXPS3 With Micro Triplier is my favorite setup for 300Y and in . I run 2 Rigs . One listed above and the other is TA31CH-G ACOG with offset MRDS. I use my EXPS3 with Micro 3x all the time in 2Gun matches . I have 0 issues hitting reduced C zone target at 300Y . It will take 2 or 3 rounds to hit 8" plate at 300Y . Sometimes I can get it on first shot . I'm using YHM 1/2" Full Flat Top Riser . I'm also using IRREGULARS FEER BCM SOPMOD 0.5 Cheek Riser . I do not have issues picking up the 3x . I do not run NV . I just have long neck lol..

Something you didn't mention (and this is a VERY small detail, I know) was that putting a magnifier behind an Eotech isn't quite the same as putting one behind a red dot. With a red dot, the dot is also magnified. With an Eotech, the dot stays the same size - which means it practically goes from a 1 MOA dot to a 1/3 MOA dot that allows for more precise aiming (if using a 3x magnifier).

Why to see the back of your D2 better of course.

My man! Killer video, so many real life pros and cons in this video. Take notes fellas.

Deltathirtyfour did a great job on the best zero great video bub keepem comin!!!!I love my Eotech Exps3-2 very handy for ranging as well!!!

So, is there a reason to use a magnifier if you don't have NV?

I can't wait for variable magnifiers to be a thing.

Man I watch your videos ON SIGHT!

I've been running romeo3 with Juliette3 for about 8 years. Great setup.

Totally agree - getting hits with a red dot is pretty easy out to about 200. The 3x really helps with precision from 200-300. Depending on why you carry a rifle, it’s probably not often you are going to have a target present well enough past 400 that holdover red dots and a 6x are going to work very well… Use an lpvo if you are really going to be shooting past 300.

Can I get your take on the g45? Is it really that much harder to get behind than the g33? Was planning to pick one up for my 14.5 build but I've only used g33 in the past, so I'm wondering if I should just stick with that

Honestly, I didn't know a lot of this, thank you.

Having a small waterproof veil is an absolute must for shooting in rain with any optics setup but definitely with this one.