By Jeff Johnston, FE Hunting & Shooting Editor
In my opinion, there are at least five types of optics all of us need: A tough-as-nails red-dot sight like Aimpoint’s ACRO P-2 for everything from pistols, short-range carbines, and shotguns; a reasonably sized, variable-magnification scope for the majority of hunting rifles—something like Leupold’s VX3 4.5-14×40; a full-fledged precision target scope like a Mark 5HD 5-25×56 or a dozen others; a thermal optic like Trijicon’s REAP IR to dominate the night; and a do-all, illuminated reticle, LPVO like EOTECH’s Vudu 1-10×28. It’s perhaps the last one that’s least understood, so I’ll focus on it now.
I find myself in the following conundrum often: I have a high-end AR that I love, but is the red-dot on it going to be enough if I’m faced with a shot over 100 yards? Sure I know it’s doubtful that I’d ever have to use my home defense gun for a longer-range shot—but it’s not impossible. Law enforcement personnel, especially, must consider this scenario often. Or maybe I want to take my AR coyote or hog hunting, but I know that if I do, as sure as shit I’ll see an ole yote across a field at 400. But who wants a big-ass hunting scope on their AR? Not me.
Some guys have solved the problem by choosing an Aimpoint or EOTECH red dot and adding a magnifier to it. This works, but I don’t think it’s the best choice on the longer range because most only magnify by three power; and introducing two additional air-to-glass lenses into an optical system creates more light-robbing reflection as well as opportunities for accuracy-killing parallax.
EOTECH’s Vudu 1-10×28 is the answer to those problems. With its illuminated, reticle-within-a-reticle system, I believe it is perhaps the single most versatile gun optic ever made. (While there are many companies that make 1-6X scopes such as Leupold, not many make 1-8X or 1-10X versions. I know Vortex offers a 1-10X illuminated model, but at $3200, I think it’s way over-priced for any Jap-made optic. Trijicon just introduced one, but I haven’t tested it yet.)
The reason none of them are cheap is because manufacturing a quality one is very difficult. They require long erector systems due to the wide magnification ranges, and because lenses are designed to magnify, making a non-magnified 1X version requires inserting some lenses that cancel out the others on the low end. (This is why many more companies offer 1.5X models.) Then all those lenses must be precisely aligned, polished, and coated or else resolution and light transmission goes to hell. So it’s a very costly, time-consuming process. And this fact alone kills their sellability among the masses, and that’s the main reason more makers don’t produce them. In sum, these types of scopes are not all that popular, but I’m arguing they should be.
The reason why this EOTECH is so versatile is due to its (relatively) compact size, its magnification range, and its reticle system. It’s a first-focal-plane (FFP) reticle, so it gets larger in relation to the shooter’s perception as magnification increases. (This also means that it always stays exactly the same size in relation to the target as magnification is adjusted.) The reticle that EOTECH designed was brilliant: At 1X, the entire illuminated reticle is visible. It looks like a circle around a small middle dot—similar to many reticles found on red-dot sights meant for close and quick CQB work. But as the power is increased, the reticle zooms toward the eye, causing the outer ring to vanish from view and the once-too-small-to-see hold-over points and wind hashes of the inner reticle to become visible. In this way, with the illuminated reticle on, and the scope dialed to 1X, it can be used with both eyes open just like any red-dot sight. But with the power cranked up, the reticle can be used for accurate long-range shooting as needed. I’m not sure about you, but 10X is enough power for 95 percent of my needs. I don’t think there’s a better option available for a dangerous game that might be trying to gore your guts out or might be standing at 250 yards, especially considering that the reticle is etched so it’s not dependent on batteries to be usable.
The illumination controls in itself are very intuitive. Rather than featuring one button that must be held, double pressed or whatever, the Vudu features three waterproof buttons on the left turret; the top one turns the unit on and off, leaving it at the last brightness setting. The near button makes the reticle brighter; the far button dims it. It auto-offs after two hours. It’s perfect, if you ask me. Concerning reticle adjustments, it’s got an exposed target-style elevation turret and a covered windage turret, both featuring hand-adjustable dials with solid ¼-minute clicks. Thankfully, the elevation dial requires popping up to make adjustments. Both feature zero stops.
Although this optic isn’t small compared to a typical red dot, it is compared to most traditional 10x scopes at 21 ounces. The 1-10×28 model has a 34mm tube, so it requires 34mm rings; if you’d rather have a less bulky 30mm tube, the company makes a 1-6×24 with a FFP reticle and a 1-8×24 SFP. The 1-10X isn’t cheap, but I can almost promise you it will become your favorite optic if you put it on a gun that you either use often or bet your life on—or both.
Cost: $1570
Pros: the most versatile optic ever made; illuminated reticle at 1X is perfect for CQB/dangerous game; at 10X it’s good on most hunting rifles; simple illumination controls; dual-use, reticle-in-reticle system
Cons: 34mm tube requires special 34mm mounts;
