Here are the top 7 best prism sights with 1X magnification and more.
Shooters with astigmatism prefer them because they offer clearer reticles than red dot sights. Prism sights help shooters center their eye for accurate shots without parallax issues.
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Best Prism Sights
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Vortex Spitfire AR - Best Overall
The Vortex Spitfire AR is the top prism scope for AR15 at an affordable price. It's perfect for those with astigmatism, open division shooting competitors, and those setting up a truck rifle without concerns about battery life or the reticle fading.
Clear Glass Etched Reticle - The shooter can see the reticle clearly even if they have astigmatism using the diopter adjustment.
Better Reticle Centering - The eye box constraint forces the shooter to have consistent cheek position for precise long-distance shots up to 700 yards on 1X by reducing parallax offset
Works Without Battery - The laser glass etched reticle is always there without battery power during daylight use.
Illuminated DRT Reticle - See reticle in low light conditions and acquires the DRT circular reticle like a red dot fast
- Magnification: 1X
- Objective Lens: 25mm
- Eye Relief: 3.8"
- Reticle Type: DRT MOA
- Battery: AAA
- Turret : 0.5 MOA / Click
- Length: 4.3 inches
- Weight: 11.2 oz
Read Detailed Review Here
Primary Arms SLx Micro Prism ACSS Cyclops - Best Moving Target Reticle
The Primary Arms 1X prism sight with ACSS Cyclops Gen 2 is by far the best prism sight that features a fine aiming tip with a target ranging scale. This is a fantastic optic, especially for its price. The etched reticle works well for those with astigmatism.
Unlike other Chevrons, this one isn't blurry. The 1X view is similar to what you'd find on an LVPO, and it's different from an Aimpoint since it requires specific eye relief. The ACOG base feels right when you hold it, and the optic feels sturdier and heavier than what most people have anticipated.
Shoot Past 100+ Yards - Use the sharp Chevron tip for precise aiming at both large and small targets without the obstruction of the reticle. The illumination is clear, and the Chevron design is sharp and distinct.
Works For Various Ammo Type - Use the ACSS reticle as a universal caliber BDC aiming point for 5.56, 308, 5.45, 300AAC and 7.62X39
Ranging Scale - Easily gauge the target's distance, something a 1X red dot can't achieve. It's incredibly simple to use
Moving Target Hold - For moving targets, use the edge of the open donut CQB reticle, which provides an 8.6 mph lead, to accurately hit your target.
Great For Open Division Competition - The forgiving eye box ensures shooters maintain a consistent cheek position. This enhances long-range accuracy on 1X by minimizing parallax errors during a competition.
Illuminated Reticle - See reticle in low light conditions or turn it off
- Magnification: 1X
- Eye Relief: 3.7"
- Reticle Type: ACSS Cyclops
- Battery: CR2032 3V
- Turret : 0.5 MOA / Click
- Length: 4.3 inches
- Weight: 9.7 oz
Swampfox Blade - 3rd Best
This 1X25mm prism scope is made for short to mid-range defense and training. Its main feature is the built-in system that compensates for bullet rise, making close-range aiming more accurate.
Built In MOTAC - The scope automatically adjusts to the right brightness when shaken and turns off based on a built in timer.
Kill Flash - Comes with lens glare kill flash for use under bright sunlight
No CQB Mechanical Offset Required - The reticle is pre-set for distances of 5, 10, and 15 yards (just aim and fire). It also has markings for 50 to 200 yards, suitable for 5.56 or 308 rounds.
Etched Reticle - The reticle remains clear and doesn't fade when exposed to a bright weapon light in dim settings
Field Grade Glass - The Blade's lens has multiple coatings for the best light passage, reduced glare, fog resistance, scratch protection, and water repellency.
3 Reticle Colors - Pick among Red, Green or Amber
Primary Arms SLX 3X Prism - Best Compact Size
The new Primary Arms 3X prism optic is much shorter and compact. It's like a ACOG 3X scope but cheaper and shorter.
The construction of this scope is very sturdy and durable. The mounting hardware is stable. I used to have a red dot with a rear aperture cowitness, and the eye-box/eye relief of this scope fits my usual aiming stance. It only becomes a bit tricky when shooting from unusual angles.
The illumination is bright enough for most conditions, but in very bright light, the non-lit reticle is sharp and easy to use.
Glass Etched Reticle Clarity - The reticle is excellent, and the updated chevron design is better than the older version. The chevron measures about 1.75 moa in height and 2.25 in width, helping achieve accurate shots between 50-200 yards.
No Battery Required - Reticle stays on without battery
AutoLive - Motion sensor activates reticle illumination under low light if needed
NV Compatible - This optic has 3 different NV-compatible settings
- Magnification: 3X
- Objective Lens: 24mm
- Reticle Type: ACSS Raptor
- Eye Relief: 2.7"
- Turret : 0.25 / click
- Weight: 9.95 oz
Vortex Gen 2 Spitfire 5X - Best Hybrid Prism Scope
The Spitfire Gen 2 5X is lighter and about 30% smaller than other 3X prism scopes available. Its design is similar to the Trijicon MRO.
650 Yards Enabled - Shoot up to 650 yards with holdover points at 5X magnification using illuminated AR-BDC4 reticle with 5.56 calibrated wind dot.
Bigger Eye Box - Get behind the sight fast with a lot of room to shift the eye inside the eye box without seeing tight scope shadow
Piggyback Red Dot - Add a 1X red dot on top of the scope to transition from magnified view to 1X. Only available for the 5X model.
Uses Aimpoint Micro Footprint - Just like the Primary Arms Slx 1X
Features:
- Magnification: 5X
- Objective Lens: 25mm
- Eye Relief: 2.7"
- Reticle Type: AR BDC 4
- Turret : 1 MOA / Click
- Length: 3.6 inches
- Weight: 10.3 oz
Trijicon ACOG 3.5X - Best Durability
The ACOG 3.5X is a top-notch prism scope. The clarity of its glass is unparalleled for its price. Even though it doesn't have adjustable zoom, it's still versatile. Using the bindon aiming concept (viewing with both eyes open) makes it suitable for close-quarter battles (CQB).
For CQB, adding a Trijicon RMR on top is the way to go. Some might complain about the fixed magnification, but many shooters see it as a strength. Fewer moving parts make the ACOG one of the most reliable and battle-proven optics ever used. A non-variable optic is simpler and durable.
Improved Eye Relief - The 3.5X model gives more eye relief distance for better cheek position.
Tighter Shot Groups - Aim with the Chevron tip as fine as your eyesight allows is as fine as you can zero the sight without a minute of angle
Various Reticle Options - Tons of fast aiming reticles to pick from. We recommend the ACSS reticle for fast ranging and target acquisition.
Daylight Reticle Illumination - Fiber optics illuminates the reticle even in low light conditions as long as it's not completely dark.
Aim Both Eyes Open - Trijicon's Bindon Aiming Concept allows shooters to aim with both eyes open for improved situational awareness.
- Magnification: 3.5X
- Objective Lens: 35mm
- Eye Relief: 2.39"
- Reticle Type: TA11 BDC
- Turret : 0.33 MOA / Click
- Length: 8 inches
- Weight: 14 oz
Built Like A Tank - Raytheon Technology built the ELCAN for the warfighters in the field as tough as their aerospace defense weapon systems to win fights. It survives drop, kick, bump, shear and other physical abuses to retain zero.
Dual Role Missions - Shoot like a red dot on 1X with generous eye box and 4X for Target ID, all in one package
1-4X Instantly - Skip 2X and 3X that shooters don't need anyway. Just flip the magnification between 1X and 4X prism scopes like a switch.
BDC Reticle - Calibrated for the NATO 5.56 up to effective 1000 yards (100 yd zero) with fast ranging scale to estimate target distance without a rangefinder
Clear Glass & Large FOV - On 4X feels like looking at the target on a 50" TV through the scope right in front of the eye.
Features:
- Magnification: 1-4X
- Objective Lens: 32mm
- Eye Relief: 2.75"
- Reticle Type: 5.56 BDC
- Turret : 0.5/ Click
- Length: 6.02 inches
- Weight: 23.2 oz