Here are some of the 7 best prism sights at 1X and higher magnifications.
Shooters with bad astigmatism are finding them more useful with better reticle clarity than red dot sights. In addition, prism sight inherently forces the shooter to center the eye behind the optic to eliminate all parallax shift for more accurate shots.
Let's check them out
1X Prism Sights
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Vortex Spitfire AR - Best Overall 1X
Why Use A Prism Scope? This is by far the best prism scope for AR15 at a decent price. This is for any users with astigmatism, open division shooting competitors, and truck rifle setup without worry about the battery life or the reticle disappearing.
Clear Glass Etched Reticle - See the reticle clearly even if you have astigmatism using the diopter adjustment. It works differently than a red dot!
Better Reticle Centering - 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
Why Pick This One? - The PA 1X prism sight with ACSS Cyclops Gen 2 is by far the best prism sight that features a super intuitive glass etched Chevron tip reticle for moving target.
Shoot Past 100+ Yards - Aim with the sharp Chevron tip as fine as needed for precision shots on big & small targets without blocking it with a dot typically associated with red dot sights
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 estimate the target distance that a 1X red dot can't do. Stupid simple to use!
Moving Target Hold - Get lead on moving target using the edge of the open donut CQB 8.6 mph lead reticle for precise hit
Great For Open Division Competition - Just like the Vortex Spitfire AR, the forgiving eye box constraint forces the shooter to have consistent cheek position for precise long-range accuracy on 1X by reducing parallax offset during a competition match
Illuminated Reticle - See reticle in low light conditions or turn it off
Uses Aimpoint Micro Footprint - Uses any aftermarket Aimpoint Micro mounts you like with various height options
- 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 designed for close range - mid range defensive and training use. The major feature of this sight is the bullet rise compensating optic sighting system already accounted for close range aiming.
Built In MOTAC - The scope will light up to the correct brightness setting with a shaking motion and turn off regarding the function of a timer.
Kill Flash - Comes with lens glare kill flash for use under bright sunlight
No CQB Mechanical Offset Required - Already offset reticle hold for ranges of 5,10, and 15 yards (Just point and shoot) + sub tensions for 50 - 200 yards for 5.56 or 308
Etched Reticle - Reticle doesn't wash out by bright weapon light in low light conditions
Field Grade Glass - Blade’s glass is fully multi-coated for maximum light transmission, anti-reflection, anti-fog, anti-scratch, and hydrophobic performance.
3 Reticle Colors - Pick among Red, Green or Amber
Primary Arms SLX 3X Prism - Best Compact Size
Why Use A Prism Scope? This new PA 3X prism optic is much shorter and compact. It's like a ACOG 3X scope but cheaper and shorter.
Glass Etched Reticle Clarity - It features the awesome ACSS Raptor reticle shooters love. Calibrated for 5.56mm, 308 or 9mm
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
Why Buy the New Spitfire Gen 2? - The Spitfire Gen 2 5X is a much lighter and ~30% more compact 3X prism scope than others on the market with a similar body profile to something like 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
Why Use Trijicon ACOG - The Trijicon ACOG scope is the standard-issue fixed magnification optic for the US military. It's built like a tank to survive any damages that a new 18 yr old military recruit could possibly do, knowing that they don't usually take care of their issued gears. So it's bombproof.
Improved Eye Relief - Unlike the ACOG 4X where the shooter has to get very close to the ocular lens. 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
Bonus: ELCAN SpecterDR 1-4X
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
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As the content creator of badassoptic.com, My background in the firearms industry and shooting sports gives me the experience to recommend tried and true products and keep away subpar ones.