Long eye relief (LER) prism sights are perfect for keeping your eye farther back, which is safer and more comfortable. But not all prism sights are the same.
Here’s a list of 8 great long eye relief prism sights, with their pros, cons, and secrets most people miss!
8 Long Eye Relief Prism Sights
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Vortex Spitfire AR - Best Overall
Eye Relief: 2.8 inches (long enough for most rifles).
Best For: Hunters and casual shooters.
Pros:
- Clear glass: You see targets easily, even in low light.
- Durable: Survives rain, dirt, and bumps.
- Retina Burn reticle: A bright red dot (works day or night).
Cons:
- Heavy: Feels like a brick compared to smaller sights.
- Fixed 3x zoom: Not great for super close targets (like 10 feet away).
What People Miss:
- The reticle has bullet drop marks (BDC), but they only work perfectly with .223/5.56 ammo. If you use other bullets (like .308), you’ll need to test them yourself!
Read Detailed Review Here
Primary Arms SLx Micro Prism ACSS Cyclops - Best Moving Target Reticle
Eye Relief: 4.5 inches (super long!).
Best For: Shotguns, scout rifles, or anyone who hates short eye relief.
Pros:
Huge eye relief: You can mount it way forward on your gun.
Lightweight: Feels like a toy (in a good way).
Chevron reticle: A tiny arrow helps you aim precisely.
Cons:
No zoom: 1x magnification only (like a red dot).
Battery life: Only 10,000 hours (still good, but others last longer).
What People Miss:
The reticle glows red and green, which is awesome if you’re colorblind or hate red dots.
Swampfox Blade - 3rd Best
Magnification: 1x (like a red dot, but better).
Eye Relief: 4.5 inches (super long!).
Best For: Shotguns, PCCs (pistol-caliber carbines), or anyone who hates short eye relief.
Pros
Huge eye relief: Mount it far forward on your gun (great for shotguns or scout rifles).
Lightweight: Feels like a feather compared to most scopes.
Green or Red Circle-Dot Reticle: Choose a glowing circle (like a video game) for fast aiming.
Shake-Awake: Turns on when you move your gun, saves battery.
Cons
No zoom: 1x only (not for long-range shooting).
Pricey: Costs more than some red dots.
Reticle Too Big?: The circle-dot might block tiny targets at 100+ yards.
What People Miss
The reticle’s BDC marks (for bullet drop) are not caliber-specific. They’re just general guides. You need to test them with your ammo!
Primary Arms SLX 3X Prism - Best Compact Size
Magnification: 3x (good for mid-range).
Eye Relief: 2.6 inches (shorter than Swampfox Blade).
Best For: AR-15s, hunting rifles, or shooters who want a budget-friendly scope.
Pros
ACSS Reticle: Has bullet drop marks, wind holds, and range-finding chevrons (like a Swiss Army knife!).
Durable: Survives rain, mud, and being tossed in a truck bed.
Cheap for What You Get: Costs less than $300.
Works with Any Ammo: The ACSS reticle’s marks are in MILs (customize for your bullet).
Cons
Tight Eye Relief: 2.6 inches means you need to press your face closer (risky with heavy-recoil guns).
Heavy: Weighs 17 ounces (not terrible, but not lightweight).
Busy Reticle: The ACSS has lots of marks—can be confusing for new shooters.
What People Miss
The ACSS reticle’s BDC is pre-set for 5.56/.223, but you can use it with any caliber if you reprogram your brain (or use a ballistic calculator).
The chevron (▼) tip is precise for small targets (like a squirrel’s head at 100 yards).
Vortex Gen 2 Spitfire 5X - Best Hybrid Prism Scope
- Magnification: 5x (fixed zoom).
- Eye Relief: 2.8 inches (good for rifles, not shotguns).
- Reticle: EBR-556B (bullet drop marks for .223/5.56).
- Battery Life: Up to 300 hours (average).
Pros
Great for Mid-Range Shooting:
- The 5x zoom lets you see targets clearly at 300-500 yards.
- Perfect for hunting deer or shooting steel plates.
Tough and Reliable:
- Waterproof, fog-proof, and built like a tank.
- Vortex’s VIP warranty covers any damage (even if you drop it off a cliff!).
BDC Reticle Made Simple:
- The reticle has bullet drop marks (labeled 2-10) for .223/5.56 ammo.
- Example: If your target is 400 yards, hold the “4” mark.
Bright Red/Green Dot:
- The reticle glows bright red or green (12 settings). Works great in daylight.
Good for Aging Eyes:
- The etched reticle stays visible even if the battery dies (no more panic!).
Cons
- Fixed 5x Magnification:Hard to use for close-up targets (like 25 yards). You’ll need a backup red dot.
- BDC Isn’t Perfect:The bullet drop marks only work well with 55-grain .223 ammo. If you use heavier bullets (like 77-grain), the marks will lie to you!
The Eyebox is Tricky: You need to line up your eye perfectly behind the scope. If your head is too far left/right, the image gets dark (like looking through a toilet paper tube).
Trijicon ACOG TA44C - Best Durability
Eye Relief: 4.5 inches.
Best For: Pros who want the best (and have $$$).
Pros:
Trijicon tough: Survives wars, hurricanes, and being run over by trucks.
Fiber optic + tritium: Bright reticle with no batteries (works day or night).
Lightweight: Looks heavy but it feels like a feather.
Cons:
Crazy expensive: Costs more than some guns!
Fixed 1.5x zoom: Not great for long shots.
What People Miss:
The reticle is designed for .308 bullets, but you can still use it with other ammo if you practice your holds.
Eye Relief: 2.75 inches.
Best For: AR-15 fans and 3-gun competitions.
Pros:
Ballistic AR reticle: Has marks for wind and bullet drop (works with .223 ammo).
No batteries needed: The etched reticle stays visible even if the battery dies.
Affordable: Cheaper than most prism sights.
Cons:
Blurry edges: The glass isn’t perfect at the edges.
Short eye relief: 2.75 inches is okay, but not great for heavy-recoil guns.
What People Miss:
The “AR” in the name doesn’t mean it only works on AR-15s! You can mount it on shotguns or hunting rifles too.
Sig Sauer Bravo 5 5X Prism Scope - Discountinued
Eye Relief: 3.5 inches.
Best For: Long-range shooters on a budget.
Pros:
5x zoom: See tiny targets far away.
Battery lasts forever: 10+ years on one battery!
HoloSun style reticle: Has bullet drop marks and wind dots. No need to calculate DOPE or MOA drop
Cons:
Heavy and bulky: Feels like carrying a soda can on your gun.
Tricky eyebox: You need to line up your eye perfectly.
What People Miss:
The reticle’s wind marks are set for 10 mph wind. If the wind is stronger or weaker, you have to do math!