Today, we’ll look at the best prism scopes. Optics technology is ever changing, and prism scopes have become the latest trend in the hearts of many gun enthusiasts. The scopes are super easy to use and feature unique performance capabilities, justifying their increased fame.
There is a considerable variety of prism scopes, and choosing the best one for your needs can be overwhelming. We are here to help. We have put together the best prism scopes to make your selection process less overwhelming.
A prism scope is a fantastic choice whether you have astigmatism or simply need a compact optic.
What Is a Prism Scope?
A prism scope uses a prism to direct light and magnify objects, unlike conventional scopes that use lenses to magnify the object you’re looking at.
Prism scopes provide unique advantages, which we’ll highlight here. But first, let’s go through the top options to help you choose the correct one for your needs.
Best Prism Scopes
1) Vortex Spitfire AR 1x Prism Scope
The Vortex Spitfire AR 1x Prism Scope is a high-performance optic designed for rapid, accurate target acquisition in various shooting scenarios. This advanced scope features a fully multi-coated lens system, ensuring maximum light transmission and superior clarity, even in low-light conditions.
As one of the best prism scopes, the Spitfire features a prism-based design, which offers a compact and robust optical system, delivering a sharp, clear sight picture with a wide field of view.
The scope has adjustable brightness settings, allowing users to customize the reticle illumination for optimal visibility in any lighting condition.
One of the Vortex Spitfire AR’s incredible features is its parallax-free operation, which ensures that the point of aim remains consistent regardless of eye position. This makes it easier for shooters to quickly and accurately engage targets without worrying about parallax error.
It is constructed from a single-piece chassis, which allows it to withstand the harsh environments encountered when hunting or shooting. It is also waterproof, fogproof, and shockproof, ensuring reliable performance in demanding environments and adverse weather conditions.
The hard-anodized finish adds an extra layer of durability, protecting the scope from scratches and corrosion while maintaining a sleek, low-profile appearance.
Features
- DRT reticle etched on the prism
- Fully multi-coated lenses
- A standard AAA battery illuminates the reticle
- Waterproof, fogproof, and shockproof
- Aluminum alloy chassis
- Hard anodized matte finish
- Weighs 11.2 oz
- Prism-based design
- Parallax free
- Enclosed emitter
- 25mm objective lens diameter
- 5 illumination settings
Pros
- Lightweight and compact
- Rugged build
- Convenient and easy to manipulate
- Very clear glass
Cons
- No quick-release mount
2) Swampfox Blade 1x25mm Prism Scope
The Swampfox Blade 1x25mm prism scope is an excellent option for those with astigmatism or those who experience issues when using red dot sights. This tiny 1x prism scope drastically increases your target acquisition speed, allowing you to react appropriately and accurately.
The scope brings to the table an advanced Auto-on Shake n Wake system, which automatically powers up with minimal movement, ensuring your sight is always ready when you are.
The scope’s bullet rise compensating reticle is specifically engineered to provide precise holdovers, aiding in accurate shot placement over varying distances. This reticle is available in three vibrant colors: green, red, and amber. Shooters can choose the optimal contrast for their environment and personal preference.
Thanks to its remarkable battery life of up to 3,000 hours, this best prism scope ensures long-lasting performance without frequent battery changes. Its premium glass lenses deliver exceptional clarity and brightness, providing a crisp sight picture that enhances target acquisition and engagement.
It is built to endure harsh conditions with a rugged construction designed to withstand the rigors of heavy use. Whether you’re in the range or the field, this scope is engineered to perform reliably, providing durability and resilience against impacts and harsh environments.
Features
- The reticle illuminates in red, green, or amber
- Enclosed emitter
- 8 inches of eye relief
- Fully multi-coated lenses
- Waterproof, fogproof, and shockproof
- CQB reticle
- LED illumination
- 25mm objective lens diameter
- Auto-on shake n wake system
- The battery lasts up to 30,000 hours
- Matte finish
- 12 brightness settings
- 5 MOA adjustment click value
Pros
- Easy to use
- Decent eye relief
- Well built
- Auto-on feature
Cons
- Heavy
3) Barska 3x30mm Pro Prism Scope
The Barska 3x30mm Pro Prism Scope is the next contender for the best prism scopes. This precision optic is designed to enhance targeting speed and accuracy for shooters of all levels.
It is tailored with an illuminated cross dot reticle, which allows for quick and pin-point targeting. The reticle’s color and brightness can be easily adjusted using a user-friendly push-button design, ensuring optimal visibility in all kinds of lighting conditions.
As one of the best prism scopes, it is equipped with side-adjustable parallax and 1/4 MOA click adjustments. These two features combine to offer fine-tuning capabilities to boost accuracy at different distances.
The windage and elevation turrets are designed with zero reset and external locking rings, providing reliable and repeatable adjustments. Aggressive serrations on the turrets ensure a positive grip, making adjustments easy even in adverse conditions.
The scope’s exterior is protected by durable rubber armor, making it waterproof, fogproof, and shockproof. This rugged construction ensures the scope can withstand the elements and the demands of heavy use, providing reliable performance in any environment.
Features
- Blue, green, or red illumination color
- 25 MOA adjustment click value
- Shockproof construction
- Weighs 16 oz
- Second focal plane design
- Rubber armored exterior
- Waterproof and fogproof
- Zero-resettable turrets
- Cross Dot reticle with illumination
- 30mm objective lens
- Adjustable reticle brightness
- 3x magnification
Pros
- Finger-operated turrets
- Rugged rubberized coating
- Clear optics
Cons
- Crosshairs are not perpendicular
4) Primary Arms SLx 3x32mm Gen III Prism Scope
The Primary Arms SLx 3x32mm Gen III Prism Scope is a robust and reliable optic designed to meet the needs of serious shooters. It is engineered for durability as indicated by its waterproof, fog-resistant, and shockproof capabilities, ensuring dependable performance in a wide range of conditions.
Its hardcoat anodized finish provides an extra layer of protection against wear and corrosion, maintaining the scope’s sleek appearance over time.
This versatile scope is compatible with standard carry handle mounts, making it a great choice for various firearm platforms. The 1/4 MOA turret clicks are both tactile and audible, allowing for easy and precise zeroing adjustments.
The fully illuminated reticle enhances visibility and target acquisition in various lighting environments, ensuring that you can always see your aiming point clearly.
This best prism scope also features a ruggedized mount that provides exceptional clamping power, keeping the optic securely in place even under heavy recoil. Additionally, the scope includes a height riser, allowing users to customize the mount to their preferred height for optimal shooting comfort and accuracy. All these features augment it as one of the best prism scopes.
Features
- 32mm objective lens size
- 3x magnification
- Enclosed emitter
- 1/4 MOA adjustments
- It runs on a CR2032 battery
- All-weather dependability
- Shockproof
- Hard anodized finish
- Includes AR-height riser
- It comes with a lifetime warranty
- Fully illuminated reticle
- 11 illumination levels
Pros
- Solid build
- Crystal-clear
- Crisp, clean reticle
- Crisp and tactile adjustments
Cons
- Subpar eye relief
5) Swampfox Saber 5x Prism Scope
The Swampfox Saber 5x Prism Scope is a high-quality optic built to deliver exceptional performance and durability. It is constructed from 6061-T6 aircraft-grade aluminum, which makes it heavy-duty while keeping weight at bay.
The Saber 5x features fully multi-coated lenses that ensure maximum light transmission and clarity, providing a bright, crisp sight picture. Its 36mm objective lens and 37mm ocular lens, along with all internal lenses, are treated with advanced anti-scratch, anti-fog, and hydrophobic coatings, ensuring durability and clear vision in various environments.
This scope is outfitted with innovative Shake N’ Wake technology, which conserves battery life by shutting down illumination after about 225 seconds of inactivity and instantly reactivates when it detects movement.
Shooters can choose between red or green Strike MOA illumination variants, allowing optimal contrast and visibility in different lighting conditions. The Strike MOA reticle is designed for quick target acquisition and precise aiming, making it an excellent choice for both tactical and hunting applications.
Saber takes all important factors and boosts them to the next level, making this device undoubtedly one of the best prism scopes.
Features
- 4 MOA dot reticle
- 35mm lens diameter
- 5x zoom power
- IPX7 waterproof rating
- Fogproof and shockproof
- Shake N’ Wake technology
- Fully multi-coated lenses
- 5 MOA adjustment click value
- Aircraft-grade aluminum construction
- 56 inches of eye relief
- Operates on a CR123A battery
Pros
- Stunning glass clarity
- Well built
- Etched reticle
Cons
- Illumination is poor in bright sunlight
Advantages of Prism Scopes
Prism scopes generally have a compact and lightweight design. Despite their small size, they provide magnification which makes it easy to get on targets that are afar.
They generate a high-quality image and give you a laser sight picture, except that you get the image with magnification. Ultimately, prism scopes offer the simplicity of a red dot sight and a couple of the advantages of a traditional scope.
Disadvantages of Prism Scopes
While prism scopes have multiple benefits, they are far from perfect. They feature one magnification setting. As if that is not enough, the setting normally has a maximum level of about 5x. This makes a prism scope unsuitable for long ranges.
Key Features When Buying the Best Prism Scopes
Magnification
The first instrumental factor to think about is the magnification. The limitation of purchasing prism scopes is their lack of variable magnification options, making it vital to determine their primary use beforehand.
If you are engaging in close-quarter combat or focusing on tactical shooting, it is best to choose a 1x or 2x magnification.
Conversely, if your targets include hitting targets from a distance of 200 or 300 yards or hunting, it is advisable to get a prism scope with 5x magnification. This provides a clear view of your target even from afar.
Lens Coating
This is paramount when buying the best prism scopes, just as it is in a conventional scope. Look for multiple layers of coating on the optics for the brightest and clearest images. The more the number of layers on the lenses, the more effectively it is protected from glare and reflected light.
Intended Use
Prism scopes are not made for long-distance shooting. So, pairing a prism scope with a high-powered sniper scope will restrict you from drawing the full potential of the firearm.
A reflex sight is the best option if you have a tactical rifle like an AR-15 aiming for quick target spotting. However, choosing a prism scope is advisable if you want a balance between the two.
Eye Relief
The next consideration when choosing the best prism scopes is eye relief. This is the distance between the scope and your eye. It should be sufficient to allow you to view through the scope comfortably. The more the eye relief, the better.
Eye relief is super important because if you don’t have enough distance when you pull the trigger, the recoil will send the scope straight into your face.
Further, more eye relief means more comfort when shooting your firearm, and the farther up on your rifle you can mount the scope, the more comfortable you can be. These features combined can make it more comfortable to utilize your weapon, which is essential if you plan to look through your scope for a long period of time.
Weather Resistance
Ensure the scope you choose is waterproof and fogproof, especially if you plan to use it for hunting. Hunting exposes you and your scope to all sorts of weather, so you should be equipped to handle anything that comes your way.
A prism scope without adequate weatherproofing allows entry of moisture and other components, impairing its focusing ability or, worse, making it completely unusable because of zero visibility. So, when weighing the best prism scopes, ensure you check this feature to ensure you get the best value for money.
Prism Scope Vs. Red Dot
A prism scope and a red dot sight each have distinct advantages.
A prism scope uses a prism for magnification, offering a clearer image and etched reticle. It works without batteries and provides better precision at longer ranges due to its magnification.
On the other hand, a red dot sight uses a reflective lens to project a dot, ideal for quick target acquisition and close-range shooting. It is generally lighter and allows for unlimited eye relief.
Choose a prism scope for precision and distance and a red dot for speed and close-range effectiveness.
Are Prism Scopes Better for Astigmatism?
Prism scopes are one of the best optic variants available for those with astigmatism issues. And luckily, there are numerous prism scopes to select from. From their construction to reticle type, they make an excellent option to add to your rifle if you have astigmatism.
Conclusion
Hopefully, this review of the best prism scope has narrowed down your choices. Finding the right scope should no longer be difficult as you are armed with all the knowledge you need to make that final decision. The scopes mentioned above are a great place to start.
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