LPVO scopes have become a rising trend in recent years, with more and more people choosing it over red dot and ACOG sights. They provide a more versatile platform, with the ability to be used in ranges from 20 yards up to 600 yards. However, because LPVO scopes are still so new, they can be quite expensive. We set out to find the best LPVO scopes under $1000, and after extensive testing, we compiled this top 5 list. I determined the Vortex Strike Eagle to be the best value for my money.
Best Budget LPVO Scopes
As far as LPVO scopes go, here are the best 6 scopes for your money.
- Vortex Strike Eagle 1-8x24mm 30mm FFP Rifle Scope
- SIG SAUER TANGO-MSR LPVO Rifle Scope
- Swampfox Arrowhead LPVO Rifle Scope
- TRYBE Optics SLED LPVO Scope
- Monstrum G3 1-3x24mm FFP LPVO Rifle Scope
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HuntersHalt: #1 Pick
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- Best Value For Your Money
- Great For Hunting & Target Shooting
- Highly Durable In All Conditions
- 1-10x Magnification Range
- Great Adjustability - 11 Brightness Settings
- Easy mounting
- Insanely durable
- Compact design
- Night vision compatible
1) Vortex Strike Eagle 1-8x24mm 30mm FFP Rifle Scope
- Best Value For Your Money
- Great For Hunting & Target Shooting
- Highly Durable In All Conditions
- Other Scopes Have Greater Adjustability
When thinking of a versatile scope manufacturer, Vortex is one of the first that comes to mind. Whether it is deer hunting scopes or red dot sights, their products almost always compete for the #1 spot on our articles.
Size: The Vortex Strike Eagle is a great smaller-sized LVPO scope, with a measurement of 10,4″ in Length, 3.5″ in Width, 3.75″ in Height, and weighs 23.9 ounces.
Lens: The scope impressed me a lot, even though the objective lens diameter is 24 mm Vortex ensured that the light transmission is superb thanks to its fully multi-coated lenses and smart design.
The magnification is 1-8x and, combined with its 3.9 in eye relief, makes shooting with your AR 15 at further targets easy. The scope provides a field of view (FOV) of 14.1 – 113.6 ft at 100 yds.
Reticle and Brightness Settings: This LPVO scope features Vortex’s EBR-8 MOA reticle illumination, which is ideal for the .223/5.56mm and .308/7.62mm platforms.
What’s really nice about the Strike Eagle is that it features a First focal plane (FFP) reticle. This means that the reticle is placed at the front of the scope, as a result, the reticle is correlated to the magnification. In other words, the reticle size changes when the magnification changes.
Feel free to read our detailed article on the pros and cons of an FFP vs SFP.
Durability: Vortex’s scopes are some of the most durable, thanks to all of their lenses being equipped with ArmorTec technology. A scratch-resistant, ultra-hard coating that protects exterior lenses from scratches, oil and dirt.
The smart aircraft-grade aluminum design allows this scope to be shockproof and able to withstand constant recoil from some of the higher calibers.
Additional Information: Vortex also offers a lifetime warranty deal with this scope on the housing. A throw lever is also included and can be installed to allow for fast and smooth magnification adjustment.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Great Value
- First focal plane reticle
- Highly Durable
Cons
- None
Our Experience With Vortex Strike Eagle
I fitted the Strike Eagle on my AR 15 and was astounded by its versatility, it was very easy to shoot close range and up to 500 yards. Being an FFP scope made my long-range shooting much easier and more accurate. I found the flip caps a bit irritating as it was not of high quality, they obstructed my field of view a bit, and the fitting was loose.
2) SIG SAUER TANGO-MSR LPVO Rifle Scope
- 1-10x Magnification Range
- Great Adjustability - 11 Brightness Settings
- Easy mounting
- Bulky Design
Most of us associate SIG Sauer with pistols and rifles, we actually did a top 5 best red dot sights for the P320 if you want to read it, but what if I told you that their scopes are just as good as their guns?
Size: The Tango-MSR is slightly bigger than the Vortex, measuring 14.21 x 4.84 x 4.49 inches. However, it weighs 3 ounces less than the Vortex, 20.4 ounces, to be precise.
Lens: You can expect a quality lens from Sig Sauer on the Tango. The 28mm spectra-coated objective lens has enhanced light transmission and optical clarity, ensuring precise shots even in low-light situations.
The eye relief ranges between 3.22 – 3.54 in, and it has a FOV of 10 – 110 ft at 100 yds. With a 1-10x magnification, the Sig offers the highest magnification range on this list alongside the Swampfox Arrowhead. This is one of the reasons Swampfox is also one of the Best 350 Legend Rifle Scopes that I’ve tested!
Reticle and Brightness Settings: Even though I find the Strike Eagle’s EBR-8 reticle easier to shoot with than the Tango’s second focal plane MSR BDC-10 illuminated reticle, it is still quite impressive.
The brightness settings are excellent, there are eleven to choose from to ensure that you can make fast target acquisition in any lighting situation. This makes it one of the Best LPVO scopes money can buy!
Durability: This scope has an IPX-7 waterproof rating and provides a shockproof and fog proof experience.
Additional Information: The purchase includes an ALPHA-MSR 1-piece aluminum cantilever mount for easy mounting on your rifle.
Pros & Cons
PROS
- 1-10x magnification range
- 11 Brightness settings
- Easy mounting
CONS
- Bulky design
Our Experience With SIG SAUER TANGO
When I first tested this scope on my AR 15, three things came to mind:
- Easy and fast target acquisition
- Crystal clear glass with an easy-to-follow reticle
- Amazing long-range performance
The Tango is an excellent scope, and I would recommend it to anyone who might want a Second focal plane alternative to the Strike Eagle.
3) Swampfox Arrowhead LPVO Rifle Scope
- Insanely durable
- Compact design
- Night vision compatible
- Light transmission could be better at 10x magnification
Like I said in my article about the best red dot for the Hellcat, Swampfox knows how to make quality scopes at an affordable price. They love combining the latest engineering breakthroughs with decades of craftsmanship experience, as evident with their flagship LPVO, the Arrowhead.
Size: With a length of 10.67 inches and only weighing 20.3 ounces, the Arrowhead is also an excellent option for someone who favors a smaller scope design.
Lens: The multi-coated lens features a fog-proof, scratch-proof, anti reflectant, hydrophobic finish. The objective lens diameter is only 24 mm, but make no mistake, Swampfox’s innovative engineering team designed this scope to still allow excellent light transmission.
The scope has a 1-10x magnification range, although 1-6x and 1-8x models are available. The FOV is 11.5 – 115.6 ft at 100 yds, and the eye relief ranges between 3.46 – 3.54 in.
Reticle and Brightness Settings: Swampfox went all out with their reticle options, and you can choose between three reticle designs:
- Guerrilla Dot BDC Long Reticle – Features 5.56 NATO bullet drop compensation reticle design.
- Guerrilla Dot MOA Long Reticle – Excellent for a 5.56 alternative.
- Guerrilla Dot MIL Long Reticle – If you are looking for something different.
The sight is equipped with an impressive 12 brightness settings, of which two are compatible with night vision devices. Similar to the Tango, the Arrowhead is also a second focal plane optic. Check out my post on Elk Hunting Rifle Scopes if you want more SFP options!
Durability: The award for most durable optic on this list goes to the Arrowhead. As with all Swampfox’s optics, the scope is guaranteed to last 50,000 rounds. The scope is specifically designed for people in harm’s way, whether it is livestock protection, military, police, or hunting dangerous game – the Arrowhead is sure to endure all the tests you can through at it.
Additional Information: The Arrowhead has a push-pull locking turret system, ensuring your scope does not lose its zero by an unforeseen collision.
Pros & Cons
PROS
- Insanely durable
- Compact design
- Night vision compatible
Cons
- Light transmission could be better at 10x magnification.
Our Experience With Swampfox Arrowhead
I love Swampfox products, and the Arrowhead is my LPVO scope of choice on physically challenging adventures because it is so insanely durable. I found the scope to have very minimal side distortion and fast target acquisition, especially using the BDC reticle. That said, I would recommend this scope as a predominantly mid-range shooting optic.
4) TRYBE Optics SLED LPVO Scope
- Budget Friendly
- Excellent reticle design
- Lightweight
- Light transmission is lacking
TRYBE has an abundance of products, ranging from riflescopes to binoculars and red dots. However, this is the first TRYBE scope I have tested, and I was quite surprised by this low-power variable optic.
Size: The SLED measures 11.5″ in Length and only weighs a mere 18.3 ounces – an excellent choice for someone who wants a lightweight scope for their AR 15.
Lens: TRYBE equipped this scope with an objective lens that is 24 mm in diameter. The magnification ranges between 1-6x with an impressive FOV of 19 – 116 ft at 100 yds. The eye relief on this scope is 5″. This is one of the main reasons I also rated TRYBE as one of the Best M&P 15 Rifle Scopes that I’ve tested.
Even though the field of view is excellent, I found the light transmission lacking a bit, especially in low-light conditions. However, this will tend to not perform as well as the best night vision rifle scope under $1000 in low lighting conditions!
Reticle and Brightness Settings: This is a second focal plane scope equipped with TRYBE’s favorable PCR-1 reticle. The reticle is designed with the sole purpose of fast target shooting yet still remaining accurate. The PCR-1 is a bullet drop compensation (BDC) reticle specifically for use in AR platforms.
This low-powered variable optic is equipped with a fast-focus eyepiece to allow easy adjustment for a crisp and sharp sight picture.
Durability: The scope is nitrogen purged to prevent the multi-coated lenses from fogging up, it is also water, dust and shockproof.
Pros & Cons
PROS
- Budget Friendly
- Excellent reticle design
- Lightweight
CONS
- Light transmission is lacking.
Our Experience With TRYBE
As I’ve said, this is the first TRYBE scope I have tested. However, I was impressed with the reticle and its bullet drop compensator design but was discouraged by the poor light transmission. I recommend this low-power variable optic for use primarily in low-magnification situations, as the light transmission is better.
5) Monstrum G3 1-3x24mm FFP LPVO Rifle Scope
- Highly durable
- Most affordable scope
- Lightweight, compact design
- Poor range even on maximum magnification
Coming in at #5 on our low-power variable optics list is our wild card and also our most affordable optics.
Size: The Monstrum is our smallest LPVO scope on this list, its Length is only 9.4″, and its weight is an impressive 13 ounces.
Lens: The objective lens of the Monstrum measures 24mm in diameter and has a fully multi-coated finish. You can also expect eye relief between 4 – 4.5 in and a FOV of 93.9 (1x) – 38.3 (3x) ft at 100 yards. This is very similar to what I found on many of the .450 Bushmaster Scopes that I’ve tested.
As opposed to the TRYBE, the Monstrum has better light transmission, which can be attributed to Monstrum’s XERES lens coating that significantly reduces the glare and increases the light transmission.
Reticle and Brightness Settings: This scope features a clever first focal plane reticle design that allows a crisp view and does not compromise your sight on target. The scope is also equipped with 11 levels of illumination, especially good for use in low-light conditions.
Durability: The combination of 6061 Aircraft Grade Aluminum, Type-III Hard Anodization finish, and high glass-quality construction make for a highly durable scope. The scope is also nitrogen sealed to enhance its fog, water, and dustproof capabilities. This scope is even more durable than the .338 Winchester Mag Scopes that I’ve used in the past.
Additional Information: The sight features locking turrets with a zero reset that prevents adjustment slippage.
Pros & Cons
PROS
- Highly durable
- Most affordable scope
- Lightweight, compact design
CONS
- Poor range even on maximum magnification
Our Experience With Monstrum
When I tested the G3, the first thing that caught my attention was when I mounted it. Its influence on the rifle’s maneuverability performance was insignificant and was especially great for peaking around corners and for use in buildings.
The Monstrum outperforms the TRYBE in almost every way, except with range. This, in my opinion, is a major red flag as I need an optic that is versatile, able to provide a clear picture at 50 yards as well as 600 yards. However, if that does not bother you, then I would go for the Monstrum as it is in the same price range as the TRYBE.
Buyer’s Guide
Benefits Of Using An LPVO Scope
- Versatility – Provides hunters the ability to easily shoot within 30 yards and up to 600 yards, thanks to its magnification range. This is not the case with a red dot sight or even larger hunting rifle scopes.
- Illuminated reticle – Most LPVO scopes have illumination features, allowing for better low-light use than most hunting rifle scopes. Just make sure you know how to clean a rifle scope to keep your lens in good condition!
- Magnification Adjustability – LPVO scopes typically come with a throw lever adjustment, which makes adjusting the magnification easier and smoother. This is quite favorable in fast-paced scenarios, as with dangerous game or for defensive goals.
Who Uses LPVO Scopes
As you already know by now, LPVO scopes are a great alternative to red dot sights as they provide increased usability when it comes to shooting at further targets. This is exactly why more and more military and non-tactical personnel are opting for an LPVO scope.
Dangerous game hunters also like LPVO scopes as they provide a versatile platform.
How We Rate Products Like This
They undergo rigorous testing, as with all our articles on product ratings. When we test these products, we look at the following criteria:
- Scope reticle and lens quality – A well-designed scope reticle makes the shooter’s life much easier. Features like bullet drop compensators for the AR platform allow precision shooting.
- Lens quality is crucial as it determines light transmission, glaring, etc.
- Comfort and eye relief – You want a scope that allows repeated use for extended periods without any discomfort. The last thing you want when sighting in your scope is experiencing discomfort and having to take a break after shooting a few rounds.
- Eye relief is very important to me, the better the eye relief, the faster I can locate my target.
- Durability – Having a scope that is of quality construction just creates a sense of assurance that my scope will be able to withstand the elements. The construction of the scope can tell a lot about the company, so I look always check the material it is made from, how well it is designed and what features it has to enhance its durability.
- Value – The scope should be priced at a competitive price, the scope should also have included accessories that justify its value argument.
For more on how we rate LPVO scopes, feel free to read our extensive article on the Ozark Armament Razorback.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are LPVO scopes good for?
Who makes the best LPVO scope?
What LPVO does the US military use?
Do you shoot an LPVO with both eyes open?
The Bottom Line
All these LPVO scopes really impressed me, having key features that set them apart from the rest of the budget-friendly LPVO scopes. However, in the end, it comes down to what scope will provide you with the best performance when you need it the most. Considering this, my #1 pick for the best LPVO scope under $1000 is the Vortex Optics Strike Eagle.
- Best Value For Your Money
- Great For Hunting & Target Shooting
- Highly Durable In All Conditions
- Other Scopes Have Greater Adjustability
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