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The Primary Arms magnifier is a viable and effective tool that can be put in play on those occasions when you need it. The build quality and its performance characteristics make it a bargain at its M.S.R.P. of $69.95
The Primary Arms magnifier is a viable and effective tool that can be put in play on those occasions when you need it. The build quality and its performance characteristics make it a bargain at its M.S.R.P. of $69.95
The Primary Arms magnifier is a viable and effective tool that can be put in play on those occasions when you need it. The build quality and its performance characteristics make it a bargain at its M.S.R.P. of $69.95
review of the Primary Arms Micro Dot Fixed Base Gen II red dot sight; I was very much impressed by it. You can read my review here. So, I decided to expand the project to include the Primary Arms 3X magnifier. I had a review scheduled of a 1-4 Bushnell scope so presenting a red dot + magnifier system made sense for two reasons. First, there is a great deal of discussion across the tactical boards on what is the best configuration, red dot + magnifier, or a 1-4 or 1-6 magnified optic. Second, red dot + magnifier sighting systems provide a level of flexibility thats not available from a dedicated
fixed or variable power magnified optic that
merit discussion. Its almost hackneyed to reiterate that a red dot sight is a CQC / CQB accessory. The door kickers need a way to successfully engage a target when using iron sights is not possible or impractical, so the reflex sight was developed. Theyre intended for fast close up work and not as a substitute for a precision magnified optic. Aimpoint, the worlds leading supplier of military grade red dot sights, like the ubiquitous M68, deserve credit for making red dot sights a commodity and in turn creating an industry.
Copyright 2014, Towbirds Flying Publication. All Rights Reserved.
Primary Arms 3X Magnifier Gen III
The red dot sight or more appropriately called a
reflex sight was now sitting on every soldiers carbine, and from a practical perspective, we found ourselves with a sight installed on a Picatinny rail, zeroed, which we dont want to disturb. So, it made sense for companies, like Aimpoint, to introduce a magnifier that could sit behind the red dot sight to provide magnification, when needed, for observation or target engagement at distances beyond 100 meters. If the magnifier could then be mounted on a base that allows it to swing in or out of play, at the operators discretion, then youve really added value. So, it came to pass. However, red dot + magnifier systems are optimized for short distance rapid engagements with a magnification option should the operator need it. It will never achieve the same level of precision that a dedicated magnified optic is capable of, nor was it intended to do so. Therefore, my review will focus on important but mundane things like optical clarity, robustness, ease of mounting, etc. I want to digress for a moment to make one final point. When discussing 3X, 4X, 6X, or what have you magnifiers, there seems to be some confusion on what the magnifier does. One comment that surfaces repeatedly is it magnifies the dot and makes its too big. So Ill address that here and now. A magnifier enlarges everything in front of its lens equally, based on its specified power. For example, in looking through a 3x magnifier the red dot will appear three times larger, but so does the target, and the relationship between red dot dimensions and target dimensions remains constant; the operator simply sees a larger image. Ill start with optical clarity, which Ill describe as surprising. Candidly, I was expecting a darker
2014
image but Primary Arms 3X magnifier proved
me wrong, and to satisfy my curiosity I compared it against an IOR 10X monocular; just to get a feel for the difference. The IOR optic was superior in both clarity and resolution but not by a large margin. So, glass and coatings on the Primary Arms product are acceptable and doing their job. Staying on optical characteristics for a bit longer, Id like to touch on what some reviewers refer to as dot streaking or comet effects, which is sometimes presented as a magnifier deficiency not at all the case. I put together a simple training aid at the end of my review that describes the operating principles of a red dot sight and addresses where that streaking or comet effect comes from. Ill summarize it here by saying that red dot streaking comes from light scattering by the reflective surface of the red dots front lens. It is simply not practical or cost effective to eliminate light scattering. No matter how highly polished the front lens is, it would require very specialized; ergo, expensive processes and coatings to reduce or eliminate scattering. With the 3X magnifier in position youre simply seeing the magnified effects of light scattering in the sight itself. This is a phenomenon that youll experience with all magnifiers. There are also focal length interactions. So, the best way to deal with the comet factor is to reduce red dot intensity as much as feasible; keeping in mind that you will never achieve the same level of precision as you get with say a Trijicon TAO1NSN. Youll be on target but a hit is the only realistic expectation you should have. With these qualifiers out of the way, I can say that the Primary Arms red dot + magnifier combination performed very well. If there is Copyright 2014, Twobirds Flying Publication, All Rights Reserved
Primary Arms 3X Magnifier Gen III
anything to complain about its the miserly 1.9
eye relief, but Primary Arms also offers a version with extended eye relief, and I suggest you consider that option. I used an AK as the test platform and its shorter length of pull played well with the magnifiers limited eye relief so its a nonissue for me. Mounting options are numerous but I would completely forget using a fixed mount. If you want the system to work efficiently for you, youll want a mount that allows you to swing the magnifier out of the primary sights line of sight. You can go with a cross bolt or quick detach rail mount, at your discretion, but youll need to swing if you want to be in. Having said that, you dont need to go out and purchase something made of Kryptonite, aluminum construction is just fine, magnifiers dont influence sight zero. Primary Arms included two adjustment points, which they refer to as windage and elevation adjustments. Thats a misleading statement as the adjustments have zero effect on point of impact (POI). They simply optically center the red dot in the magnifiers field of view. Installation of the magnifier is very simple and does not require re-zeroing of the primary optic. First, hold the magnifier up to your eye and adjust the diopter until you have a clear image. Next, attach your mount to the rail; you are positioning the magnifier behind the red dot sight from the shooters perspective. Mount the magnifier on the 30mm ring and align it so that the up and down adjustment turret is perpendicular to your rail. Lastly, using the magnifiers up and down and left to right adjustments, position the red dot so that its centered in the magnifiers field of view. Youre now done. For best performance, your magnifier will be between 1 to 2 inches behind your red dot sight.
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In deciding whether to run with a red dot +
magnifier system or a dedicated magnified optic, consider principal application of the weapon system. If your driving objective is precision at longer ranges, your best solution is a dedicated 1-4 or an ACOG style optic. If you need to make fast short range shots, the red dot + magnifier combination is extremely flexible. However, adding a magnifier will not increase system precision. That is limited by the primary optics inherent limitations. Magnifiers come in very handy when you are working potential targets in say a tree line, or when trying to differentiate a blue force from an actual threat. In closing, the Primary Arms magnifier is a viable and effective tool that can be put in play on those occasions when you need it. The build quality and its performance characteristics make it a bargain at its M.S.R.P. of $69.95 excluding the mount. Theres an overused clich that says better to have and not need than to need and not have; the Primary Arms 3X magnifiers serves that philosophy exceptionally well. Whether it sits behind an EOTech or Aimpoint primary optic, this magnifier is quite capable. -SP Features and Manufacturer Specifications:
Water proof and fog resistant (Nitrogen
purged) Focus ring for a super clear image One Year Manufacturer Warranty Eye Relief - 1.9" Length - 5 1/4" Weight - 8 1/8 oz Weight in Screw Mount - 11 7/8 oz Weight in QD Mount - 11 1/8 oz Weight in Flip tio Side Mount - 13 1/4 oz. Field of View: 39.37 feet at 100 yards.
Copyright 2014, Twobirds Flying Publication, All Rights Reserved
Primary Arms 3X Magnifier Gen III
2014
Copyright 2014, Twobirds Flying Publication, All Rights Reserved