Low-Power Variable Optics (LPVOs) are currently among the hottest rifle optics on the market, enjoying immense popularity among tactical and competition shooters. Although this relatively new scope type started with just 1-4x magnification offerings, it is now possible to find 1-6x, 1-8x, and even 1-10x models.
LPVOs bridge the gap between traditional scopes and close-quarter optics, such as red dot sights and holographic sights. The primary advantage of choosing an LPVO over a regular riflescope is the true 1x magnification at the lowest power setting, making them useful at close range.
1-8x LPVOs are among the most versatile riflescopes you can find today, allowing you to engage targets at any range between 0 and 800 yards. Such optics pair exceptionally well with AR-15s and AR-10s, especially in chamberings such as .224 Valkyrie, 6.5mm Creedmoor, or any other flat-shooting caliber.
Best 1-8x Scopes & LPVOs
If you’re looking to install a 1-8x LPVO on your rifle or carbine, these are the best models for all budgets and applications.
1. EOTech Vudu 1-8x24mm SFP
The Vudu 1-8x24mm is ideal for shooters who need versatility and accuracy both in close quarters and at short to medium ranges. This scope features no gimmicks or questionable features, only providing the shooter with what they need to quickly and accurately acquire targets within the intended engagement distances.
Read Our Full Review Here: EOTech VUDU 1-8x Review: Is it a Good LPVO?
2. Swampfox Arrowhead LPVO 1-8x24mm
Although Swampfox is a relatively new company (founded 2018) primarily catering to the law enforcement, military, and security markets, the Arrowhead LPVO series is also an excellent choice for civilians, offering several features and options useful both on the range and in the line of duty.
This 1-8x model features a 24mm objective lens diameter mated to a 30mm scope tube, making it compatible with an extensive array of 30mm scope rings.
The Arrowhead projects its reticle on the second focal plane, making it an ideal general-purpose optic. Glass quality and clarity are superb at all magnification settings, with minimal edge blurring at 8x. Turret tracking is top of the line as well, comparable with much more expensive scopes.
Swampfox offers three reticle options for the Arrowhead 1-8x: Guerilla Dot BDC and Guerilla Dot MOA. If you primarily shoot .223/5.56 or .308/7.62 NATO, the BDC model features a battlesight zero center dot accurate at 50 and 200 yards, with three hash marks for 300 to 500 yards and three chevrons for 600 to 800 yards.
If you use another caliber or need more precision out of your reticle, you may prefer the MOA model, featuring a 30 MOA vertical hash mark ladder. Depending on the cartridge you shoot, this reticle will allow you to make precise shots at 900-1000 yards or more.
For hunting or duty use in low-light conditions, the LED illumination system turns the reticle red with no bleeding or blurring. The Arrowhead also offers locking turrets that require no tools to function. Your aim will always be precise, and you will have a clear reticle showing your intended target at all times.
Specifications:
- Manufacturer: Swampfox
- Model: Arrowhead LPVO 1-8x24mm
- Magnification range: 1x to 8x
- Reticle system: Guerilla Dot BDC or Guerilla Dot MOA
- Focal plane: Second
- Tube diameter: 30mm
- Eye relief: 3.35”-3.5”
- Adjustments per click: 0.5 MOA
- Illumination: Yes, 1x CR2032 battery
- Length: 10.67”
- Weight: 20.36 oz.
- MSRP: $409
3. Barska SWAT 1-8x24mm
If you’re a shooter on a budget and you’re looking for your first LPVO, or if you need a good backup optic in case your primary scope is unavailable, the Barska SWAT is here to keep your rifle topped with quality glass.
In the box, you get a competently made scope with good quality glass, a matching 30mm cantilever mount and scope rings, an illumination system with two color options, and a BDC reticle, all for less than $300.
The reticle system is a Barska Illuminated HRS .223 BDC, accurate at up to 600 yards with typical 62-grain .223 and 5.56mm ammunition.
The Barska SWAT is fully ready for low-light conditions. Its illumination system requires a single CR2032 battery, offering two color modes (red and green) and five brightness levels for each.
This scope also features a fully nitrogen-purged tube and multi-coated lenses, providing you with the same waterproof, fogproof, and shockproof ratings as more expensive models.
As the military adage goes, ounces equal pounds. Lightweight optics are critical for the shooter who needs to walk and run all day with their rifle, either for duty or competition. At just 16 ounces, the Barska SWAT is much lighter than other scopes in its category, making it an excellent choice if you want to save weight without cutting performance.
Although the Barska SWAT is ready to be installed out of the box on a typical 5.56mm AR-15 right out of the box, you can install it on an AR-10 or any other tactical rifle of your choosing. Remember that if you shoot something other than 5.56mm or .223, you may have to zero the reticle to your specific caliber and bullet combination.
Specifications:
- Manufacturer: Barska
- Model: SWAT 1-8x24mm
- Magnification range: 1x to 8x
- Reticle system: HRS .223 BDC V2
- Focal plane: Second
- Tube diameter: 30mm (cantilever mount and rings included)
- Eye relief: 3.4”-3.6”
- Adjustments per click: 0.5 MOA
- Illumination: Yes, 1x CR2032 battery
- Length: 10.5”
- Weight: 16 oz.
- MSRP: $269
4. Vortex Strike Eagle 1-8x24mm
Vortex is a well-known gun optics manufacturer producing highly successful model lines such as the Razor, Viper, Diamondback, Venom, or Crossfire series.
The Vortex Strike Eagle 1-8x24mm is part of the newer yet feature-filled Strike Eagle line of riflescopes, also home to a 1-6x LPVO and a traditional 5-25x scope.
Like most LPVOs, the Strike Eagle features a 30mm scope tube compatible with many scope rings and mounts already available on the market, a standard 24mm objective lens, and true 1x minimum magnification on the minimum setting.
The included magnification throw lever makes magnification adjustment easy and comfortable, working in conjunction with the ultra-clear multi-coated lenses to provide a clear field of view at any magnification setting.
The Vortex AR-BDC3 glass-etched reticle system is projected on the second focal plane and is tuned specifically for use on 5.56mm rifles and carbines.
The central half-circle allows the shooter to acquire targets quickly and accurately at low magnification settings. In contrast, the windage and bullet drop compensation marks let the shooter reach targets at up to 650 yards, no matter the weather or wind conditions.
The AR-BDC3 reticle is illuminated and powered by a single CR2032 battery, included in the box alongside your scope and throw lever, making it ideal for hunting and other low-light applications.
Although this optic is an ideal companion to a 5.56mm or .223 AR-15, you can also install it on an AR-10 or any other tactical rifle. The scope’s robust, aircraft-grade aluminum single-piece construction can withstand hard abuse, impacts, and powerful recoil impulses without losing zero.
At just 10” long and 17.6 oz heavy, the Strike Eagle is a lightweight and highly practical LPVO that won’t weigh your rifle platform down. If you need an optic but must keep your rifle or carbine as light as possible, this LPVO is the way to go.
Specifications:
- Manufacturer: Vortex Optics
- Model: Strike Eagle 1-8x24mm
- Magnification range: 1x to 8x
- Reticle system: AR-BDC3
- Focal plane: Second
- Tube diameter: 30mm
- Eye relief: 3.5”
- Adjustments per click: 0.5 MOA
- Illumination: Yes, 1x CR2032 battery (included in the box)
- Length: 10”
- Weight: 17.6 oz.
- MSRP: $349
5. Primary Arms Platinum Series PLx 1-8x24mm FFP
If you’ve been shopping for optics for a long time, you may already be familiar with Primary Arms products. PA scopes are well-known for being a cost-effective choice, suitable for shooters on a budget.
However, this is not one of these budget-friendly scope lines. The Platinum Series is Primary Arms’ new high-end riflescope line, featuring an array of high-end features desirable for professionals and serious shooters, without the sticker price of other, more well-known brands.
The heart of the Platinum Series PLx 1-8x24mm scope is its set of Japanese-made lenses, featuring unmatched light transmission and image clarity. The scope’s 5056 aluminum alloy construction and the multi-coated lenses provide you with near-complete waterproof, shockproof, fogproof, and scratch-resistant protection.
Unlike most other LPVOs, this scope features a 34mm tube diameter, requiring 34mm scope rings. Make sure to use the correct scope rings.
The Platinum Series scope uses the award-winning Advanced Combined Sighting System (ACSS) Reticle, available in two variants: ACSS Raptor M2 5.56 and ACSS Griffin MIL for all other calibers. Both reticle systems are fully illuminated and powered by a single CR2032 battery.
The main difference between the two reticle variants is the type of bullet drop compensation grid you’ll find under the central chevron.
The Raptor features BDC marks accurate at up to 800 yards with standard 62-grain 5.56mm ammunition (ideal for AR-15s). In contrast, the Griffin employs a MIL dot grid, allowing you to zero your scope to your specific caliber and bullet weight combination.
Both models project their reticle on the first focal plane, which will keep the bullet drop hash marks consistent at all magnification settings, allowing you to make full use of all zoom levels.
The PLx may not be the lightest scope, but if you’re a serious tactical or competition shooter, don’t pass it up!
Specifications:
- Manufacturer: Primary Arms
- Model: Platinum Series PLx 1-8x24mm FFP
- Magnification range: 1x to 8x
- Reticle system: ACSS Raptor M2 5.56 or ACSS Griffin MIL
- Focal plane: First
- Tube diameter: 34mm
- Eye relief: 3.8” – 3.9”
- Adjustments per click: 0.25 MOA (ACSS Raptor), 0.1 Mil (ACSS Griffin)
- Illumination: Yes, 1x CR2032 battery (included in the box)
- Length: 11”
- Weight: 26.9 oz.
- MSRP: $1,299
Parting Shots
1-8x LPVOs are among the most versatile tactical optics on the market you can find. Although they cannot replace dedicated precision riflescopes for long-range shooting nor red dot sights for close-quarters, they offer adequate performance from 0 to 600 yards (and beyond, depending on caliber) to function as a general-purpose, all-situations optic.
Regardless of the model you choose, it is vital to zero your scope with your particular rifle and ammunition properly, primarily if you use them for activities where high accuracy is critical. Examples include hunting, competition shooting, or duty use in law enforcement, military, or security contexts.
