Updated August 2024: Removed Monstrum 2x Tactical and Primary Arms GLx 2x ACSS Gemini (discontinued).
What’s a prism scope, and do you need one?
Long story short, they are fixed-magnification optics that use a prism (whoa) instead of the two objective and ocular lenses of a traditional scope.
I’ll go over some of the pros and cons of prism scopes vs. red dots and low-power variable optics.
Then dive into some popular models we prefer here at Pew Pew Tactical. By the end, you’ll know if prism scopes are right for you (there’s especially one big reason) and which one to get.
THE QUICK LIST
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Editor’s Pick
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Best Warranty
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Best 5X Prism
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Best Overall Prism
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Best Field of View
Table of Contents
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How We Chose the Best Prism Optics
For this article, we focused on prism optics that balance glass quality, size and weight, field of view, durability, reticle options, and price.
Travis Pike took the lead on this article, but input also came from PPT’s editorial team. Together we have a combined shooting experience of 30+ years, including instruction, competition, and multiple shooting disciplines.
Every prism scope on this list has been handled and tested by someone here at PPT, some of whom suffer from astigmatism.
Best Prism Optics
1. Primary Arms SLx Cyclops Gen 2 with ACSS – Editor’s Pick
Prices accurate at time of writing
Prices accurate at time of writing
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Primary Arms SLx Cyclops Gen 2 Pros & Cons
Pros
- Extremely lightweight
- Affordable
- Popular ACSS reticle
- Shake awake illumination
Cons
- Chevron reticle isn't for everyone
Specs
- Magnification: 1x
- Weight: 5.5 oz
- Objective Lens Diameter: 17mm
- Field of View: 76.50 ft @ 100yds
- Illumination: Red, Green
- Reticle: ACSS Cyclops
We were lukewarm with the first generation of Cyclops, with only ok illumination and a decent eye box.
But the newer Gen 2 Cyclops blows it out of the water. Build quality is still superb, and they managed to make it even smaller.
The illumination is great, and it comes with 3-night vision modes as well.
We had our editor, who has a fair amount of astigmatism, try the optic, and it still appeared crisp.
Additionally, the ACSS reticle is one of our favorite reticles, and this iteration continues to deliver. There is a reason you are seeing so many optics mimic these reticles. Holosun even partnered with Primary Arms to use the ACSS reticle on some of their optics.
Primary Arms is currently dominating the prism optics game, and the Cyclops is their most popular option by far. If you ask someone for prism scope recommendations, chances are they will direct you to this one.
Check out our full review of the Gen 2 Cyclops where we ran over 1,000 rounds at different distances.
2. Vortex Spitfire HD Gen 2 3x – Best Warranty
Prices accurate at time of writing
Prices accurate at time of writing
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Vortex Spitfire HD Gen 2 Pros & Cons
Pros
- Lightweight
- Excellent warranty
Cons
- No shake awake illumination
Specs
- Magnification: 3x
- Weight: 9 oz
- Objective Lens Diameter: 21mm
- Field of View: 37.9 ft @ 100yds
- Illumination: Red
- Reticle: AR-BDC4
It wouldn’t be an optics discussion if we didn’t throw Vortex into the mix.
The Spitfire HD Gen 2 3X was introduced a few years ago but is still going strong. This small, lightweight prism offers clear glass and a pretty reasonable fast acquisition. In short, it’s a really solid option for those of you who suffer from astigmatism.
With the Spitfire, you get a nice 37.9-foot field of view. Most impressively, this optic weighs just 9 ounces, making it a great option for those who want to keep the weight low. These specs are very close to the Primary Arms 3x prisms, with a 38-foot field of view, and weigh 8 oz.
So why the Vortex over the Primary Arms? Well, not everyone likes the chevron reticles.
The Vortex uses a 3/4s illuminated circle that forms a dome around the 1 MOA center dot and the hashmark reticle. That 3/4 circle portion works well for close-range shooting. Its glass-etched design ensures everything looks crisp and clear.
It’s not ultra bright, but it still holds its own during the brightest part of the day.
Control-wise, you get large + and – buttons instead of a top dial, which makes it easy to use.
Like all Vortex optics, the Spitfire comes with their unbeatable, no-questions-asked lifetime VIP warranty. If you’re looking for a mid-priced optic, the Vortex Spitfire HD Gen 3x definitely delivers.
We have more details about the 3x and 5x versions in our full review.
3. Swampfox Saber – Best 5X Prism
Prices accurate at time of writing
Prices accurate at time of writing
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Swampfox Saber 5x Pros & Cons
Pros
- Best in class FOV for the magnification
- Large objective lens diameter
- Shake awake illumination
Cons
- Heavy
Specs
- Magnification: 5x
- Weight: 24.7 oz
- Objective Lens Diameter: 36mm
- Field of View: 30.9 ft @ 100yds
- Illumination: Red, Green
- Reticle: Strike MOA
If you are seeking more magnification, the Swampfox Saber offers you a fixed 5x level of magnification.
For a lot of people, 5x seems a bit much, but to me, it’s all about the platform. I was looking for a compact but high-performing optic for a .223 Remington bolt gun, and the Saber looked perfect.
With 5x magnification, I see well within the round’s limitations, and the MOA reticle allows me to compensate easily for drop.
However, this is a pretty heavy optic. Weight-wise, you are well into LPVO territory. However, you are still getting a much more compact package in terms of overall length.
In terms of field of view, the Saber is class-leading at 30.9 feet at 100 yards. It’s a wide, bright, and clear sight picture for those more distant engagements.
Unlike prisms at the 3x or even 4x range, close shooting is admittedly tough with the Swampfox Saber.
To compensate, Swampfox included mounting platforms on the left and right to accommodate mini red dots, specifically dots with the Shield RMCs’ footprint. This allows you to stack an extra red dot for those close-range encounters.
This makes the Saber almost effective as an LPVO. For my shooting, I find myself typically only using only the highest magnification setting or the lowest. I have that same option here.
The Saber might be a little pricier, but it’s still well within the affordable world of prism optics. It’s certainly a more niche option but one that deserves to be mentioned.
4. Primary Arms SLx 3x MicroPrism – Best Overall Prism
Prices accurate at time of writing
Prices accurate at time of writing
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Primary Arms SLx 3x Pros & Cons
Pros
- Very lightweight
- Ultra compact
- Popular ACSS reticles
- Shake awake illumination
Cons
- Certain reticle and color combinations can be harder to find in stock
Specs
- Magnification: 3x
- Weight: 7.95 oz
- Objective Lens Diameter: 23mm
- Field of View: 38 ft @ 100yds
- Illumination: Red, Green
- Reticle: ACSS Raptor, ACSS Griffin
The Primary Arms SLx 3x MicroPrism has single-handedly made prisms a lot more relevant to the current conversation. This lightweight 3x optic is the size of a compact red dot.
It completely upsets the red dot and LPVO conversation.
These tiny optics are made for both 5.56/.308 rifles as well as .300 Blackout/7.62x39mm rifles. They are small, lightweight, and customizable. Primary Arms includes what seems to be a half dozen mounting options with the optics to fit it to whatever platform you are rocking and rolling with.
It’s Primary Arms, so you know the reticles will be nice, and you get the simplified ACSS Raptor reticle.
This provides the donut of death on top of a BDC for taking shots at both close and long range. Once you get behind the optic, you are met with a surprisingly nice 38-foot field of view.
On top of that, the image is super clear, and the reticle is daylight bright. It’s an impressive offering.
Personally, if I wanted a prism optic, this might be my top choice.
It’s lightweight and compact but packs a fixed 3x magnification and an awesome rail system. A bright and clear sight picture helps, as does the ability to mount it every which way but loose.
What do you think of the PA SLx? Rate it below!
5. Swampfox Trihawk – Best Field of View
Prices accurate at time of writing
Prices accurate at time of writing
-
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Swampfox Trihawk 3x Pros & Cons
Pros
- Class-leading FOV
- Large objective lens diameter
- Affordable
Cons
- Heavier than other 3x prisms
- Larger form factor
Specs
- Magnification: 3x
- Weight: 15.4 oz
- Objective Lens Diameter: 30mm
- Field of View: 52 ft @ 100yds
- Illumination: Red, Green
- Reticle: 5.56/.308 BDC, MOA Ladder
When it comes to saving some dinero but still getting a high-quality optic, there is the Swampfox Trihawk. The Trihawk costs about $200 and offers you a fixed 3x magnification. Don’t get startled reading the specs.
This is not a micro prism. In fact, it’s a macroprism.
It’s big at 4.55 inches long and 3.43 inches high, but that’s purposeful. It’s huge because it offers you a class-leading field of view. At 100 yards, you are getting a 52-foot field of view.
That’s absurd compared to other prism optics on the market. That massive field of view makes it easy to track moving targets or to find the target if your presentation gets a little sloppy.
On top of that, the exit pupil is nice and large due to the lens size, and you get a clear and bright picture.
It’s deceptively clear for a $250 optic. Inside that field of view sits either a BDC reticle or an MOA reticle. The MOA design allows you to tailor the Trihawk to any rifle platform, but the BDC locks you into either 5.56 or .308.
The only downside is that I wish the reticle was a bit brighter. It can appear a little dim at high noon in the sunshine state. Other than that, it’s tough not to like the Trihawk.
Unless you dislike massive field of view, clear-sight pictures, and a great price.
Pros & Cons of Prism Scopes
Hard truth: you’re not going to replace a dedicated long-range optic with a prism.
But you can get close. Here are some of our pros and cons.
Pros
- Some level of magnification
- Usually smaller package compared to a traditional scope
- Increased durability due to no moving optical parts
- Illuminated reticles are the norm
- Don’t need batteries like a red dot since the reticle is etched into the glass
- Possibly better for astigmatism
In our opinion, this makes prisms ideal as a battlesight for carbines, as their flexibility means that they can generally be used at both close, mid, and occasionally longer ranges quite comfortably.
As for astigmatism…here’s a nice illustration from AT3 Tactical.
Cons
- Magnification tops out at around 5x
- Heavy compared to red dots
- Not as forgiving parallax and eye relief compared to red dots
- Illuminated reticles aren’t all daylight bright
- Price point of “nice” ones are around $300 and in the ballpark of low power variable optics (LPVOs)
Prism optics definitely have their own cheering section online but keep in mind these negatives as we go into the hands-on testing section.
But What About ACOGs?
Probably the OGs of bombproof prism scopes are Trijicon ACOGs.
We’ve got an article just for them and some for clones as well!
Final Thoughts
The bottom line is that, depending on your individual needs and ability to spend cash on gun glass, we’re positive you’ll find something here that works for you.
What are your thoughts on Prism optics? Do you run a 1x? Or are you like us and prefer Low Power Variable Optics? Also, check out our all-encompassing Best AR-15 Optics and Best Optics for Astigmatism.
39 Leave a Reply
I switched from a red dot to a 3x prism scope on my AR for exactly the reasons outlined in the article. The red dot became blurry and simply could not serve as an effective aiming device. I am very happy with my choice. If you are in a similar situation, try it.
Here’s a novel idea: rather than be screwing around with optics (yanno, like glasses, but more expensive and limited in usefulness) and spend the money on LASIK to permanently treat astigmatism? Astigmatism rarely is stable and gets worse over time and with a number of other factors.
Get your dominant eye fixed (or both, if you can do it) — then go out and buy some real kick-ass optic (like a LPVO).
Many rifle instructors that I’ve met recommend a LPVO at 1-6 magnification range, which seems more than adequate for ranges less than 300 yards — and many of these have adjustment for vision. Getting a fixed magnification sight might cause problems at shorter ranges, especially at 5x or higher.
Some people might be tempted to mount a prism optic in addition to some other platform — such as an Aimpoint PRO/ACO or ACOG: don’t.
Better to get a fixed sight (such as the ACOG, PRO, or ACO) and add a 2x or 3x magnifier on a swivel-mount which can be easily employed (or retracted) if the need arises.
Just when I thought it was safe to come out of the closet with my Romeo7s (VR80), Romeo & Juliet (the Saint), and the Vortex Cross fire II (the 10/22), now it is time to refit with a prism sight? This is what makes firearms ownership so much fun!
Thanks Pew Pew Tactical for the great articles packed with solid information.
Just when I thought it was safe to come out of the closet with my Romeo7s (VR80), Romeo & Juliet (the Saint), and the Vortex Cross fire II (the 10/22), now it is time to refit with a prism sight? This is what makes firearms ownership so much fun!
Thanks Pew Pew Tactical for the great articles packed with solid information.
Is there a prism scope out there for Springfield Armory M1A Scout Squad rifle in .308 caliber? I like the ACSS reticles and built in range finding. Would like to put one on my Springfield.
Ernie, the Primary Arms' prism scopes ACSS that are listed for 5.56 are also regulated for .308 as well, so any of those should work great for your M1A.
I have an AR 300blk 8 inch pistol (no arm brace). Is the PA Gen 2 Cyclops suitable to arm length one hand aiming/shooting with and without single point sling support?
Is it suitable to two hand push/pull aiming/shooting?
Or does eye relief limit me to cheek on tube shooting?
I have mild astigmatism so the PA gen2 Cyclops looks very attractive to me.
a friend of mine has the trihawk on an AK. It's pretty damned brilliant, honestly. I just wish, like all scopes for AK's, that it could be mounted lower.
Travis, when I was looking for an optic for my new Colt 6940, I trash across your article on the Primary Arms SLx Gen2 Cyclops and bought one. For me, it was what I wanted.
A short time later, I bought their 3X magnifier with a "Flip to the side mount". Again, it works for me.
Then they came out with their 3X Cyclops. I might have bought it, but I like the idea of being able to use the 1X Cyclops for up close and personal work.
To me, Primary Arms has a great product that meets my needs perfectly.
A decade ago I put a burris ar-332 (I think they're discontinued now) on a retro carbine with a carry handle. I was going for the gordon carbine look, but I have an astigmatism and the red dot was a no go for me. I've been incredibly happy with that setup and really appreciate the 3x magnification. Not too much for point blank, but enough to reach out quite a way
As a poor slob that suffers from moderate astigmatism, I'm in the market for a prism Optic. I've tried a buddy's rifle that he equipped with one of the PA scopes, and it did indeed look a heck of a lot sharper than my Red Dots
Being a retiree in a fixed income, it'll take a few months to save up for one.
Appreciate the article and reviews Gentlemen.
The Vector Paragon prisms in 1X, 3X and their newer 4X should be on this list too. The Vector 3X has much better eye relief and eye box than the PA SLX 3X.
I didn’t see my ACOG TA31 with ACSS!
All these Mumford & Son "Tacticools" touting how great these Chinese optics are have obviously never owned a Leupold Vari-X III, Nikon Monarch UCC, or Burris Signature glass. They have no Idea the trail that Eotech, Leupold, Nightforce, and Trijicon blazed for red dot optics without grovelling at the feet of the Chinese communists (yes they are our enemy) just to save a buck (or Yuan). I'll gladly pay as much as the cost of my rifle to get an optic that I know was made In the United States under strict quality standards with a lifetime warranty.
Not everyone has $2k to spend on an optic, nor do they have a place to shoot it more than once a year.
But yes, stuff made in US is off better quality.
Great info here! But this article needs an update for 2021: The Vortex Spitfire 2 5x is a game changer in the prism scope world, about half the size and weight of some of the beasts on this list. The one other thing that should be emphasized is eye relief. Prisms have very, very tight eye relief boxes. Mounting options for prisms really need to be thoroughly considered, especially on platforms that don't have a pic rail extending all the way back to the end of the receiver. To get the eye relief right you might need a cantilevered mount that points rearward, which might interfere with some charging handle configurations.
It's mid-2022 now, and I've been using my Spitfire Gen 2 5x for over a year now. I can honestly say I prefer it over any scope on this list. Would love to see how you rate it against the ACOG and against some newer prisms.
I also have astigmatism and am sick of guessing which part of the red dot fuzz ball is actually the center, plus I like the etched reticle so I am switching to 1x prisms. So far I have a Vortex Spitfire 1x. I will probably stick with these as the reticle is simpler. I will be moving my red dots to my back up & practice guns. For longer range I prefer a LPVO.
I am not hitting a 200yard target with a red dot due to astogmatism. The red dot is just not crisp. So I will take a 1X prism over a red dot for that reason. I have a 2.5X prism on now and it is great since it works close up and those 300-400 yard shots are doable.
How would you rate the Burris offerings in regards to your list? I have the AR-535 for example, seems very similar in construction to the spitfire and also has a lifetime no questions asked warranty.
One thing missed here is comparing a red dot mounted on top of a magnified prism sight VS. a LPVO. Weight might be about the same, depending on the exact setup and a fair number of people run a RDS on their LPVO anyway, so they don't have to switch from higher magnification on the LPVO to 1x
E.g. RDS on top of the PA SLx 5x or Bravo 5 vs. a 1-4, 5, or 6x LPVO. Easier to switch between magnifications and the RDS on top of the prism is a much more heads up position anyway(and even better for NV). Thoughts?
I think you missed the #1 reason for a prism optic.. the etched reticle. Battery failure, electronics failure, etc... won’t matter. Still usable. A red dot would be worthless under either condition. My .02
Hey PPT, really appreciate your reviews. Nice to get an honest viewpoint from experienced shooters. I do have an astigmatism in my right eye and am always look for the best solution for my broken ball ('eye'ball of course). Dont hesitate to "shoot" any of these prisms my way to help with a handicap viewpoint.
Hey Guys, I have really bad astigmatism and it's a corrected as it's going to get. I pick up a Vortex Spitfire 1x and recently noticed that I can see the illuminated reticle from both ends of the optic. I don't like the idea of "the bad guy" being able to see the red or green doughnut from the business end. Seems like it would not be a good option for anything tactical. 2 questions, is this a normal thing for prisms optics? And, am I over thinking this and it's a non-issue?
If it works better for you otherwise, you’re overthinking it. Turn it down as low as you can and the benefits you get from faster target acquisition outweigh the fact that it “might” be visible when pointed DIRECTLY at the target.
It’s good to be cautious when going into a situation you know will get loud...but I honestly think your over thinking it a bit. Chances are the bad guy will see you before he sees reticle from the front of your optic. I think it’s more important that your able to acquire the combatant as fast as possible and place well aimed rounds in his vitals. If the prism helps you do that, stick with it.
Monstrum? Seriously?
Let me expand on your "grain of salt" I am 70+ and have astigmatism. I have tries all kinds of red dots I can take a sub MOA rifle and get 4-5 inch groups because even on the lowest intensity the "dot" is a smear. Find me a red dot I can use ill buy it. I have the vortex 1X good glass but heavy and the center dot is almost invisible but at least its a dot when I adjust the diaopter. So yeah your right those without astigmatism have no real way to review a prism scope for those that do.
I thought Monstrum only made stuff for paintball.
I’ve had the Vortex Spitfire 3x and the Burris AR536. I didn’t like them. For me the eye relief was way to short. I sold them both to a guy that loves them, they seem to work very well for him. That tells me these are something you need to try first to find out if they will work for you or not, and not just depend on someone else’s recommendation.
Even with an astigmatism I can shoot red dots just fine. I see an exaggerated comma, but it doesn't seem to affect anything. I just center the "comma" on the target and pull the trigger. Granted seeing two dots would be frustrating..
Cool article. I'm amazed their isn't a prism 1 power that is any good, just cause I don't know many people who struggle with red dot optics. These offerings were fairly weak, the sig is impressive indeed, but also rather bulky looking, but it's a cool piece of kit and the clear highlight of this piece.
Thanks for another great article as always.
Great article, thanks!
Comes very timely for me because I’m just taking a really hard look at prism scopes for my 10 inch AR...
Would you have an opinion on Sightmark‘s Wolfhound 3x24 prism scope?
Got one offered and would be interested in your take
I take it by your infamous Vortex warranty statement , that the Vortex warranty is not what they claim or full of holes ?
In the market for another scope or maybe two and was considering a Vortex . I enjoyed your article because I am not that familiar with red dot scopes. I totally agree with your take on 1 power scopes and would include even 2 power, being a die hard Peep sight fan.
A old Nam combat Vet, that never used peep sights until basic training. When I got back home after a S.E. Asia tour ( married and drafted ) I put them on every thing, even my 12 gauge Ithaca Model 37 featherweight . The best repeating shotgun I ever owned . Like a dumb arse I traded it in on a Rem 870 which came with a slug barrel , which is required in this state for Deer hunting. The 870 did not group slugs any better that the Ithaca .
I do not think I ever traded or sold another gun since.
Old to early and smart to late
Vortex's warranty is awesome and highly reliable! They have one of the best customer service departments in the industry and really go out of their way to take care of people. Highly recommend them!
Thanks again for the work put in. I bought the Burris 3x combo with the burris fastfire 3. I wasn't positive if I would have liked it but I wanted something that could take a beating and put the fastfire on a pistol. The combo was on sale for $300. I decided I actually liked it because it allowed me to have a better field of view while looking through the fastfire. I have looked through the vortex and Primary Arms and my eyes like the Burris noticeably better. I'm sure the Sig is superior than all simply because even their Whiskey 3 scopes are by far best in class with glass. At least that's what my eyes tell me. I personally have a lot of Burris because of the warranty and I catch them on super sale. If price was equal, I'd prefer Sig glass. Just my 2 cents.
Thanks for another great article!!
Any experience/opinion with the Burris line of prism scopes?
No love for Primary's 2.5 prism?