[johnson184]

Currently running an Acog TA11, and it's pretty easy to use with really clear glass. Love it. But it seems a huge trend lately is going to the 1-6x scopes like the Razor Vortex Gen 2 1-6x... Never been able to check one out in person, and I'd have to sell my ACOG to fund one. Not sure if this is a case of grass is greener on the other side... suggestions would be really welcome.

 

[CPTdaz]

Lighter, simple and consistent (fixed magnification), faster target acquisition (depending on reticle), arguably more reliable and more rugged, and dual illuminated.

 

[bayonet14]

If you like it - stick with what you have

 

[ATL_Matt]

I have both and have experimented with them on different guns (including 17S). Logically, I was prepared to like the 1-6 better: does "fast acquisition" red dot missions better and with a quick flip, does longer range DMR roles a bit better as well. What I found in practice over the last 3-5 years is that for the guns that I'd "bet my life on" I tended to migrate toward either an ACOG or Aimpoint red dot and the 1-6's (I own two very good ones - SWFA & Vortex) ended up primarily on my range guns.

The weight was obviously one factor (lighter) but I also felt like the 1-6 (set mag, trigger illumination, make mental adjustments) represented additional cycles in the decision loop when I really needed to focus on threats and putting rounds accurately on target...

That all said, I am sure it's primarily a matter of training but in my experience, I started with 1-6's and ended up favoring ACOGs to some extent... YMMV. Matt

 

[chainring]

I'm the opposite, I started with Acogs and went to 1-6 optics. The Swaro Z6i with BTR reticle, Bushnell Elite 1-6.5 with mil reticle and Vortex Razor 1-6 with mil are a fantastic improvement for me. Vast majority of my shooting is within 100 yards, so the true 1x with daylight bright reticle is king. Don't go buy some MTac or Vortex PST1-4 and get disillusioned - the Vortex Razor 1-6 is really the only way to compare with an Acog. Versatility is a good thing.

Poo-poo the "gamer" world all one wants, but there is a reason most of them are running quality 1-6 optics. They can be accurate faster in more diverse situations. The only draw back is that you can't blow your rifle up and expect the optic to survive, but the Vortex is built like a tank, and I've never seen better glass, even in my swaro.

 

[TBROWN 1911]

I went from ACOG to VCOG and it made me wish I went 1x-6 a long time ago

 

[FNFlorida]

I prefer my ACOG on the 17 over my 1-6's for many of the reasons above. Simplicity, Speed and Ruggedness were my main factors. Not that 1-6's are complicated, slow and fragile, just my opinions.

 

[Performify]

Some great responses above.

End of the day it's all about your mission.
There are obviously positive strengths of the ACOG as mentioned above.

The advantages I see of the variables are actually less about the 1x setting. It's more about the availability of extra magnification and differences in eye relief (variables are usually much more forgiving on eye relief on the low setting than an acog).

The "1x" advantages tend to be oversold a lot (except for the associated eye relief). if you have ever been in a tactical situation or have run tactical training - many CQB situations you're already going to be on your gun. Most all of the time you are going to be shooting with adrenaline and should be both moving and shooting quickly. As long as you have the ability to operate in CQB on the gun with both eyes open and ability to hit reliably inside 2MOA for CQB you're not going to see any difference. As long as you have an ACOG with BAC I will argue all day that it's so close to 1.5x to be indistinguishable within MOA in 80%+ of real world tactical situations. And the 20%- of the time it's not (a) it's close enough to count and (b) is vastly outweighed in my opinion by the advantages of the ACOG platform already listed above.


End of the day pick what works for you based on your mission and train the hell out of it.

All that said I'm an unabashed acog fan but I'm considering replacing my eotech with fts with the vortex 1-6. I do think the 1-6 clearly edges the RDS + FTS magnifier