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MAgnifiers vs LPVOs

Hey all, we here at True Shot Academy want to go over magnifiers and LPVOs today. These two optic devices are very popular among shooters today. Our mission with this blog post is to compare these two types of optics while delving into some of their traits and features. Without further ado, let’s explore magnifiers and LPVOs.

What is a Magnifier?

A magnifier unit is an optical device which is designed to be mounted behind an unmagnified optic. Like the name suggests, these units will provide a fixed level of magnification. Magnifiers typically use mounts which allow them to be flipped out of the way or removed entirely when not in use. Mounts of this type highlight one of the biggest benefits of running a magnifier as one can easily swap between magnified and unmagnified shooting.

One can quickly transition from using just a red dot or holographic sight for up-close shooting to longer range shooting in seconds with a magnifier. While most mounts for magnifiers allow for rapid deployment and removal of the unit, there are also some fixed mounts which exist. These mounts are static in nature and cannot facilitate fast transitions between magnified and unmagnified shooting.

Magnifiers are usually available in multiple magnification levels. These kinds of optics can be had in 3x, 5x, and 6x varieties to name a few. These magnification levels tend to be on the lower side, allowing a user to have a versatile setup which works up close and at further distances. These lower magnification levels can even be appreciated at closer ranges. A shooter will have a better view of their target and can potentially make more accurate shots. This can be the difference between making more more A-Zone hits or not.

What is an LPVO?

A low power variable optic, or LPVO, is a traditional style scope which covers a low range of magnification. Typically, LPVO scopes do not exceed 10x magnification. Common offerings span 1-4, 1-6, 1-8, and 1-10 magnification ranges. These types of optics bridge the gap between close range and longer-range shooting as they seek to cover the low and high ends of magnification. LPVOs are also available with or without illuminated reticles.

LPVOs are also available in either first focal plane (FFP) or second focal plane (SFP) form. FFP scopes feature a reticle which has a size corresponding to the current level of magnification. At lower magnification levels, the reticle will appear to be smaller and more simplistic. As the level of magnification increases, the reticle will grow in size and be at its largest and most complex at the highest level. It is at this highest level of magnification where one can best use a bullet drop compensator (BDC) type reticle and expect a reticle’s markings for holds and other information to be most accurate. SFP scopes feature a reticle which stays the same time at all magnification levels.

As mentioned in the section on magnifiers, a little bit of magnification goes a long way at most distances. LPVOs can make a shooter more accurate at both close range and at further distances. The ability to quickly and easily adjust between low and high magnification levels affords the shooter a great deal of versatility at different ranges.

Pros and Cons: Magnifier

Pros:

Take up less space and generally considerably lighter than LPVOs.
Magnifiers generally include a mount, making them easily usable right out of the box.
The reticle of a sight accompanying a magnifier unit will almost always feature more prominent brightness levels than their LPVO counterparts.
Magnifiers themselves do not need to be zeroed. One must simply center the reticle of the sight it is paired with by using the adjustment turrets on the magnifier itself. All a shooter should do is ensure that the sight picture is centered and clear.
It is typically faster to deploy or stow a magnifier than it is to switch magnification on an LPVO. While magnifiers typically flip to the side or center, a much faster action than turning a knurled knob on an LPVO to increase or decrease magnification.

Cons:

These optics lack a reticle of their own and are dependent upon the presence of a red dot or holographic sight.
Magnifiers are fixed power optics, meaning that they only cover one level of magnification.
There are fewer mounting options for magnifiers than there are LPVOs.
A prospective buyer will find that there are fewer magnifiers on the market than there are LPVOs.
Less conducive to precision-oriented work than their LPVO counterparts. A single red dot reticle being magnified by a factor of 3x or 5x simply increases the size of the reticle. One will have to know their holds at different distances when using red dot or holographic sights with a magnifier.

Pros and Cons: LPVO

Pros:

Due to the fact that these are traditional style scopes, LPVOs feature permanent, etched reticles.
Like the name suggests, LPVOs cover a variety of magnification levels.
There are a wider variety of mounts available for LPVOs. These mounts are available in different heights, ring sizes, and styles. Features can also be found on mounts which allow for the addition of smaller optics or mechanisms facilitating quick detach capabilities.
There are more LPVO options available on the market than there are magnifiers. More options means that prospective buyers can consider more optics for their firearm.
More optimal for precision work than magnifiers. LPVOs are traditional scopes and benefit from having reticles which are better suited to this type of shooting. Reticles and turrets can be optimized for specific calibers, loadings, and even barrel lengths.

Cons:

LPVOs are bulkier and heavier than a magnifier and its accompanying sight.
LPVOs generally won’t include a mount or any means to install them onto a firearm. This means that an additional purchase must be made before one can even use their LPVO.
Reticles in LPVOs are generally not going to be nearly as bright as those in the red dot or holographic sight a magnifier is sitting behind.
Must be zeroed just like any other standalone optic. This process will take time and ammunition. Zeroing a scope is not difficult by any means, it is just not as expedient as setting up a magnifier.
Generally slower to adjust the magnification level on an LPVO than it is run a magnifier. Some LPVOs will benefit from knobs and spokes which make it easier and more expedient to adjust the level of magnification.

Who Makes Magnifiers?

Magnifier units are currently offered by a variety of manufacturers. These companies include Aimpoint, EOTech, Trijicon, Vortex, and Holosun just to name a few. These types of optics are generally manufactured in China and the United States. Magnifiers are available in many different price levels. This means that budget-oriented and premium offerings exist, providing shooters with a variety of budgets to browse potential options.

Who Makes LPVOs?

There number of LPVO offerings on the market considerably outweighs the number of prism sights on the market. Offerings of LPVO scopes can be had from companies such as Leupold, Trijicon, EOTech, Nightforce, and Vortex Optics to name a few. Like most optics, LPVOs are available at both budget-oriented and premium price points. These types of optics are usually made in countries such as the United States, Japan, Germany, the Philippines, and China.

Conclusion

At the end of the day, these two types of optics are incredibly versatile and viable for a wide range of shooters. Optics of both types have been used for competition use, duty use, and casual use alike. Regardless of the optic a shooter ends up choosing, it is important that they train and grow proficient with their firearm. To build proficiency with any firearm, ammunition and time must be invested. While we cannot provide you with time, we certainly have you covered when it comes to ammunition. Happy shooting.

Need bulk ammo? At True Shot Ammo, we have a wide variety of handgun ammo and rifle ammo available to purchase. Please visit our website trueshotammo.com, call us at (888) 736-6587, or you can email us at [email protected] for more ammo options.

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Tyler Elsberry

Tyler Elsberry is an author for True Shot Ammo, boasting over a decade of experience in the firearms industry. His extensive knowledge and hands-on expertise make him a valuable asset to the True Shot team. Tyler's deep understanding of firearms, coupled with his passion for the ammunition industry, allows him to provide insightful and practical guidance to enthusiasts and professionals alike. His writings often reflect his commitment to delivering accurate, up-to-date information on the latest trends, products, and advancements in the field. Tyler's ability to convey complex technical details in an accessible manner has earned him a loyal following among readers seeking reliable advice and information in the world of firearms and ammunition.