Red dot or LPVO? Spend 5 minutes in any gun store, forum, or social media group, and you'll probably hear someone asking this common question about optic choice. Red-dot sights are often considered the default — unless you're still rocking iron sights, you probably already own an RDS, if not several. They offer a quick-to-acquire point of aim and wide field of view with zero magnification. On the other hand, the low-power variable optic (LPVO) is a powerful tool that can help you maximize the capabilities of your rifle through adjustable magnification ranging from 1-4x, 1-6x, 1-8x, or more. However, if you want to get the most out of it, you'll need to do your homework.
In an effort to address the pros and cons of the LPVO and learn how to use one effectively on an AR-platform rifle, I signed up for a two-day Intro to the LPVO class from TruKinetics. Founded in 2020 by 23-year law enforcement veteran David Norman, TruKinetics started strong with a focused selection of course offerings and a cadre of instructors with highly relevant skill sets. For a class focused on LPVO use at distances from 5 to 500 yards, you'd be hard pressed to find a group of three instructors with more real-world experience behind these optics: David Norman – over 23 years working law enforcement in Phoenix, Arizona, including 13 years of full-time SWAT experience with Special Assignments Unit (SAU); Department of Defense contractor
Brian Langoliers - retired USMC Scout Sniper, U.S. State Department security contractor, and Phoenix Police SAU sniper
Todd Besaki - retired Army Ranger, federal agent for the U.S. Department of Energy training teams that escort nuclear materials
Read on for some lessons learned from this course, and how our experiences on the range reshaped our perspective on the value of the LPVO.
Red Dot (+ Magnifier) vs. LPVO
In essence, the LPVO bridges the gap between a red-dot sight and a medium-power rifle scope. A quality LPVO offers true 1x magnification (or extremely close to it) and a bright illuminated reticle for close-range targets, as well as the capability to adjust quickly to a higher magnification setting for targets that are further away.
LPVO Advantages
Most importantly, TruKinetics emphasized that an LPVO’s magnification offers enhanced ability to positively identify (PID) a target before choosing to shoot. At extended range with a red dot, you might not be able to determine if the individual you're looking at is carrying a gun or some other object. That’s critical information, no matter if you're a member of the military, a law enforcement officer, or a civilian. The LPVO is a potent tool for gathering information, even if
