Thanks. May I ask what reticle you prefer?
According to Leupold's website, the 1.5-5 illuminated appears to be available in German 4 Dot, Duplex and Circle Dot.
I am running the Duplex. I used the vertical hair for holdovers. I did want to try the Circle Dot one for a T&E though, just never did.
Yes, I very much do prefer the low powered variables over a non magnified RDO. I was issued an RDO (EOTECH). It offered no target discrimination. A low powered variable is a substantially more flexible optic and can handle a far wider range of situations better.
I kept mine on 1.5x and shot with both eyes open, just like I would with an RDO, for close range unanticipated contacts.
When I needed to look more closely at something or someone, I simply dialed it up. If I needed to take a more precise shot, I simply dialed up. Target discrimination is critical and is something that I could write pages on, but is hard to explain in a short amount of time/space.
If I dial up and get on target, rather than finding a target with binos, then go back to a rifle with an RDO, reacquire a target, which may or may not be there still, and attempt to engage I may have just lost my window of opportunity. These things are fluid and rapidly change.
Long story short, the low power variable has a huge advantage in both sporting and tactical applications.
MS
