Welcome to the world of optics! If you’re delving into the realm of firearms or seeking an upgrade for your current setup, you’ve likely encountered the maze of options available regarding scopes. Today, we’re diving into a particularly intriguing niche: the quest for the best 1-8x scopes for the money.
Picture this: a versatile scope capable of seamlessly transitioning from close-quarters engagement to mid-range precision. The 1-8x scope stands tall in this regard, offering a spectrum of magnification, from an almost reflex-like 1x for quick target acquisition, up to 8x for enhanced accuracy at distances.
But with many choices flooding the market, how do you narrow down the options to find the one that marries quality and affordability?
In this interactive exploration, we’ll navigate the landscape of 1-8x scopes together. We’ll sift through the features that make these scopes stand out: clarity of glass, reticle styles, durability, ease of adjustment, and, of course, the value they offer concerning their price.
Along the way, you’ll get insights into what distinguishes a good scope from a great one, and how to match your shooting needs with the perfect optic.
So, let’s get started!
Top 6 Best 1-8X Scopes for the Money
- Vortex Strike Eagle 1-8×24 SFP – Best Overall
- Athlon Argos BTR GEN2 1-8×24: Best for AR-15
- Trijicon VCOG 1-8×28 – Best for AR-10
- Bushnell AR Optics 1-8×24 – Best for AR-15
- Primary Arms SLx8 1-8×24 FFP: Best 1-8x FFP Scope
- Nightforce NX8 1-8×24 F1 – Best Illumination
Best 1-8X Scopes for the Money- Comparison Table
| Feature | Vortex Strike Eagle 1-8×24 | Athlon Argos BTR Gen2 1-8×24 | Trijicon VCOG 1-8×28 | Bushnell AR Optics 1-8×24 | Primary Arms SLx8 1-8×24 | Nightforce NX8 1-8×24 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Magnification | 1-8x | 1-8x | 1-8x | 1-8x | 1-8x | 1-8x |
| Objective Lens | 24mm | 24mm | 28mm | 24mm | 24mm | 24mm |
| Weight | 17.6 oz | 18.34 oz | 27 oz | 16.7 oz | 21.5 oz | 17 oz |
| Eye Relief | 3.5-4″ | 3.3-3.8″ | 2.75-3.5″ | 3.7″ | 3.2″ | 3.5″ |
| Reticle/Focal Plane | BDC (SFP) | APMR (FFP) | Segmented Circle (FFP) | BTR-2 (SFP) | ACSS Griffin (FFP) | FC-Mil (FFP) |
| Illumination | Yes (11 settings) | Yes (6 settings) | Fiber Optic + Tritium | Yes (11 settings) | Yes (11 settings) | Yes (8 settings) |
| Tube Diameter | 30mm | 30mm | 30mm | 30mm | 30mm | 30mm |
| True 1x | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Best Platform | AR-15/Multi-purpose | AR-15/Competition | AR-10/Heavy rifles | AR-15/Budget builds | AR-15/Tactical | Precision AR |
Vortex Strike Eagle 1-8×24 SFP – Best 1-8X Scope for the Money
The Vortex Strike Eagle 1-8×24 SFP stands out as a top-tier LPVO (Low Power Variable Optic) in the current market. Renowned for its versatility and speed, it competes favorably with its 1-6x counterpart.
Surprisingly, despite expectations, the 1-8x version is lighter and more compact, offering a size and weight advantage over its 1-6x sibling.
Sporting the AR-BDC3 reticle calibrated in MOA, this optic facilitates bullet drop and wind drift holdovers, extending its usability to approximately 600-650 yards.
The reticle design includes a segmented horseshoe, a 1 MOA center dot with illumination, and an auto-ranging feature at the top. Notably, since it operates in the SFP (Second Focal Plane), the subtensions remain accurate at a maximum of 8x magnification.
Featuring low-profile capped turrets, this scope is not primarily designed for extensive dialing adjustments. Its optimal use seems to lie within hunting applications, excelling at distances of around 400 yards.
Accessories like flip-up caps and a threaded throw lever are included in the package for added convenience.
Critically speaking, there might be a slight loss of image focus at the maximum 8x magnification, a characteristic that might deter some users.
Additionally, the fixed parallax at 100 yards means that as you stretch the range and increase magnification, there might be some compromise in optical performance.
Nevertheless, considering its overall performance and value for the price, the Vortex Strike Eagle 1-8×24 SFP remains a dominant force in the realm of LPVOs.
Pros
- Affordability with great performance
- AR-BDC3 reticle
- Illuminated reticle
- Fast focus dial makes it super quick to focus the sights
- Low-profile capped turrets
- High-quality optical coatings
- Fog and waterproof capabilities
Cons
- Slight lack of focus at 8x magnification
Athlon Argos BTR GEN2 1-8×24: Best for AR-15
The ATHLON ARGOS BTR Gen2 1-8×24 emerges as an optimal choice, particularly tailored for the AR-15 platform, owing to its distinctive features and performance.
The outstanding glass quality of this scope delivers an immaculate, distortion-free image of the target, ensuring clarity without any blurring. Its fully multi-coated glass significantly enhances light absorption, resulting in a brighter and clearer picture.
Furthermore, the anti-reflective glass minimizes light reflections, aiding in maintaining a low profile and reducing attention to the user’s position.
The horseshoe-shaped reticle is incredibly effective for targeting silhouettes, swiftly drawing focus to the intended target even at maximum range. Its simplicity enables precise aiming without distractions.
The illuminated reticle is a standout feature, ensuring effortless targeting during low-light conditions, such as dawn or dusk.
Combined with the multi-coatings light-drawing capability, it enhances visibility and ease of use in varying lighting environments.
Featuring a generous 3.4 inches of eye relief, this scope offers comfort even at maximum range, preventing eye fatigue during extended use.
The superior glass quality ensures edge-to-edge clarity without any blurring or distortion, maintaining a clear sight picture throughout.
Crafted with durability in mind, the ATHLON ARGOS BTR Gen2 exhibits exceptional resilience. Constructed from aircraft-grade aluminum, it withstands considerable impact and remains unscathed even after rigorous testing, including drops, impacts, and complete submersion in water.
The XPL coating on the lenses safeguards against dirt, oil, and scratches, while its argon purging and waterproof construction guarantee protection against fogging and moisture damage, making it ideal for harsh terrains.
The top-of-the-line turrets provide precise adjustments with crisp, audible clicks, maintaining accuracy even under heavy recoil. Rapid zeroing, requiring only 20 rounds, and retaining zero through subsequent rounds is a testament to its reliability.
Fixed parallax at 100 yards remains effective across varying magnifications. The 1-8x magnification range allows for versatile use, excelling in close to mid-range applications such as close-quarters combat, target shooting, or hunting.
Pros
- Precise and audible turrets
- Exceptionally clear multi-coated glass
- Horseshoe reticle facilitating effortless targeting of silhouettes
- Robust durability
- Lightweight and compact
Cons
- Glass Clarity At High Magnification
Trijicon VCOG 1-8×28 – Best for AR-10
The Trijicon VCOG 1-8x scope is hailed as one of the top-tier LPVOs available, but its price tag reflects its elite status. With such a substantial cost, high expectations naturally accompany this Variable Combat Optical Gunsight.
Firstly, its weight might not be for everyone, tipping the scales at 31.5 ounces. However, this bulkiness is a byproduct of its impressive specs—a 34 mm tube, 35 MRAD adjustment range, utilization of an AA battery for illumination, and a 28 mm objective lens. Such upgrades inevitably contribute to its overall weight.
The MRAD segmented circle crosshair dot reticle lacks specific cartridge calibration. Users need to input their ballistics data to obtain accurate holdover values for drop and wind.
Offering 11 brightness settings, including 8 for daylight, 2 for night vision compatibility, and a super-bright illumination mode, this scope caters to various lighting conditions.
Rather than a traditional thread-in lever, Trijicon designed an integrated dial fin for quick adjustments. This feature maintains a low profile while ensuring durability.
Notably, the VCOG boasts impressive waterproofing capabilities, certified to function at depths of up to 66 feet (or 20 meters).
So, what justifies the premium price of the VCOG?
Part of its cost might stem from the prestige associated with the brand name. However, it earns its value with features like remarkable durability, intermittent off settings, approximately 633 hours of illumination under certain conditions, a comfortable 4 inches of eye relief, and an integrated rail mount.
Pros
- Superior Trijicon craftsmanship
- Exceptional clarity of glass
- MRAD scope with FFP reticle
- Integrated power fin for adjustments
- Utilizes AA power source
- Night vision compatibility
Cons
- High cost
- Considerable weight
Bushnell AR Optics 1-8×24 – Best for AR-15
The Bushnell AR Optics 1-8×24 stands as an excellent entry-level LPVO, ideal for those seeking a versatile scope for their AR-15. What sets this scope apart is its MIL turrets, catering to users who prefer the MIL measuring system over MOA.
Offering 0.1 MIL adjustments, this MIL-based scope provides 6 MILs per revolution, translating to around 14 MILs of total adjustment travel, allowing for reasonable distances beyond a 100-yard zero.
Resettable turrets add to the convenience of zeroing. Despite having only 6 illumination settings, feedback suggests it’s adequately bright, though not suited for direct sunlight.
Included are both short and long throw levers, though the latter may pose a potential obstruction, especially on bolt-action rifles. Opting for higher rings could address this issue, yet it might affect the shooting position.
Weighing a mere 16.5 ounces, this scope impresses with its lightweight construction, a significant advantage compensating for the provision of bikini caps instead of flip-up caps. While some might consider swapping the caps, these provided ones suffice for storage purposes.
Pros
- Great for the money
- Straightforward BDC reticle
- MIL-based adjustments
- Bright illumination
- Clarity
- Resettable zero
- Illuminated reticle
- Featherweight design
Cons
- Bikini-style caps
Primary Arms SLx8 1-8×24 FFP: Best 1-8x FFP Scope
The Primary Arms SLx8 1-8×24 FFP stands out as the ultimate choice for those seeking the finest 1-8x FFP scope.
Boasting a comprehensive array of features and maintaining a lightweight, compact design, this scope delivers exceptional performance that captivated me upon my first use.
The glass quality of the Primary Arms SLx8 surpasses expectations, especially considering its price point. Equipped with fully multi-coated lenses, it enhances light transmission and minimizes glare, ensuring an incredibly bright and clear sight picture.
Moreover, its ACSS Raptor reticle, located in the first focal plane, guarantees remarkable accuracy across all magnification settings.
With 11 illumination settings, including one suitable for the brightest daylight conditions, this scope, powered by a CR2032 battery (included with a spare), ensures optimal visibility in diverse lighting environments.
The generous eye relief of 3.2 inches to 3.3 inches alleviates concerns, making eye relief a non-issue, particularly when paired with a good cheek weld.
Additionally, the quick-focus eyepiece enhances target acquisition speed.
Renowned for its quality, Primary Arms delivers again with the SLx8 1-8×24 FFP. Its lightweight, compact build makes it a versatile addition to any setup.
Waterproof and fogproof capabilities ensure reliable performance in any weather condition. Furthermore, the lifetime warranty provides assurance and support for any unforeseen issues.
Featuring ¼ MOA click adjustments, the elevation and windage knobs offer easy manipulation with tactile and audible feedback. Low-profile turret caps add to the appeal, making zeroing a quick and hassle-free process.
The variable 1-8x magnification range covers close to mid-range distances comprehensively, ideal for diverse applications from close-quarters combat to varmint and big game hunting.
The fixed 100-yard parallax setting delivers distortion-free clarity across different magnifications, contributing to its exceptional performance.
Pros
- Exceptionally clear glass quality
- Short to mid-range precision
- Compact and lightweight design
- Fully multi-coated lenses for superior clarity
- Low-profile and precise capped turrets
- ACSS Raptor reticle for precise aiming
Cons
- Short eye relief
Nightforce NX8 1-8×24 F1 – Best Illumination
The Nightforce NX8 1-8×24 F1 stands out for its exceptional illumination capability, perhaps its most impressive attribute.
Boasting 10 brightness settings, intermittent off positions, and notably, daylight-bright illumination, this scope sets a new standard for reticle visibility among LPVOs.
However, like many high-end scopes, the NX8 carries a premium price tag, a characteristic that places it in competition with other high-quality alternatives, albeit at a significant cost.
Nightforce NX8 offers versatility, available in both MIL and MOA models. The MIL version boasts 0.2 MIL adjustments and provides 30 MILs of adjustment travel per turret. Its first focal plane (FFP) reticle incorporates a 0.35 MIL center dot.
The NX8 comes equipped with several noteworthy features, including a zero stop, exposed elevation turret, capped windage turret, and a power throw lever included in the package.
Despite its 1-8x configuration, this scope impressively maintains a compact size at 8.7 inches in length and a weight of 17.6 ounces.
Similar to the Bushnell AR Optics 1-8x, the NX8 exemplifies that a larger 1-8x setup doesn’t necessitate compromising on scope dimensions.
Despite its remarkable features, the NX8 1-8x scope presents some challenges, particularly with its eye box at maximum power.
Although it claims a generous 3.7 inches of eye relief, achieving optimal optical performance requires precise alignment with the scope’s optical axis to minimize any visual distortions.
Pros
- Daylight-bright illumination
- Durability
- Clarity
- Weight
- Reticle
- Available in MIL and MOA versions
- Equipped with a zero-stop
- Compact and lightweight design
Cons
- Cost
- Restricted eye box at higher magnification
Frequently Asked Questions About 1-8X Scopes
What’s the advantage of 1-8x magnification over red dots or fixed scopes?
A 1-8x scope combines the speed of a red dot at true 1x magnification for close-quarters shooting (0-50 yards) with enough magnification at 8x for precision shots out to 500+ yards. This makes it ideal for 3-gun competition, tactical applications, and versatile hunting where you need both close-range speed and distance capability. You get two optics in one package without the weight, bulk, or complexity of offset sights or dual optic setups.
Should I choose First Focal Plane (FFP) or Second Focal Plane (SFP) for a 1-8x scope?
FFP scopes (Athlon Argos, Primary Arms SLx8, Nightforce NX8, Trijicon VCOG) keep reticle subtensions accurate at any magnification, which is crucial if you’re using holdovers or range estimation at different powers. SFP scopes (Vortex Strike Eagle, Bushnell AR Optics) have cleaner, less cluttered reticles at low power and are typically cheaper. For tactical shooting and competition where you need accurate holds at varying magnifications, choose FFP. For hunting or general use where you’ll primarily use one or two magnification settings, SFP is simpler and more affordable.
How much should I spend on a quality 1-8x scope?
Budget 1-8x scopes start around $200-300 (Bushnell AR Optics), mid-tier options run $300-500 (Vortex Strike Eagle, Athlon Argos, Primary Arms), and premium scopes exceed $1,500-2,000+ (Nightforce NX8, Trijicon VCOG). For most AR-15 shooters, the $300-500 range offers exceptional value with true 1x performance, quality glass, and reliable durability. Only invest in premium optics if you’re competing seriously, using professionally, or demand absolute best-in-class optical clarity and bombproof construction.
What does “true 1x” mean and why does it matter?
True 1x means that at the lowest magnification setting, you see the target at actual life-size with no magnification distortion, functioning essentially like a red dot sight with both-eyes-open shooting capability. Some cheaper variable scopes claim “1x” but actually provide 1.1x or 1.2x magnification, which creates a slightly magnified image that makes close-range shooting slower and less natural. All the scopes listed here offer genuine true 1x performance for red-dot-like speed up close.
Can a 1-8x scope handle 3-gun competition and hunting equally well?
Absolutely. The 1-8x magnification range is specifically designed for this versatility. At 1x, you get the speed needed for 3-gun’s close-range stages and moving targets. At 6-8x, you have enough magnification for precision rifle stages, predator hunting at 200-400 yards, or ethical deer shots in open country. The Primary Arms SLx8 and Athlon Argos BTR are particularly well-suited for competition with FFP reticles, while the Vortex Strike Eagle’s SFP design excels for hunting where reticle simplicity at low power is preferred.
In conclusion…
In the fascinating landscape of 1-8x scopes, this exploration has uncovered a diverse array of optical marvels tailored to meet various shooting needs.
The quest for the best 1-8x scope for the money that marries quality and affordability revealed a tapestry of versatile tools, each offering a unique blend of features and capabilities.
These scopes, spanning different brands and functionalities, showcase an intriguing balance between performance, durability, and value for money.
From precision-engineered reticles and exceptional glass clarity to durable constructions and varying illumination capacities, each scope brings something distinct to the table.
While individual scopes showcased their merits and drawbacks, collectively, they represent a testament to the innovation and craftsmanship prevalent in the realm of optics.
As the search for the ideal 1-8x scope continues, this exploration serves as a guide through the multifaceted world of optics, empowering enthusiasts to make informed choices based on their specific shooting preferences and requirements.