By Dave Bahde
Added magnification is seldom bad and can often really help. Simply needing to “see” better is a huge benefit at any range. Low magnification levels and increased field of view are also valuable when the ranges become shorter. The problem has always been size. Scopes in the 24 to 30 power range are typically long with big objectives, all but impossible to mount on compact rifles. That is changing and EOTech’s Vudu 5-25x50mm FFP scope is an excellent example of what can be in a compact yet powerful scope.
At 11.2 inches, the Vudu 5-25x50mm FFP is perfect for modern sporting rifles. Mounted on an AR-15, you retain the appropriate eye relief. Longer barrels allow room for clip-on night vision with ease. A 34mm tube provides ample elevation adjustment to reach significant distance. A 50mm objective allows for typical AR mounts, and weighing in at 29.5 ounces with CR2032 batteries installed, it keeps things light and balanced. Its first focal plane reticle keeps measurements accurate no matter the magnification. The Horus H59 reticle, currently fielded by a number of Special Operations units, is perfect for avoiding turrets adjustments. The MD3 reticle is mil calibrated with a lighted center dot, excellent for long range competition. The elevation turret locks in place, the windage turret is capped, and the EX check zero stop keeps you spot on after turning the knobs. Exit pupil diameter at 5x is 5.5 mm and at 25x is 2.1 mm. Eye Relief at 5x is 2.96 to 3.71 inches; at 25x it’s 3.27 to 3.63 inches. Field of view at 100 yards ranges from 23.3 feet at 5x to 4.7 feet at 25x. I have mounted this scope to bolt rifles, precision AR-10s, and a number of AR-15 rifles. The XC high-density glass is clear and crisp with excellent low light gathering, and using the H59 reticle allows for fast ranging and multiple target engagements. It fits on rifles that scopes with similar magnification just won’t work on. And at right around $2,000 it rivals scopes twice the size with much higher price tags. It has proven perfect for mid to long range varmint hunting and is incredibly well suited to police sniper rifles. It is easily one of the most versatile high-magnification scopes on the market today, and since it works on most any rifle, it was an easy pick for a 2018 Editor’s Choice Award. See it at your dealer, or for more information contact EOTech, Inc.; Tel.: (888) 368-4656; E-mail: [email protected]; Web: www.eotechinc.com
