If you are looking for a budget mil/mil scope there is another option just out. I am a huge fan of the Weaver Grand Slam Tac 3-10x40 that Midway sells FWIW.
I have not really been a Leupold fan for the most part but they are coming out with some things that are starting to catch my eye. I would love a MK6 3-18 but I can't afford it right now. The VXR Patrol line is nice with a few tweaks to the reticles they would be great.
That being said I like this new MOD 1 series. I am not a fan of BDC turrets but these also have .1 mil markings on them so its a moot point. I am not a fan of mis matched reticle/ turrets like the regular Mk AR but the Mod 1 matches so I like that.
I actually prefer the lock-ring eye piece on these over the fast focus VXR.
The turrets feel pretty good for the price point. There is better out there but they are not bad. The windage turret starts at 0, 1, 2, etc no matter which direction you turn which is a feature that is usually on more expensive scopes. I do not like that the elevation turret does not have a REV counter by moving up and down as you adjust it. Many other scopes have this(including budget scopes) and I don't know why Leupold didn't include it in the Mod1 or the Vxr. Not a deal breaker but you do have to remember which revolution you are on when you start cranking on the dial.
The TMR reticle is a little thick but not too much. I do wish they would have made the .5 mil marks and the .1 mil marks a little more distinguishable. I can see some confusion if you are trying to find the 3.5 mil mark (for example) in a hurry.
IMO I think the 3-9x40 with the TMR reticle is a very good value. It is illuminated, mil/mil, and has a Gen 2 style reticle.
The 3-9x40 with the regular mildot IMO is just meh with no Illumination. The Weaver Grand Slam Tactical from Midway is a better scope IMO with the same features and more solid turrets. The Weaver is a little cheaper too.
These are just my initial impressions of the scope so far. I am being a little picky on some things but there are so many affordable mil/mil scopes out now its hard not to.
The illumination is very similar to the design of the Burris LRS scopes. There is one exception. It DOES have the MST auto shut off/on. It actually seems to work pretty good. After it shuts itself down, and you them move it, it immediately turns itself back on. I like how it is just a small green dot in the middle instead of an entire crosshair that lights up.
Here is a few crappy cell phone pics on my 6.8. Merry Christmas Everyone!
Here you can see the yardage numbers on the upper portion of the turret and the .1 mil markings on the bottom. I'm glad they put both so you can use it on non .223/55 grain setups.
I have not really been a Leupold fan for the most part but they are coming out with some things that are starting to catch my eye. I would love a MK6 3-18 but I can't afford it right now. The VXR Patrol line is nice with a few tweaks to the reticles they would be great.
That being said I like this new MOD 1 series. I am not a fan of BDC turrets but these also have .1 mil markings on them so its a moot point. I am not a fan of mis matched reticle/ turrets like the regular Mk AR but the Mod 1 matches so I like that.
I actually prefer the lock-ring eye piece on these over the fast focus VXR.
The turrets feel pretty good for the price point. There is better out there but they are not bad. The windage turret starts at 0, 1, 2, etc no matter which direction you turn which is a feature that is usually on more expensive scopes. I do not like that the elevation turret does not have a REV counter by moving up and down as you adjust it. Many other scopes have this(including budget scopes) and I don't know why Leupold didn't include it in the Mod1 or the Vxr. Not a deal breaker but you do have to remember which revolution you are on when you start cranking on the dial.
The TMR reticle is a little thick but not too much. I do wish they would have made the .5 mil marks and the .1 mil marks a little more distinguishable. I can see some confusion if you are trying to find the 3.5 mil mark (for example) in a hurry.
IMO I think the 3-9x40 with the TMR reticle is a very good value. It is illuminated, mil/mil, and has a Gen 2 style reticle.
The 3-9x40 with the regular mildot IMO is just meh with no Illumination. The Weaver Grand Slam Tactical from Midway is a better scope IMO with the same features and more solid turrets. The Weaver is a little cheaper too.
These are just my initial impressions of the scope so far. I am being a little picky on some things but there are so many affordable mil/mil scopes out now its hard not to.
The illumination is very similar to the design of the Burris LRS scopes. There is one exception. It DOES have the MST auto shut off/on. It actually seems to work pretty good. After it shuts itself down, and you them move it, it immediately turns itself back on. I like how it is just a small green dot in the middle instead of an entire crosshair that lights up.
Here is a few crappy cell phone pics on my 6.8. Merry Christmas Everyone!
Here you can see the yardage numbers on the upper portion of the turret and the .1 mil markings on the bottom. I'm glad they put both so you can use it on non .223/55 grain setups.
