Ok, you have a holosight/red dot and are debating purchasing some glass to either reach out a touch bit further or obtain a better sight picture for more precise shot placement... There are a number of options you have, at a number of price points. It may seem hard for some to to justify the higher prices of some models; however you will sacrifice usability.
The following is the roundup of your major options & ballpark prices:
Eotech 3x - ~$500+
Aimpoint 3x ~$500+
Burris Tripler ~ $250
Vortex 3x $200+
Primary Arms 3, 5, 6 (2 generations) ~$100+
Mako 3, 5, 7x (3 generations) ~$100
Sightmark 3, 5, 7x (2 generations) ~$100
UTG 3, 5 x ~ $75
I have personally handled the Eotech, Vortex and 2 different generations of Mako
*Ithink it would be more beneficial to make this a thread instaed of a simple review so please add pictures and comments of your own. It would be nice to see all of these stacked up in one spot.
So here it is, for better or worse... Mako's newest generation 5x magnifier-
The new model does look slightly different from the previous generations and is marked with the identifying ring around the objective lense. Also new is the twist off quick detach mount. The effort was there but fell short in many aspects... A few being: its not as strong as it looks, its too low to clear BUIS, and its operation is awkward.
[url="http://i1070.photobucket.com/albums/u496/Robert_Dryfoos/"]http://i1070.photobucket.com/albums/u496/Robert_Dryfoos/[/url]
Another look...
[img]http://i1070.photobucket.com/albums/u496/Robert_Dryfoos/2012-07-07_13-06-33_539.jpg
Oops... Yeah, that happened on the older models as well. Adjust the diopeter to far in and you get to have the fun of putting this back on.
Also, the misrepresentation of magnification has been corrected. Last gen was certainly not as much as stated. * note: Mako has stated that they have sold off their older inferior models to other companies to re label. I can personally attest that the older models are still selling and they are definetely different.
The next two pics are of the tree between the cars, sorry for the poor first view.
Clarity is actually quite decent and more than most would suggest. Also looks better than previous models; pictures do not justify its full clarity. Its nothing to awe at though.
Last thoughts:
eye relief = sucks
Carity= good
Build and design = mediocre
Finish = acceptable
Elevation and windage for holo/red dot reticle center: none
Mount = not for me
Price = on par with quality... Subjective
If you have played with even vortex's mag, you will find this a bit disappointing, especially the nicer mounts like even american defense are ten fold superior. The optic is nice, but without adjustment, rubber eye pieces falling off and an eye relief with a forgiveness of about .0001" I would reserve this for range use and fun on a limited budget. There is nothing serious about it. It will get the job done and with the right mount give you a nice picture, just don't bet your life on it.
I'll try to update soon to clarify a few specifics.
Hope this helps,
Feel free to ask any questions and please add your own pics.
The following is the roundup of your major options & ballpark prices:
Eotech 3x - ~$500+
Aimpoint 3x ~$500+
Burris Tripler ~ $250
Vortex 3x $200+
Primary Arms 3, 5, 6 (2 generations) ~$100+
Mako 3, 5, 7x (3 generations) ~$100
Sightmark 3, 5, 7x (2 generations) ~$100
UTG 3, 5 x ~ $75
I have personally handled the Eotech, Vortex and 2 different generations of Mako
*Ithink it would be more beneficial to make this a thread instaed of a simple review so please add pictures and comments of your own. It would be nice to see all of these stacked up in one spot.
So here it is, for better or worse... Mako's newest generation 5x magnifier-

The new model does look slightly different from the previous generations and is marked with the identifying ring around the objective lense. Also new is the twist off quick detach mount. The effort was there but fell short in many aspects... A few being: its not as strong as it looks, its too low to clear BUIS, and its operation is awkward.
[url="http://i1070.photobucket.com/albums/u496/Robert_Dryfoos/"]http://i1070.photobucket.com/albums/u496/Robert_Dryfoos/[/url]
Another look...
[img]http://i1070.photobucket.com/albums/u496/Robert_Dryfoos/2012-07-07_13-06-33_539.jpg


Oops... Yeah, that happened on the older models as well. Adjust the diopeter to far in and you get to have the fun of putting this back on.


Also, the misrepresentation of magnification has been corrected. Last gen was certainly not as much as stated. * note: Mako has stated that they have sold off their older inferior models to other companies to re label. I can personally attest that the older models are still selling and they are definetely different.


The next two pics are of the tree between the cars, sorry for the poor first view.


Clarity is actually quite decent and more than most would suggest. Also looks better than previous models; pictures do not justify its full clarity. Its nothing to awe at though.
Last thoughts:
eye relief = sucks
Carity= good
Build and design = mediocre
Finish = acceptable
Elevation and windage for holo/red dot reticle center: none
Mount = not for me
Price = on par with quality... Subjective
If you have played with even vortex's mag, you will find this a bit disappointing, especially the nicer mounts like even american defense are ten fold superior. The optic is nice, but without adjustment, rubber eye pieces falling off and an eye relief with a forgiveness of about .0001" I would reserve this for range use and fun on a limited budget. There is nothing serious about it. It will get the job done and with the right mount give you a nice picture, just don't bet your life on it.
I'll try to update soon to clarify a few specifics.
Hope this helps,
Feel free to ask any questions and please add your own pics.