What defines an MPVO?

VargmatII

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Hello all.

We all know the definition of an LPVO. But what about an MPVO?
Does the magnification have to start at 2x? What is the maximum magnification that an MPVO can have? Where do you draw the line?
What about max objective size?

Anyone have ideas on this?

Im thinking that an MPVO could be all the way up to a 4-16x scope, but it has to have a smaller than 50mm objective?

What say the Hide?
 
 
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I found that thread but the topic line threw me off, lots of good info in it! Thank you.
 
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It’s hard to say exactly what one is, the name is an extension of LPVO.
Loosely an LPVO is a scope with a low end magnification of 1x, or in some instances up to 1.5x.

I think a MPVO has a low end magnification of 1.5-3x, but there are a bunch of scopes you wouldn’t class as an MPVO with a low end of 3x (some 3-12s but mostly your average 3-15, 3-18 etc).
With in reason the top end magnification should be 12x or less, but a March 1.5-15 is and MPVO and a S&B PMII 3-12x50 is not an MPVO.

I’d say the best explanation of what an MPVO is:
A scope intended to replace and LPVO, that trades true 1x for better performance on higher magnifications, primarily by having a larger objective lens and an optical system not limited but requiring true 1x.
 
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It’s hard to say exactly what one is, the name is an extension of LPVO.
Loosely an LPVO is a scope with a low end magnification of 1x, or in some instances up to 1.5x.

I think a MPVO has a low end magnification of 1.5-3x, but there are a bunch of scopes you wouldn’t class as an MPVO with a low end of 3x (some 3-12s but mostly your average 3-15, 3-18 etc).
With in reason the top end magnification should be 12x or less, but a March 1.5-15 is and MPVO and a S&B PMII 3-12x50 is not an MPVO.

I’d say the best explanation of what an MPVO is:
A scope intended to replace and LPVO, that trades true 1x for better performance on higher magnifications, primarily by having a larger objective lens and an optical system not limited but requiring true 1x.
That is a pretty good definition.

How about the Nightforce ATACR 4-16x42, would you consider it to be an MPVO?
 
That is a pretty good definition.

How about the Nightforce ATACR 4-16x42, would you consider it to be an MPVO?
Personally no, I think the mag range is too high and it's too heavy.

I don't think many people would replace a 1-6/8 LPVO with one, and use the rifle for the exact same purpose, so fails to meet the threshold (that I created 5 minutes ago).
 
The category is for helping shoppers decide, it doesn't define the scope itself. Asking what scope is an MPVO is putting everything in the hands of marketing, rather than in the hands of the optics engineers. I think that's the wrong approach. Yes I understand marketing, I worked in an alpine ski shop for 7 yrs in my late teens to mid 20s and had to sell boots skis bindings to people who came in flustered by marketing. That was in the 1970s-80s and marketing is way more overwhelming today.

If I remove my Mr Picky hat I say, it is any scope that has a range from above 1x to about 35x, depending on multiplier used. Big multiples have huge top ends relatively speaking. Most seem to hover around 3-18, 4-16, 2.5-15. If you want it for precision shooting it should have a functional ruler reticle and zero-stop dialing turrets, and solid parallax/side focus.
 
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I would say a low end of 1.5-3x. High end doesn't matter the capabilities of having that low end are what makes it an MPVO.

OTOH, I could see a counterargument that it is more about your use case. If any variable optic is effective at engaging targets at close range in dynamic shooting, it could be classed as an MPVO if it is not an LPVO. For example I have a PA 4-16 slx with their r-grid reticle. That reticle allows rapid and effective target engagement at much closer ranges than most 3-X or 2-X scopes on the market today. It is a little more usable in that role than the Optika6 Mrad1 3-18 which is one of the better 3-X scopes on the market for that role, and yet I would say the Optika6 is right on the edge of being considered an MPVO.

Edit: also, the objective size itself doesn't really matter for the definition, but if we are going by use case the weight definitely matters, and objective size is a big factor in how much a scope weighs. The reason I would class the Optika6 3-18 as being an edge case for an MPVO is that at 31oz or so, it effects the handling of the weapon in a way that diminishes its ability to be used for dynamic shooting in a way a lighter optic would not.
 
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IMHO an FFP MPVO is combined with a red dot so anything with less than a 4X on the low end is kinda like an LPVO heavy unless it has a 5 - 8ish multiplier.. The MPVO objective size is determined by your preferred cheek weld so the height of your mount needs to keep the scope above your rail because an MPVO ( and LPVO ) is an AR optic of either caliber. I’ve gone with 4-32X50, 4.5-22X50, 3-24X42, 2.5-20X50, etc on a 14.5” suppressed AR and those work well for me and my old eyes but if I could find a nuclear bright FFP MPVO ( LPVO Heavy ) with at least 12x on the top then I could make that work.
 
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