Red dot sights are simple but highly effective. Their simplistic design, durability, and overall ease of use make them a great fit for a wide range of builds. And while there are a lot of things that red dots excel at, they fall short in one key area: range.
Unlike Low Power Variable Optics (LPVOs) and prism scopes, red dot sights offer no magnification. While good for close range use, it’s harder to get a clear sight picture on distant targets. It’s possible to hit targets past 100 yards with a red dot, but it’s not always easy. That is, unless you use a magnifier.
Understanding Magnifiers
What They Are and How They Work
A magnifier is a second optic that mounts directly behind your red dot sight to increase its zoom. It increases the visibility of far-away targets without distorting the reticle, giving your AR-15 some added ranged performance.
Boiled down, magnifiers are basically prism scopes without reticles. It uses glass prisms to shorten the optical path, folding the light to increase zoom while staying light and low-profile. The result is a compact optic that compliments just about any reflex sight.
They’re available with either a 3x, 5x, or 6x zoom, letting you tailor your rifle to your own specific needs. For example, a 3x magnifier is a solid pick for general purpose use, while a 5x or 6x one offers better ranged performance. But, just like any other optic, magnifiers require some careful consideration before buying.
| Advantages | Considerations | |
|---|---|---|
| Long-Range Performance | They enlarge your sight picture, making it easier to see and make accurate hits on distant targets | Their effectiveness depends on their magnification level; you must consider your rifle’s barrel length, caliber, and intended use |
| Close-Range Use | Magnifiers often come with a flip-to-side mount, allowing you to freely switch between magnified and standard use | They require you to physically move the optic into place to be used; in dynamic applications they aren’t as quick as an offset optic |
| Versatility of Setup | Great for maximizing adaptability; with practice, they can be used to quickly shift from close to far-off targets | They don’t perform as well as LPVOs, and if you have a short rifle, or don’t shoot at distance, they might not be necessary |
| Selection Process | They’re fairly brand agnostic, so you can freely mix and match brands as long as the mount heights match | They need some extra forethought and planning for how you intend to use your rifle |
Choosing the Best Red Dot Magnifier Combo
Magnifiers are fairly brand agnostic. As long as the mount heights are the same, you can mix and match brands with little issues. If they don’t, you won’t have a good sight picture. So, it’s important to make sure your optic and magnifier mounts are the same height.
If your magnifier doesn’t have a mount, or has one that’s the wrong height, all hope isn’t lost. Magnifiers typically use similar mounting footprints. Though you’ll need to check beforehand, there are several aftermarket mounts to choose from. Likewise, many reflex sights come with mount spacers too. So it may be that you just need to adjust your red dot’s mount.
Either way, you have plenty of options to choose from. Below is a list of some of the industry’s most popular options:
Red Dot Magnifier Options
Primary Arms Optics Magnifiers
Primary Arms Optics magnifiers are a solid pick. They’re made from high-quality materials, affordable, and they pair well with most reflex sights. And they’re currently offered with either a 3x or 6x zoom.
The SLx® 3x Micro Magnifier is, by far, one of PAO’s most popular. Weighing only 5.3 ounces, you won’t have to worry about it bogging down your rifle. On top of this, it’s compatible with a lot of popular mounts. One such is the Unity Tactical FAST Mount—there’s even a version made specifically for the 3x Micro Magnifier.
If you’re trying to get some extra ranged performance, the PAO GLx® 6x Magnifier is where it’s at. Coming equipped with a PAO Flip-To-Side mount, it has excellent glass clarity, a long eye relief, and a wide FOV. Despite its higher magnification, it weighs only 7.2 ounces. And if your red dot has a specialized reticle, you can get some serious performance out of your optic.
Something else to note is that both magnifiers are compatible with PAO’s SLx and GLx 1x MicroPrism™ Scopes. In fact, these prism scopes were made specifically with magnifier use in mind. So, if you already have a 1x prism, these magnifiers are the move.
EOTech
EOTech is well known for making high-quality holographic sights. And complementing them are their G33, G43, and G45 magnifiers.
The G33 is a 3x magnifier and an incredibly popular one. It was selected by USSOCOM for military use. It features an adjustable diopter ring, durable construction, and a quick-detach cam mount. If you’re looking for a more compact choice, the G43 has the same features, but with a smaller footprint. And for greater range, the G45 offers a 5x zoom, and has a comparable size and weight as the G33.
EOTech magnifiers are on the premium end of the spectrum. They typically cost around $500 to $600. That said, if you’re looking for a top-tier magnifier, they’re hard to beat. And despite being made for holographic sights, with the right mount, they work with just about every popular reflex sight.
Vortex Micro 3x Magnifier
Vortex Optics is best known for their variable power optics, but they also make red dot sights and magnifiers too. Their Micro 3x Magnifier has a nice low-profile design, and its light weight at just 6.9 ounces. It comes with a reversible cantilever mount, and it has a 2.64-inch eye relief for easy use. And coming from Vortex, this magnifier has great glass clarity.
These optics pair particularly well with Vortex’s StrikeFire II and SPARC series red dots. But, like the others mentioned thus far, they can work with practically any red dot sight. With it being priced around $300, it’s a solid mid-range magnifier option.
Holosun 3x Magnifiers
Holosun is well known for their durable, well-priced reflex sights. And naturally, they also offer magnifiers to go alongside them. Their HM3X magnifier is a capable option with a 3x zoom and 2.75-inch eye relief. It comes with a reversible flip mount, and an adjustable diopter ring for optimal clarity. Weighing 9.8 ounces, it’s on the heavier side, and it also has a longer optic tube than the other options in this list. Still, it has a tough and long-lasting aluminum construction. And it’s incredibly budget-friendly, as it’s priced around $200.
Meanwhile, their HM3XT is a more premium possibility. It has the same core features as the HM3X, but it’s shorter, lighter, and made from titanium. As such, it costs a bit more—around $300. Both models pair well with Holosun’s full-size optics like the 510C open-emitter reflex sight and the HS530G. The HM3X is also often sold as part of a bundle with the 510C.
Conclusion
Adding a magnifier to your AR-15 is one of the best ways to boost its ranged capabilities and overall performance. They offer solid magnification while keeping your optic package compact and lightweight.
Before buying though, be sure to take your rifle’s barrel length, caliber, and purpose into account. For most 5.56 NATO AR-15 builds, a 3x magnifier is the right call. But for rifles that can reach out further, a 6x magnifier can serve you better. Either way, if you consider all these factors, you’ll be good to go.
If you’re on the fence still, our guide, “LPVOs vs. Red Dots and Magnifiers” sheds some more light on these optics. Check it out!
