Leupold LCO Pro F2: The Full-Size Carbine Red Dot for 2026

TL;DR

The Leupold LCO Pro F2 is a top-tier optic. Use it if you want a ruggedly reliable optic with a large optic window and multiple reticle options. But if you’re looking for a more compact optic or something that’s a bit more budget-friendly, we recommend looking at other models like the Primary Arms Optics GLx® MD-21s or the Holosun ARO.

• Largest Sight Picture, Built to Last – Leupold LCO Pro F2: Solid construction, four reticle options in one housing, and an average battery life of 30,000 hours.
• Best for Lightweight or Rail-Constrained Builds – Micro Red Dots: The LCO Pro F2 is a heavier optic weighing 9.6 ounces; opt for a smaller Micro Red Dot for a more agile build.
• Best Budget-Friendly Alternative – PAO GLx MD-21s or Holosun ARO: Both offer good performance and come with several top-tier features that are perfect for enthusiasts on a budget.
• When to Skip the LCO Pro F2: Skip this optic if you don’t have a large budget for optics or simply don’t need an optic that’s built for rough conditions.

What is the Leupold LCO Pro F2?

The Leupold LCO Pro F2 is a full-size red dot sight with four changeable reticles, 20 daylight and 10 night-vision compatible brightness settings, and a durable optic body that’s waterproof up to 66 feet. It’s powered by a single CR123A battery. This gives the optic an average runtime of 30,000 hours, which is improved with its Motion Sensor Technology (MST). Leupold’s MST feature works a lot like most other optics’ automatic shutoff systems—after five minutes, the optic powers down, and once it moves, it automatically turns back on.

If this optic looks vaguely familiar, it’s because it is the second version of the original Leupold Carbine Optic, an optic that was dropped back in 2021. Redesigned from the ground up, the new LCO Pro F2 has many new features enthusiasts wanted in the original. Plus, these optics are going to launch with two available finishes: Matte Black and Flat Dark Earth.

The LCO Pro F2 is going to be available for around $900, making it one of the industry’s more expensive red dot sights. But, you’re getting a lot of optic for the money.

Full Spec Sheet

Reticle Options	1-MOA Dot 1-MOA Dot with Compass Points 65-MOA Segmented Circle with a 1-MOA Center Dot Segmented Circle with Compass Points and a 1-MOA Center Dot
Illumination	30 Total Brightness Settings: 20 Daylight and 10 Dedicated Night-Vision Settings
Battery Type	CR123A (1x)
Battery Life	30,000 Hours (On average with MST)
Windage/Elevation Adjustment	140 MOA Total Adjustment
Eye Relief	Unlimited
Mounting Footprint	Integrated Picatinny Mounting System with a 1.5-inch Absolute Co-Witness Height
Optic Body Material	One-Piece Machined 6061 Aluminum Alloy
Optic Length	3.5 inches
Weight (with battery)	9.6 ounces
Waterproof Rating	Submersible to 66 feet
Finish	Matte Black or Flat Dark Earth (Hardcoat Anodized)

What Changed from the Original LCO?

The LCO Pro F2 introduces several improvements that the original Leupold Carbine Optic (LCO) didn’t have when it was launched back in 2015:

• Recessed Aspheric Front Lens: One of the best enhancements Leupold set out to make on the LCO Pro F2 was its clarity. The LCO Pro F2 comes equipped with a Recessed Aspheric Front Lens to better maximize its clarity. Essentially, the objective lens of the optic is housed deeper within the optic body, shielding the glass from rain, glare, and debris, while simultaneously producing a cleaner, distortion-free sight picture.
• Selectable Reticle System: At the time of its initial release, the original LCO had only a 1-MOA dot reticle, though the later models had a circle dot. Both of them were very popular amongst enthusiasts, as the 1-MOA dot was crisp and easy to pick up without occluding the target at distance. Using this same principle, the LCO Pro F2 has four reticle options that are configurable within the optic. They include a fine 1-MOA dot, a 65-MOA circle-dot reticle, and compass-point variants of each for some added adaptability.
• Motion Sensor Technology: The addition of Leupold’s Motion Sensor Technology, or MST, is seriously advantageous. After five minutes of sitting idle, the optic automatically powers down. So, if you stow your rifle in its case or put it in your safe, you don’t have to manually power down the optic. However, once the optic senses movement, it turns back on to your earlier settings. With this feature, the LCO Pro F2 can run upwards of 30,000+ hours off one CR123A battery.
• Lockout Mode: The LCO Pro F2 also comes with a new feature called Lockout Mode, which helps to prevent unintentional button presses. To turn this feature on, simply select your desired illumination setting, then press and hold both the night vision and power buttons for 3 seconds. Afterwards, the reticle will blink five times to confirm your settings, and then you can repeat the process to exit lockout mode. With it engaged, you won’t need to worry about your optic accidentally being turned on during transport, or any other time you don’t want it on.

Size Differences

This optic measures 3.5 inches long and weighs just 9.6 ounces. This makes it more or less on par with the size and weight of the first-generation LCO, which had a 3.6-inch overall length and a total weight of 9.5 ounces—a practically unnoticeable difference.

Having a comparable size and weight is beneficial for those who are already fans of the original LCO, as swapping over to the LCO Pro F2 won’t require you to get used to its handling. But it’s important to note that the window size of the LCO has changed with the Pro F2. The original LCO had a generous optic window that measured 34mm x 23mm (around 1.34 x 0.91 inches). The Pro F2 has a listed window size of 1.31 x 1.04 inches (around 33.27mm x 26.42mm). This new window size is marginally narrower and a bit taller. And once you factor in its impressive edge-to-edge clarity, the Pro F2 offers exceptional performance across all applications.

What Reticles does the LCO Pro F2 Give You?

With the enhanced clarity the LCO Pro F2 offers, having a multi-reticle system integrated into the optic is great for adaptability, especially when paired with a red dot magnifier. As noted earlier, the LCO Pro F2 has four distinct reticle patterns it can project, with each having their own best use cases:

• 1-MOA Dot: Offers the cleanest sight picture with its ultra-fine aiming point; it’s usable for all purposes, with it excelling in extended-distance use since it doesn’t occlude much of the target past 100+ yards.
• 1-MOA Dot with Compass Points: An enhanced version of the standard 1-MOA dot reticle that adds four added compass points around the 1-MOA. These points can be used to hold over for moving targets and elevation.
• 65-MOA Segmented Circle with 1-MOA Dot: A standard and familiar circle-dot reticle with a large, eye-catching outer ring, and a precise center. It’s an excellent choice for all applications, especially when magnified.
• 65-MOA Segmented Circle with 1-MOA Dot + Compass Points: One of the most effective reticles offered on the LCO Pro F2, blends all the elements of the three earlier reticles into one “do-all” reticle.

No matter which reticle you use on the LCO Pro F2, you’ll have access to a wide range of illumination settings. This optic has a total of 30 unique brightness settings—20 daylight settings and 10 night-vision compatible settings. And rather than having the typical push-button controls that other similar optics use, it has a Rapid Illumination Dial. With it, you can quickly adjust your brightness as needed. Plus, it does have one button that switches your reticle into night-vision mode if you’re using Night Optical Devices (NODs) at night.

Finally, as of right now, the only reticle color these optics project is red. And if you’re curious to know how reticle colors perform differently, our guide to how red, green, and gold reticles actually compare is a good read.

Who is the LCO Pro F2 Built For?

LCO Pro F2 Pros:

The Leupold LCO Pro F2 is an optic that can be used across a wide range of applications. Its durable optic body, clear glass, multiple reticle options, and dedicated night-vision compatibility make it a top choice for professional-level duty and competition to recreational range trips.

When paired with a magnifier, its ability to swap between four reticles lets users tailor their setup for close- and medium-range work. And as far as durability is concerned, its one-piece aluminum body is tough enough to handle harsh use in rough environments, and if it ever fails, it’s covered by Leupold’s lifetime warranty.

LCO Pro F2 Cons:

While it is certainly a versatile optic system, it has a larger footprint compared to other options—it is a full-size reflex sight that weighs 9.6 ounces. This makes it a fair bit heavier than smaller optics like the Aimpoint Micro T-2, which can weigh as little as 4.9 ounces, depending on the mount. It is worth noting that such optics don’t offer as large an optic window, but that’s one of the tradeoffs of choosing a microdot.

Additionally, the LCO Pro F2 isn’t the most budget-friendly optic on the market. As one of the most premium options to consider, it’s available for around $900. If you’re on a budget, it probably isn’t the best choice for your setup, but if you’re wanting a durable optic that’s outfitted with several top-tier features, it’s a solid choice.

Is the Leupold LCO Pro F2 Worth $900?

For a duty rifle, a competitive setup, or a carbine built for serious training, yes, it absolutely is. The Leupold LCO Pro F2 is designed, machined, and assembled in America, and it’s spec’d out to have just about every feature you could ask for in a reflex sight of its caliber. But that doesn’t mean it’s for everyone.

If you’re just getting into owning your first AR-15, the LCO Pro F2 is a great optic, but isn’t the most budget-friendly. These optics cost around $900. Now, for that price, you’re getting a seriously high-quality optic that’s assembled in America, but that eats a lot of the budget most enthusiasts have when building out their first rifles. So, even though it’s easily one of the more premium optics on the market, there are some more cost-effective options to consider if you’re working with a tighter budget.

We recommend using other optics in such instances. Models like the Primary Arms Optics GLx MD-21s and those in the Holosun ARO series offer reliable performance at a much lower price. The GLx MD-21s, for instance, are available with either a 2-MOA dot or the ACSS® CQB reticle. Similarly, Holosun ARO series red dots can come with 2-MOA dots or their Special Purpose Reticle. And both also offer long battery lives that can exceed 30,000 hours.

Still, if you’re wanting to get an optic that’s ready for just about anything your application and environment can throw at it, use the Leupold LCO Pro F2. If you’re still on the fence about which Leupold optic is the best fit for you, we recommend looking through the full Leupold catalog at Primary Arms.

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