Primary Arms Optics is home to a vast assortment of top-tier optic systems, ranging from affordable optics that don’t compromise on quality, to professional grade sighting systems designed to offer nothing short of rugged reliability. Among the various optic tiers that make up the ever-expanding lineup of PAO optics, one that stands out is their PLx® line, the home to the ever-popular Primary Arms PLx Compact 1-8 LPVO.
The PLxC® 1-8×24 Rifle Scope is easily one of their most popular optic systems, offering an incredible degree of adaptability. With its near red dot-like agility at 1x magnification and the ability to range out to 800+ yards when magnified, I’s a solid pairing for modern rifles like the AR-15 and AR-10.
Still, it’s critical to understand that the versatility of these optics stems from the reticles they house. Of the options available, each one has its own unique design and advantages, and depending on what you want for your rifle setup, it’s paramount that you know their differences before pulling the trigger on one.
What Makes the PLxC 1-8 Stand Out?
Before diving into the specifics of the various reticle systems the PLxC 1-8 series of optics make use of, it’s crucial to understand what makes PLxC 1-8×24 Rifle Scopes worth considering in the first place.
The PAO PLxC 1-8×24 Rifle Scope is an incredibly compact LPVO that’s designed to offer maximum adaptability across both close- and long-range applications. Measuring only 9.28 inches long, they have an exceptionally small footprint despite their magnification range, and they only weigh around 16.8 to 16.95 ounces (just barely over one pound). These optics are built to last too—constructed around a rugged aluminum optic body, they’re waterproof, shock-resistant, and fog-resistant, making them ready for all applications and environments.
Adding to their allure, they have incredible glass clarity. The lenses of these rifle scopes are made from premium-grade Japanese ED glass, so they have great light transmission and a super clear sight picture. Plus, they come standard with AutoLive® Motion-Sensing Illumination, which automatically puts your optic in a low-power mode to prolong its battery life. Once it senses movement, the optic will re-illuminate to its prior setting, meaning you essentially set your optic to your desired brightness and not have to worry about running down your battery when storing your rifle long-term.
Each of these features culminate in forming a rugged, reliable LPVO built to withstand the rigors of intense professional use. Pairing well with most modern rifle systems, they’re a solid optical upgrade that can seriously elevate your rifle’s capabilities and performance. And just like PAO’s other optics, they’re backed with a lifetime warranty. So, in the unlikely event that your optic goes down from general wear and tear, a manufacturing defect, or otherwise, you’ll be covered.
Reticle Selection
Before you set off to buy a PLxC LPVO, you need consider the type of reticle you want it to have. The reticle varies depending on the model you look at, and if you don’t already have an idea of how they differ from each other, picking one is going to be a challenge.
Breaking Down ACSS® Reticle Technology
All of the LPVOs in the PLx optic line make use of the Advanced Combined Sighting System, better known as simply ACSS. The ACSS reticle family was created to simplify the aiming process by making calculations and holds as intuitive as possible. There are several ACSS reticles offered by PAO, with each one coming equipped with a variety of sighting tools ranging from BDC stadia and other ranging elements to full MOA and MIL grids for more complex adjustments. Some even include a combination of these elements to maximize adaptability.
Currently, PLxC LPVOs are available with the ACSS® NOVA®, ACSS Raptor, and the ACSS Griffin reticles.
ACSS® NOVA® Fiber Wire Reticle System
The ACSS NOVA reticle is one of the most unique reticles in the ACSS family, one that we cover in-depth in our guide, “What is the ACSS NOVA?”. To summarize its qualities, rather than using an etched reticle, the ACSS NOVA has what’s known as a fiber wire reticle—a reticle that blends both traditional wire and fiber optic reticle elements.
There are two variants of the NOVA reticle: MIL and a 5.56/.308 BDC. Primary Arms PLx 1-8 NOVA LPVOs are available in both, so you’re free to choose the version you prefer. The BDC reticle’s wire crosshairs feature moving target leads as well as BDC ranging stadia that can range out to 800 yards. Meanwhile, the MIL variant has a similar overall design, retaining the Auto-Ranging stadia, but it instead uses MIL subtensions on its crosshairs that make it compatible with more calibers. Regardless of which you choose, both NOVA reticles use a fiber optic tube as the center aiming point that, once illuminated, creates a true Red Dot Bright® reticle.
To accommodate this reticle, PAO designed a specialized Second Focal Plane (SFP) variant of the PLxC LPVO to house it. They’re marginally lighter and slightly more compact than the standard FFP design, though the difference is incredibly slight. As with all SFP reticles, the ACSS NOVA’s holdovers are only accurate at the 8x magnification level, but even so, the ACSS NOVA is still an incredibly versatile reticle system that offers fast target acquisition and a wide FOV at 1x magnification, and intuitive holds for long range engagements.
For more info, our Product Release on the PLxC 1-8 with the ACSS NOVA Fiber Wire Reticle highlights the innovative design of this reticle, as well as some key features of the optic that uses it.
ACSS® Raptor Reticle
Moving onto the PLxC LPVO’s etched reticle options, the ACSS Raptor is another intuitive reticle system that offers a ton of adaptability. Much like the ACSS NOVA, the ACSS Raptor reticle is available in a few different configurations, with the Raptor M8 Yard, Raptor M8 Meter, and the all-new Raptor Yard G2 RDB reticles being available on PLxC LPVO models.
Each of these reticles share a lot in common. For starters, each reticle comes equipped with a center chevron aiming point, an outer horseshoe for quick target acquisition, various windage holds and moving target leads, and they can all range out to around 800+ yards/meters.
The Raptor M8 Yard and M8 Meter reticles are largely similar, however, as their names suggest, they use imperial- and metric-based measurements, respectively. For instance, where the Raptor M8 Yard reticle has BDC stadia that range out to 800 yards, the Raptor M8 Meter has ranges out to 800 meters (roughly 875 yards). This is a key distinction that separates these two reticles, so depending on your preference, you’ll want to take this into consideration.
Raptor Yard G2 RDB
The Raptor Yard G2 reticle is the latest version of the Raptor reticle line and is one of the flagship reticles available for the PLx 1-8x ACSS Raptor LPVO. The Raptor Yard G2 features an updated crosshair design that’s complete with vertical and horizontal ranging stadia as well as other holdover elements for quick adjustments at long range. While the overall design has been refined for greater adaptability, the greatest advantage of the new Raptor Yard G2 reticle is its brightness level.
We highlight its capabilities in our Primary Arms PLx 1-8 RDB Rifle Scope With ACSS Raptor G2 Reticle Product Release, but one of its primary upgrades is its Red Dot Bright® diffractive reticle design. Part of the reason that reticles like the ACSS NOVA are popular is because of its Red Dot Bright® illumination, which traditional etched reticles can’t typically achieve. At least, this was true until RDB.
The diffractive reticle technology used on RDB LPVOs is the most advanced reticle illumination technology in the industry. Rather than having a standard etched design, PAO’s RDB reticles have a reflective grating that’s micro-etched onto the reticle surface that focuses and intensifies the light reflected back to the user. This allows the Raptor Yard RDB reticle to be much brighter than standard Raptor reticles, giving it the same advantages as the ACSS NOVA at close range, in addition to having enhanced long-range capabilities.
ACSS® Griffin Reticle
The ACSS Griffin is the final reticle system offered on PLxC 1-8x Rifle Scopes, and it’s also the only fully milliradian (MIL) based reticle system to choose from for these optics.
Design-wise, it shares a lot in common with many other ACSS reticles, but like the other reticles designed for the PLxC 1-8 Rifle Scope, it’s been carefully refined to maximize adaptability across close- and long-range engagements. Much like the ACSS Raptor, the ACSS Griffin reticle makes use of a precise chevron center aiming point and a bold outer horseshoe for quick target acquisition that also serves a reflex sight-like center point of aim at 1x magnification.
However, instead of using a BDC design, the Griffin reticle houses a full MIL-grid, maximizing adaptability by allowing for more complex holds at varying distances. A core feature that sets it apart from other MIL-based reticles is its built-In automatic ranging system that allows for on-the-fly holds that range out to 600 yards. With this design, you can easily estimate the range of your target, get a proper hold for elevation, and then use the MIL-grid to hold for wind or the target’s movement speed.
Although learning how to properly calculate MILs can be a bit of a challenge for those unfamiliar with them, they offer unparalleled versatility. Plus, unlike the BDC reticles mentioned above, MIL reticles aren’t caliber specific, so you can easily use PLx 1-8x Griffin LPVOs with an assortment of rifles chambered in different calibers.
Why the PLxC 1-8 with ACSS is a Top Tier Choice for Your Rifle
It goes without saying that the Primary Arms Optics PLxC 1-8x Rifle Scope is, by far, one of the finest optics on the market. As we highlighted earlier, they provide users with near reflex sight-like agility at 1x magnification, and when magnified, they have the tools necessary to make engaging far-off targets as intuitive as possible.
By opting for one, you’re choosing an optic that’s been thoroughly tested to meet and exceed the needs of professionals—so regardless of whether you’re in need of an optic for recreational, competitive, or duty use, the PLxC 1-8 LPVO will easily provide you with the utility needed for such tasks.
Conclusion
Every rifle needs an optic of some kind to go alongside it, and if you want one that offers both close- and long-range adaptability, the PLxC 1-8x LPVO from Primary Arms Optics is a solid pick. Designed to withstand everything from recreational applications to intense competitive and professional use in the worst conditions, they’re a solid pairing for nearly every rifle system.
Still, since it’s available with multiple reticles, it’s imperative to understand the characteristics of each before buying. If you want intuitive aiming and a bright center dot, the ACSS NOVA and its fiber wire construction is a solid choice, despite being marginally limited in its ranged capabilities. For greater overall versatility, the ACSS Raptor is a great option, offering BDC holds, multiple holdovers, and a Red Dot Bright Reticle, assuming you opt for the Raptor Yard G2. Finally, if you’re already privy to MIL-based measurements and want an optic that’s compatible with multiple calibers, the ACSS Griffin is the move, with it offering the most in terms of long-range adaptability.
Regardless of which you choose, each optic is backed by Primary Arms Optics’ unwavering commitment to crafting quality optic systems, so you can’t go wrong with either one. If you’re on the fence about whether an LPVO, or if the PLx line in general is the best fit for you, we recommend checking out our Primary Arms Optics Overview. It breaks down the differences in their optic tiers and covers some solid options in each category.
