Prism scopes have a lot to offer when in a 1x configuration. They blend the compact footprint and agility of a red dot sight while retaining the detailed etched reticles of rifle scopes. As such, many have opted for the Primary Arms Optics SLx® 1x MicroPrism™. And now, it’s been refined into the all-new SLx 1x MicroPrismT.
SLx 1x MicroPrism Overview
If you aren’t already familiar with the SLx 1x MicroPrism, it’s one of PAO’s most popular prism scope models. Being a 1x prism scope, it does a nice job of blending the performance of reflex sights with the advantages of a rifle scope’s construction.
Like a red dot sight, this optic is compact, lightweight, and has a very forgiving eye box and a wide field of view. But, like modern rifle scopes, they house etched reticles and even have adjustable diopter rings. As such, they can house reticles with more complex elements that reflex sights can’t otherwise project. In fact, they use specialized reticles found in the ACSS® (Advanced Combined Sighting System) reticle family, but we’ll go more in-depth on their advantages later on.
As mentioned above, it has an adjustable diopter ring, and with it, you can really hone in the clarity to make your sight picture as clear as possible. This is especially advantageous when running a magnifier with your prism scope. Unlike other prism scopes, SLx 1x MicroPrism Scopes were engineered to be compatible with magnifiers. They have the glass clarity and other tools necessary to make them as adaptable as possible.
So, given its many great qualities, it’s difficult to think of any ways that this optic system can be improved upon. But the new MicroPrismT brings some welcome changes to the SLx MicroPrism line.
H1/T1 Mounting Footprint
The MicroPrismT is the next step in the design evolution for the standard SLx 1x MicroPrism Scope. And one of the most noticeable changes made to this optic is its mounting footprint. The MicroPrismT makes use of the H1/T1 microdot footprint—one of the most common reflex sight mounting footprints.
While there’s nothing wrong with the standard MicroPrism mount, there aren’t many aftermarket mount options like there are for other optics. Granted, there are still some great options like the Unity FAST Mount, but even still, your options were rather limited. This is where the H1/T1 mounting footprint really shines. As one of the most widely used optic mounting footprints in the industry, there is a near endless sea of aftermarket options to choose from. And many users running the SLx 1x MicroPrism have expressed interest in wanting more adaptability for different mounts. So, taking all that into consideration, the MicroPrismT was born.
With this new design, the SLx 1x MicroPrism is compatible with a wide range of aftermarket mounts. But it also comes standard with an upgraded mount of its own. The MicroPrismT comes standard with a 2.26- high mount. Although this mount is higher than other factory standard mounts, it’s a great choice for carbines like the AR-15. And, since it uses the H1/T1 footprint, you can easily adapt it with whatever H1/T1 mount you want. Just keep in mind that, due to the MicroPrism’s height, your mounted optic will sit 0.18 inches higher than other microdots. Regardless, you’ll still have more mounting flexibility than ever before.
MicroPrismT Reticle Selection
One of the hallmark features of PAO’s prism scopes is their reticle designs. Like we mentioned earlier, prism scopes use etched reticles, just like most standard rifle scopes. And for the MicroPrism, this allows them to have some highly adaptable and unique reticle options.
T-Dot
New to the SLx 1x MicroPrism series is the T-Dot, a unique reticle system. Design-wise, it features a bright center dot that’s more akin to a standard reflex sight dot. But rather than featuring just the dot itself, it’s surrounded by a set of lines etched in a “T” shape—two horizontal stadia lines on either side of the dot, and one vertical stadia line just below it.
These stadia lines do pull your focus onto the center dot, allowing you to more quickly engage targets. This makes it exceptionally useful in both competitive and duty applications, and it also lends itself well to both home defense and simpler recreational shooting too. One other feature that sets this new reticle apart from the others is its refractive reticle design.
The MicroPrismT with the T-Dot is RDB illuminated, just like PAO’s topline PLxC LPVOs. Rather than using the standard etch and fill process that most illuminated scopes use, PAO’s RDB reticles have a reflective grating micro-etched into the reticle. With it, any light shining onto it gets reflected at several times the intensity. Not only is this more efficient, since less power is needed to achieve a bright reticle, but it also provides you with a truly Red Dot Bright™ reticle—hence the name ‘RDB’.
ACSS Cyclops
Returning to the MicroPrismT is the aforementioned ACSS Cyclops. One of PAO’s most popular prism scope reticles, the ACSS Cyclops is highly adaptable. Featuring an infinitely precise center chevron for fine aiming and an outer horseshoe for quick target acquisition, it performs well across multiple applications. Adding to its capabilities, it also has built-in target ranging stadia as well.
Plus, this reticle thrives when paired with a magnifier. The SLx MicroPrismT, just like the original SLx 1x MicroPrism, was engineered to be compatible with red dot magnifiers. And the ACSS Cyclops reticle offers solid ranged capabilities when magnified.
ACSS Gemini
Lastly, the ACSS Gemini is another reticle that has returned with the release of the MicroPrismT. Constructed similarly to the ACSS Cyclops, the ACSS Gemini is unique in that it’s a dedicated PCC optic. More specifically, it’s a BDC reticle that’s calibrated specifically for 9mm. Just below the center chevron are two BDC dots, allowing you to hold over for targets all the way out to 200 yards.
Outside of its added BDC holds, the ACSS Gemini shares a lot of features in common with the ACSS Cyclops. Just like it, the Gemini also has a center chevron aiming point that’s surrounded by an outer horseshoe element. Additionally, it also has a built-in target ranging scale. Even though PCCs aren’t designed for engaging far off targets, having some extra flexibility is always a plus.
Capabilities of the MicroPrismT
Building on the foundation of PAO’s original SLx 1x MicroPrism, the MicroPrismT is a solid optic system. With its updated mounting footprint, it’s essentially jumped to the forefront of the optics scene, heightening its already immense adaptability.
Still, the MicroPrismT is more than just another prism scope. No matter which model you look at, each MicroPrismT comes packed with premium features.
Night Vision Compatibility
One of the big priorities a lot of enthusiasts have when shopping for optics is night vision compatibility. Nighttime and lowlight shooting in general is a discipline that’s growing in popularity. While it’s rooted in tactical applications at a professional level, Night Optical Devices have their place in civilian applications too. Their used widely across nighttime shooting competitions, hunting, even more recreational training. While NODs certainly provide an extra level of adaptability to your setup, they need your optic to be night vision compatible. And fortunately, the MicroPrismT is.
Of the 13 brightness settings the MicroPrismT offers, three of them are night vision compatible. This gives you a nice range of brightness levels to use when looking through your optic under NODs. Adding to its capabilities is the optic’s glass clarity. Outside of a properly illuminated reticle, an optic needs to have clear glass to be compatible with night vision devices. To be as functional as possible, the MicroPrismT has fully multi-coated lenses, providing sharp contrast and excellent light transmission.
AutoLive® Motion-Sensing Illumination
Even though you can use a prism scope fine if its battery died in the field, losing illumination is far from ideal. Modern optics like the MicroPrismT are very efficient. With the right features, however, their battery lives can be greatly extended. And this is exactly what AutoLive achieves.
AutoLive isn’t a new technology devised specifically for the MicroPrismT. Rather, it’s a feature that’s present on many of PAO’s illuminated optics, including their red dot sights and traditional rifle scopes. Rather than needing to power down your optic after every use, it’ll do so on its own after sitting stationary while in storage. Once the optic senses movement, it automatically turns back on to your last used brightness setting. This greatly extends the battery life of the MicroPrismT, giving it up to 50,000 hours of battery life, depending on its brightness setting.
Who’s the MicroPrismT For?
The MicroPrismT is an optic that has you covered on several fronts. It’s 1x magnification and clear glass lends well to multiple applications. And with its multiple reticle options, durable construction, premium features, and more, it really does offer something for everyone.
Reticles like the T-Dot pair well with the 1x magnification and wide FOV it provides, offering agility that rivals many reflex sights. Meanwhile, the ACSS Cyclops and ACSS Gemini with their built-in ranging elements offer more for those wanting to run a magnifier with their optic.
Ultimately, the MicroPrismT is an optic that’s fit for the seasoned enthusiast, all the way to the beginner. If you’re looking for a prism scope that won’t break the bank, but offers the same performance as more premium optics, it isn’t one to pass on. But, if you’re thinking that a scope with some magnification might fit your needs better, PAO’s MicroPrism Line of optics is packed with options to consider
