The video opens by framing a close-quarters and short-distance optics comparison between three categories: an LPVO, a magnified prism optic, and a holographic sight with magnifier. All are mounted on the same rifle to keep variables consistent. The host uses an LMT R20 Estonia reference rifle with a 14.3-inch barrel and a pinned and welded Surefire War Comp. The rifle features a short-stroke piston system and retains iron sights, reflecting the philosophy that any optic can fail and backup sights remain essential. The test focuses on realistic law enforcement, military, and prepared citizen use, emphasizing body armor, plate carriers, and uncertain environments. Timed drills and movement tests will be used to quantify performance. The EOTech EXPS3 holographic sight is introduced as the primary close-quarters reference, known for durability, robustness, and night vision compatibility, but with shorter battery life and more expensive short batteries compared to AA-powered models like the EOTech 512.
Attention turns to the EOTech EXPS3 holographic sight as the baseline CQB optic. It is highlighted for its rugged construction, battle-proven reliability, and night vision compatibility, making it suitable for duty or defensive use. The tradeoff is reduced battery life and reliance on more costly, less common short batteries instead of standard AAs. To fairly compare magnified performance, the setup includes EOTech magnifiers. The G43 provides 3x magnification in a compact package, while the thicker G45 offers 5x magnification for better target identification at distance. Both are designed to flip in and out of the optical path, allowing rapid transitions between unmagnified holographic speed and magnified precision. The video sets the stage for later timed drills at 50 yards and beyond, where these magnifiers will be evaluated against fixed magnification and LPVO options on the same LMT rifle platform.
The comparison expands to include the Trijicon ACOG 4x and the Trijicon VCOG 1–8 LPVO. The ACOG 4x with chevron reticle is introduced as a classic Marine Corps-issue optic, featuring tritium and fiber optic illumination that requires no batteries. It is praised for extreme durability and combat history, with a compact form factor and fixed 4x magnification. The host notes Ontario Knife Company bayonets as part of the broader Marine Corps gear context. To keep the test fair, all optics are run on their standard factory mounts, avoiding aftermarket solutions like Unity or LaRue that could change height, eye position, or handling. The Trijicon VCOG 1–8 first focal plane LPVO is then presented as the variable optic choice. It offers 1–8x magnification, night vision-capable illumination, and runs on a common AA battery. Fresh batteries are installed before timed drills, and the VCOG is mounted on the LMT R20 with attention to eye relief and rail space.
With the optics introduced, the first timed drills at 50 yards are conducted using the EOTech EXPS3 alone, without any magnifier. The EXPS3 weighs 11.2 ounces on the LMT rifle and serves as the speed benchmark. The shooter runs two-shot strings from a low-ready position, focusing on realistic engagement speed rather than pure benchrest accuracy. Wearing Guard Dog body armor on a Tracker plate carrier, the shooter frames the test around law enforcement, military, and prepared citizen scenarios where armor and rapid response are relevant. Using only the holographic reticle, the shooter records times down to 1.69 seconds for two hits at 50 yards, demonstrating how fast an unmagnified holographic sight can be at intermediate distances. These runs establish a baseline for comparing how much magnification, weight, and eye relief will affect both speed and perceived precision when the magnifiers, ACOG, and VCOG are introduced.
The EOTech EXPS3 is then paired with the G33 magnifier to measure the impact of 3x magnification. The EXPS3 weighs 11.2 ounces and the G33 adds 10.6 ounces, for a combined 21.8 ounces on the rifle. The G33 offers 3x magnification and 2.2 inches of eye relief. Timed two-shot drills at 50 yards show times around 2.15 to 1.95 seconds, slightly slower than the unmagnified EXPS3 but with improved target clarity. Swapping to the G45 magnifier increases magnification to 5x and eye relief to 2.6 inches, while total weight rises to about 24 ounces. The shooter notes the noticeable extra weight and records times around 2.24 seconds, reflecting a small speed penalty for higher magnification. A 45-degree magnifier setup is also tested, allowing the magnifier to be rotated out of line quickly. In this configuration, a best time of 1.88 seconds is achieved, suggesting that higher magnification can aid target visibility but the absolute fastest run still came without magnification.
Focus shifts to the Trijicon ACOG 4x, a compact, fixed-magnification prism optic weighing approximately 15.1 ounces. It features very short 1.22-inch eye relief, which demands consistent cheek weld and careful stock placement. The ACOG is renowned for durability and has extensive combat use, particularly in the Marine Corps. Its tritium and fiber optic illumination provide a bright chevron reticle without batteries. The video addresses the challenge of using a fixed 4x optic at close range and explains the Bindon Aiming Concept, which relies on shooting with both eyes open. The dominant eye sees the illuminated reticle, while the non-dominant eye tracks the target, allowing the brain to merge images for effective close-quarters engagement despite the magnification. Multiple low-ready, two-shot drills at 50 yards are run, with consistent times around 2.03 seconds and a best of 1.99 seconds. This performance is accepted as the ACOG’s benchmark, comparable to the magnified EOTech setups.
The Trijicon VCOG 1–8 LPVO is evaluated next. It is a first focal plane optic with a substantial 32-ounce weight and a large footprint. Mounted forward on the LMT monolithic upper, it still leaves room for a rear sight and offers a generous 4-inch eye relief. At 8x magnification, the VCOG emphasizes precision but slows target acquisition. Timed two-shot drills at 50 yards yield times around 2.43 and 2.32 seconds, clearly slower than the holographic and ACOG setups. The optic’s illumination, with off positions between brightness settings, is set to level 8 for testing. When dialed back to 2x magnification, the VCOG’s performance improves dramatically. The shooter records times of 1.98 seconds and then 1.75 seconds, making 2x a very favorable setting for balancing speed and precision. The ease of adjusting magnification is compared to flipping an EOTech magnifier, highlighting how quickly the VCOG can transition between close and intermediate ranges.
The testing progresses to dynamic movement drills from 25 to 15 yards, adding realism beyond static low-ready runs. Three optics are compared: the VCOG at 2x, the ACOG 4x, and the EOTech EXPS3 run without magnification. With the VCOG at 2x, the shooter fires 13 shots in 10.46 seconds, scoring 9 hits, showing a balance of speed and control. The ACOG run takes 9.43 seconds with 10 shots and an estimated 6 hits, indicating faster movement and engagement but fewer confirmed impacts, likely due to fixed 4x magnification and eye relief constraints while moving. The EOTech EXPS3 drill, with the magnifier flipped to the side, results in 15 shots in 9.8 seconds and about 10 hits. This suggests the holographic sight encourages rapid target acquisition and higher shot volume, trading some precision for speed. These movement results contrast with the 50-yard static drills, revealing how each optic behaves under more realistic, dynamic conditions.
The video analyzes performance metrics across the optics. In the movement drills, the ACOG produced the fastest overall run with 10 shots and 6 hits, emphasizing raw speed but lower hit percentage. The VCOG at 2x delivered 9 hits with 13 shots in 10.46 and 9.80-second runs, reflecting a more deliberate pace and better accuracy. The EOTech EXPS3, run non-magnified, achieved 10 hits with 15 shots, relying somewhat on “accuracy through volume” but inspiring confidence in rapid target acquisition. The host underscores that magnification increases precision but generally reduces speed, especially when eye relief and field of view become limiting factors during movement. Running 2x magnification on the VCOG yielded more hits than the ACOG at 4x in dynamic drills, illustrating that moderate magnification can be a sweet spot. The data from static and movement tests together highlight the tradeoff between speed, precision, weight, and complexity for each optic type.
The comparison concludes with role-based recommendations for each optic setup. An EOTech EXPS3 with magnifier is suggested for a Mark 18 or similar short-barreled rifle focused on CQB, home defense, and room clearing, where speed and situational awareness dominate. The ACOG is positioned as a general-purpose optic for a 14.5-inch rifle, offering rugged reliability, battery-free illumination, and effective performance from close to intermediate ranges, especially for users comfortable with the Bindon Aiming Concept. The VCOG 1–8 is recommended for scenarios where longer-range engagements are expected, leveraging its wide magnification range despite greater size and weight. The host notes that the EXPS3 was fastest at 50 yards, while the ACOG was fastest in the 25–15 yard movement drill, though with fewer hits than the VCOG and EOTech. Viewers are invited to suggest further abuse tests, additional drills, and more shooters to broaden the data and refine these conclusions in future videos.
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