The LUCID P7 Prismatic Combat Optic is a fixed four power magnification MSR optical option that seeks to bridge the gap between low priced budget glass and the premium grade operational optics. That particular field is sparely populated and LUCID was kind enough to send me a P7 to see what they offered. They had every confidence in their scope so I gave it the royal treatment and placed it head to head against the ACOG.

LUCID said go for broke, we went.

First let’s spec out both optics and see what the numbers tell us.

The P7

The P7 PCO lists the following specifications:

• Housing and Frame: Cast Aluminum
• Weight: 19 oz.
• Mounting: 13mm hex nuts, reversible
• Lenses: 25mm Ocular with manual focus, 30mm Objective
• Optic Coating: Chemical Rubber Armor
• Power: 1 AA Battery (not included), estimate 2,500 hours life, 2 hour auto shut off
• Reticle: P7, Red Illumination, automatic and manual brightness adjustment, 10 settings
• Waterproof and Nitrogen Purged recoil rated to .458 SOCOM
• Adjustments: ½ MOA clicks with resettable thumb turrets, hex wrench included for reset
• Field of view: 25ft at 100 yards
• Eye Relief 3.25”
• Warranty: Limited Lifetime

The ACOG TA02

The most direct comparison would be against the LED illuminated TA02 but the TA31 was on hand for side by side. The TA02 lists the following.

• Housing and Frame: Forged 7075-T6
• Weight: 18.1 oz. with AA battery
• Mounting: TA51 thumb screw mount, reversible
• Lenses: 32mm objective lens, multicoated
• Optic Finish: Hard Coat Anodized, optional colors and coatings
• Power: 1 AA battery, 6 brightness settings with off positions between each, 12,000 hours (setting 4)
• Reticle: 4 options, bullet drop compensator .223, red or green illumination
• Waterproof and Purged: 100 meter depth, dry nitrogen
• Adjustments: 2 clicks per inch at 100 yards, ½ MOA
• Field of View: 36.8ft at 100 yards
• Eye relief: 1.5”
• Warranty: Lifetime

Now as we analyze the numbers the ACOG sports several that outshine the P7. But for some final perspective on the optics here are the price tags.

The TA02 ACOG has retail value of $1,548.00

The P7… $439.00

With that $1109.00 disparity I can field three rifles with a P7 per one ACOG or purchase a rifle and a P7 for the retail price of the TA02 standing alone. There’s significant appreciable value there.

Now, as an ACOG user and owner I can say the ACOG is worth every penny. But 110,900 extra pennies is a lot of pennies.

The control layouts on both optics are simple and effective.

The P7 has a three button control pad on the left side of the housing and stores the AA battery in the base. The power button also sets the illumination mode from manual to auto brightness. The + and – set your manual brightness settings and are disabled when in auto brightness mode. The scope retains the last setting it was on when you power it off. Being an etched reticle design using illumination is optional and the fine center dot of the P7 reticle makes a fine point of aim on its own.

The TA02 houses it’s battery on the optic’s right side in an additoinal electronics housing. The rheostat is on the left and consists of a simple dial that clicks between your numbered brightness settings and the off positions. The TA02 also sports an etched reticle making the illumination optional.

Both favor a right handed shooter for manipulation with the LUCID’s controls being having slightly more complexity.