Being a contrarian is cringy, but here I am, being a contrarian. I think you can be a responsible contrarian. I can admit the AR-15 is the best all-around rifle out there, but that doesn’t mean I’m not going to buy a BREN. I think being a contrarian can even be useful. Turn that contrarian nature into the ability to explore things outside of the norm, and for that reason, I want to give you the red pill on 1X prisms.
1X Prisms
Prism optics are typically embraced as fixed, low-power optics that are known to be robust, easy to use, affordable, and have a fairly small footprint for a magnified optic. 1X prisms don’t offer that magnification and are seen as red dot alternatives. They are a reflex sight, for lack of a better term.
Compared to a red dot, they have downsides. They have a tighter eye box and do have eye relief, which means you don’t have the same flexibility as a red dot. They also don’t get as bright as a red dot.
Why would anyone ever choose 1X Prisms over red dots? I have a few reasons, but I also want to discuss what a good 1X prism should offer users.
What a Good 1X Prism Should Offer
First, good 1X prisms should have a large reticle. Not just in its overall size, but also in the width of the reticle’s parts and pieces. If it’s a circular reticle, that circle should be thick. Likewise, the center point should be large.
The reason is that prism brightness doesn’t hit that eye-catching bright level of red dots in bright lights. In that case, a larger reticle is easier to see and use in bright environments. A big, thick reticle makes a lot of sense.
We also need the optic to be compact. Preferably, roughly the same size as an Aimpoint T-1/T-2. We don’t want a giant optic that’s only 1X. Additionally, a mounting footprint that’s common can be invaluable. This allows you to pick different mounts, mount optics at different heights, and potentially on different guns. The Aimpoint T-1/T-2 mounting footprint makes a lot of sense.
Finally, we want excellent eye relief. We’ll never get red dot eye relief, but the longer the eye relief, the better.
Why 1X Prisms
Alright, so let’s dig into why my cringy contrarian nature likes 1X prisms. I’m not intending to convert anyone from the red dot cult—I’m a part of that cult—but I want to at least provide my thoughts about the advantages of 1X prisms.
Astigmatism Alternative
The most cited reason to use a 1X prism is that you have astigmatism. Red dot reticles become blurry and difficult to see, often starbursting and becoming difficult to use. The etched reticle of the 1X prism doesn’t blur or starburst. This makes it a decent alternative to red dots if your eyes suck.
More Robust Reticles
Most red dots use a red dot reticle, and that’s it. Some other options include a circle and dot reticle, and some even integrate ballistic drop dots. 1X prisms can feature bigger, more robust, and even more complicated reticles. Your options are pretty much endless, but 1X prisms are typically a variation of a large circle and center reticle.
Some companies have taken advantage of this and integrated a holdover for height over bore adjustments at super close ranges. You can use this holdover to prevent the height over bore effect from making your shots appear to hit low. It’s handy for precision shooting at close range.
Batteries Not Required
The etched reticles don’t require batteries to operate. They require batteries to illuminate, but illumination isn’t required to utilize the sight. These are fairly bombproof optics, and if the electronics break, then they’ll still work perfectly fine. Insert your EMP joke here.
Doesn’t Wash Out In Bright Light
One of the things I found out recently with 1X prisms is that they don’t wash out in bright light. If you’re navigating a dark environment and activate your weapon-mounted light, you could wash out your red dot. In dark conditions, a lot of us will have our optic dim, and forget we might need a white light, and bam, it’s washed out.
Lord forbid you flash a reflective surface by mistake, your dot will disappear. That’s not the case with 1X prisms. The etched reticle doesn’t wash out, especially if it’s a big reticle. It’s just there, black and easy to see.
Going 1X
1X Prisms aren’t as user-friendly as red dots for close-range use. They have eye relief, and they have a tighter eye box in most cases. They don’t illuminate as brightly. That’s all true, but there are some situations where they excel, and every gun owner should be well educated about their optical choice
