Vortex Optics VMX-3T 3X Red Dot Sight Magnifier with Built-in Flip Mount

Addendum 9/1/2015: I have 3 of these and just purchased 4th on 8/20/15. Spent an hour today trying to figure out why the eye relief on this newest item seems much less than the other 3. Still have no idea, gave up for the day. Has anyone else noticed a much closer and less forgiving eye relief range? Held my breath and trusted other reviews. It paid off: this fits perfectly atop the rail, and clears the fairly large metal rear backup site that adorns the Colt LE6940-P (even without the use of the included optional riser for the mount). I set-up this simple AR for my Pop, with an Eotech 512 holographic, but wanted to add the "just in case" magnifier as part of the package. I wish I would have found this product before previous purchases of the Lucid adjustable magnifier w/cantilever mount (for one of my own AR's). Another cool think about the tilt-away mechanism is that the magnifier can still be used for observation/recon even when not aligned with the red dot site (whereas my cantilever mount reverses the magnifier, rendering it useless when off-axis). Anyway, we took it out yesterday, sited in the Eotech, then 72 year old Pop proceeds to effortlessly put a complete 30 rd mag of surplus Lake City 556 within a 4" target at 100 yards.....almost seeming bored as he accomplished my random challenge (and majority were within 2-3 inches..... with a variably gusty 15-20mph wind from the rear and right at 45 degree angle). While obviously that's not MOA or less, the point is that this magnifier set-up is solid, functional, adaptable and augments excellent shooting (for a guy who essentially hasn't shot a rifle in 40+ years). Obviously, the magnifier can't take all of the credit, but its has just been one of the rare cool surprises of quality, cost and function. A+++ 1/14/15 Update: NEED A 1/2" Picatinny riser to use this Vortex magnifier with Eotech EXPS series....... So as my original review explains, I dig this cost-effective magnifier. So I got one to accompany an Eotech EXPS3-2 on a new SR762. I anticipated the extra height of the EXPS would require the use of the 7mm riser that accompanies the Vortex mount, BUT ITS NOT ENOUGH. Easy solution is the $10 UTG 3-space 1/2" riser with thumb screw. With the extra 1/2" the Vortex 7mm riser makes it too high. So, just add the UTG 1/2" riser under the VMX-3 and it is perfectly level with visual axis of the EXPS. (I doubt the additional riser would be needed with the XPS series).

I paired this up with my Aimpoint Pro red dot optic sight and I am extremely happy with the result. My results at the range were exceptional and the scope is very good quality. I looked at the Vortex, Aimpoint and Eotech scopes and I checked them out in the gun stores locally to see the quality and the differences. I wanted to see the optical clarity and the eye relief distance and after my research the Vortex won. They were in my opinion all the same quality and the Vortex was 1/3 to ¼ of the price. The Vortex also came with a nicely designed mount that I used on my AR15 but I mounted it in reverse mode so that the scope swings out to the right and out of my left eye vision. Some people complained about the mounting hardware being loose and wobbly and that the way I mounted it was difficult to use. I had none of those problems, the mount is solid and well designed and flipping the scope to the right is simple and easy. I do it one handed and I show it in my video. I mounted it this way so my left eye vision field is clear and it works perfectly in this mode. I used the shim plate that comes with the scope and it worked perfectly. At the range I was shooting 5 shot patterns in the bull's eye with a spread of ¾ of an inch while standing up. The scope does have elevation and windage adjustments on it. It has nothing to do with the accuracy of the scope as the red dot is the accuracy setting. All you are doing is setting the red dot in the center of the scope and making sure that your field of vision down range is centered around the red dot. I used an Aimpoint Pro red dot scope that I own. There is a nut used to tighten the scope onto your rail and the nut is slotted. Do yourself a favor and tighten it by hand and then get a good wrench or socket and tighten it down. Don't use a screw driver and scratch up the mount. Don't crush your rail, but make it tight. After 200 rounds then check it and tighten it again because it can loosen on you from vibration. In my shooting I found that I had a 3 inch+ eye relief that worked well for an AR15. My success at the range was excellent and I had a great time. On the back of the scope is an adjustment to tune the optics to match your vision and that helps to make the target crystal clear and in focus. This is an excellent sight and I recommend it as I rate it at 5 stars. My only complaint with the scope is that it doesn't come with lens caps. I went out and purchased a Butler Creek Size 01 flip up lens cap and it fit perfectly. I cannot believe that Vortex makes lens caps and simply does not include them with the scope when you purchase it. Vortex, raise the price $20 and include the flip up lens caps.

Vortex offers great quality products at a great price. This product was shipped relatively quick and arrived in a sealed package with everything in great shape. I purchased this magnifier to pair with a Holosun HS510c. Super easy to set up behind the Holosun. I wanted absolute cowitness so had to use the included shim to bring it more in line with the RDO as opposed to lower 1/3 cowitness. You can mount this on a picatinny rail to flip either to the left or right. I choose to flip to the left as my upper doesn't have a shell deflector and wasn't sure if brass would clear when flipped to the right. There are windage and elevation adjustments to center the RDO reticle but no adjustment was needed. Both lenses were very clear. The rear fine focus worked great. The flip mount is solid with no wiggle in either position.

Really good low budget option for a Close Quarters Combat setup on your Rifle. Vortex had good glass, however where their products fall a bit short is on the inner seals. I know hunters who are out in all kinds of weather conditions. When the seals leak, your unit is toast. For those of us who are not hard core hunters, I still think Vortex makes a really good cost effective product.

Good clear glass. Nice for the price. Very short eye relief.

If you are reading this review it is because you are in search of a magnifier for your Red Dot that is of decent quality and won't break the bank. I have gone through numerous magnifiers throughout the years. This product is exceptional in its build quality and features for price value. The glass is very clear which allows for good light transmission. The ability to adjust the red dot to center via the windage and elevation controls is a big plus. These adjustments will not affect point of aim/point of impact at all. The materials are sturdy and the mount is very well made and sturdy as well. When securing the magnifier to the mount remember to use medium grade Loctite (Blue) so your mounting screws don't back out. I do this with everything that requires a screwing process of any type (guns, auto, etc.). I like the fact that I can adjust it to either right or left side. I am right hand dominant but as a shooter I am left eye dominant. The ability to be able to flip the magnifier to the right side allows my left eye to be unobstructed as I shoot both eyes open. I own various other Vortex products and have been very pleased with their Red Dots and Scopes. I believe that this is the perfect balanced magnifier for those who get a little rough with their guns but are not in actual combat situations. Do yourself a favor if you are a casual shooter or love to run an occasional tactical course, buy this product without hesitation. 5 stars for value to price factor. It is not an Aimpoint or an Eotech but for what I use it for it fits just fine and a hell of a lot more reasonable financially. Here are some Pics of it mounted with my Trijicon MRO as the primary sight.

This magnifier aligned perfectly with my Eotech 512. It does exactly what an Eotech $450 magnifier does, very satisfied.

I purchased an EoTech 512 from Amazon while ago and have loved it. But every now and then I've wished I could see just a little farther, but I love my EoTech far too much to part with it. I knew Eotech made a magnifier, but I was not about to spend an additional $450+ on it. One day I happen to stumble on this sight by accident, and started reading into it. It sounded perfect for what I needed, and I picked it up. Since buying it, I've loved it. It fits well behind my optic, it provides great magnificstjon, clear glass, solid build, and it flips to the left, so as a left handed person it's not in my face. But most of all it looks cool, "and nothing else matters as long as you look cool." -Garand Thumb Cons: when opened, there is subtle play in the hinge. Nothing major at all but I'm curious to see how it wears. And the eye reliefs is very short, so if you have a back up iron sight, you can't slide it back as far as you want, but it's not a big issue, and likely just personal preference. All in all I would reccomend this to anyone looking for a red dot and magnifier combo. UPDATE: After around two months of use, one of the screws that hold the tube to the mount fell out and I lost it. Admitidly that was my fault, as I didn't locktite it (mandatory on an ar15). I email Vortex hoping they would understand my mistake. Within two hours the emailed back, saying "no problem wed love to replace your screw!" And asked for a shipping address. This was on a Thursday, Monday the screws arrived. Some of the best customer service I've seen, so I'm increasing my review to 5 stars for that alone.