Hunters are adopting more tactical optics than ever, but the terms can get confusing fast. Wade breaks down the differences between red dot sights, reflex optics, prism scopes, and holographic sights.

Topics include:

• Why RDS (Red Dot Sight) is an all-encompassing term

• Reflex vs Prism design differences

• Holographic sights (EOTech, Vortex UH-1) and astigmatism benefits

• Why closed-emitter red dots matter for hunters

• Offsetting red dots on rifles, spotting scopes, and even cameras

Leave us a rating and let us know: what optic are YOU running?

In this 12 Minute Talk, Wade gives a full range review of the Swarovski Z5i 2-10x42, a compact and lightweight optic that’s quickly becoming one of his favorites for 16-inch AR-15 setups.

We cover:

• Why Swarovski may have accidentally built a perfect DMR/predator hunting scope

• Pros & cons of the Z5i (glass quality, weight, reticle, illumination, and turrets)

• Why second focal plane isn’t a deal breaker on a 2-10x optic

• Real-world hunting applications from 100 to 600 yards

If you’re a predator hunter, competition shooter, or just looking for a practical lightweight scope for your AR platform, this episode breaks it all down.

👉 Check out gear & availability at AllyMunitions.com

We’ve been tossing around LPVO/MPVO for years—so let’s finish the system and make it useful. In this episode I lay out a practical naming convention for tactical optics:

• PO – Pistol Optics (micro/open/closed-emitter pistol dots)

• NVO – Non-Variable Optics (rifle-rated red dots, holo, prisms, + optional magnifiers)

• LPVO – Low-Power Variable Optics (1-4/1-6/1-8/1-10; no parallax knob)

• MPVO – Mid-Power Variable Optics (high-1x/2-10/2-12/… with parallax adjustment)

• IPVO – Intermediate-Power Variables (3-15/3-18/4-16/2-20; tops out ≤20x)

• HPVO – High-Power Variable Optics (≥ ~5-25 and up; ELR/bench/tactical precision)

I also cover why parallax is the line between LPVO and MPVO, where prisms live, why 3-18x isn’t an MPVO, and how hunters can steal the best parts of “tactical boy” glass.

Sound off in the comments: What would you tweak in these definitions?

Shop & support:

• Optics Ready-to-Go, mounts, rings, etc. at Ally Munitions

• Local folks: go see Milling About Outdoors for a big in-stock selection

Chapters below. Thanks for listening!