If you have to choose between a red dot sight and an LPVO scope, go for an LPVO optic. Except you shoot exclusively at 200 yards or less, an LPVO will serve you better, and in more scenarios than a red dot.  

Whenever the classical topic of red dot vs LPVO is brought up, the usual response is: “it depends on what you shoot long range or short range”. Speaking broadly, that’s not wrong, but this is also a generic answer that provides very little insight, and honestly does not help much if you are deciding between the two. 

So, Let's Establish Some Basics

• More often than not, it is simply wiser to go for an LPVO over a red dot optic.
• It's not just about the extra magnification: in terms of capacity, practicality and versatility, an LPVO is superior to a red dot.
• Put it like this: what a red dot sight can do, a good quality LPVO can do, but what an LPVO can do, a red dot sight simply cannot do. 

What does an LPVO have over a red dot sight? 

These are the factors that count, and here are all the small details you need to decide between the two.

1. An LPVO is Superior in Capacity

Let's start with the basics: an LPVO gives you more reach than a red dot sight. As far as shooting over long distances goes, 200 yards is about the maximum for a red dot, and you have to be really good to be accurate at that range.

With an LPVO, you can engage targets at 500-800 yards (depending of course on the quality of the optic and the caliber). The point is, with an LPVO, you can pretty much go from 1x to the upper limit of your rifle, even without sniper level expertise.

• A red dot generally starts to get rough once you go past 200m. If you are really good, you might reach 300m, but that is pretty much the upper limit.

As basic a difference as that is, it is one you certainly have to take into consideration if you intend to get the most out of your rifle and use it for more purposes than one. The implication is clear, if you own a versatile rifle, like an AR-15, a setup of an AR-15 with LPVO will enable you to make the most out of it.

• If you are looking to improve your shooting skills and target more long-range in the future, an LPVO is better than a red dot sight.

In short, except you are certain that there will not arise any occasion where you have to shoot long range (and that could be anywhere from 400 yards upwards depending on your definition), going for an LPVO is simply the wiser decision.

1. An LPVO is Superior in Clarity

Compared to a red dot, an LPVO is better designed for enhanced clarity and accuracy. With an LPVO, you can be sure of getting a clear uninterrupted view of your target through the lens.

That is not always the case with a red dot.

Red dots are not magnified, so, at 100 yards, the dot itself could cover about 5 inches of your target. This can be a significant issue depending on the size of the target itself, how distant it is from you, and your skill as a shooter.

If you are already struggling to hit a smaller target at 200 yards with a red dot, it is a problem if the dot takes up some inches. 

LPVOs, on the other hand, are magnified: they come in different types of reticles, but the crosshairs are more strategically placed to expose the target clearly and cause no intrusion.

Moreover (and this is another basic fact that counts), the crosshairs stay in place (in relation to the target) as you change magnification levels. Once you sight your LPVO at a fixed distance, you are guaranteed a clear, unobstructed view of your target, even as you adjust magnification.

• Now, given that the field of view is wider on a red dot, this may be nothing more than a negligible inconvenience if you are an experienced shooter. But to a beginner, this can be a significant obstruction. 
• Even for a professional competitive shooter, or a hunter, there are many instances like a three gun competition, or shooting a deer, where utmost accuracy is required.

The point is, for any shooter beginner or professional, an LPVO is simply the better option as far as accuracy goes. These are little factors that are rarely taken into consideration, but could be decisive.

3. An LPVO is Superior in Versatility

Again, except you intend to use your rifle exclusively under 200 yards, it is wiser to go for an LPVO over a red dot. Where a red dot optic excels at close range (under 200m), an LPVO is excellent at both short-range and long-range, meaning there are many more practical uses for an LPVO than a red dot.

• In tactical situations where there could be a mortal level of uncertainty, an LPVO is the better choice.
• For hunting, especially shooting a deer ( where precision is paramount) or coyote hunting (where game is trying to outsmart you), an LPVO will serve you better.

Some shooters adopt a “split responsibilities” approach: red dots for home defense and LPVOs for longer range or more uncertain shooting scenarios. That is good, but not everyone has the luxury of the two: if you have to choose, keep in mind that an LPVO will serve you better in many more scenarios than a red dot.

4. An LPVO Contains a Red Dot

Choosing an LPVO over a red dot does not mean you sacrifice the features of a red dot. A high quality FFP LPVO that offers true 1x magnification will serve like a red dot at 1x, while still giving you versatility via higher magnification.

Whether an LPVO will serve you better (at 1x magnification) than a red dot is another question entirely. The point is, if you have to choose between an LPVO and a red dot optic, consider that, at 1x magnification, an LPVO is capable of operating like a red dot. 

You can choose an LPVO over a red dot without completely sacrificing the functions and abilities of the red dot optic, but cannot choose a red dot over an LPVO without sacrificing the versatility of the LPVO. 

Again, choosing an LPVO entails the least sacrifice.

Grab an Odin LPVO

Gunnr’s Odin LPVOs offer true 1x magnification, and all the features and specifications to enable you to be efficient in both close quarters and long range. The Odin 1-6x 28 LPVO and the Odin 1-8x 24 LPVO give you the basic capabilities of a red dot as well efficiency in over medium range. 

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Here’s why you should go for an Odin LPVO. 

• You get true 1x magnification with an illuminated reticle.
• Each scope weighs about 4.8×1.65×2.44 inches in size: lightweight and maneuverable for your tactical setup.
• The lenses are made of German Schott glass, which gives clear image quality, even in low light, with no chromatic aberration.
• They come with cantilever mounts, directly compatible with the Picatinny rails. You can use them with no additional adapters.
• The exterior of each optic is made of 7075 aluminum alloy, which is durable and can withstand harsh hunting conditions.
• They are all tested to withstand 1,000 impacts at 1,000G and 2,000 live-fire rounds.
• They are also waterproof and fogproof. They are built to withstand temperatures from -59°F to 149°F and have an IP67 waterproofing rating.

When is a Red Dot Better than an LPVO?

Again, if you exclusively shoot under 200m, it will be wiser to go for a red dot over an LPVO. A red dot offers more speed, accuracy at short range, and it is simply easier to use

• Reaction time is quicker because you can simply place the dot on the target and shoot
• You can shoot with both eyes open for better peripheral vision and situational awareness
• With a good red dot, you experience minimal parallax issues.

More from Tips from  Gunnr

Check out how other important tips on how to clean your LPVO. If you own an AR-15, learn why the Gogunnr has the best LPVOs for AR-15 rifles.