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LPVO (Short Dots)

You may have heard the term LPVO rifle scope, but what is it? 
LPVO stands for "Low Powered Variable Optic", which is basically an optical instrument with a magnification range. LPVO type scopes feature magnification ranges of 1x to 4x, 6x, 8x or up to, 10x.
What are these riflescopes, often dubbed "chasers" good for? And will I use them for airsoft? 
We will discuss all this below! 

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LPVO (Short Dots)

All rifle scopes have a specific magnification range that determines at what distance you can see the target, and this is also tightly linked to their use. In practice, this means that collimators with no or minimal magnification are suitable for short to medium range. In contrast, conventional rifle scopes were designed to allow you to see further with them, enabling the shooter to shoot accurately at long distances. 

The LPVO is actually a happy medium in that it allows long range shooting, while also allowing you to shoot at 1x magnification at closer distances.

Explanation:
A hunting riflescope is called LPVO because the most common use of this type of riflescope is for hunting, in our country this is called chase hunting. In this hunting, one shoots from short distances to medium distances and it is very disadvantageous to use a rifle scope with a magnification of, for example, 5x-25x for this hunting. 


What is an LPVO rifle scope / hunting scope?

LPVO is a great riflescope that can be thought of as a sort of hybrid between a tube collimator and a rifle scope. The biggest advantage of chase scopes is the quick selection of the zoom, which starts from 1x to X... LPVOs are often equipped with a lever, for quick manipulation of the zoom in or out. This makes them great for dynamic shooting.

Why does a rifle scope have 1x magnification?

Doesn't this seem silly for a rifle scope? Although 1x magnification may not seem very effective, LPVOs are designed to give you a super wide field of view for rapid fire at 1x magnification.

Advantages of LPVO
Multifunctionality

If you are getting a multi-purpose rifle, typically a mid-length gun with a QD quick change spring or HPA, the LPVO is a great choice for you. Then all you have to do is change the performance according to the type of action and choose to use the airsoft rifle as an assault rifle or DMR, without having to change the collimator for a rifle scope and vice versa. So LPVO is a great choice for someone who wants a defacto versatile weapon.
 The thing is, the shooter can set the rifle scope zoom that he needs at the moment. With the lowest setting, which is a true 1x magnification, the shooter is able to operate at close range (buildings, overgrown forest...). For shooting at longer distances, it is enough to adjust the magnification. 

The LPVO also works without a battery.

The disadvantage of most collimators is that they need a battery to operate. Without power, the collimator is useless. With LPVO, the reticle is already part of the rifle scope tube, and thus does not require a battery to operate.
However, many types of LPVOs also have the ability to light the sight crosshairs/background, which helps with rapid target acquisition, especially in low light conditions. 


Disadvantages of using LPVO

Size and weight 

While the LPVO appears to be a very versatile riflescope, like everything it has a few drawbacks. The first is the size and weight compared to a collimator. If you want a compact rifle with a compact rig, the LPVO will take up a lot of space on your rail and add several dozen grams to the weight of your entire rig. After all, it's a rifle scope with a small zoom range. However, as manufacturing technology improves, so do the LPVOs, and they are smaller and lighter. Since the range of LPVO riflescopes starts at 1x, they still have low power at the highest setting. That's why, for example, an 8x magnification can help with longer range shooting, but cannot compete with a long range rifle scope.

LPVO is a compromise, and it always comes at a cost

Another disadvantage of using LPVO is its range. If you are using a rifle at close range, LPVO is not as effective as a good old collimator with a wide field of view. It will work, but it's not the best. At long distances, you will get a much easier shot with an LPVO than with a collimator, but it is no match for a powerful rifle scope. That's why, for example, a sniper will have trouble clearing a room with a long gun and a scope. A rifle with a collimator would be much more practical for this purpose. The same is true in reverse. The LPVO does combine both, but you lose the speed of aiming at very close range and accuracy at long range.
No less airsoft is played at tens of meters, so a chase rifle scope will cover a wide range of distances.

Magnifier vs LPVO

Magnifiers with tilt mount started to gain popularity, then disappeared for a while and then came back again. In airsoft, it's often a fashionable time when Magnifiers are elevated by a war movie or game.


What is the difference between a magnifier with a collimator and an LPVO?

A magnifier usually has a fixed magnification. It also has to be tilted off the axis of the collimator to remove the magnification. However, when the magnifier is tipped out, it can get in the way and catch on things like a strap or vest components. This doesn't mean the magnifier isn't useful.  For example, when the magnifier is tilted off the axis of the collimator, it can still be used as just a scope. If you're entering a building and need a wide field of view, just tipping the magnifier to the side is purely to use the collimator, which is more convenient for closer distances. We covered the pros and cons of LPVO above, but it always depends on your preference, that's the beauty of airsoft. 

What are other options instead of LPVO?

There are a few tradeoffs to keep in mind. LPVO riflescopes are unlikely to ever truly match the feel of shooting with a collimator or holographic sight, as they have to use a full optical system to provide a true 1x image compared to an image projected onto a semi-transparent glass right in front of your eye. One advantage LPVOs have over collimators, however, is their sight warps. LPVO's typically have a much more complex warp system for target acquisition. In contrast, collimators and holographic sights usually have very simple individual dots or patterns for close range shooting. LPVO sights can add to the overall weight of the weapon compared to a collimator or holographic sight and require accurate, high-quality mounts that can take up valuable space on the top rail. There are also situations where LPVO can get in the way. For example, when night vision on a helmet is required, LPVO can be more difficult to use compared to a holographic sight or magnifier and collimator.

So, is the chase suitable for me?

LPVOs are truly the most versatile sighting system for guns. You do sacrifice a little weight, but nothing compares to the versatility and accuracy of LPVOs, which is why many airsoft players, as well as sharp shooters, use them as the standard optic on their guns. 
Compared to hunting riflescopes with higher initial magnification and larger magnification ranges, the LPVO has a lower magnification range. However, remember that this is where its strength lies. If we are going to shoot exclusively at shorter distances which are typical of CQB barrels, the collimator is the ideal choice. For long range shooting typically for airsoft sniper rifles, a powerful scope is preferable. But if we want a more versatile rifle that can do both - assault rifle or DMR, then LPVO (chase rifle) is the obvious choice. There are a number of manufacturers that make these rifle scopes. We can recommend Vector optics as one of the first, especially their Constantine and Forester products. From the cheaper options there is the manufacturer Theta optics. 

Our Tip:
LPVO / chasing scopes from Vector Optics can be used on sharp guns too! So for airsoft they are super oversized and can withstand rougher handling, which the cheaper manufacturers definitely can't. 

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