Store in CLT area to look through a lot of optics?

Exile_D

benevolent tyrant
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I saw the astigmatism thread bumped up and it reminded me that I still don't have a reflex or good 1x optic that works with my bad astigmatism. Is there a store that has a wide selection of various optics to actually handle and look through? Preferably one that actually has batteries in the optics that require them?

I have read through many reviews and opinions with folks recommending all sorts of different ones (aimpoint this, eotech that, etc.) however I have tried several different ones (RMR, MRO, T-1, M21, FastFire 3, etc.) and nothing gives me a clear, or even mostly clear reticle. Mostly they all look like a bunch of grapes.

Apparently I need an etched/prismatic 1x optic. I don't know if anyone makes one as open as the RMR or FastFire, but that would be ideal (but apparently a mythical beast).

Or maybe I should just go with that https://seeallopensight.com/ one. ;)
 
Cabela's at Carowinds has a pretty case full of optics.
I will have to stop by there. Although a while back one of our customers mentioned that it was just about impossible to get competent help at that store. Still, worth checking them out!
 
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I was going to recommend Cabela's as well.
 
Cabelas for sure. The gun counter is usually crazy busy on weekends but they certainly have the selection.
 
I have a spitfire 1x you can peep through if you want to swing by the office near I77 exit 7. It's not mounted so no worries about scaring people, and it's not for sale.
 
I have a spitfire 1x you can peep through if you want to swing by the office near I77 exit 7. It's not mounted so no worries about scaring people, and it's not for sale.
I'm going to check out Cabela's tomorrow. If I can't get my hands on the spitfire, I may just take you up on that. Thanks!
 
After sitting at the optics counter for 40 minutes yesterday, I finally got someone to help me look at some. Of course, he wasn't from that department and admittedly knew nothing about any of the optics they had on display. We spent half the time rummaging through other red dots looking for a battery to use.

I looked through some Vortex prism 1x scopes and a few standard red dots for comparison. Surprisingly the Sig Romeo 5 and the Bushnell Trophy TRS-25 both blurred very little. @Catfish do you notice a limited amount of side-to-side viewing angle on your spitfire? That was the only complaint I had with the Vortex's I looked at there. Almost like you had to be perfectly lined up to see anything other than black through it.

Overall not the best experience. I was frustrated trying to get someone to help and then felt rushed when I finally did get help. Their red dot offerings were a little limited too, but they definitely have a lot of "regular" scopes!
 
I have the older spitfire with the big circle DRT reticle, not the new AR version - not sure if there's a difference. Mine says 3.7" eye relief on the box. If you're closer than that then yes, it has a very small eyebox. At 4" or greater it's much more forgiving. I have mine mounted with about 6" eye relief. It feels pretty natural when shooting with both eyes open instead of trying only to look through. I do not find myself chasing an image while I shoot nor did others who tried my rifle.

I also didn't pay even half the retail price of a new one for either of mine - they pop up occasionally.
 
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