Around three years ago EOTech started offering scopes in addition to their world-renowned holographic sights. Having taken a huge share of the red dot market, they took their shot at becoming a new big player in the magnified optic market by releasing their Vudu lineup of scopes. Owning my Vudu 1-6 for a year and a half now, I can speak honestly about how it has performed and my experiences with it.
The biggest reason I chose the Vudu 1-6 was the reticle. I knew I wanted a low-powered variable optic (LPVO), and the SR3 reticle looked like a perfect match for what I was wanting. While on 1X magnification, the reticle looks almost identical to their signature “Donut of Death” offered in their HWS line of optics. After using this optic for a while I think they did a great job with this reticle pattern. On 1X the middle point is slightly harder to see than I thought it may be, but it is not bad. The reason I love FFP, or Front Focal Plane scopes is that even as you zoom in your holdovers remain the same. As you crank up to 6X you can see in the image above that there are hash marks labeled for your holdover for targets at 400, 500, and 600 yards using a 100 yard zero. Whether you are at 1X, 6X, or any magnification in-between, the holdovers will always be the same.
The SR3 reticle is designed for use with 75gr BTHP flying at 2900 feet per second out to 600 yards. While this would be ideal for someone shooting these rounds out of a barrel that provides that velocity, I am using an 11.5” which does not match up. The holds are pretty far off which is to be expected, but using a ballistics chart can show you what the existing hash marks represent for your preferred bullets. Alternatively, the turrets work as they should for when you have the time to dial in your elevation and or windage. You should take the time to know your holds for the rounds you use, and their correspondence to whatever reticle you may be using.
This optic includes a red illuminated reticle. I couldn’t find battery life posted on EOTech’s website or user manual, however, while not in use, this optic has not drained the batteries a noticeable amount. I have gone 6 months on a single battery since I don’t use the illumination that often. One of the biggest complaints I have heard about this optic is that the illumination is not daylight bright like an EOTech HWS such as the EXPS3. This is true, the red illumination for the Vudu 1-6 can wash out on even just a fairly sunny day. However, it is still an etched reticle, and can easily be used with no illumination at all. It may not “pop” nearly as much as a red dot, but it can still get the job done. If you can find one in stock at a local store, it would be well worth your time to look through one in person. However, here is a link to see and shoot through mine: Looking through the VUDU 1-6 FFP with SR3 reticle.
The turrets on the Vudu are positive and tactile as one would expect for an optic in its price range. It boasts 100 MOA of total elevation change with 40MOA per rotation and 80 MOA of total windage travel. The hash marks are clearly labeled, making quick adjustments easy without any confusion of trying to read between the lines. Machined into the turrets are fairly aggressive grooves to aid in adjusting to the elevation or windage needed to make your precise shot. I have found these groves to be deep enough to easily adjust in the rain and with gloves.
In addition to these turrets, the Vudu has rubber buttons for adjusting brightness for its illuminated reticle. At first, I thought the rubber bumpers were weird, but they have held up. They are easy to use and find in the dark. While they don’t give a tactile click on when pressed, the buttons are firm and easy to depress and adjust. You can press and hold them to zoom through from minimum to maximum illumination in just over 1 second. You can see the illuminated reticle here.
The clarity is great on this scope. For the price range, I couldn’t be happier. The VUDU 1-6 FFP boasts Eotech’s Anti-Reflective Lenses which are “XC™ high-density, low dispersion glass with anti-reflective coated lenses which provide efficient light transmission and unmatched edge-to-edge clarity. Water-resistant, fog-resistant, shock-resistant with single construction eyepiece.”
The field of view for the Vudu is 102.4 ft at 100 yards. This is slightly less than the 1-6 Trijicon AccuPoint’s 117.5ft FOV, or the 1-6 Vortex RAZOR® HD GEN II-E’s 115.2ft FOV. While being slightly narrower than some of the other comparable scopes, it still provides a great degree of view for an LPVO.
Eye relief seems to be ample for me being between 3.27-3.94 inches at 1X. The combination of having a wide FOV, and generous eye relief makes for shooting with both eyes open when on 1X magnification quick and easy. Even when shouldering isn’t perfect from being in weird positions, or against shoulder straps on body armor, it is easy to clearly see through the scope and put your reticle on target.
The EOTech Vudu 1-6 weighs in at 20.1 oz. This is right in the middle of the pack with the 1-6 Trijicon AccuPoint’s 19.2 oz, or the 1-6 Vortex RAZOR® HD GEN II-E’s 21.5 oz.
Another great feature is the included throw lever. While adjusting the magnification without a throw lever is easy, it’s not as quick. The adjustment is firm and holds well. However, being able to just hit the throw lever instead of trying to wrap your hand around the scope tube and turn is very beneficial and has become a staple for LPVO’s. The included throw lever is longer than I would have liked since it can slightly poke my belly when the rifle it’s attached to is slung in front of me. Sometimes this can bump up the magnification slightly when hiking around, but for the most part, it has stayed on 1X during my running and gunning.
The manual on their website shows the picture below which is a shorter throw lever. However, I do not know if that is what is currently being shipped out, or if the throw lever is still the longer version that I originally got.
Overall I have been happy with the EOTECH Vudu® 1-6×24 FFP with the SR3 reticle. It has held up well and lived up to my expectations. I am personally a big fan of the SR3 reticle in combination with the front focal plane design of this scope. Currently, EOTech has the MSRP set at $1399.00 which you can find and read more about here.
Specifications:
Overall Length: 10.63″ (270 mm)
Weight: 20.1 oz (570 g)
Magnification: 1-6X
Tube Diameter: 30 mm
Objective Diameter: 24 mm
Power Source: CR2032
Eye Relief:
1X: 3.27-3.94″ (83-100 mm)
6X: 3.23-3.94″ (82-100 mm)
Field-of-View @ 100 Yards
1X: 102.4 ft (31.2 m)
6X: 16.7 ft (5.09 m)
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Good review. Really good points made. Bought one right after this review