This article was done in parntnership with EOTECH
Historically, most EOTECH optical sights have been purpose built for military or tactical applications, and EOTECH’s products are well regarded in that arena. But a few years back EOTECH introduced the Vudu and Vudu X riflescopes that are of a more traditional style. Though EOTECH created some of these riflescopes with tactical applications in mind, several were well suited for hunting. Their newest optical rifle sight does not really fit into either the tactical or hunting category, and I’d categorize it somewhere between a low-power variable optic (LPVO) and a traditional riflescope. The EOTECH 3-9×32 SFP maybe best fits into what I would call the general-purpose optic (GPO) category. It is quite unique in several ways.
EOTECH Vudu 3-9×32 SFP Description
For many years, the 3-9X riflescope was the standard, and this is the magnification range this new EOTECH scope provides. But at only 6.8 inches long, this is one of the most compact 3-9X riflescopes I have seen. It is also—at least by modern standards—rather light. It only weighs a pound. However, I think the most unique feature of this riflescope is the mounting system because it does not use the traditional ring mount system.
On the underneath of this riflescope, between the ocular and objective housings, there is a 1.7-inch rail that’s tri-cut and that extends out 0.41-inch. EOTECH supplies the riflescope with a single mount that interfaces with a Picatinny rail and attaches to the scope rail with two screws. This mount adds about 0.55-inch to the mounting height, positioning the centerline of the riflescope close 1.56-inches above any rail it’s mounted to. EOTECH specifications list the “height above bore” at 1.56 inches, but clearly, they are referencing the height above rail. Mounted on my Wilson Combat Protector Carbine (AR15) in 300 HAMR, the centerline of the riflescope is right at 2.6 inches above the centerline of the bore.
But EOTECH did not just intend this riflescope for us with just AR15 patterned rifles. American Defense Manufacturing offers quick detach mount—about $100—for the Vudu 3-9×32. It also interfaces with a Picatinny rail like you’ll find on many modern bolt-action rifles. This mount reduces the over-rail height to about 1.22 inches, which is about the above rail height of a traditional high scope ring. I mounted the Vudu 3-9×32 on my Q Fix rifle and the resulting above bore height was about 2.2 inches. All this is very important because this mount system is the only way you can attach this riflescope to a rifle. This is a bit high unless the bolt action rifle—like the Fix—has an adjustable comb.
EOTECH outfits the Vudu 3-9×32 with their second focal plane (SFP) Vudu HC1 reticle. This is a cross configured MOA reticle that offers 22 MOA of elevation correction at 9X in 2 MOA increments, which his enough to take a 308 Winchester out to about 800 yards. From the center reticle dot—which subtends to 1.2 MOA at 9x—there is also 12 MOA of windage correction left and right, also in 2 MOA increments. The reticle’s center is illuminated, and at 9X the illumination extends 4 MOA to each side and up, and 12 MOA down. You control illumination brightness via a rheostat like dial on the left side of the scope and there are 10 brightness settings, with intermittent off setting between each.
The reticle adjustment knobs are capped and provide 0.25 MOA of adjustment per click. The riflescope has a total of 90 MOA of elevation and 60 MOA of windage adjustment, and a full-dial rotation equals 30 MOA. You can also reset the adjustment dials to zero by lifting them up and turning them. You control the magnification setting by a turning a ring just forward of the ocular housing. The ring has a raised Boss feature that will accept a screw-in throw lever, and the throw is very short; a 45-degree twist will take you complexly through the magnification range.
Another feature of the Vudu 3-9×32 SFP is that for an additional $334 you can order it with a EOTECH EFLX mini reflex sight and ring mount. This allows you to mount the reflex sight to the riflescope at straight up or at an angle. The addition of this EFLX reflex sight allows you to have a no magnifying optical sight for close quarters engagement. This is more a tactical accessory but could have application in hunting for extremely close engagements.
EOTECH Vudu 3-9×32 SFP Specifications:
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Manufacturer: EOTECH
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Model: Vudu 3-9×32 SFP
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Mount: Integral rail mount
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Magnification: 3X to 9X
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Objective Lens: 32mm
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Eye Relief: 2.3 to 3.1 inches
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Exit Pupil Diameter: 3.55mm (9X) 10.66mm (3X)
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Field of View: 38 ft. @100 yards on 3X, 12.7 ft. @100 yards on 9X
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Click Value: 0.25 MOA
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Elevation/Windage adjustment: 90 MOA (elevation) 60 MOA (windage)
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Length: 6.8 inches
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Weight: 16 ounces
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Tube Diameter: 30mm
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Reticle: Vudu HC1 MOA second focal plane reticle
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Parallax Setting: 200 meters
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Battery/Run Time: CR2032/300 hours
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Price: $1,095 ($1,429 with EFLX and ring mount)
EOTECH Vudu 3-9×32 SFP Testing Results:
I subjected Vudu 3-9×32 SFP to my standard riflescope evaluation protocol. I mounted it to a Q Fix rifle in 8.6 Blackout, sighted it in, and then shot a box drill to verify adjustment repeatability. Next, I evaluated clarity and resolution by looking at various targets in bright sunlight and in the shade. And finally, I also abused the riflescope by dunking it in water, freezing it, and by repeatedly dropping it, before I again mounted it to the rifle and retested it. I found no operational issues with the Vudu 3-9×32 SFP throughout the testing. From a clarity and resolution standpoint, it performed consistent with other riflescopes of the same price point, no doubt due to the use of XC high density low dispersion multi-coated glass.
What I liked the most about this riflescope was that at less than seven inches it adds very little real estate—and at 16 ounces, very little weight—to your rifle. The extremely short rotation required to adjust magnification and the ability to adjust the reticle to the exact brightness needed, with an “off” setting on either side of the selected brightness setting, was very nice.
On the downside, eye relief is a bit short for a traditional bolt action rifle, especially one with substantial recoil. Mounting options are of course somewhat limited; your rifle will need a Picatinny rail.
Pros
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Flip-up lens covers included
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Illuminated reticle
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Extremely compact
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Lifetime warranty
Cons
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Mounting limitations
Final Thoughts
If you have an AR15-patterned rifle intended for general purpose application, the Vudu 3-9×32 SFP is a very practical riflescope. It’s suitable for short to medium and moderately long range shots and will not bog down your rifle. If self-defense application is part of what you consider general purpose, then the option that comes with the EFLX reflex sight would be a smart choice and allow for a dead-on hold at extreme close distances without worry of barrel-sight offset.
For some hunting rifles I also think the Vudu 3-9×32 SFP has application. Ideally, you’ll want a rifle that will accept a rail for scope mounting, and you will want to order the lower mount from American Defense Manufacturing. (Other mini-ACOG mounts will work with the Vudu 3-9×32 SFP.) This riflescope will best interface a rifle and you, if the rifle has an adjustable comb like the Fix rifle I used for testing. This will allow you to rest your cheek on the comb while aligning your eye with the centerline of the riflescope. One thing I particularly liked about the Vudu 3-9×32 SFP when paired with the Fix in 8.6 Blackout, was that the HC1 reticle gave me trajectory hold over marks to use when shooting with super and subsonic ammunition.
The EOTECH Vudu 3-9×32 SFP is not a riflescope that will serve every shooter. Though it is well suited to general purpose application, it will not jive perfectly with every rifle. However, it is a unique, compact and lightweight option that’s moderately priced and that many shooters and hunters might find ideally fills their needs.
THE 1871 CLUB
