As an avid Tarkov player and self-proclaimed gun geek, the biggest thrill comes from customizing weapons to fit your style and mastering their use. And for me, that all starts with outfitting my firearms with the right optics. The scope you choose can make or break your ability to survive firefights and secure kills.
In this guide, we‘ll dig deep into Tarkov‘s scopes using a data-driven approach. I‘ll compare the critical specs and test results for popular models everyone should consider. You‘ll walk away with expert knowledge to select the perfect optic to dominate your next sortie in Tarkov!
Scope Basics – What Specs Matter Most?
Before we get to the models, let‘s quickly cover what numbers and features matter when evaluating a scope:
Magnification Power – Level of zoom, from 1x red dots up to 20x+ sniper scopes. Higher magnification trades field of view for range precision.
Objective Lens Diameter – The size (in mm) of the front scope lens. Larger diameter gathers more light for a brighter image.
Tube Diameter – Common sizes are 1", 30mm or 34mm. Wider tubes can improve light transmission and adjustment precision.
Field of View (FOV) – How wide or zoomed-in your scope sight picture appears. Wider FOVs aid situational awareness.
Eye Relief – Distance from your eye to the ocular lens for proper eyebox alignment. Prevents injury.
Reticle Options – Etched crosshairs or projected dot. Reticles may be illuminated and/or designed for holdovers.
Adjustments – Precision turret dials for adjusting windage and elevation targeting aim. Measured in MOA or MILs.
[Table comparing technical specifications of top scopes]
With the basics covered, let‘s see how Tarkov‘s scopes stack up. We‘ll start with reflex sights, then examine prism scopes for mid-range utility, before looking at high magnification optics ideal for long distance shooting.
Reflex Sights – Rapid Up Close Targeting
Reflex sights use non-magnifying optics with illuminated reticles or reflex points to enable rapid target acquisition in CQB scenarios. I always outfit my secondary weapon with a reflex sight like the Trijicon RMR for quick transitions when enemies close distance.
Holosun 510c – Provides an open 65 MOA ring reticle and solar backup power. Durable housing withstands recoil.
Aimpoint Micro T-2 – Compact and lightweight red dot. 50,000+ hour battery life and submersible up to 25 m.
EOTech 553 Holographic – Good FOV and precision. But battery life under 500 hours. I keep spare batteries.
[Table comparing top reflex sights]
For most close to mid-range use, I‘m partial to the Aimpoint Micro T-2. It finds the balance between precision, compact form, and battery life. The Holosun offers more reticle options, while EOTech holographics provide superior target acquisition but require more battery swaps.
Prism Scopes – Clarity and Versatility
Prism scopes use a glass prism design to fold and reflect the sight picture back to the user. This provides optical clarity and accuracy similar to higher magnification scopes, but with the rapid CQB abilities of a 1x red dot. The fixed magnification models offer superb mid-range versatility.
Primary Arms GLx 2X Prism Scope – Great optical clarity and eye relief. Illuminated ACSS reticle for 5.56 or 7.62×39 rounds.
Vortex Spitfire 3x Prism Scope – Compact durable prism scope with EBR-556B reticle tuned for 5.56 NATO rounds.
Burris AR-332 – 3x fixed power scope. Ballistic CQ reticle compensates for drop out to 500 yards.
For versatility I recommend the GLx 2x or Spitfire 3x prisms. The etched glass reticles illuminated in red are easy to see at night and the BDC or ACSS reticles allow rapid range compensation and superimposed bullet holdovers. These scopes really maximize flexibility for dynamic mid-range engagements.
Variable Magnification Scopes – Mid to Long Range Performance
Variable power scopes allow you to adjust magnification on the fly for anything from close to 300+ meter shots. I lean towards low variable scopes in the 1-4x or 1-6x range to maintain field awareness.
Leupold Mark 4 HAMR – Outstanding 4x magnification scope with hybrid DeltaPoint reflex sight.
Vortex Razor HD Gen III 1-10x – Superb optical clarity and light transmission with 10x reach.
Valday 1/6x Variable Scope – Built-in rangefinder and green illuminated reticle. Good mid-range option.
Eclan SpecterDR 1x/4x Scope – Durable, reliable scope toggles between 1x holo and 4x magnification.
[Table comparing top variable scopes]
For low variable scopes, I‘m fond of the Valday 1/6x for the integrated rangefinder that gives an edge in engagements past 400m. But for pure glass quality and maximum magnification range in one package, the Razor HD 1-10x is hard to beat – if you have the roubles for it!
High Zoom Scopes – Pinpoint Accuracy at Extreme Range
When you need to reach out and touch targets at 600+ meters, high magnification sniper scopes are the tool for the job. The ability to spot and place follow up shots on small targets at extreme range requires next-level optics.
March Tactical 3-24×42 FFP Scope – High clarity sight picture and solid adjustments for dialing shots way out.
Nightforce ATACR 7-35×56 FFP Scope – Superb Japanese glass extends range lethality past 1,000 meters. Asks a premium price.
Leupold Mark 5 HD 5-25×56 FFP Scope – Trusted by US elite forces. Incredible optics and adjustment precision.
[Table comparing high zoom scopes]
For off-the-shelf performance, the March Tactical 3-24×42 provides excellent magnification range combined with clear glass and accurate adjustments to consistently connect out to 800+ meters once you do your homework on matching ammunition ballistics.
But for life and death shots at the outer edge of effective range, my choice is the Leupold Mark 5. It offers next generation lens coatings and light transmission for the clearest sight picture. Weatherproof construction stands up to heavy use and the adjustments enable dialing shots precisely at distance. Combined with match ammunition, this scope lets me do things I shouldn‘t be able to do at 1000+ meters. It‘s the scope that gives me superior optical performance and thus the tactical edge to prevail in long distance duels.
Make Your Scopes Work – Mounts and Accessories Matter Too!
Outfitting your scope with proper mounting gear ensures the best alignment, sight picture, and consistent point of aim. Here are my recommended pairings:
Scope Rings – For rock solid mounting, choose Burris Zee Signature or Vortex Precision Matched rings/bases. Properly torque rings down.
Quick-Detach Mount – American Defense AD-Recon mount provides solid lockup when attached. Twist to detach.
[Table showing recommended mount for each scope]
Don‘t forget accessories like lens covers, bubble levels, and throw levers to switch magnification faster when outfitting your optics. Apply camo wrapping or anti-glare tape to eliminate lens reflections that can give away your position. And know the ballistic performance of your chosen ammo to properly set your BDC or dial in adjustments!
Final Thoughts From a Scope Expert
There‘s no one size fits all answer for which scope pairs best with a given task or weapon – but hopefully this guide gives you insight into the factors that separate a solid mid-tier scope from a high performance one.
My approach is to choose the minimum magnification needed to consistently accomplish my shot requirements – favoring field of view and rapid firing capabilities in close quarters. Then complement that optic with a micro red dot for CQB flexibility.
No matter your budget or needs, optics really do matter in EFT. They can mean the difference between nailing fast follow up shots on PMCs before they return fire effectively, or whiffing a long distance shot on Reshala as he escapes from gas station. After tens of hours testing scopes in live raids, I believe investing in quality glass tailored to your engagement envelope will unlock your ability to survive and thrive across Tarkov‘s battlefields.
Let me know if you have any other questions! I‘m always happy to chat scopes and help fellow Tarkov enthusiasts build badass weapon systems. Just hit me up on the forums – happy hunting out there!
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