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Anonymous
June 3, 2016
Background: This is the optic I went to after I finally gave up on finding a solid, lightweight optic for my Beretta ARX. So, keep in mind that I was "forced" into the variable power optics because I couldn't find what I wanted in any other configuration. I wanted to find an optic that would provide solid, optimized CQB performance while delivering the precision I wanted out to 500m. My emphasis is heavily on the CQB performance of any optic, and I view magnification as more of an identification aid rather than a marksmanship aid. I have astigmatism that prevents me from making really good use of red dot and holographic options, so having a proper optic with diopter adjustments became critical. I shoot accurately with iron sights, so a variable power scope, for me, is about expanding capabilities, not improving marksmanship. What I Like:* Great look and feel. Fits in very well with the ARX and has a sleek, low drag sort of profile, while still feeling very sturdy.* Illumination is every bit as good as competitors with great brightness and clarity.* Great bit of extra accessories with the caps and the throw lever included.* Nice of them to include two batteries.* Nice, simple, straightforward documentation that's relevant to the optic at hand, instead of being excessively generic.* My biggest surprise bonus was that the reticle isn't the straight crosshair reticle as depicted on the product page. It has the same hold overs and windage stadia, but it's a tapered crosshair which makes it *much* nicer than I thought for easy acquisition and keeping track of where you are, despite being so minimalist. I've really very pleased with the reticle now. Nothing complicated to get in the way, but everything I need to get the job done.* The 1Ă— is as good as Steiner advertises. Very clear, great edge clarity, true 1Ă— without funny business. The 1Ă— is every bit as good as I hoped it would be, and it's very easy to get behind, so I'm happy there.* The 5Ă— is sharp and while I'm not terribly attached to magnification, it seems like a good power choice and certainly makes some observation and the like easier.* The turret adjustments feel good.* Auto shut-off on the illumination that you can turn on and off, which is quite nice.What I didn't like:* The optic is relatively long, so if you want to mount lots of things in front of the optic on limited rail space, this isn't your best choice.* The turret caps on this thing were devilishly tight, to the point that I had to use pliers and padding to rotate them off. Something must have frozen or stuck during shipping or the like, because they were very very tight. After working them on and off a little bit, they unstuck themselves and now they can be worked by hand, but that first time was truly troublesome.Overall:Steiner has a winner on their hands here. The optics are the real selling point of this, and you'd be hard pressed to find a better alternative optically at this price point. The weight and ergonomics are all good for a variable power, and the reticle is hands down one of the best reticles I have seen on a tactical CQB scope. If you want something functional, sleek, and minimal without loss of functionality, this is the way to go. It avoids useless feature creep and focuses on what I consider most valuable, the optical experience. It's definitely a bargain. This is an optic that gets out of your way and lets you get the job done.
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matthew
November 20, 2018
I'm giving this scope 4 out of 5 stars because: 1) it is rather expensive for what you get. 2) The military version is likely more rugged with a more robust housing as well as higher quality glass.
I will also say that a couple of years ago the T5xi line had tracking issues... I believe that was the higher magnification models but it should be pointed out that they replaced those turrets and have seemingly corrected that problem for good with the T5xi line.
Let me caveat that with this fact:
I own ALL FOUR available T5xi scopes.
In other words, i own the 1-5x rapid dot in 5.56 AND 7.62 and i also own the 3-15x and the 5-25x
These are excellent scopes!!
Nothing wrong with giving it 4 out of 5 stars when comparing it to everything in its class and weighing in price while also factoring in weight, size, glass clarity, robustness, warranty, reticle and illumination.
I haven't looked through the military equivalent but the 2 T5xi 1-5x's that i own have exceptionally clear glass.
I have the 5.56 version on a DDM4V11Pro and when i zeroed it a couple months ago i just decided to take a few shots at the 600 yard gong. I was using PPU Match 75 grain BTHP ammo. The scopes BDC is calibrated for 62 grain ammunition so my 75 grainers were going to hit a little low. At 5x magnification i was able to see how low the first round hit and i held high to compensate. After missing the first shot and seeing where it landed my correction led me to go 3 for 3 at 600 yards on a 10" gong. Granted the DDM4V11Pro has a heavy profile 18" barrel and a Geisselle SD3G trigger... so although it felt like cheating... it was still impressive. In fact, it was so easy hitting those three shots consecutively that i put that rifle down and moved to the next rifle i had to zero.
I will say this... the glass is just fantastic. The red dot is very, very nice. You get a tremendous site picture with no edge distortion whatsoever.
Now for what i don't like. The glass clarity is like a tease because you want to shoot further than 600 yards but your BDC only allows you to range out to the 600 yard mark. On top of that the magnification only goes out to 5x. What i would like to see from Steiner is 2 things. 1st: go out to 800 yards at a minimum if not 1,000 with the BDC.
2nd: do what Burris does and make a 2nd version that uses mil hash marks so you can simply memorize your dope for whatever load or caliber you're using.
For example, if this scope was 6,7 or 8 power with mil hash marks like my Burris 1.5-8x you could use it with 6.5 Creedmoor, 6.5 Grendel.... basically whatever you want and move it around on different rifles with a QD mount and rock the 1,000 yard steel. Burris does it right because they make their XTR line with a BDC AND also with Mil Hash so you have both options available.
As much as i want to keep this on my DDM4V11Pro i will probably take it off and put it on my SCAR16S, where i will exclusively use the 62 grain ammunition the BDC was calibrated for.
If all you are shooting is a 16" AR15 and you don't mind using just 55 and 62 grain ammo... this is an awesome scope that will take you out to 600 yards... which is about the practical extent of those rounds anyways out of those barrels.
The 7.62 rapid dot version i do have on my SCAR17S and again... ringing steel at 600 yards gets old fast.. and i wish i had more range in the reticle. Not to mention... the 7.62 version of the T5xi has a BDC that's calibrated for 175 grain ammunition which is rather insane. The 175 grain rounds are typically used to maintain stabilization in flight for reaching out to the nether regions of that calibers max ranges. There's NO REASON for the T5xi in 7.62 to have a BDC calibrated for 175 grain rounds... it makes no sense. It should be calibrated for 147 grain NATO rounds. Not to mention... if you're shooting heavy metal 3Gun matches who wants to pay for the expensive ammunition to practice and compete with ?
At any rate... awesome scope... awesome quality... just KNOW ITS LIMITATIONS !!! cause it's not cheap and you don't want to end up disappointed.
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TomC
May 12, 2023
I’ve been running this T5XI for 3 months now. It is the PERFECT close to midrange optic. This replaced an exps3/G33 combo I’ve been using for years. The 3TR reticle is super crisp & not cluttered. The center dot is definitely daytime bright. By far my favorite feature is the glass. From 1X to 5X it is crystal clear & the eye box is super generous. Honestly I have zero downsides. For sub $900 there’s nothing that touches it
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Anonymous
March 2, 2017
I bought this scope with the intent on putting it on a AAC 300 SBR but after seeing how clear the glass it I put it on my best AR a KAC and moved a Nightforce NXS 1-4 to the other, the 3TR reticle is my favorite. Thinking of buying another!!
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Anonymous
December 16, 2015
This is the first scope I have purchased at this price point and what a difference. It really is super clear and the lighted reticle is great. I am an older novice shooter and I can highly recommend this scope if you have issues with your eyes.
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Anonymous
September 29, 2016
I run TacticalGunReview.com and get to try everything out.This is my favorite 1-X scope on the market, period.Outstanding glass, lightweight, great reticle, daytime bright illumination.It has it all.
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David harris
May 9, 2023
Better than most 1-6 scopes, even though it’s just 1-5. Clearer and brighter. Perfect for any ar.
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Anonymous
September 24, 2017
Bought this yesterday and will have it mounted tomorrow morning. Excellent glass and all controls work as advertised..
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Anonymous
June 22, 2016
I bought this for a 458 socom build. I wanted a scope that was as fast as a red dot and had magnifacation to it. The BDC is useless with a 458 but I could see it being fast on a 5.56 or 7.62. I'm going to buy another 1-5 for my next AR build. I think Steiner is a solid performer. I'm going to give them 5 stars on customer service because my turret came off when zeroing my scope. I'm giving 3 stars on quality because it broke on the first outing
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George
July 3, 2023
Clear bright glass, daytime bright illumination. Light (for its size) , appears durable. Great on an AR. The only things that bother me are the fisheye at 1x, it doesnt affect marksmanship or target acquisition, buts there , and the 11.5 inch honking legnth
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TC
March 4, 2023
The Steiner 1X, glass clarity & dot brightness are what make this scope a must have. The 3TR rapid dot reticle is more than enough for my needs ( 0-200 yards ). The only negative personally is I wish it had a 2032 battery, only because I already have a bunch of them.
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Anonymous
September 23, 2015
I own both T5XI 3-15, and 5-25 scopes. I've now added the 1-5x24 to complete the family. That's how confident I am with the Steiner products. It's the ideal optic for short/medium shooting situations. Best of luck, Rob60
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Anonymous
September 13, 2016
I looked at Vortex, Nightforce, Leupold, & Steiner. Steiner was hands down winner.
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