First Look: EOTECH’s Vudu 3-9×32 SFP Super Short Rifle Scope

The product of this scope might be a little confusing. Breaking it down, Vudu is the name of the magnified scope product line from EOTECH. The 3-9 means variable magnification power from 3X power all the way up to 9X power, and 32 indicates a 32mm objective lens at the front. Oh, and SFP stands for second focal plane. The reticle is positioned in the second focal plane and doesn’t change in size with an increase or decrease of magnification. 

So… the VUDU 3-9×32 SFP (MSRP $1059) also has the descriptor “super short” due to its ultra compact size. The overall length of the scope is only 6.8 inches, just a shade longer than a dollar bill for reference. The entire setup with mount comes in at an even 16 ounces, a factor that those who carry their rifles in the field will very much appreciate.

As you would expect from a “professional grade” optic, EOTECH has included all the premium features for which the Vudu line has become famous. The body is aircraft grade aluminum and the scope is highly resistant to shock, water, and internal fogging due to extreme temperature changes.

EOTECH describes their lens technology as follows . . .

XC high-density, low dispersion glass with anti reflective coated lenses provides efficient light transmission and unmatched edge-to-edge clarity. Water-resistant, fog-resistant, shock-resistant with single construction eyepiece.

Being a SFP optic, the elevation and windage adjustments are covered with protective caps. Adjustments are ¼ MOA for both turrets.

On the left side of the scope is a third knob that controls the brightness of the illuminated reticle. The best design for illuminated reticles adjustment includes shut off options between each brightness setting and the Vudu has that. That means the user doesn’t have to scroll all the way down from say, a level 7 brightness to the off position. You can set your brightness to 7 and with one click in either direction, turn it off or back on again. 

The illuminated reticle is powered by a single CR2032 battery with an approximate operation life of 300 hours. As you won’t be leaving the illumination on 24/7 as you would a standard red dot, this should give you ample battery life.

One of the biggest selling points for this 3-9X super short optic is the fact that you don’t need to use two traditional scope rings or a large cantilever mount. The optic comes equipped with a scope mounting base that will fit on your Weaver or Picatinny rail. It’s also compatible with any aftermarket mini-ACOG mounts. Eye relief for 3X is 2.5 to 3.1 inches. For 9X, eye relief is 2.3 to 3.1 inches. Yes, they like to be precise.     

Not an LPVO

What this new VUDU rifle scope is NOT is an LPVO. It’s interesting as someone who has been paying attention for forty years or so, to see the market adapt to the wants and whims of end users. Back when I started on the path, when it came to variable powered rifle scopes, 3-9X was it. There was no such thing as an LPVO (a low-powered variable optic). 

Once more, I find it worth noting that back in the early 1980s when I first started shooting rifles, 9X was about as powerful a magnification level as was available. Higher magnification scopes were very rare and definitely specialty items. Back then, no one could have imagined the requirement for a 12, 15, or 25 power scope. 

Hell, Carlos Hathcock used a fixed 8X Unertl scope and the official records say that Chuck Mawhinney, another deadly Marine Corps sniper, used a Redfield 3-9×40 optic. If the two deadliest Marine Corps snipers in Vietnam used 8X and 9X glass, what more could any American civilian need?

As for the LPVO craze, it wasn’t until mid-GWoT that some special operations unit decided that the current rifle glass available was not sufficient and their super soldiers needed to be able to dial from zero magnification all the way up to 7 or 8x. Producing such an optic proved expensive and the price tags on the original low-powered variable optics reflected that.

The thought process, of course, is that by using an LPVO you can engage close targets on low power (usually 1X) and then distant targets by cranking up the magnification. But do you really need to be looking through the tube of a rifle scope to hit a target 30 yards away? 

EOTECH has addressed the near to far issue with their “super short” 3-9X by offering the scope as a combo with their EFLX mini-red dot sight and a slick mounting ring for it. If you buy the combo kit, you get everything you need; EFLX red dot, aluminum ring mount, tool kit and CR2023 battery.   

Just Getting Started

When the delivery man pulled into my driveway last week to drop off the new Vudu scope, I had just finished plowing several inches of fresh snow out of the way. Naturally, I wanted to get this first look to our intrepid editor as soon as possible. Thus, I haven’t taken the scope out into the field or killed anything with it yet. That will come later.

For now, I mounted the new glass to my Spike’s Tactical Lexington & Concord rifle. At my local range, I stabilized the rifle on the concrete shooting bench and zeroed the 3-9X scope at 100 yards. As for the EFLX red dot mounted on top, I BZO’d it for 25 yards. Note: Be sure to take the sight adjustment tool that EOTech provides with the EFLX to the range with you.

Shot groupings? Once zeroed, I dialed the Vudu up to 9X and slow-fired from the bench off of a rest. From 100 yards, three rounds of Black Hills 77 grain BTHP went into a group that measured 0.89 inches across. I’ll call that good and, again, we’re just getting started. Stay tuned. 

 

 

Paul G. Markel is a combat decorated United States Marine veteran, police officer and Executive Protection Agent. He is also the founder of Student the Gun University and has been teaching Small Arms & Tactics to military personnel, police officers, and citizens for over three decades.