Seasoned Contributor for Minuteman Review and teaches over 100 shooting classes a year.
When Trijicon came out with their AccuPoint line of variable scopes, one of the big balks was the high price. Sure, you get what you pay for in most cases when it comes to optics, but the line’s tritium illumination was the cause for at least some of the higher cost.
In an effort to address that, the company designed the line—same versatility and durability, but with battery-powered LED illumination.
TRIJICON ACCUPOWER 1-4
PROS
CONS
If you didn’t want to pay for the higher-priced unit, this is one alternative.
It’s about 20% heavier than its tritium-lighted counterpart, which could be an issue for shooters in certain terrains and altitudes, but it’s highly affordable price point makes it an excellent buy—providing you understand its limitations. Thankfully, there aren’t many.
Scope Review and Breakdown
Features
The model has four different options for reticle choice: MOA reticle, MIL-square reticle, Duplex crosshair, and a Segmented Circle crosshair. Each of those options also comes in a selection of red or green LED illumination, and offers the ability to use the brand’s Bindon Aiming Concept – both eyes open when acquiring a target.
Photo by youngsailor88
At 50 yards on the 2X magnification setting, a 12-inch bullseye fills the circle; that means you’ll be able to hit center faster and more reliably. During transition lightings such as dawn and dusk, there is a bit of fringing, but it’s minimal; the sight picture has been tested as functional up to 45 minutes past sunset.
Speaking of illumination, it has 11 different brightness settings, but you won’t have to scroll through them all to turn it off. The brand puts an OFF option between each brightness level, which is highly convenient.
Photo by gunsguitars33
It’s an SFP optic, meaning the reticles are in the second focal plane – not the favorite of some, depending on who you ask. With the SFP, the size and appearance of the reticle stay constant regardless of what magnification setting you’re in, which can be both good and bad. In low light situations, it provides a better aiming point at higher magnification.
It sports the standard USA-made Trijicon durability from the 6061-T6 aluminum housing with anodized anti-corrosion hard coat, but it’s also heavier than you might like—even more so than its tritium counterpart. At 16.2 ounces it’s not, however, as heavy as its big brother, the 1-8X.
Specifications
Ease of Use and Reliability
The sharpness and clarity of this model mean it’s easy to pick up a sight picture quickly, and its many brightness settings offer solid usability across nearly all lighting conditions.
Photo by richsis
While the housing is 6061-T6 aluminum instead of the 7075-T6 in many other Trijicon models, the reliability of this product lacks nothing. In fact, the only detractor on ease of use is the weight—easily mitigated with practice.
Battery Life
The battery is easy to access for changing, and with more than 31 hours of operation at the brightest possible setting – probably unneeded unless you’re in blinding whiteout conditions – you’ll have plenty of time between battery replacements.
Cost
The AccuPower is reasonably affordable, running less than $700 depending on reticle and color options.
Who is this scope for?
Type of Shooter
Photo by mic_arc_45
It is designed for a user who needs a reliable all-around optic and likes the brand quality but doesn’t need or want the higher power or cost of the 1-8X and doesn’t need the high-end performance of the VCOG.
Type of Firearm
Photo by rkbarmory
The AccuPower will work nicely on any standard hunting or mil-type rifle, including the .308, 5.56/.223, and others. It can take a fair amount of recoil, although it seems to perform best on AR platform variants.
Our Opinion
No matter what kind of optics you’re discussing, you’re going to have a disagreement. Whether it’s the first focal plane or second focal plane debate, red vs. green, or even Trijicon vs. other manufacturers, there will always be detractors of any given optic.
Some of the features of the 1-4X come down to nothing more than personal preference, such as the battery power as opposed to tritium/fiber optics.
That being said, regarding a decent all-around scope that will work in close-up engagements or at a distance when sighting in some big game, the AccuPower will do the job.
At the $700-1000 price point, it’s also attainable for the average shooter—far more so than many others. It’s more expensive than the low-end models but worth the buy.
If you have a top-shelf rifle and you want top shelf optics, you’re going to spend a lot more than this. If what you need is merely a dependable 1-4X for your hunting rifle or duty rifle, this one is worth getting.
Other Options Worth Looking At
The Leupold VX-2 is a reasonably comparable scope to the AccuPower. With a 1-4X magnification (it’s not a real 1X) and a 9-ounce weight, it still runs at less than $300, making it an excellent option if cost is a significant factor in your purchasing decision. It’ll also hold up to the recoil of bigger caliber rifles like a .458 Winchester.
The VX-2 4-12x40mm is another option. It lacks the 1X but sports a higher magnification capability, up to 12X. Also, its price point is under $450 with all mounting rings and accessories.
If battery-free operation (and resulting lower weight) is a factor, consider spending the extra cash on the AccuPoint 1-4X. It has all the same features of the AccuPower, but the tritium/fiberoptic design lets you run for 12 years without batteries. You’ll also get the 7075-T6 housing, which makes it nearly indestructible.
Other Models from the Manufacturer
Not your cup of tea? See these ones too!
Accupoint 5-20x50 Reviews
Trijicon VCOG
Accupower 1-8x Scope
Trijicon ACOG (view here)
Trijicon HD Night Sights
HD XR Night Sights
Trijicon MRO (view here)
RMR Dual Illuminated Sight
Trijicon Sealed Reflex Sight
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0EF561LBiwg