The Vector Paragon 3X

When it comes to prism optics, there seems to be two ways to go. We have the ultra-expensive optics like the Trijicon ACOG, and the Steiner series of prisms, and then we have the ultra-cheap variety. Where’s the mid-tier prism sight? This is only partially relevant to today’s topic, the Vector Paragon 3X. 

The Vector Paragon falls into the latter class of optics. It’s extremely affordable, priced under $200. I’m always game to try a cheap optic, with the long-lasting hope that it’s just fine. Fine is pretty good for a sub-$200 3X prism. However, the Vector Paragon proved to be a little more than fine. 

Advertisement — Continue Reading Below

If you’re new here, a prism optic is a fixed-power optic equipped with an etched reticle, often backed by illumination. Prisms are solid optical options for those with a carbine. They offer a compact, lightweight package with a little magnification. I might be biased by my use of the ACOG for so many years, but I’d go as far as to say they are my preferred type of carbine optic. 

The Vector Paragon 3X gives us magnification while remaining roughly the size of a micro red dot. It’s a hair bigger than an Aimpoint T-1. In fact, it shares the Aimpoint T-1 footprint. This opens you up for a wide variety of mounting systems to change the height to basically anything. 

Advertisement — Continue Reading Below

The Paragon 3X packs an etched reticle that works without illumination, but provides you with 10 levels of illumination. The reticle is a three-quarter circle with a stadia at each point. In the center sits a 1 MOA dot. This portion of the reticle is illuminated. There is also a bullet drop compensator based around the 5.56 round, which takes you out to 600 yards. 

With that said, I can’t seem to find what barrel length and projectile weight the BDC is built around. I’ll assume it’s a 16-inch barrel and 55 or 62 grain ammo. In all fairness, with this level of magnification, when you get past 300 yards, it’s a bit of guesswork anyway, since seeing the target is a bit tricky in a real-life scenario. 

The Paragon 3X comes with a riser to push it a little higher, a hex key, and a wrench to lock it all down. 

Advertisement — Continue Reading Below

The Paragon 3 – Edge to Edge 

I mounted the Paragon 3 on a KelTec RDB-S. The idea was to keep the gun lightweight and simple, and when we measure ounces to usefulness, a prism is tough to beat. With the optic mounted, I snapped into zero and immediately noticed the clarity and bright nature. It’s surprisingly bright, and it dodged the typically dark edges that budget optics often maintain. 

This is called vignetting, and it’s not present on this optic. The clarity is fantastic. It’s bright, clear, and the reticle is easy to see. I’m a bit surprised the budget-priced optic can have such fantastic clarity. Colors pop, and there is just a hint of chromatic aberration when peaking at a bright white target. 

Advertisement — Continue Reading Below

The adjustments are 1 MOA. It’s a bit much for a magnified optic, but it’s ultimately fine. I do think that a .5 MOA adjustment would be better suited for magnified optics. I didn’t have any trouble dialing in and getting on target with the RDB-S and the Paragon 3. 

You do deal with the short eye relief present on all prisms. It’s got 2.65 inches of eye relief and does require me to choke up a bit on the RDB-S to get a good, clear view through the reticle. The field of view is decent, it’s 38.8 feet at 100 yards, which is at the high end of 3X prisms. 

Advertisement — Continue Reading Below

The eyebox is forgiving and snapping up from a low ready is easy as long as your eye relief is good. 

Getting Bright 

Outside of a few high-end examples, prisms don’t have daylight bright reticles. They simply don’t get bright enough to stand out in bright daylight. That’s not a problem with the Paragon. At setting 10, it’s bright enough to clearly see and use. 

Advertisement — Continue Reading Below

The bright nature of the reticle makes it easy to catch your eye, especially if you go from moderate range to up close shooting. You can see a red cross on the target from a ready-up drill, and a few bams later, you’ve got holes where you want them. 

Keep in mind this is setting ten, and I have to doubt the battery is going to last much longer at this brightness level. I don’t have battery life numbers from Vector, but at level 10 it’s likely hundreds of hours at best. 

Advertisement — Continue Reading Below

Splitting Hairs 

The Vector Paragon 3X is an outstanding optic. For less than $200, I don’t think it gets much better than this. In fact, at even $300 to $350, this is an amazing optic. I’m a lot more curious about Vector’s other offerings, especially at these price points.