We hit the range to test out the EOTech Vudu 3-9×32 MPVO, a versatile little scope with an integrated red dot.
Every few years we see a technological leap in optics, even though these feats aren’t always immediately obvious to the non-nerds among us.
Sometimes these take place in the form of advanced coatings or novel approaches to increasing contrast or reducing optic aberrations, but occasionally it’s much more conspicuous … or maybe not so much. In fact, if you don’t know what you’re looking at here you might mistake it for a large dot optic or perhaps a prismatic. But no, there’s a whole 3 to 9 power variable optic under that hood. Let’s talk about this new Vudu.
The range and ratio aren’t going to bust down doors; 3×9 might be the most classic variable scope range ever. It’s not the 1:3 magnification ratio either. Hell, EOTech themselves manufactures a scope with a 1:10 scale, and we’ve seen glass go even higher than that. The big news here is the smallest thing. Namely, the whole hog is only 6.8 inches long. For comparison’s sake, an equivalent optic could easily approach twice that length. Hell, it’s a similar size to a 4x Trijicon ACOG with a kill flash.
EOTech has squeezed advanced capability into small packages in the past, like with their 5-25x Super Short and the latest batch of stubby magnifiers, but not anything like this — they are the first to pull off this level of optical magic.
EOTECH Vudu 3-9X32 Specs:
Length: 6.8 inches
Weight: 16 ounces
Magnification: 6-9x
Objective Diameter: 32mm
MSRP: $1,059 (scope only) ; $1,429 (with EFLX dot)
URL: eotechinc.com
MPVO
We’ve previously discussed the need for a new kind of optic, the MPVO (Medium Powered Variable Optic). The MPVO wasn’t going to be anything groundbreaking in terms of magnification range, but instead in form factor.
It would need to be smaller, more like an LPVO (or less) instead of a large objective bell and the rail-eating body of traditional optics, and importantly, also be designed to accommodate dots-on-top from the beginning instead of pretending that looking at a simulated 1x image through a tube was the same thing.
Essentially, we define an MPVO as a midrange variable stuffed into an LPVO shell, while addressing the downsides of each. There’s more nuance, but that’s the broad shape of it. While this isn’t exactly what we envisioned, EOTech managed to exceed our imagination regarding size; it’s clearly where the river is flowing.
Details & Controls
The build quality is exactly what you’ve come to expect from EOTech, with the body formed from a single piece of deeply anodized aluminum. No cheap Chinesium feel here.
In terms of controls, it’s fairly straightforward. The windage and elevation turrets have 1/4 MOA adjustments and are protected by caps; this is a set-it-and-forget-it optic, not one you’ll be dialing-in on the fly. The adjustments are chunky, and you can feel them even with winter gloves on.
There are 10 illumination settings with offs between each, so you can set it to your environment and turn it off with a short click in either direction. A single CR2032 battery will run the Vudu MPVO for about 300 hours. For one reason or another, the years-long battery life of dot sights hasn’t made it to other optics, but it’s also less of a problem because this’ll run without a battery regardless.
In addition to the shorter length, the front objective lens is only 32mm, which only adds to the magic trick. With traditional 3×9 designs and in addition to the much longer overall length, you’d expect to see 40mm or even 50mm glass and perhaps a sunshade to boot. This Vudu 3-9×32 does have a tube somewhere under there, but you’re not going to use it for scope rings because it’s compatible with mini ACOG mounts.
What little actual tube there is accommodates an optional EFLX dot sight, and you’ll save yourself a few bucks if you bundle them together.
The eye relief stays very consistent between the highest and lowest magnification levels, slicing off just 0.2 inches when maxed out. The color rendition of the Japanese glass is excellent, and the only real aberrations occur at the edges of the glass.
Reticle
This new Vudu is a second focal plane (SFP) optic, meaning that the reticle remains static regardless of the magnification level. Though broadly speaking this is a less complex optical arrangement than a first focal plane (FFP) reticle that scales as you zoom, it also allows for easier “daylight bright” illumination.
On this first model EOTech features their HC1 reticle, which is shaped like a cross with a center dot complete with MOA stadia lines. Only a smaller inner portion is illuminated in red, and we have to admit it looks a bit like a Greek Orthodox cross at first blush. Even though the reticle doesn’t scale, EOTech went through the trouble of including a diagram displaying what each measurement means at both 3x and 9x. It’s nice of them to include the 3x scale, but max magnification is what we concern ourselves with.
Our recommendation is to bust out a ballistic calculator and figure out the major lines for your chosen rifle, zero, and caliber. For instance, with one of our 5.56mm rifles with 77-grain ammunition, the first major stadia line represents the drop at 312 yards, and the bottom 410 (needless to say, functionally it’s just 300 and 400 yards).
Loose Rounds
Even though you can immediately put a dot on top for close encounters, you can also shoot the Vudu with both eyes open à la Bindon Aiming Concept (BAC) just like with a Trijicon ACOG. It isn’t a problem or, rather, is no more a problem than regular BAC shooting. You might even find it easier with the Vudu because of the longer eye relief.
Speaking of military optics, perhaps due to the combination of the shape and reticle design, running around the range with the Vudu MPVO we couldn’t help but be reminded of the old 4x Colt carry handle scopes.
Are there some warts? Eh, not really — more like preferential differences, some that are likely to be addressed by future models. It would be great to see a higher top-end magnification somewhere down the line, but the present levels are just fine — especially in a world full of longer 1-8x LPVOs, fixed prismatics, and dot sights married to magnifiers. Similarly, SFP isn’t my preference but the small size makes up for a lot.
As to what it’s for — while the obvious answer to that question is anything you’d want a 3×9 on, the form factor really opens up a whole new world. Had this been in-hand in our last issue, it would have gone on our M16A5 build because it has versatile combat optic written all over it. As it stands, this one almost immediately found a home on an FN SCAR-H.
EOTech — keep it up! Other optic manufacturers — catch up!
Editor’s Note: This article originally appeared in the May 2025 issue of Gun Digest the Magazine.
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