Hardware Review: GPO Centuri 4-16x44i Super Compact

Frank Melloni

posted on October 8, 2025

News, New For 2025, Review, Optics

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Hunters go to great lengths to shave weight and bulk from our rifles, sometimes to the tune of several thousand dollars—all of this for naught the moment we top one with a scope that nearly rivals the gun’s overall length and heft. The solution has been to turn to low-power variable optics (LPVO), which are commonly used with AR-15s. While they fit on conventional rifles, they never look right, at least in my mind, and, more importantly, most lack parallax adjustment, which prevents focus on targets that are closer or farther than their pre-set distance. Listening to the market, U.S.-based German Precision Optics (GPO) has introduced a Super Compact line of its signature Centuri riflescope, boasting a generous magnification range and the features it takes to be successful at any distance.

We were able to procure one of these optics and, to my delight, it was one of the higher magnification versions. Formally designated the Centuri 4-16x44i Super Compact, the name can be decoded to describe the scope’s most prominent features. The “4-16” designates its magnification range, which is more than enough for any woodland hunting, and I would argue plenty ethical for even medium game out to 600 yards. This is also a nod to the tighter 4:1 zoom ratio, which allows you to flip from one side to the other faster than one that stretches either end. Mechanically, this also requires less glass, which attributes to its shorter size and reduced weight. The “44” refers to the objective lens, which is another stark advantage over common LPVOs. At 44mm, it’s almost twice that of those scopes, meaning the Centuri Super Compact will exhibit significantly better light transmission and a wider field of view. All of these lenses are treated with the company’s proprietary PASSIONdrop hydrophobic lens coatings, which repel moisture while boosting clarity and the accurate reproduction of the color spectrum. Lastly, the “i” correlates to the illuminated reticle, something that I feel is mandatory in any hunting optic. Game is most active during twilight hours, which is when the crosshairs are hardest to see. This Centuri line uses an infinitely adjustable tension wheel, which is effortless to spin and allows for brightness that can be witnessed even in full daylight. This brings us to the “Super Compact” in the product name, which is the entire premise of the optic.

The Centuri Super Compact compresses all this tech into a footprint that is just shy of 10 inches long. This is shorter than many LPVOs by up to an inch, while offering more than twice the magnification in many cases. As for weight, topping your favorite game getter with one will only add around 20 ounces, which is right in line with most of the AR-intended glass. Adding a 4-16x magnifier has never been less noticeable. Another aspect that remains scarcely affected: your wallet. With an MSRP of only $629.99, it’s hard not to look through the GPO Super Compact.

GPO Centuri

With scope in hand, I selected a compact Mossberg rifle for my testing. Chambered in .308 Winchester and wearing a 16.25-inch barrel, it’s precisely the type of firearm that GPO has in mind for this optic. Mounting the Super Compact is interesting, as it’s so short that both the ocular and objective bells will land over a typical Picatinny rail. This means that you need to go a bit higher with your hardware. I chose a pair of Talley Modern Sporting Rings for the job, as they are built for straight-line rifles, meaning they are cut to float a scope that might otherwise contact a rifle’s receiver. After locking everything down, I grabbed a few boxes of Remington’s 150-grain Core-Lokt Tipped ammo and hit the range.

The first thing that I noticed was that the eye relief was a little short on this scope, which is characteristic of most compact optics. This becomes a concern with scope bite, so I proceeded with caution. My first trigger pull quelled my fears, as even under .308 recoil the scope didn’t even come close to my bulky eye protection. After zeroing, I found that I had 10.5 mils of adjustment left over, which is more than enough to take .308 beyond its ethical range. This is a product of the 30mm maintube, which offers more adjustment over traditional 1-inch tubes. Moreover, this model featured a mil-dot reticle with an additional 13 mils of come-up on the glass. As the reticle is set into the first focal plane, the subtensions stay true no matter what the magnification range. Being that this means the subtensions in the reticle also shrink at lower power, I was pleased to see that the central crosshair was still wholly visible at the lowest, 4X setting. I also liked that the subtension “dots” were actually lines, making them more precise when using them to range or determine a holdover.

With the optic centered up at 100 yards, I pressed out to 700 yards in 100-yard increments using a combination of the hashmarks and the turrets. I found the clicks to be extraordinarily defined and sharp, like those of an optic twice the price (or even more). They were repeatable and true to the ballistic software that I was using, as were the reticle subtensions. Additionally, I didn’t experience any point of impact shifts at different magnification levels, showing me that nothing is askew in the optics construction. During this portion of my testing, I noticed the turret rotation indicator, which pops up when you’re on your second revolution. As my sample had a total of 21 mils of adjustment, that’s a handy feature to have, and with 10 mils per turn, it makes it pretty obvious where you are in the dial. There is also an onboard zero stop, but I didn’t see a need to utilize it for this test. Lastly, I thoroughly enjoyed the simple locking nature of the turrets, which requires nothing more than a pull to turn and a sharp press inward to retain your setting. This ensures your zero doesn’t get disturbed on your way to the stand or along a long stalk.

The first focal plane 4-16X Centuri Super Compact (with two reticle options) is joined by a 3-12X model with a second focal plane reticle. Through the line’s versatility, there is something for nearly every type of hunter, and the scope is great for those looking to partake in the many hunting-themed forms of competitive shooting that are sprouting up. Topping a rifle with one is a great way to pull double duty from the same firearm, or even just lighten your loadout. One thing’s for sure, although these scopes are short on length they are quite long on utility.

GPO Centuri 4-16x44i