LPVOs—that is, Low Power Variable Optics—have become all the rage lately among competitive and self-defense-minded shooters. As is common when something achieves this level of ubiquity, the hunting world has taken note, and Trijicon is at the forefront of the technology’s adoption with its latest Credo HX.
While the Credo HX line consists of more than just LPVOs, the LPVO segment of the family—defined as any scope that starts at a true 1X magnification—is garnering particular interest. First came the coyote, hog and predator hunters. Already having broadly adopted ARs as their platform of choice, it took almost no thought to equip these rifles with a 1-6x or 1-8x, making the setup capable of snap shots while still retaining the ability to reach out and touch reticent song dogs. That latter magnification, and particularly Trijicon’s introduction of a version with 10x magnification, has opened the door wide enough for other hunters to take note.
Cards on the table, the most eye-catching feature of the 1-10x28mm Credo HX is right in the name. Ten-power magnification is nearly unheard of, and 10X magnification with the top-end clarity of the 1-10x28mm Credo HX suggests a level of esoteric wizardry that is hard to fathom. The sight is built off a 34mm main tube, allowing for 136 MOA of total adjustment in both elevation and windage. (This is by my own turning of the dials; Trijicon actually claims only 100 MOA, likely because erector tube travel tends to decrease clarity at its bleeding edge extremes). This adjustment is accomplished via an exposed, return-to-zero elevation turret up top, which can be adjusted in ¼-MOA increments, and a covered windage turret with the same adjustments. That windage turret is not equipped with a return-to-zero mechanism, so make sure to always be aware of clicks and rotations if dialing for wind. On the left-hand side of the scope, where many shooters would expect a parallax knob, an illumination adjustment knob protrudes with five levels of green illumination in one direction, and five of red in the other. There is an off position placed in between each illumination, to toggle quickly between one’s desired illumination and no illumination.
The one skepticism I have consistently heard expressed by other hunters about LPVOs is that the objective lens is too small. The animals we love to pursue are generally crepuscular, and a disproportionate number of shots are taken at first and last light. For this reason, many hunters will buy a scope with as large an objective lens as possible, in order to let in as much light as possible. A 28mm, it is argued, will go dark too quickly. While the common refrain that a bigger objective equals more light is not exactly untrue, it is only half the story. Light transmission relies on the relationship between the size of a scope’s objective lens, the quality of its various lenses and coatings, and the level of craftsmanship in its erector tube assembly. In fact, a larger objective lens will worsen any apparent aberration, making it even more crucial these other factors are up to snuff. The glass and erector assembly the Credo HX is equipped with allow for a far clearer picture than many scopes with larger objectives commonly used in the deer woods—certainly more than clear enough for twilight shots.
While it is a good habit to learn to shoot with both eyes open no matter what scope one uses, the Credo’s Bindon Aiming Concept (BAC) Segmented Circle Enhanced Reticle makes it easy. Magnified optics are hard to look down and, without practice, the other eye will generally take over, as the eye behind the optic mistakenly acts as if it’s being occluded. The solution? Illumination. Illumination instantly captures the attention of the eye and brings it back into dominant focus. No matter which eye is used, the illuminated pattern will be seen most clearly, allowing both eyes to remain open for a simultaneous view of the target and surroundings. This is important in a host of cases, from moving shots to dangerous-game scenarios, as well as for people who shoot cross-eye dominant.
The reticle itself is similarly well suited to illumination. Being in the first focal plane, it is capable of accurately measuring holdover and windage at any (visible) magnification, at the expense of overall reticle size at low magnification. The illuminated, segmented circle makes this a non-issue, as one’s aiming area is clearly visible even at low power, with enough brightness settings to cover both high-noon and cloudy twilight. When the scope is turned up to around 6X, a full 100 MOA of (unilluminated) hold is visible in every direction. At full 10X, about 55 MOA appears for windage adjustment, and 65 MOA for elevation. While the large, segmented circle is still visible zoomed in with the illumination on, a fine, brilliant crosshair also appears for the more precise work generally necessary when at or near full magnification.
Specs and features are all well and good of course, but real-world performance is what matters. It was time to take the Credo HX afield.
Before zeroing, I started with a test of the turrets’ tracking. I dialed to center punch a standard zeroing target graduated in 1 MOA blocks at 100 yards, then moved my POI up four and left four to a smaller zeroing diamond. Hit. I repeated the process, moving eight down to the next diamond. Hit. Over eight. Hit. Up eight. Hit. Then finally, back to center for yet another hit. The scope had remained true for 16 MOA of windage and elevation, with every hit occurring within .75 MOA of its intended impact. Back at zero, I tested the reticle’s etched windage and elevation measurements in a similar fashion at 10X, without finding an error. Whether dialing or holding over, this scope will have its shooter confidently on target.
The last test was the most painful. I dropped the (empty) gun from shoulder height several times, dinged the scope off a treestand ladder and even fully submerged it in a river for 30 seconds. After thoroughly drying the firearm, I put the whole gun in one of my chest freezers for an hour. No internal fogging or water appeared, and the gun held zero as soon as I returned to the range.
Whether still-hunting the dense forest or overlooking a cornfield, the 1-10x28mm Credo HX has what it takes to get the job done. Particularly at home atop an AR platform or lever gun, the 21.2-ounce scope provides a fast and light option for any hunter looking to cull invasives, silence predators or fill the freezer this fall.
Technical Specifications:
- Type: low-power variable optic (LPVO)
- Magnification: 1X-10X
- Objective Lens Diameter: 28mm
- Eye Relief: 3.9" (1X); 3.2" (10X)
- Exit Pupil: .32" (1X); .11" (10X)
- Field of View @ 100 Yards: 116.6' (1X); 11.7' (10X)
- Reticle: FFP, Segmented Circle Reticle Enhanced in MOA
- Adjustment Range/Click Value: 136 MOA/.25 MOA
- Coatings: fully multi-coated
- Dimensions: 34mm tube diameter; length 10.1"; weight 21.2 ozs.
- Construction: one-piece 6064 aircraft grade aluminum tube; satin black finish; ED lens; dry nitrogen filled; waterproof; fogproof; repositionable magnification lever
- Accessories: scopecoat, lens caps; CR2032 battery; 3mm hex key; magnification knob and replacement screw
- MSRP: $2,150; trijicon.com
