New from Leupold for 2015 is the D-EVO optics system; unconventional and revolutionary, the D-EVO 6X20mm scope is the strangest rifle scope to hit the market this year. Like it or not, the D-EVO challenges convention and creates an inseparable optics system giving the shooter simultaneous views of unmagnified and magnified targets.
From this end it looks like a traditional pair, only the magnified optic is offset.
D-EVO stands Dual Enhanced View Optic, but what does this mean? The short answer is this: Leupold has paired a 6x20mm scope with a red dot sight to give the shooter an unobstructed lateral sight picture. This allows the shooter to choose between scope and dot, or use both simultaneously. The shooter can use the dot to get on target, then shift focus down to the magnified optic to take the shot with great precision and accuracy.
If you’ve spent any time with paired optics, you’ll understand the premise. Slap a red dot on top of a scope and go for it. But the artificially paired systems require you to shift your line of sight from one to the other, and can’t be used at the same time. One gets you close, the other dials you in, but switching between the two requires patience and practice.
The D-EVO system is intuitive and quick into use. With limited exposure to the system I was able to master this optic in just a few short seconds.
The scope utilizes the CMR-W reticle, which is designed to work directly with 5.56X45 and 7.62X51. This gives the shooter a reticle that is optimized for range estimation, holdovers, and windage holds. The reticle of the scope has a .5 moa center dot with a 5 moa outer ring. The D-EVO looks something like a periscope, and does make use of mirrors, but we have Leupold’s assurance that it is tough. It is submersible to 66 feet and backed by the Leupold Gold Ring lifetime guarantee. MSRP on the D-EVO is $1,900.
[full_width]
Yet from the back end, you have two views that begin to blend into one. It is hard to capture on film, as your eye still want to bounce between the two. But the separate images require little eye movement when you’re on the scope, and the image begins to meld into one.
[/full_width]
Editor’s note: If you’re from my generation, you’ll remember the last time a DEVO changed the world. I’m sure I wasn’t the only one roaming the floor at SHOT Show asking: “Are we not men?” Click on the video below for a guaranteed good time.
[one_half]
[/one_half][one_half_last]
[/one_half_last]
[one_half]
[/one_half][one_half_last]
[/one_half_last]
[one_half]
[/one_half][one_half_last]
[/one_half_last]
[one_half][/one_half][one_half_last][/one_half_last]
Nice concept, but, design-wise, I think they missed the boat. I see that they’re doing here – the effect is that the red dot appears immediately above the magnified view of the optical sight. But why not integrate the two and have the magnifying optics in a straight-through tube and offset the electronics of the red dot sight (lowering its sight window so that it’s just above the optical sight tube)? It seems that the red dot sight’s mount and electronics are in the way of a straight-through optical sight, so instead of bending the optical sight, get the red dot sight’s electronics and high-rise mount out of the way. The mount is dispensed with entirely – it’s integral to the optical sight, or, if dismountable, is mounted via a sideplate instead of a baseplate – and the dot’s electronics are moved out of the way of the optical sight.
I think you may be onto something. Why not try to come up with something yourself and patent the idea?
Sounds kinda interesting, but I’d like to play with one before dropping $1900.
What’s the component on the right? It seems like it might obstruct the view for those of shooting Southpaw.
Yep… this looks like a righty only scope…
“Part on right side” is the section of the scope providing the magnification. Mirrors flip flop the image from the right to under red dot portion which allows you to co-witness the sights above the bore.
WOW! Im impressed. A little wide perhaps and it may catch brass on the lens (big ouch). Hope there is a few clear lens covers shipped with it.
Sights, schmights: who EVER would thought that a DEVO video would pop up in an article about the SHOT show on a gun lover’s website.
Soon, the lion will lie down with the lamb and it will be the end times…
I’ve always had hope…..and that day is finally here. I go shooting in my Booji Boy t-shirt and have actually gotten compliments.
Looks like a much better concept than the HAMMR (and not much more money), more versatile than the CQT. I want one!