FIRST LOOK: Oberland Arms SHARP LPVO 1-8x24i

Low Power Variable Optics (LPVO) are becoming increasingly popular among shooters, as they can be used like a red dot at short distances, but also offer up to eight times magnification at distances beyond 200 m. We received the new OA SHARP LPVO 1-8x24i from OBERLAND ARMS for testing. Today, we'll tell you what our first impressions are.

The box within the box. The OA SHARP LPVO 1-8x24i is definitely well protected in its packaging. Interestingly, the packaging contains a funny typo, proving the old editorial wisdom: the bigger the letters, the easier it is to overlook something.

Inside the actual packaging, the LPVO is securely held in foam with enough cushioning all around in case the transportation gets a bit rough.

This is how the OA SHARP LPVO 1-8x24i looks unpacked. The package does not include a mount. The bikini cover is included, as well as a suitable battery and the usual paperwork. The first impression after unpacking: everything seems very high quality.

First, let's list the optical parameters of the new LPVO from OBERLAND ARMS:

• Magnification: 1 – 8x
• Objective Diameter: 24mm
• Ocular Diameter: 39mm
• Eye Relief: 90mm
• Exit Pupil: 8.6 – 3.7mm
• Diopter Adjustment: +/- 3 dpt
• Field of View: 40m – 4.9m
• Parallax: 100m
• 2nd Focal Plane Reticle

And now for the mechanical parameters:

• Tub Diameter: 30mm
• Length: 273mm
• Weight: 500g
• Housing Material: Aluminum
• Finish: Matte Anodized
• Illumination: 11 Illumination Levels
• Illumination: Red
• Battery: CR2032

The caps of the adjustment turrets provide excellent protection and also look stylish. The dot pattern is maintained as a very attractive design element on the LPVO. On the left side, you'll find the battery compartment and the illumination control.

Now onto the essential part of an aiming optic, the reticle. The reticle on the OA SHARP LPVO 1-8x24i is a point with a horseshoe and holdover scale. Being in the 2nd focal plane, it remains the same size, but angle sizes change depending on magnification.

The reticle is calibrated at 100 m at 8x magnification. As a reminder, 1 MIL line covers about 10 cm at 100 m. This means that the center is 0.25 MIL or approximately 1 MOA in size. HERE is our detailed article on MIL and MOA . At 4x magnification, the angular sizes or MIL values are twice as large, and at 1x magnification, they are eight times as large. So the dot size at 1x magnification would correspond to 2 lines or about 8 MOA.

At the OA SHARP LPVO 1-8x24i , the dot and the horseshoe around it are illuminated. This should be perfect for quickly acquiring targets at short distances.

For the test, we also received the matching 30mm mount from OBERLAND ARMS himself.

CONCLUSION: The first impression of the OA SHARP LPVO 1-8x24i is very good. The workmanship is impeccable and the optical quality is also very convincing. Next, we will go to the shooting range and in the full review, we will report on our experiences with the OA SHARP LPVO 1-8x24i .

The OA SHARP LPVO 1-8x24i is available directly from the manufacturer for 1,150 euros. The matching mount costs 250 euros .