REVIEW: Sightmark Citadel 1-10x24 Shortdot

Shortdots are scopes with a variable magnification of simple to typically six times. Thus, these optics can be used for precision shots at longer distances and also for quick target acquisition at short distances. Quick adjustment is done with a turn. From Sightmark, there is now the Citadel 1-10×24 scope, which offers a ten times magnification. We took a look at it.

Included in the package are dust caps, a cleaning cloth, and adjustment levers along with an Allen key. You must provide the mounting rings yourself. The technical data of the Citadel 1-10×24 at a glance:

• Magnification: 1x to 10x
• Objective lens diameter: 24 mm
• Ocular lens diameter: 40 mm
• Tube diameter: 30 mm
• Diopter adjustment: +/- 2
• Side and height adjustment range: 100 MOA, 1/2 MOA per click
• Parallax at 100 yds/91.44 m
• Material: Aluminum
• Maximum recoil: .50BMG
• IP67 - waterproof up to 1m for 1 hour
• Battery type: CR2032
• Battery life: 70-100 h
• Battery voltage: 3 V
• Operating temperature: -30° to 50° C

The magnification adjustment works continuously via a rotating ring. If desired, the included lever can be mounted. We find it very practical, as the adjustment is much easier in stressful situations compared to just grabbing the ring.

The illumination control and adjustment turrets are flat. They protrude only 11 and 15 mm respectively. The illumination has a total of eleven levels that can be adjusted cleanly.

The height and windage adjustment is also easy to handle. Each click adjusts the reticle by half a MOA. For those unsure of what an MOA is, HERE is the link to our Basics article. The adjustment wheel does not have a lock.

At the eyepiece, the shooter will find the diopter adjustment. Simply turn and set the desired compensation. Unfortunately, if more than two diopters are needed, it's not possible, as the range extends between +2 and -2 diopters.

The Citadel 1-10×24 is 28.6 cm long and weighs around 500 grams without mounting rings. The tube diameter is 30 mm and the 30mm rings fit easily.

We should have chosen slightly higher rings, but they should not be lower than 15 mm, otherwise the eyepiece area will touch, however, every rifle is different. The eyepiece diameter is 44 mm.

This was our test setup for the photos and video. In the background, you can see a white spot. That's our target at a distance of around 110 meters.

Before we look through the Citadel 1-10×24, here are the manufacturer's explanations of its CR1 reticle. It is held in MOA and calibrated for caliber .223 with a 55-grain bullet weight, the standard 5.56×45 mm cartridge. The holdover points are calibrated for six times magnification. At lower magnification, the width of the reticle markings can be used for range estimation. The length of the line corresponds approximately to the width of an IPSC target's shoulder. A very complex reticle with many functions.

This is how it looks in reality. Here with lower magnification and without reticle illumination.

Here the illumination is turned up to level eleven. In sunshine, this is sufficient to see the target point clearly.

For comparison, level five in dim conditions. At level eleven, we would only see red here.

Back to nature. The view of our target with four times magnification. Between four and eight times magnification, we noticed slight distortions and blurriness at the edges. However, the central area was always clear and sharp.

Here is the maximum magnification of the Citadel 1-10×24. The target can be read in detail at 110m. For tactical shooting, the ten times magnification for 5.56 is a bit much, but as an observation magnification, it is very practical