One of the most popular magnification ranges for variable power scopes is 3-9x. In today’s article, Ryan Domke examines the EOTECH Vudu 3-9×32 rifle scope. What’s particularly interesting about this model is the very compact size. Does it live up to the company’s standards for optics? The company provided the scope to the author for this review.
From its holographic sights to high-powered riflescopes and every type of optic in between, EOTECH has an offering for almost any shooter. Now, with the introduction of the 3-9×32 SFP (second focal plane) scope, it’s clear that the Vudu scope line was missing something we didn’t even realize!
It’s not quite an LPVO or an HPVO, so for the purposes of this piece I’ll call it an MPVO (medium-power variable optic), designed with versatility in mind to cover close to medium-range engagements with ease. It won’t be your go-to for a CQB carbine, but for most applications it stands to fill the role well.
[Don’t miss Robert Sadowski’s article on LPVO scopes.]
Of course, the “biggest” draw is the small footprint…see what I did there? Coming in at only 6.8” long and weighing 16 oz., you can take your pick of almost any rifle or carbine that you want to mount it on.
Seeing it teased on social media is one thing, but it wasn’t until I got it in hand that I really started getting excited about it.
First Impressions
Each January, as I walk the SHOT Show floor, there are a couple of dozen booths that I always make sure to stop at, with EOTECH being one of them. I usually head straight for the holographics and LPVOs to see what’s new, but not this year. This time, I made a beeline for the 3-9×32.
It’s hard to get a good feel for an optic from only a couple of minutes of playing with it on a showroom floor, but it was immediately evident that this scope had some serious R&D behind it, and despite its size, it felt very robust.
A quick glance through the clear glass revealed a defined yet uncluttered MOA-based hashmark reticle, and even at 9x magnification there was almost zero edge distortion.
First impressions checked out, but range time is where any of your gear will prove its worth.
Fancy Features
This new Vudu is packed with features, so don’t let its compact size fool you.
Firstly, the build quality is top-notch, featuring an aircraft-grade aluminum body with an anodized finish that provides exceptional durability. The single-piece construction provides fog, shock, and water resistance, which should keep your internal components safe and secure.
One of the most important aspects of any optic is its glass — it can make or break your experience, literally. However, you’ll have no issues here. The XC high-density, low-dispersion glass lenses feature an anti-reflective coating and, like I mentioned before, provide excellent edge-to-edge clarity.
Only the center portion of the HCI reticle is illuminated, which I didn’t think I’d like at first, but wound up being good with it after some trigger time. The smaller illuminated portion helps me get on target quicker at closer distances, it seems, while the small center aiming dot provides the precision.
With 10 different illumination levels, you can precisely adjust it to match your environment’s needs. The CR2032 battery will keep your reticle illuminated for up to 300 hours, which I will assume is at a medium setting.
Adjusting the scope is simple, as the turrets offer ¼ MOA adjustments and are capped for protection. The magnification power ring was very smooth right out of the box, along with the reticle focus ring, which made transitioning between targets nice and easy.
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Once you have your zero, there is a small but appreciated feature that allows you to re-index your turret scale, helping you quickly return to zero without having to remember the turret location.
All things considered, the 3-9×32 checks most of the boxes you likely have, plus a few you may not know you had.
Vudu 3-9×32 Specifications
| Magnification | 3-9x |
| Objective Diameter | 32mm |
| Eye Relief (3x, 9x) | 2.5–3.1”, 2.3–3.1” |
| Field of View (3x, 9x) | 38’, 12.7’ |
| Reticle | HC1 (second focal plane MOA) |
| Illumination Settings | 10 levels |
| Battery Type | CR2032 |
| Battery Life | ~300 hours |
| Overall Length | 6.8” |
| Weight | 16 oz. |
Going Hot
The majority of my shooting and training is done within 50 yards, usually never farther than 100 yards, so I knew I wanted to pair the scope with a red dot as well. Since I already had an EFLX, it made sense to pair it with the EFLX Ring Mount (sold separately) to achieve a non-magnified CQB solution.
[Read Ian Kenney’s article to learn how to mount a scope on an AR-15.]
I decided to use my OD Green Saint Victor AR-15 as the testing rifle and was happy to find that the integrated base mount of the Vudu allowed me to keep my back-up irons on, as it easily provided clearance.
I started at my local 25-yard indoor range for my first round of testing. Within 20-25 yards, the EFLX made light work of the targets and maintained groupings within a couple of inches. Having it mounted above the scope took some getting used to, and I’m currently testing it at a 45-degree offset. The jury is still out on which I’ll stick with, though.
[Interested in squeezing the best accuracy out of your rifle and scope combination? Read former Marine and SWAT sniper Grant LaVelle’s article about DOPE — Data On Previous Engagement.]
I then hit the 100-yard indoor tunnel range and switched over to the star of the show, the 3-9×32. Pardon the poor-quality picture, but the dimly lit range paired with the computer monitor target reader, made for a very challenging photo opportunity! Within three shots, you can see how quickly I got it dialed in using 75-gr. .223 Hornady Match ammo.
After that initial indoor range trip, I spent time outdoors testing light transmission and running drills, transitioning between targets at various distances. This is where the eye relief stood out. With roughly a 2.5” to 3” relief, I found it very easy to move quickly without having to pause to readjust. I see a lot of people compare this optic to the ACOG, and from an eye relief perspective the Vudu takes the cake with ease.
[Read this article on eye relief to avoid scope bite.]
Lastly, while the light transmission was also impressive, it did struggle ever so slightly at dusk. That said, it’s somewhat expected with its smaller size and smaller price tag of $1,059 (compared to some of EOTECH’s other offerings). I wouldn’t even label it as a “con” for that reason, just something I noticed and wanted to point out.
Overall, the Vudu 3-9×32 performed flawlessly within the 25-100 yard range I tested it at, and the EFLX handled the defensive distances within 20 yards perfectly. The scope has held zero with no issues and, while I haven’t torture tested it, I don’t have any reservations about it holding up in any realistic weather conditions or use cases.
Final Verdict
It’s hard to deny the ingenuity and impressive features of this newest Vudu offering. Packing all of its features into a sub-7” package is impressive on its own.
I see this being a solid duty optic, or for those who hunt at closer distances, especially when paired with the EFLX. Even as a standalone optic, you’re going to be able to take care of most of your targets with ease.
If you find yourself constantly changing your preferences between an LPVO, red dot and an HPVO, this Vudu 3-9×32 SFP may just be your new go-to “MPVO”.
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