TFB Review: The $300 Meprolight MMX3 Magnifier
Magnifiers are a simple and easy way to stretch the usefulness of your standard red dot sight like the Meprolight TruVision to their maximum potential on the range. Developed specifically for the Israeli military, Meprolight has been providing the IDF with home-grown optics for nearly 25 years, and they’re constantly trying to update their catalog of powered and passively illuminated optics to meet the ever-increasing demands of both military outfits and regular consumers. In the broad scheme of things, magnifiers are actually a pretty underserved sector of the optics market and that’s why I’m glad that Meprolight not only keeps their newish MMX3 magnifier in production but that it’s also one of the more affordable options in this very limited market. Today we’ll go over why I think it’s a solid choice if you’re looking for a more budget-oriented magnifier instead of higher-end magnifiers.
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REVIEW: The $300 Meprolight MMX3 Magnifier
Product Link: https://www.meprolight.com/product/mepro-mmx3/
“The Mepro MMX3 and micro magnifiers are compact, lightweight magnifiers that will extend your effective range of your red dot or 1x reflex sight. Weighing in at 6.1 oz. respectively they reduce the footprint, saving rail space and weight on your firearm.
Elevation and windage dials provide precise FOV line of sight alignment. A wide FOV enables rapid target acquisition with both eyes open which is ideal where agility, and speed are of the
utmost importance.
The Mepro MMX3 and micro magnifiers attach to any MIL-STD-1913 rail directly behind your optic. When not in use the Mepro MMX3 can be “flipped” out of
the way by depressing a pushbutton.”
Technical Specifications:
- Magnification: 3X
- Objective diameter: 18 mm
- Exit Pupil: 6 mm
- Length: 2.8" (70.6 mm)
- Center Height: 1.58" (40.3mm)
- Center Height with Riser: 1.75" (44.7 mm)
- Net Weight with mount: 9.47oz (268.5 g)
- Eye Relief: 2.65" (67.5 mm)
- Angular Field of View: 7.2°
- Diopter adjustment: +/- 2
- W&E Travel Range: ≥ 60 MOA
- Storage Temperature: -22˚F to 140˚F (-20˚c to +60˚c)
- Working Temperature: -4˚F to 122˚F (-20˚c to +50˚c)
- Submersion: IPX7
- Average Asking Price: $300
Features
The MMX3 comes as a kit with everything you need to mount it to your flat-top AR or any Picatinny rail section. The MMX3 weighs in at a half-ounce lighter than similar magnifiers, which is helpful since if you’re pairing this with the TruVision, it’ll make up for that heavy all-glass prism. The MMX3 features a focus ring, and then simple windage and elevation adjustments for co-aligning the magnifier with the red dot of your choice. If you’re pairing the MMX3 with an optic other than the TruVision, there is an included spacer that can be added and removed to help co-align the MMX3 with other red dots like the EOTech EXPS3. It adds or removes 3mm from the overall height of the mount meaning you can accommodate both 1.5” and 1.93” optics.
Two protective rubber covers are included with one being black and the other tan. I chose to go with the black one and over the last 6 or 7 months that I’ve had the magnifier, the cover has helped protect the body of the magnifier very well. The reversible mount is a final added bonus to the already long list of features that make the Meprolight Magnfier a great budget option. While a lot of mounts are only able to be pushed away to the right, the Meprolight’s design and included hardware allow it to be reversed meaning that shooters have the option of having the magnifier swing away based on their preference.
The MMX3 features no push-button to flip the optic in or out, but the spring-loaded mechanism is sturdy and hasn’t shown any sights of loosening up under fire thus far - I am sure there will be a point at which this system will start to weaken but I haven’t reached that point just yet. In fact, the optic overall has held up to my typical style of range abuse without issue (the Urban Rifle Course at Thunder Ranch counts I think?).
Optical Features and Quality
Glass clarity is something that Meprolight has done very well with the last couple of optics I’ve checked out from them. The MMX3 is a natural mate for the Mepro TruVision - they’re made to work together. Both optics share the same amount of glass clarity and glass quality. The overall clarity of the magnified image that I am getting is very good at distances beyond 30 yards, but I do notice that within 25 yards or so the image does tend to get a bit fuzzy, especially when brightly lit.
Eye Relief
When it comes to magnifiers and eye relief - they all kind of suck. The classic EOTech G33 and the Holosun’s options tend to be favored for their eye relief. I personally liked the G33 when I had it, and while newer models are said to offer improved eye relief, I’ve also heard that the on-paper eye relief specifications might be a bit optimistic. Interestingly, the Meprolight MMX3 does fall into this same trap - the eye relief is not bad, but I still feel like I have to put my face much closer to the magnifier than I do other, larger fixed magnification optics. I think compact magnifiers are just always going to suffer from short eye relief problems. The MMX3 is no better and no worse in this case.
Co-Alignment Adjustments
These are pretty simple and that’s how it should be. Both the windage and elevation adjustments for the magnifier feature audible and tactile clicks and sit almost perfectly flush with the outer surface of the rubber protective covers for the optic. While a tool is provided with your magnifier to adjust the optic, you can also accomplish this task with the rear end of a bullet casing - almost any will do.
Meprolight MMX3 3X Magnifier Pros and Cons
Pros:- Vastly more affordable than more established high-end brands
- Great Glass Clarity,
- Better eye relief than older magnifiers
- Reversible flip direction
- Includes protective rubber covers
- Compact size
- Probably not as durable as an Aimpoint or EOTech magnifier
- The flip mount isn’t locked, spring mechanism is a common wear point that will need to be replaced
Is it Worth the Buy?
Until pretty recently I hadn’t tried to explore the red dot/magnifier world on my own. The recent use of the G33 and the Holosun 3X magnifier got me interested in the Meprolight MMX3 simply because of its price and its on-paper specifications. When compared to the more well-known and expensive brands like EOTech and Aimpoint, the MMX3 might be lacking a bit in the durability department but still hits virtually all the same metrics for glass clarity, optical features, and overall build quality - it’s just an average of about $250 less expensive than those options.
Between the more budget-friendly foreign-made Holosun 3X and the MMX3, I would say it's a pretty close tossup. If you’re looking for a more well-established brand to buy from and don’t mind a flimsier mount, the Holosun 3X magnifier will get you there for the same low price of $300 and with a slightly longer body length. Where the MMX3 shines for me and why I think it's a serious option worth considering is its inclusion of extra accessories and its versatile nature. The MMX3 includes a more robust mounting system, protective covers, and the ability to work with Meprolight’s intended TruVision optic or any 1.5 or 1.93-height red dot.
In conclusion, I’d say that the MMX3 is a solid choice if you’re currently in the market for a more budget-friendly 3X magnifier. Meprolight’s option isn’t very well known when it comes to magnifiers but I am glad it exists as it’s another decent option within the relatively small pool of magnifiers we already have to choose from. I’m excited to hear your thoughts on this one. What’s your preferred 3X magnifier and why?
Meprolight Mepro MMX3 Magnifier
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Reloader SCSA Competitor Certified Pilot Currently able to pass himself off as the second cousin twice removed of Joe Flanigan. Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ballisticaviation/
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