Leupold D-EVO - Who's This For? - First Person Review

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Buy it Here - Used
This thing was never for everyone when it was first produced. It was designed for a very niche market. And in that market I am sure it was successful. But not good enough to keep it in production for long.
00:00 - Garage Clearing
01:17 - Physical Overview
03:43 - Reticle Overview
04:52 - Tracking Test
05:44 - Rooftop Day
07:16 - Rooftop Night
08:01 - Eyebox
09:40 - Comparison - Elcan Specter 1/4x
11:46 - Comparison - Steiner S432 4x
13:27 - Comparison - Primary Arms SLx 5x
15:26 - Comparison - SAI 6 1-6x24
16:55 - Comparison - Vortex 6x
18:20 - Final Thoughts
#leupold #prism #firstpersonshooter
Just some things I use:
Under Cabinet Lights - rebrand.ly/8g5aku6
Weight Scale - rebrand.ly/s2gisg8
Packing Tape - rebrand.ly/hj6ta9a
ADM Recon - rebrand.ly/shq7x7p
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[@RandyTheB_]

D-EVO was actually explicitly designed by a coyote varminter who worked for leupold. Reticle is lined up for Hornady 55gr VMAX out of a 20 inch at whatever elevation.

[@CDOES]

I guess if you are the one making it. You can do whatever the hell you want.

[@tc841]

😂​@@CDOES

[@borkwoof696]

Who was that coyote hunter?

[@Hoplopfheil]

Hey I know that guy!

[@natsuccubus]

hi randy

[@shootinbruin3614]

(Former) 3-gunner here; the D-EVO came out at the tail end of when I was actively competing. The FOV and minuscule eyebox make it a poor choice in comparison to most LPVOs, especially in a stage that requires you to shoot from unstable or unconventional positions. I really liked the concept though, and still have my D-EVO. I wish Leupold came out with a Gen2 that improved on the original's shortcomings. As mentioned in another comment here, a Gen2 D-EVO with the objective directly above the receiver and with either an integrated red dot or pic rail directly on top of the prism might just be the ticket. Appreciate your reviews!

[@RockSolitude]

Might as well just an ordinary prism or LPVO and put a red dot on top then. What's the point.

[@shootinbruin3614]

@@RockSolitude 1 - being able to access both sight pictures with the same head position and 2 - not having to have the RDS 5 inches above the bore. That’s the point

[@danielconquer909]

​@@shootinbruin3614 having a rds 5 inches above the bore is cool right now tho

[@CDOES]

Glad to have your input brother!

[@shootinbruin3614]

@@CDOES Thank you for the kind words!

[@sliderofelay]

It's for Hop. That is the only youtuber I can think of who would want it. He would still hate it.

[@CDOES]

🤣🤣

[@herbderbler1585]

Hop truly is the human incarnation of "thanks, I hate it."

[@feels-road9529]

Hop would hate a winning lotto ticket while being behind a belt fed.

[@AtomkeySinclair]

Dibs on hopsters - sayings along the lines of Chuck Norris - but Hop-wise.

[@Isaac1B]

"Not a good scope for nearly any purpose" -Hop about the D-EVO

[@balanar3223]

Glad you enjoyed your time with it! I think I told you that I ultimately chose the Elcan Specter 1-4x over this and all other LPVOs for a general purpose setup. I still have the Swarovski Z6i 1-6x on me if you're interested.

[@CDOES]

👍 the elcans is a great optic. And makes more sense in a nicer overall package. Hit me up for that swaro. I will have time again in a few weeks to hopefully get to finish reviewing more stuff.

[@pablo4yu]

Next big purchase is going to be a specter 1.5-6x for my scar i wanted a acog but 4x isnt really enough

[@riu.1180]

Doing God's work loaning your optics to Cdoes

[@pdxmarine1430]

This was a really cool concept, I really wish someone would take another crack at it with the rise of tall risers, It would be interesting to see this done again, but without the z shape, since the red dot could be mounted to it directly. Just have the ultra low 6x, with the exit pupil tilted upwards to be able to use it with a dot Though it would mean no thumb over bore and no stuff mounted at 12 o'clock

[@boygonewhoopdataZZ]

Don't know. Unity FTC Mounts just does a similar thing to a tee. It's also not on the bore, it's offsetted.

[@borkwoof696]

Ultra low optics are awkward, though. There are good reasons why red dots on ARs are always on some sort of riser.

[@pdxmarine1430]

@@borkwoof696 the point of this thing is that the exit pupil isn't straight back, but pointed upwards a couple of degrees. It makes for a rather tight eye box, but it allows you to see both your red dot and the magnified image at the same time so you're not needing to get uncomfortably low on the rifle to see through the scope

[@pdxmarine1430]

@@boygonewhoopdataZZ the unity doesn't allow to to see both the red dot and magnified image at the same time. But with the popularity of higher mounted red dots it means there's actually room for a scope underneath without having to use the zig zag pattern of the D-EVO, it just requires the same kind of exit pupil that's pointed up a couple of degrees allowing you to see both through the scope and the red dot at the same time

[@akimbojimbo6590]

The solution for what you are describing is either the unity tactical fast riser system if you prefer a more usable true 1x red dot as your primary optic with a magnifier as a secondary optic, or an acog with a red dot on top if you prefer a magnified prism optic as your primary optic with the backup red dot as your secondary optic. Pick your poison. Mine is the acog setup personally.

[@borkwoof696]

This concept should have gotten further development as a 4x

[@josedorsaith5261]

Never understood why they went for 6x on their first iteration.

[@Drbeattles]

This idea has some merit to it. Allowing someone to switch between optics depending on the range instantly is in vogue right now. This taken farther would be a better set up than the acog with a red dot on top.

[@Proton_Decay]

I'd say a 2x and set it up to be behind a high magnification scope for NRL22. Did not need to get past a couple of minutes into the video to see that it's perfect for competition.

[@Space_Racer]

I really think the D-EVO could be really cool with a 300blk set up. Red dot for subs and the D-evo for suppers.

[@jmarvosa6x3]

Ooo interesting to not have to re-zero for different loads. I suppose a regular pistol red dot/ prism stack would function the same.

[@Sig_P229]

I actually really like it along with the HAMR. It’s a shame they discontinue every optic ever made

[@MatthewC176]

To be clear, Leupold only discontinues good products and keeps absolutely fucking retarded ones

[@RewardedRocki]

That has always been my problem with Leupold. They snort a fat line of coke then proceed to make some of the neatest, craziest, most interesting, and usually pretty good optics. Then after they sober up they look at the monstrosity they created and go "MY GOD! WHAT HAVE WE DONE?" right before they promptly discontinue it.

[@jamesharding3459]

@@RewardedRocki The HAMR isn't very unusual, though. A 4x prism with a mount for a red dot piggybacked is practically _de rigueur_ for that category of optic.

[@Sig_P229]

@@jamesharding3459 it is now but when it was made in 2010, it was genius. Trijicon and other companies copied it. Before that was the ELCAN. Another reason why the ELCAN is more obsolete today than 2 decades ago.

[@jameshealy4594]

​@@Sig_P229that's probably fair, I haven't used an elcan or really had much time behind any prisms, but that footage through the elcan was pretty spectacular. I can't afford it regardless but that really made me wish I could try one!

[@AuraLT]

If only luepold didnt ditch the cool designs after one iteration this at a 3x might actually be good

[@SinginShooter]

This feels like you're videoing dad's POV behind a nice VHS camera. Looking over the tilted eyepiece at the family while on vacation.

[@BafflingBS]

I love the concept! Very cool

[@FMDad-dm5qo]

Q: Are We Not Scopes? A: We Are Leupold Q: Are We Red Dots? A: D-EVO

[@NG..]

This is a brilliant comment 😂

[@Sceptis]

Great review, as always. Something that has always piqued my curiosity is the TA55 5.5x ACOG - would love to hear your take on that optic someday.

[@malloperator]

I was JUST contemplating this optic a week ago, this review couldn't have been better timed.

[@ianbantjes3785]

I really enjoy watching your videos. It is informative as always, and you really learn a lot. I am sure we all are going to miss that brick building out at 400 yards. Where are you living now?

[@2bNIKEt1]

I've been wanting Primary Arms to put their magic into a flip-mag type scope ala Elcan Specter. I actually would really like them to put some microprism tech into a DEVO, not to mention the reticle could be a bit more universal. I want PA to be the Palmetto State Armory of optics. Make alot of EVERYTHING

[@aquaisuseful682]

I wanted to thank you, I bought the razor gen 2 1-6 as my first lpvo and I love it. Works great for my 7 Mk17

[@theunofficialresults231]

Whip it! Whip it good! Crack that whip!

[@Arsenal125Foward]

God damn I'm always surprised to see your subscriber count. I would think its at 600k based on the production of these videos.

[@bghiggy]

Definitely not the optic I was expecting a review of but I'm very glad you did. I've always thought it was a neat idea it just needed a little bit of refinement but leupold does what leupold does and they discontinue every good idea they have.

[@FlorianSchulz-f7k]

Immer noch die bestmögliche Option für Nahbereich und Distanz ich liebe mein Evo in Verbindung mit dem EoTech!

[@hiddenloaf2302]

I think this is the first video I've actually seen an fpv perspective of one of these things in action, if I find one for the right price I might have to give it a try.

[@guyinthewrinkledwrangler]

Probably not for me, but damn, that's kinda cool. Definitely a different approach. God bless you and yours.

[@therepairgod]

I got to play with one at a run n gun. Competitor had it on his rifle. That optic is soo fricken cool.

[@alfye7647]

Wish Leupold would release an updated LCO. Quite literally the most aesthetically pleasing optic ever.

[@thatoneguy454c]

My problem with it is the mechanical offset being off to the side like that. It will make estimating shot placement at distances before, and after the zero point very strange. I 100% understand why it was bade thought and i think it's a really innovative idea. The other thing is that i would definitely want a flip cap so that i could hide the magnified reticle when i need to focus at close range or if i am passively aiming with NV.

[@2bNIKEt1]

I would like to suggest Red Arrow Concepts. I bought an 509T adapter for the SLX 5x Aurora. It replaces the picatinny on top and mounts the 509t super low. I've been really happy with it and think its the best overall setup for a top dot even with some of the Slx 5X shortcomings

[@texasranger24]

A super cool idea that unfortunately got bullied by physics a little bit.

[@RandomGuyOnTarget]

Yes! D-EVO!

[@AJ-xc4nm]

Super surprising that alot of devgru guys really liked these things.

[@doubleutubefan5]

Back when I worked at Cabela's in 2021 we had one of these things that were sitting on the shelf for like 2 years. I ended up becoming head of the optics counter and did my very vast and sold one of these optics to a customer even though he had to pay $1,800. The way I sold it was basically is the perfect optic like an ACOG red dot Combo that you didn't have to move your head for

[@jameshealy4594]

Another example of why you shouldn't listen exclusively to salespeople (or marketing!) when making purchasing decisions, not that they're all fundamentally dishonest or anything, just that they have other considerations in mind when helping you choose products.

[@antiluckermd1956]

I actually like it a lot. Personally I had no problem using it. Having the 1x sightpicture and 6x sightpicture simutaniously feels awesome. The eyebox is just pretty small. But everyone i passed my rifle to try hated it.

[@holdernewtshesrearin5471]

I didnt realize those things were still out there.

[@aria8928]

the offset optic leads to some very interesting options for people running lasers

[@kcamroccamian]

I would love a gen 2 of this with 4x and a slightly better FOV. Even better if it were flat to the receiver rather than offset. Could solve the persistent problem of the top dot on an ACOG being too damn high and a red dot magnifier being a so-so magnified solution.

[@cypher04]

Informative yet impractical review. Would have been nice to see it mounted on a rifle and actually used.

[@highdragguns]

Cool review! The d-evo is an interesting concept, it's a shame that the execution comes with such limitations. I like your comparison to the 1-4 elcan. Even though you've got 2x extra mag, the small view through the d-evo + tight eye box probably makes that extra magnification a net zero compared to something with a large view and forgiving eye box. It sounds similar to the differences between a 10x on a 1-10 Razor/Vudu vs the 10x on a good MPVO. Just because the magnification is there, doesn't mean it's gonna perform the same. Larger objective + ocular lenses, and smaller erector tube ratios mean the 10x on an MPVO is gonna perform way better in the field.

[@nurse-dude]

I always though these things where wild and way ahead of their time.

[@KeterMalkuth]

What occurs to me is that the best use of the D-EVO may be to use it as an "Attached monocular" so to speak. Use it as a PID device specifically, with the RDS as the primary sight for engagement at all ranges. The "Issue" that someone may find with magnifier setups or any LPVO is that if your magnification is too great when a closer target presents itself, your performance may be significantly worse than if you were still at 1x. For farther targets, an unmagnified RDS is often just fine, but the issue is primarily finding, identifying, and calling hits on those targets. At least with an AR. Given that, the D-EVO's niche that it would better fit in would be to not necessarily use it *as* a sight at all, and instead relegate your RDS to that role. The issue with the D-EVO is just it's lack of versatility. It's value is there, but it only applies to such a small user group that it could never have really succeeded.

[@yellowwhale66]

I remember someone made a mod for this thing on insurgency, and because it replaced the magnified eotech, and you didn't have to switch the magnifier anymore, it was pretty broken powerful.

[@holylettuce4730]

I member too I remember thinking this is the future of optics lol turns out it isn’t as practical haha

[@Dooby0071]

Wish they still made this

[@bullphrogva1804]

I don't have one of these and most likely will never have one, but my initial thought for it was that it would be interesting on a shotgun. Where I can pretend it doesn't exist until I toss a slug in the chamber. In almost every other use case, I can't think of a situation where it wouldn't be anything more than a distraction.

[@or6060]

it was made at the request of army rangers. i like it, wish they still made it. the realy cool thing is that they chopped the top of the optic off. you don't really need that bit of glass IMO. with the proliferation of MRDS these days, i think that a regular prism with the top similarly chopped off and mounted super low with an integrated ACRO mount on top would be perfect. that way you don't have the goofy offset optic, and it would save weight as well.

[@jameshealy4594]

I think that's actually a really good idea, I have a nasty astigmatism so dots are fine out to maybe 150m but beyond that there's so much oddly shaped dot and flare that I can't really use them. Having a roughly 4x prism right there without having to cant anything or move my head would be great. Variables are fine but having to manipulate the scope really makes it awkward and fundamentally changes the way you have to interact with the rifle.

[@or6060]

@@jameshealy4594 plus LPVOs are twice the weight of a prism + dot

[@jameshealy4594]

This isn't for me because price and eyebox, but I love optics setups that don't really have on the fly adjustments, it lets me focus (badum-tiss) on external things rather than overthinking the glass (it's a me problem but I doubt I'm totally alone). I would totally slap an acog on my $500 cz 22lr if I could afford to try it out, I suspect it would suit me perfectly.

[@righteousone8454]

"Give me an ELCAN, but at the same time" Engineer: "Okay, bro"

[@CantonSecurity]

Leupold has always thought outside of the box. They have the bravery to pioneer innovations.

[@CS-fp1ik]

i bought a devo old stock from my local gun store and the lens assembly broke after just a few rounds of 223... leupold neither repaired nor replaced it, and gave me $1k "credit" which was less than what i paid for it... and ended up with having to choose items from available low feature junk they had in stock... i ended picking up their glock delta micros, but they only sent me one... got totally shafted. no wonder leupold doesnt really develop anymore, they will certainly go broke. their mk6 was the best of their lineup and was never refreshed in over a decade.

[@jackmnb474]

THEY MADE THE HALO SNIPER SCOPE

[@wlogan0204]

i want to see PA make their own DEVO prism

[@Sirikid]

Have you ever heard about Glasvisier 16?

[@stevep7346]

Is it April 1 already?

[@ja0298]

I had one of these and the LCO for about 2 weeks. I traded it to a guy for a RMR/ACOG, and sold that. I regret selling that acog now

[@Draga-js1hd]

I know eagle eye came out with a similar scope, a 1and3 and a 3and 9 (bifocal scope)

[@Leather_Cheerio]

Looks like something good for somebody who has left eye dominant, but is a right handed shooter🤷‍♂️

[@theriddler6994]

I just want it cuz its neat

[@BlackbirdSkyline]

Pew pew Pew pew

[@alekryde]

The only reason I want a D-Evo is because it looks cool. I'm a little sad its been discontinued.

[@fehfdhderhed2834]

Home defense - when you have multiple home invaders, they knock down your door. you shoot, they run, one falls down (close) the other runs (distance). check and/or shoot close and check and/or shoot distance (may have a gun pointing at you). when seconds count.

[@michaelnyden8056]

Gen 2 of this in 4x please! Or primary arms can make something like this, needs to be lighter and cheaper! 4x should solve the eye box issues

[@herbderbler1585]

14oz isn't all that bad for a 5x prism. Primary arms, the maker of the microprism used for your comparison, also makes an 18oz 5x scope, and of course there's Swampfox making an absolute chonker 5x prism that weighs 25oz, which is about the same weight as an LPVO.

[@ravissary79]

Hey if you dont like it, send it to me. I've always wanted one and my heart sank when i found out they discontinued this optic.

[@LosDoyerss]

Looks pretty cool, takes a lot less real estate on the rail and I’m sure it’s lighter than most all LPVO’s. The price is stupid tho…

[@EdgarClay]

Long has it been awaited. Many months have passed. Ive browsed so many knock offs 😂

[@pinhigh1]

C, and anyone else....used optics. Where should I be looking for used scopes?

[@CDOES]

Reddit, some reputable forums. Sometimes GunBroker or eBay

[@pinhigh1]

@@CDOES Many thanks for the answer and the videos. Its must see TV for me !

[@CDOES]

@@pinhigh1 I am happy to help, my friend.

[@liggerstuxin1]

Whooooah I want

[@JADC1111]

Just get a micro prism and their top mounted red dot from primary arms for 1/4 the cost

[@keithwelch8563]

It’s a flex piece to clamp on my Gucci safe queen

[@future_phonk]

The d-evo is just a magnified sideways periscope.

[@mattg9971]

Believe it or not...I worked with some Tier 1 guys like 7-8 years ago who were running these

[@mobilegamersunite]

I'm sure they want 2k for this $hit$how 😂

[@tylerfrogley1227]

Imagine a thermal clip on for this

[@toweringhorse2054]

There’s so much potential there. I think that’s where this could’ve shined. As a thermal clip on. Would also fix the eyebox problem due to the fact it would be digital

[@46dgarrison]

These things were way too odd to even consider for my use.

[@roul3688]

Not sure why they wouldn’t just incorporate a red dot into a unibody prism.

[@ck2503]

Dunno but if you wanna sell yours I've been trying to get my hands on one for a few years now. Would consider trading for other comparable optics I have.

[@HariboStarman]

It’s a travesty that you make these comparisons without a 4x ACOG. You need to get your hands on the Delta34 style TA02 red crosshair

[@balanar3223]

The Elcan Specter 1-4x does everything the ACOG does but better. I sent in this D-Evo for review and have had multiple examples of the TA31 Acog ACSS and Aurora through my hands. You can't get a comparable 1x through the ACOG compared to the Elcan. You lose too much recoil control with a piggybacked RMR and offset is not as natural as having a centerline 1x.

[@HariboStarman]

@@balanar3223 I’m no expert, but watching the Delta34 video on the Elcan would beg to differ

[@mabs9503]

It's for me, actually. Give it back.

[@lllllREDACTEDlllll]

Should just make a 6x riser optic..... 1/2 riser 1/2 optic

[@giorgiberuashvili8075]

I bought brand new scope, and diopter is wiggles a little bit, how can i fix this problem? And if I can't, will this problem affect accuracy?

[@theunofficialresults231]

Contact the manufacturer and return it if it is that bad.

[@giorgiberuashvili8075]

@@theunofficialresults231 hello, i have one question, if i will send scope to manufacturer the money for transportation i will have to pay or the manufacturer will pay for transportation money?

[@CarlosVixil]

It’s for the infantrymen forced to used a dot 😢

[@skullofserpent5727]

Oh, look, an awesome sight for RPG-7 😂

[@ErrorCode-1]

Cool video but unnecessary, but very interesting optic

[@shark_actual]

Me, its for me. And DEVO fans I suppose.

[@JinKee]

You must whip it.

[@jairorodriguez6713]

I'm really though it was a game for a bit.

[@chipsterb4946]

Clearly the marketing genius behind the name has never listened to the songs “We Are Devo” or “Pink Pussy Cat” 😝

[@BrassCatcher]

Vortex 5x with a primary arms piggyback. The vortex has a better mounting system and the pa dot has better nv performance compared to a vortex venom. Hard to beat for a general purpose rifle.

[@saintsinningsword]

I thought it was cool but expensive af.

[@MrBLions14]

Bifocals?

[@officerdaughtry]

Well, that's stupid!

[@Guide504]

That is really disorientating. Not cool.

[@nomercyinc6783]

the sound effects are lame dude

[@toadallyawesome5632]

Ya, I'll keep my 19 shot my friends, p and it really isnt all there cracked up to b. If i was gonna spend money, it would have to b one of those aliens. Not a slightly dressed up 1911 with a light spring. But they are cool looking and function super well. if u keep them wet, they can run way dirtier than i ever thought. He just keeps adding lub, and she keeps purring. But with my ram jet my 19 shoots just as flat, still spent less. Plus like he said i havent found another pistol that fills my hands as well as my 19.5.

[@borkwoof696]

Dude, what are you talking about?

[@toadallyawesome5632]

@@borkwoof696 I mean I didn't know it was that hard to read. I'm just saying it's not that great of buy u do u Bobo.

[@rossm9556]

@@toadallyawesome5632are you ok?

[@toadallyawesome5632]

@@rossm9556 I mean I would think so had a good day with the family. I'm not sure what you're trying to say or insinuate. But the last person to respond didn't seem ok to me lol. But ya I'm cool are u ok bud ?

[@jameshealy4594]

People are confused because your comment reads like it was written by someone having a stroke. I don't know if it's the weird abbreviations, jargon I don't understand, or the misspelt words I'm struggling with most but here goes... Something about you want a (laugo?) alien, which is nice and runs dirty if you oil it, not a fancy 1911, but your 'ramjet' glock is almost as good for less investment? Not trying to be funny, your comment is borderline incomprehensible and doesn't seem to have anything to do with the subject of the video - hence the confusion mentioned above.

[@tonystark-ey5gj]

sorry had to stop watching because of the pew pew

[@deathtothewageslave]

I thought about buying the airsoft version just to see if I liked it