Lucid L7 1-6x24 Rifle Scope ReviewLucid is a newer brand which grew almost overnight with its immensely popular and affordable HD7 red dot sights. Thought the company is most know for the incredibly durable $180 HD7 red dot, Lucid also began offering a broad line of magnified optics as well including the spectacularly well built L5 4-16x scope tested previously. Lucid recently released the L7 1-6x24 illuminated optic which I have to note at a $450 MSRP is one hell of an optic.
Without question, the hottest optic segment is the 1-4 and 1-6 magnification range of optics and Lucid just introduced its L7 1-6 Optic to answer demands from its fans. It has become “the” prefered optic for most three gunners and also becoming extensively used with hunters, the military, and LEO markets as well. The popularity of this magnification range of optics is simply because of its extreme versatility and practicality for fast shots and enough magnification to get the job done with older eyes or when the distances increase.
FIT, FINISH, FEEL, FEATURES, & FUNCTIONS
Like the previous Lucid optics I have reviewed, the L7 1-6x24 is extremely well made with quality on par with the top end Nikon, Burris, and Bushnell optics, but at a price that makes it more attractive than the comparable more expensive optics from the big three. The 30mm tube adds durability and improves light transmission for the optic. The L7 delivers clarity delivers a 92% light transmission rate which is extremely impressive considering its price. As expected on this tier of optic the scope is nitrogen purged, waterproof, multicoated optics, and shockproof rated to .458 Socom. Another feature that sets the Lucid P7 apart from other optics is that the reticle is etched on the glass versus a more failure prone wire based reticle - this adds a huge amount of shock resistance to the optic. 
According to Lucid, they had the manufacturing capabilities and technologies to deliver a 1-4 or 1-6 optic a lot sooner than 2016, however they wanted to take their time to get the design right. It is important to note that Lucid is not a “Me Too” manufacturer. Jason Wilson, Founding CEO of Lucid noted “We are really not in business to go head to head with everyone else’s offerings, we did not make ‘just another red dot’ with the HD7 and people loved it. We did not make ‘just another 4-16 optic’ with the L5 line and in this case we are not offering just another ‘1-6 spec Mil-Dot 3Gun optic that looks, feels, and has the same features as everyone else’ - we took our time over a few years to develop the L7. 
As an example Mil-Dot scopes are all the rage right now, however very few people know how to use them appropriately, effectively, or quickly. Our designs are based on inch-based MOA reticle and turret designs which make it very easy for both the amature and professional to quickly calculate and adjust for each shot based on a lifetime of working with Inches and feet. It makes it faster and easier for almost any shooter.”
The extra time Lucid used for development is noticed with a lot of the features. The eye relief is pretty generous which makes shouldering and firing the gun quick without having the perfect cheek weld. The 1X magnification is truly magnification-free which means that it is not a 1.1 or 1.2 or 1.3 magnification that kinda works as a fast shooting red dot. According to Lucid the L7 is actually delivers a 1.0x clear and unmagnified setting. This is a pretty significant feat considering the L7 delivers a 6x 1-6 magnification range without being a $1000 scope.
The Lucid L7 1-6x24 features an included quick throw lever for the folks that want to rip from 1-6 right freaking now. Many other manufacturers are charging extra for this add on lever. I will admit that BDC reticles are getting ridiculously cluttered in a compromise to please the CQB, tactical, 3Gun, hunting, and precision shooters. Lucid has done an outstanding job making their reticle clean with simple integrated wind hold overs, small 8MOA spaced BDC hash marks, and an open circle dot design which allows is visible enough for fast shots, but fine enough for precision shots. On 6x magnification, the MOA based reticle can be read just like a measuring tape with 1MOA representing 1”. For those that want to use a ballistics app on their phone, the L7 Lucid reticle is already on the wildly popular and affordable ballistic STRELOK app.The illumination is well thought out as well. People often think they need the entirety of the reticle illuminated, however the reality is that turns into a freaking crazy distracting Christmas tree as the light dims. Instead Lucid illuminates the circle dot, left, right and top hashes around the dot In their “cool Lucid blue”. This provides extremely usable all conditions illumination as the lights dim without delivering a distraction for the shooter.
The Lucid L7 turrets deliver 60 MOA of adjustment on all sides of optical center. Lucid obviously did their homework to understand and resolve the common gripes with turrets on low power scopes which inherently take a lot of knocks and bangs during the intended use mounted to AR15s. The turrets are easily re-zeroed and features a lift, adjust, and press down to lock in position design which work beautifully.
I personally love first focal plane reticles, however a noticeable shortcoming is when fast based BDC shots at longer distances and the reticle BDC is already maxed out. Second focal plane optics have the option to zoom out to accommodate a longer shot via the BDC hashes without adjusting the turrets. Lucid used the later second focal plane design to provide this flexibility that many target and long range shooters utilize.
FEATURED BUILD
In order to really get a good comparison of the L7 to a similar and much more expensive optic, my San Tan Tactical Ultimate AR15 build was used. This build features the best of the best I could find including a San Tan Tactical billet receiver set, lots of cool upgrades from Battle Arms Development, Geissele, XLR, a Hart precision match barrel, and a top and Burris XTR-II FFP optic.
The Lucid L7 1-6x24 was mounted in a quick disconnect ADM - Advanced Design Machine QD Recon mount which I will admit is the freaking best QD optics mount available anywhere - really, it is awesome and returns to zero every time. The L7 was also mounted to my ridden hard and left wet Barnes Precision Machine BPM-15 which is a tack-driver in its own right. I enjoyed the L7 so much it may remain as a QD option with my Eotech on this heavily used rifle.
FINAL THOUGHTS
The Lucid L7 is a hell of an optic, it is crisp and very clear, has an amazing light transmission which is really noticeable as dusk hits and the the reticle is clean, fast and useable. The price is above the fray at a MSRP of $449, however for the price it represents a value that it hard to find in optics over $1000. I have been training myself on Mil-Dot reticles for the last couple years and there is a learning curve. It was refreshing to just pick up a rifle and be able to shoot the damn thing with no more thought that how many inches I need to hold over. I found the reticle really easy to use on shots from one yard all the way out to 600-yards. At night the illumination was usable with plenty of settings for even blackout lighting situations. Again I find myself very impressed with what Lucid is delivering in the L7 1-6x24 scope - another very well thought out optic that is very affordable and not just another me too optic.
SPECS
ConstructionMagnification
Objective Lens 24mm
Ocular Lens Diameter 34mm
Length 10.75"
Mounting Length 6 "
Weight 20.4oz
Tube Diameter 30mm
Construction Material - One Piece Aluminum (6063)
Color & Finish1x-6x - MATTE BLACK
Waterproof YES (Nitrogen Purged)
Fogproof YES (submersible)
Shockproof YES (.458 SOCOM)
Lens Coating FBMC Multi Coated
Light Transmission 92%
Ocular Focus YES
Parallax Adjustment YES (side)
Parallax 100yd fixed
Eye Relief 4" to 3.75"
Exit Pupil 15mm to 4mm
Field of View 1x 56ft -6x, 20ft @ 100yds
Diopter Compensation (-2.5 to +3)
Reticle Type P7 Etched Glass
Turret Click Value 1/2MOA
Windage Adj, Range 60MOA (Either side of center)
Elevation Adj. Range 60MOA (Either side of center)
Lockable Turrets YES
Re-Zeroable Turrets YES
Warranty
Limited Lifetime
MSRP $449
SOURCES
Lucid - http://mylucidgear.com