The shooting world has witnessed a noticeable shift in optics preferences over the past decade. Traditional fixed-power scopes and red dots are increasingly giving way to Low Power Variable Optics (LPVOs), and for good reason. These versatile scopes offer true 1x magnification for quick target acquisition at close range, while providing enough zoom to engage targets at extended distances. Sig Sauer’s new Tango-MSR 1-10x26mm scope aims to deliver this flexibility at a price point that won’t break the bank, and after extensive testing, I can say they’ve hit the mark.
The LPVO Revolution
It’s no surprise that LPVOs have become the optic of choice for many AR-15 owners. Whether you’re running drills at the range, competing in 3-gun matches, hunting, or setting up a home defense rifle, an LPVO provides the versatility to handle nearly any situation. The ability to seamlessly transition from close-quarters shooting to precision work at distance has made these optics increasingly popular, and manufacturers have taken notice.
First Impressions
The Tango-MSR 1-10×26 arrives in a sturdy box with flip-up lens covers, a CR2032 battery, and a rugged ALPHA-MSR one-piece aluminum cantilever mount included. The scope’s 34mm main tube is constructed from aircraft-grade aluminum and features a matte black finish that matches most modern sporting rifles perfectly. At 21.9 ounces, it’s notably lighter than many competitors in the 1-10x market, though you’ll still feel the weight compared to a traditional red dot sight.
What immediately stands out is the glass quality. While previous budget-friendly LPVOs often struggled with edge clarity and light transmission, the Tango-MSR provides a surprisingly bright, clear sight picture across the entire field of view. Previous LPVO’s also struggled with 1x feeling like you’re not looking through a scope with any magnification. The Tango excels in this area, and looks like you’re using nothing but your eyes. This is particularly impressive given the scope’s price point of around $700.
Features and Controls
Sig has clearly put thought into the user experience. The magnification ring features an integrated throw lever that makes quick adjustments effortless, even with gloved hands. The parallax is fixed at 100 yards, which is ideal for most traditional shooting applications and helps keep the design simple and reliable.
The illuminated center dot in the reticle offers 11 brightness settings, controlled by an easily accessible rotary dial on the left side of the scope. The highest settings are daylight visible, while the lower settings work well in low light conditions without overwhelming your night vision. The illumination runs on a common CR2032 battery, and the auto-off feature helps preserve battery life by shutting down after two hours of inactivity.
Glass and Reticle
The heart of any optic is its glass quality, and the Tango-MSR delivers impressive performance. The fully multi-coated lenses provide excellent light transmission, and I noticed minimal color fringing even in challenging lighting conditions. I could see extremely well in low light situations. Edge-to-edge clarity is good, though you might notice slight distortion at the very edges of the field of view at lower magnifications. However, it’s minor enough that most people would never be bothered by it in normal use.
The MSR BDC10 reticle is a standout feature of the scope. It’s first focal plane design provides a clean sight picture at 1x that feels like using a red dot, while offering useful holdover points at higher magnifications. The center illuminated dot measures 0.5 MOA, allowing for precise shot placement, while the outer segments of the reticle include hash marks for holdovers out to over 600 yards with common .223 factory loads.
Field Testing
To properly evaluate the Tango-MSR, I mounted it on my 16-inch AR-15 using Sig’s Alpha-MSR mount and headed to my local range on a clear 60-degree morning. The zero process was straightforward, with positive-clicking turrets that adjust in 0.5 MOA increments. Each click was tactile and audible, and tracking proved consistent throughout the adjustment range.
At 1x magnification, the scope performs remarkably well for close-range work. The true 1x setting and daylight-bright illumination make it nearly as fast as a red dot for targets within 50 yards. The generous eye box also means you don’t have to be perfectly aligned to get a sight picture, which is crucial for dynamic shooting positions.
Cranking the magnification up to 10x revealed impressive capability at distance. The clear glass and precise reticle allowed me to consistently ring steel from a 100 yard zero out to 600 yards using standard 55-grain ammunition with the reticle’s BDC holdover points. The scope tracked perfectly through several box tests, returning reliably to zero after multiple adjustments.
Low Light Performance
One evening, I stayed at the range until dusk to evaluate the scope’s low-light capability. The 26mm objective lens is smaller than larger scopes, but the quality glass helps maximize available light. I could clearly engage targets out to 500 yards until legal shooting light ended, though the image did darken some at the highest magnifications.
Durability Testing
While I didn’t want to perform destructive testing on a scope I plan to train and hunt with, the Tango-MSR appears rugged and built to handle tough use. The scope is nitrogen-purged for fog resistance and rated waterproof to IPX-7 standards. Throughout several range sessions in varying weather conditions, the scope maintained its zero and showed no signs of internal fogging.
Hunting Application
To test the scope’s hunting capability, I took it on a weekend whitetail hunt. The versatility of the 1-10x magnification range proved invaluable. The 1x setting allowed for quick target acquisition when a doe suddenly appeared at 30 yards in the woods, while the 10x magnification provided plenty of clarity for precise shot placement on deer in larger field settings. I can see why a growing number of hunters are replacing their traditional 3-9 power scopes with LPVOs.
Value Proposition
At around $700, the Tango-MSR 1-10x represents an excellent value in the crowded LPVO market. While it may not quite match the glass quality of scopes costing twice or three times as much, it delivers 90% of the performance at a much more accessible price point (including the one-piece cantilever mount). The combination of features, durability, and optical quality makes it a compelling option for shooters looking to upgrade from a red dot or traditional scope.
Final Thoughts
The Sig Sauer Tango-MSR 1-10x26mm successfully bridges the gap between budget and premium LPVOs. It offers enough magnification range to handle a wide variety of shooting scenarios, from close-quarters defensive use to medium-range hunting and target shooting. For AR-15 owners seeking a do-it-all optic that won’t require a second mortgage, the Tango-MSR deserves serious consideration. It provides the versatility modern shooters demand while maintaining the reliability and durability we’ve come to expect from Sig Sauer optics.
SPECIFICATIONS
| Magnification | 1-10x |
|---|---|
| Objective Lens Diameter | 26 mm |
| Weight | 21.9 oz |
| Illumination Settings | 11 |
| Maintube Diameter | 34mm |
| Total Elevation Travel | 100 MOA |
| Total Windage Travel | 100 MOA |
| Travel Per Rotation | 44 MOA |
| Eye Relief Low (IN) | 87.5 |
| Eye Relief High (IN) | 82.5 |
| Field of View Low (FT @ 100 Yards) | 120 |
| Field of View High (FT @ 100 Yards) | 12 |
| Diopter Adjustment Range | +/- 2.5 |
| Objective Outer Diameter | 34 MM |
| Mount Included | Yes |
| Battery | (1) CR2032 |
| Focal Plane | First |
| Reticle | MSR BDC10 |
| Illumination | Yes |
Where To Buy
“The 26mm objective lens is smaller than larger scopes, but the quality glass helps maximize available light … though the image did darken some at the highest magnifications.”
The image darkens as pupil size at 10x will be 2.6mm which is the same issue Nightforce ran into with the 2.5-10x24mm, which returns from time to time due to demand (it was an issued optic for some small-scale projects).
Human pupil size is like 4-8mm, dropping to 2mm at the extreme low-end in bright light. 26mm is a design trade-off in this case. Once the scope pupil is smaller than your eye pupil, the image will darken.
It’s why i’d love to see a MPVO or something like a 2-16x with a 56mm objective. there’s literally no getting around the optical physics of objective size / magnification = exit pupil size. a 2-16×56 would have a 3.5″ exit pupil, keeping it rather bright at full magnification.
the TANGO-MSR LPVO 1-6X24 mm is a better deal for the price IMHO.
Considering the amount of folks engaging in close combat is going to be near enough zero, the real deal is any of the million 3x9x40 scopes floating around.
I’d give up the illuminated reticle to get parallax adjustment.
That rifle scope tripod is a nice set up.
I’ll send you my gun dealers address.🙂
I’ve always preferred the lower end magnification when it came to variable scopes. Turn the power up, light transmission goes down. Magnification up, so does perceived wobble.
Its percieved, ?, man I need all the excuses I can get.
my shooting is lousy because the scope makes me shake
Xdduly, the scope doesn’t make anyone shake. It just shows it to them. Especially at higher magnification., and the adrenaline, and the breathing, and the field position. I like lower power scopes, ghost ring and extended eye relief scope on scout rifles.
Perhaps I need a higher priced( not higher quality) scope, I’ve read somewhere accuracy comes at a price. If accuracy comes at a price that meansI can buy my way out of piss poor target groups.
Xdduly, price and quality are usually linked. Regardless of the product. Many of my scopes cost more than the rifle they’re mounted on. There’s a reason for that.
In the “Specifications” section, the “Eye Relief” units need to be millimeters, not inches.
Is 10x still considered ‘low power’? Sincere question.
I thought anything over 6x was medium at least?
Guess the 1-10 power is the new thing. Got a older SWFA SS 1-4×24 that does just fine. Glass is clear no distortion at any power at the edges. Like the reticule better.
Perfect, I finally get all my basic 14.7″-16″ rifles set up with Vortex Strike eagle 1-8×24 SFP scopes for continuity across my rifles and now I see this. LOL.
Anyone had a chance to compare this new Sig to the current generation of Vortex strike eagle 1-8×24’s? Probably won’t replace them as I really like the SE’s but that 1-10 is tempting.