Short & Powerful: The EOTech Vudu 4-12x36 mm Super Short Riflescope

by
posted on May 11, 2026
** When you buy products through the links on our site, we may earn a commission that supports NRA's mission to protect, preserve and defend the Second Amendment. **
Eotech Vudu Short 01
Images courtesy of EOTech.

Known primarily for its holographic sights, EoTech jumped into the variable-powered riflescope market in 2017 with its Vudu lineup. The company has continued to add to the Vudu family, including last year’s super short Vudu 3-9x32 mm. New for 2026, the company is introducing another super short, variable-power scope with the Vudu 4-12x36 mm riflescope.

The new Vudu 4-12x is a super short, variable-power optic with a first-focal plane reticle and high magnification.

The biggest difference between the Vudu 3-9X and the new 4-12X is that the latter is a first-focal-plane (FFP) design. This means that the reticle changes in size as the scope is zoomed, resulting in its subtensions being accurate, no matter the magnification. The Vudu 4-12X is about a quarter of an inch longer (7.1 inches overall), one ounce heavier (16.9 ounces), and $100 more expensive (MSRP $1,219) than the 3-9X version.

The Vudu 4-12X has many features of the super short Vudu 3-9X introduced last year and adds a first-focal plane reticle.

Many of the Vudu 4-12X features mirror that of last year’s 3-9X version. These include XC high density, low dispersion multi-coated glass, an adjustable diopter, a power band zoom adjustment ring and capped turrets that cover dials (0.1 MRAD adjustments) that can be zeroed. With no room for conventional rings, the scope has an integrated base that comes supplied with a mount and is also compatible with most mini-ACOG mounts.

The first-focal plane reticle of the Vudu 4-12X is illuminated.
The Vudu 4-12X is available with EOTech’s MR5 (left) or MD5 (right) MRAD reticles.

The Vudu 4-12X is available with either EOTech’s MR5 or MD5 MRAD illuminated reticles that have 10 brightness settings and is powered by a single CR2032 battery. It is also available with a ring mount for fitting a non-magnified micro red dot sight that can be positioned at 12 o’clock or at a 45-degree offset. The scope with the company’s EFLX mounted is available as a package with an MSRP of $1,589. 

A non-magnified optic can be added to the scope with an optional ring mount.
The Vudu 4-12X’s optional ring mount allows a non-magnified optic to be placed at the 12 o’clock position or at a 45-degree offset.

For more information, see the company’s website.

Latest

Spandau Arms RL
Spandau Arms RL

Review: Spandau Arms RL

The Remington Model 700 lives on in the form of this RL bolt-action rifle produced in Turkey by Huglu and imported into the U.S. by Spandau Arms.

NRA Outstanding Achievement Youth Award Applications Open

The NRA is accepting applications for the 2027 NRA Outstanding Achievement Youth Award from junior shooting sports participants who demonstrate active involvement in their communities and in shooting sports.

The (Not So) Gray Man: Tips to Avoid Tacti-Cool & Blend into the Background

Being a true "gray man" is not flashy. It won’t get you followers or likes or nods from across the room. What it will get you is something far more valuable in the real world: freedom of movement. Reduced attention. Lower probability of being selected, targeted or remembered.

The Armed Citizen® Sept. 28, 2026

Read today's "The Armed Citizen" entry for real stories of law-abiding citizens, past and present, who used their firearms to save lives.

How to Accurately Measure a Gun Barrel's Length

Measuring the actual length of a barrel might seem like a simple task, but there's an industry-standard (and legally required) method to accurately measuring the length of your firearm's barrel.

Winchester Ammunition Named Second-Source Provider for U.S. Army

Winchester Ammunition has once again been selected by the U.S. Army as the second-source provider for small-caliber rifle ammunition. The most recent contract covers 5.56 NATO, 7.62 NATO and .50 BMG cartridges.

Interests



Get the best of American Rifleman delivered to your inbox.