ZeroTech Thrive HD Micro Prism Review – 1×20 With Etched Reticle

With a fixed 1x magnification, 20mm objective lens, and etched reticle the ZeroTech Thrive HD Micro Prism has had a good run on my Southern Cross Small Arms Taipan X. So far it’s been the ideal little optic for hunting close range with the .223. For those unfamiliar with micro prism optics and their differences to red dot’s we will check out the features that make this a worthy option.

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Design and Build Quality

The Thrive HD Micro Prism scope is a lightweight addition to the rifle, weighing in at only 252 grams, including the 1.6” riser and battery I don’t notice the difference at all in the rifles weight. The concern I have however with lightweight optics is their durability. Despite its tiny weight I’m happy to say this little scope is built tough. My ZT Red dot which I have on my 12 gauge has taken a beating and is still going strong, I had high hopes picking up the Micro Prism and I’m happy to report its stood up well to life on the hunting rifle.

You can also order flip up covers for the scope which is something ill look at doing in the future adding some Tenebraex covers. Although it’s not a necessity the added cover for the lenses helps keep them safe from dust. The lightweight design combined with the solid build strikes a good balance and I certainly feel confident in the scope to perform out west when I need it too.

The optic has a fixed 1x magnification and a reticle etched directly onto the glass, ensuring a visible aiming point. The advantage here is if the battery fails, you still have a point of aim ready to go, unlike a red dot sight. This feature is usually a big drawcard for those who rely on their optics in critical situations, where losing sight of the reticle could have big implications. For me it’s knowing that if I’m on a hunting trip 7 hours drive from home, I won’t feel bad forgetting to take a spare battery with me.

I’ve found the 20mm objective lens offers a good field of view, allowing me to track targets well. At 100 meters, the field of view reaches up to 23 meters (or 70 feet at 100 yards), which is a good range for fast moving scenarios allowing some awareness of the surrounding environment. The lenses are multi coated which helps to enhance light transmission through the sight.  It also helps reduce glare and provides a nice clear, high contrast image.

The Thrive HD packs 13 different brightness settings for the illuminated reticle. Brighter settings help combat the midday sun where as a the lower settings help to show off the reticle in dark conditions where the reticle blends in with the background. Adjusting the brightness is simple by using the plus and minus buttons on top.

Battery life is great with the manual stating I’ll get up to 5,000 hours on a single CR2032 battery.  Another thing I like about this is that even if the battery does drain completely, the etched reticle will still be functional, which offers a good safety net if electronic systems fail.

Sighting it in is simple. The Thrive HD Micro Prism has a straightforward adjustment system for adjusting point of impact. Each click moves the reticle 1 MOA, allowing for very deliberate, practical adjustments. There’s a total of 90 MOA of windage and elevation adjustment, so plenty of room to align the sight to your rifle or shotgun. When initially sighting it in I found the clicks responsive without being too sensitive. It’s held in place well and I haven’t noticed any shift in impact, even after a couple of trips away and all the rounds Iv run through it.

One of my favorite features of this little sight is its huge 90mm of eye relief, which means that it’s not picky about where its mounted. The extended eye relief allows me to maintain a comfortable view through the optic without being forced to place it into a very narrow area. This helps make it an adaptable scope for use on different firearms and comfortable to use. A nice change from picky long distance rifle scopes.

Whether leaning into the rifle for stability or quickly bringing the rifle upto the shoulder, the forgiving eye relief helps reduce strain during extended shooting and helps make it a pleasure to run.

Micro Prism vs Red Dot

If you aren’t familiar with micro prism optic’s it’s helpful to know how micro prism scopes compare to red dot sights. Both are designed for rapid target acquisition, with the etched reticle the major difference from standard red dots. The etched reticle in the micro prism has a reliable point of aim without relying on battery power. In situations where an electronic failure could mean losing sight of the reticle, this etched design offers up more reliability. Another major difference is the sharper, clearer image compared to red dots, owing to the prism’s ability to reduce parallax error.

Micro prism scopes like the Thrive HD are also more friendly for shooters with astigmatism too and it’s another major factor why I picked this up as opposed to another red dot. Astigmatism is basically mismatched curves in the lens in your eye and it can make red dots appear blurry. The etched reticle in a prism scope avoids this issue and can be a cleaner reticle for those who might struggle with traditional red dots.

Extreme temperatures might not be a consideration for you but they absolutely are for me. My pig hunting often sees me out in 40°C weather. The Thrive HD Micro Prism is rated to handle a good range of temperatures, from -20°C to +70°C. Its good to know that no matter if I leave the rifle in the sun it wont damage the optic.

Overall the Thrive HD Micro Prism has been a great choice for my rifle. For lining up feral pigs its 1x magnification and fast target acquisition have made it easy to use. It’s a user friendly optic with clear glass and comfortable eye relief. Having a 1×20 micro prism means that it wont just sit on my hunting rifle and that its likely going to end up on my 12 guage too. Its versatility means it can adapt to different roles, whether for dynamic shooting or hunting.

Summing Up

The ZeroTech Thrive HD Micro Prism scope is a thoughtfully designed optic that does a good job merging performance, comfort and price. With its etched reticle, extensive brightness settings, and good construction, it delivers a good option for shooters who need a compact optic for quick and accurate target acquisition. The Thrive HD’s clear glass and features like the wide field of view, make it a valuable addition for close-range to mid-range shooting.

I like its durability and battery life but also for its ability to perform across different environments too. The 1 MOA per click adjustments, good field of view, and brightness controls make it useful for professional and sports shooters. If you’re chasing a reliable, adaptable optic with practical features and good construction, the ZeroTech Thrive HD Micro Prism is a good choice that’s worth looking at.

ZeroTech Thrive HD Micro Prism

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Specifications