ZeroTech Thrive HD 1-4x24 Variable Prism Review: Red Dot Speed, Scope Clarity (and a Hectic FOV)
If you’ve ever wished your red dot had more clarity and your scope had faster target acquisition, you’re exactly the kind of shooter a prism optic was made for. And now ZeroTech has taken that idea and made it even more interesting with the Thrive HD 1-4x24 Variable Prism—a compact, lightweight optic that blends 1x speed with 4x capability without the bulk and complexity of a dot + magnifier setup.
After getting it mounted, bore-sighted, and zeroed, I can sum it up in one line:
This is a fun optic.
But “fun” is doing a lot of work there—so let’s break down what makes the Thrive HD 1-4x24 genuinely practical, and why it surprised me on the range.
What even is a variable prism?
A prism optic sits in that sweet spot between a red dot and a traditional rifle scope.
-
Like a scope, you’re looking at a focused image and an etched reticle on a plane of glass.
-
Unlike a red dot (which is projected onto the glass), a prism’s reticle is physically there—so it tends to look super crisp and clear.
-
And because prisms can offer a wide field of view, you can run them fast, almost like a red dot, especially on 1x.
The Thrive HD takes that prism concept and adds something many people have been waiting for: variable magnification—in this case, 1-4x.
Setup & zeroing (quick and painless)
I mounted the Thrive HD on my WedgeTail MPR Micro 223 (13” barrel)—a super handy little rifle that’s lightweight, compact, and just plain fun to shoot. I zeroed the optic at 100, but realistically I see this as more of a quick-reaction, close-in optic that still gives you the option to stretch out when you need it.
One small practical detail I really like: the windage and elevation turrets are capped, and the cap itself is the tool for making adjustments. It’s the kind of “why doesn’t everyone do this?” feature that just makes sense in the real world—no hunting for a coin, no tools in your pocket.
Illumination: dual colour done right (red + green)
The Thrive HD comes with a dual-colour illuminated reticle—red and green—and the control system is dead simple:
-
Hold “+” to turn illumination on
-
Hold both buttons to swap between red and green
-
Tap + / - to adjust brightness
-
Hold “-” to turn it off
It’s quick, intuitive, and easy to do without breaking your flow on the gun. I’m a big fan of controls that don’t require a manual every time you pick it up.
Power is via a CR2032, and it has an external battery compartment, so changes are straightforward.
The standout feature: the field of view on 1x is wild
On 1x, the field of view is… honestly, hectic (in the best way).
I could see the whole fore-end of the rifle while staying on target, and the image was crisp, with plenty of light coming through. That wide view makes it incredibly easy to run the optic quickly—your situational awareness stays high, and it’s just fast to get on target.
This is where the variable prism idea really shines:
-
1x feels like a “both eyes open” speed setup
-
4x is right there when you want to identify, refine, or stretch the shot a bit
Eye relief: better than expected for a prism
Prisms can be picky with eye relief, but the Thrive HD didn’t feel painful or restrictive. My comfortable position was about what I called a “one Woody hand” of eye relief—roughly 3 inches or so in practical terms.
Not scientific, but very real-world—and it matters, because a prism that forces you into a perfect head position can be frustrating when you’re shooting dynamically.
Why this could replace a red dot + magnifier setup
Here’s the big takeaway for a lot of shooters:
If you’re running something like an EOTech with a flip-to-side magnifier, the Thrive HD offers a simpler alternative.
Instead of a dot up front and a magnifier behind it (plus extra mounts, weight, and moving parts), you can:
-
Save weight
-
Clean up the rail space
-
Avoid the flip mechanism
-
Still get fast shooting at 1x
-
And roll to magnification when you need it—without sacrificing clarity
Mounting: quick release + ACOG mini footprint
Another genuinely useful feature: the Thrive HD comes with a quick-release base right in the box. So it’s ready to go out of the box—no immediate shopping list required.
The footprint is ACOG mini-style (which is great news), meaning there are aftermarket mounts and risers available if you like tuning height and ergonomics.
Bonus: the quick-release lever is reversible, so you can set it up to suit your preference and your other gear.
And because I run quick-release optics, I also like having a backup aiming option on the rifle—so I paired it with 45° offset flip-up iron sights.
Final thoughts: lightweight, versatile, and genuinely enjoyable
After getting it zeroed and running it on steel, the Thrive HD left me with a pretty clear impression:
-
Super lightweight
-
Very versatile
-
Wide field of view
-
Easy to shoot
-
Fast to get on target
-
Optical clarity that feels “scope-like”
-
A smart feature set that’s actually practical (illumination controls, turret cap tool, QD mount, battery access)
If you’re curious about prisms, or you already like the idea of a prism but want the flexibility of variable magnification, the ZeroTech Thrive HD 1-4x24 Variable Prism is absolutely worth a look.
They’re available online at zerotech.com.au.
Quick Pros & Cons (from my range time)
Pros
-
Huge field of view on 1x
-
Crisp etched reticle and clear image
-
1-4x flexibility without a magnifier setup
-
Dual-colour illumination (red/green) with simple controls
-
Turret cap doubles as an adjustment tool
-
QD mount included + reversible lever
-
ACOG micro footprint for aftermarket options
Cons / Considerations
-
Like most prisms, eye relief still rewards consistent head position (even though it’s better than expected)
-
If you live for ultra-long-range precision, this isn’t that optic—this is a fast, practical 1-4x tool
​
FAQ: ZeroTech Thrive HD 1-4x24 Variable Prism
What is a “variable prism” optic?
A variable prism is a prism optic with adjustable magnification—in this case 1x to 4x. It keeps the core prism benefits (an etched reticle and a focused image) while giving you the ability to dial up magnification for longer or more precise shots.
How is a prism different from a red dot?
A red dot projects a dot onto the glass. A prism uses an etched reticle and a focused image, which can look sharper and clearer to the eye. Prisms can also offer a wide field of view, so they can be run quickly like a red dot—especially at 1x.
Can the Thrive HD 1-4x24 replace a red dot and magnifier?
For a lot of setups, yes. The big advantage is simplicity: instead of running a dot plus a flip-to-side magnifier, you can roll the magnification from 1x to 4x on the optic and keep the system lighter and less cluttered, without giving up clarity.
How do you change the illumination colour (red/green)?
On the Thrive HD, you hold both the + and - buttons to switch between red and green illumination.
How do you turn illumination on/off and adjust brightness?
-
Hold “+” to turn illumination on
-
Tap + or - to increase/decrease brightness
-
Hold “-” to turn illumination off
What battery does it use, and is it easy to replace?
It uses a CR2032 battery and has an external battery compartment, which makes battery changes quick and straightforward.
What mount comes with it?
It comes with a quick-release base included in the box, so it’s ready to mount straight away. The QD lever is reversible, so you can set it up to suit your preferred direction and rifle layout.
What mounting footprint does it use?
It uses an ACOG mini-style footprint, which is handy because it opens up compatibility with various aftermarket mounts/risers.
Are the turrets capped, and how do you adjust them?
Yes—windage and elevation are capped. The clever part is the turret cap doubles as the tool to make adjustments, so you don’t need to hunt for a coin or carry extra tools.
What’s the Thrive HD 1-4x24 best suited for?
Based on how it felt on the rifle, it shines as a quick-reaction, close-to-midrange optic: fast at 1x with a big field of view, but able to dial up to 4x when you want more precision or reach.