Trijicon MRO SD and 3X Magnifier Review [Hands-On Tested]

It’s hard to believe the Trijicon MRO has been around for 10 years. When it first came out in 2015, shooters were thrilled at the prospect of a ruggedized red dot that did everything you wanted, without any fluff.

A few years later, it was paired with a new 3X magnifier, further enhancing the capability of the little red dot that could. Other versions were also developed and released in the decade that followed.

While Trijicon has a reputation for durability, the different versions over the years indicate there was room for improvement. So, with the release of the MRO SD, can we expect the same or even better performance?

We took the setup out to the range to test it for ourselves. We’ll share the results with you below, so read on!

How We Tested the Trijicon MRO SD & 3X Magnifier

For this review, I tested the MRO SD shooting for accuracy and ran a series of drills on an array of steel targets. I went through 200 rounds of practice ammunition in the form of AAC 115gr FMJ and shot from various distances between 15 and 100 yards using just the MRO and the magnifier for longer shots.

Trijicon MRO SD & 3X Magnifier Specs & Features

Specs

• Weight: 12 oz.
• Battery Life: 2.5 years
• Illumination Settings: 8 settings (2 night vision)
• Dot Size: 4 MOA dot (optional ACSS Vulcan 240 MOA)
• Objective Lens: 25mm
• Waterproof: Yes (100 ft.)
• Footprint: Picatinny rail mount
• Battery: CR2032
• Price: $1,569.00
• Country of origin: MRO USA, Magnifier Philippines

Features

• Optimized for use with a magnifier
• Tethered battery cap
• Ambidextrous brightness controls
• Waterproof/Shockproof

Trijicon MRO SD Inside & Out

Internals

The MRO SD is an improvement over even the more recently released HD version of the MRO. It is specifically designed to pair better with magnifiers. During testing, I found the 2 MOA dot to be crisp despite having had LASIK surgery years ago.

Even with the magnifier, I was able to adjust the diopter to get a clean enough dot for all targeting purposes. But this isn’t the only option with the new MRO SD, as shooters can now select between the 2 MOA dot and a 68 MOA segmented circle reticle.

Trijicon offers a 2 MOA dot version or 2 MOA with 65 MOA ring version. The 65 MOA ring version is easily distinguishable by the circled numbers on the brightness knob.

While the SD version is currently only available with a red dot, Trijicon does make green dot versions of the MRO. Brightness settings all work extremely well with the top easily visible in the brightest environments.

Additionally, Trijicon spent time upgrading the internals of the MRO. Primarily, the focus was on hardening and improving zero retention in spite of recoil and even the occasional impact.

The CR2032 battery still powers the MRO and gives off an estimated 2.5 years of service with just the dot. This is based on a brightness setting of 5 (out of 8).

The magnifier is relatively straightforward. It has no electronic components and simply magnifies whatever is in front of it to the power of three.

A five-year limited lifetime warranty from the date of manufacture backs electronics within the MRO.

Externals

The MRO SD features a body made from 7075-T6 aluminum. It is sealed with dry nitrogen to further protect internal components.

The battery compartment sits in the brightness adjustment knob on top of the unit. It now features a tethered cap so you won’t accidentally drop it during a battery swap.

Adjusting brightness takes deliberate effort as the dial will not easily turn. This was done to prevent accidental adjustments through rough handling.

Two night vision capable settings rest at the bottom of the range, followed by six normal brightness options. There are two “off” positions in the dial between two and three, then again after the brightest setting of six. This prevents users from having to cycle through the entire range of settings to turn the MRO off.

Zero is established via sub-flush adjusters, protecting them from accidental movement. You need a small screwdriver to reach into the recess and move the knobs.

Both windage and elevation turn with very light detents. When moving, these are barely audible and tactile. I had to listen carefully to my adjustments when zeroing.

Below the MRO is a roughly one-inch-tall mount for a Picatinny rail. The 3X magnifier comes with a similar height mount (full co-witness) that includes a quick-release lever and the ability to snap the magnifier in line with the optic, or push it out of the way.

Wherever you choose to have the magnifier, it stays there. Snapping it back and forth is relatively easy, but it won’t accidentally drop in or off line because the hinge on the mount is stiff.

The magnifier also features an aluminum body and recessed adjustment knobs for adjusting where you see the dot through the magnifier. These have similar detents as the MRO.

Thankfully, the magnifier comes equipped with a diopter like other more traditional rifle optics. I used this to adjust the crispness of the dot through the magnifier.

Finally, Trijicon claims to have re-engineered the objective lens on the MRO to optimize it for use with the magnifier. While I don’t have experience with the previous combo, I’ve read there were issues with parallax.

How Does the MRO SD & 3X Magnifier Shoot?

Sometimes companies leave much to the imagination when it comes to instructions on proper mounting of optics, and where they go on a firearm. The MRO has a listed eye relief of 2.6 inches, so that should be a jumping off point.

When I have mounted MROs previously, I tended to place them toward the front end of the receiver on the rail. That didn’t work so well when I mounted this setup with the magnifier.

The magnifier has an eye relief of 2.6 inches as well, so it needs to be relatively close to your eye when you snap it into place. My original setup was too far forward and required me to scoot my head closer to use both.

From too far back, the magnifier is unusable due to the parallax-induced scope shadow. I ended up mounting the MRO in the middle of the receiver and this had the combo working for me, without forcing me to slide my head forward on the stock.

At this distance, the view through the MRO was fine and I could see the dot through the magnifier without severe parallax. Some thought should also be given to the relative spacing between the two pieces.

My preferences push me toward the advantage of the small footprint these two can achieve. Accordingly, I mounted them as closely together as I could.

Placing the MRO on the rail was interesting. I needed to loosen the screws and pull the MRO on the Picatinny rail, hooking the left side on first, then easing it into place between the slots.

Once established, I simply torqued the Torx screws to spec (30 in. lbs.). The magnifier was somewhat easier to install, though it did require some loosening of the bolt to get the quick-release lever properly seated.

With both pieces installed, I viewed the dot through the magnifier. The pre-fitted mounts on both the MRO and magnifier have them at equal heights, so there is no loss of sight picture when you drop the magnifier in line—simply a magnification of what you already saw.

At the range, my first goal was to establish a zero. I set up a bench at 25 yards using a P3 Ultimate Gun Vise from CTK Precision.

Working through the process, I needed to adjust quite a bit to the right and up to arrive at my preferred zero. The detents proved reliable and correlated with the hits on target.

With zero established, I dropped the magnifier into place and confirmed the MRO’s dot was in view. It was perfectly centered and didn’t need adjustment, but I was glad I had the option.

From here, I conducted a series of drills, shooting various-sized steel targets at different distances. The MRO’s large window and short tube made acquiring targets easy.

For the same reasons, transitioning between targets was simple, too. While I did lose a little bit of awareness from the canted magnifier being in my right peripheral, it was minimal.

Next, I engaged several targets at close distance, then ran out to 50 yards and added the magnifier. Instantly, the sight picture increased in my view, and I was able to engage with more confidence.

Let me be clear, 50 yards is a pretty easy shot with a rifle and red dot, but the use of the magnifier made it that much easier. I decided to test this capability with further distance.

I moved out to the 100-yard line and set up a prone position. Firing while balancing off a Magpul PMAG, I was still able to hit torso-sized steel with the MRO alone.

However, when I dropped the magnifier in line, the sight picture was better, providing a magnified image of my target down range. I pinged steel with ease.

Trijicon MRO SD & 3X Magnifier View-Through

Recording through the MRO SD is fairly easy to achieve, though it is more challenging to do the same after dropping the magnifier into line. Here you can see the amplified image as well as the crispness of the dot.

Who Is the Trijicon MRO SD & 3X Magnifier For?

This setup is for anyone who may want to engage targets in short to medium distances. There are distinct advantages to running a red dot and magnifier compared with an LPVO.

The two units take up very little space on the rifle, and you can remove the magnifier quickly and easily. In addition, I find it more of a gross motor function to snap the magnifier in or out when compared to dialing in magnification on an LPVO.

Weight is negligible when comparing the two approaches as the combined weight of the MRO SD and 3X magnifier is 18.5 oz. Several LPVOs come in around this weight.

On the downside, you only get 3X magnification, and the magnifier does block some peripheral view when not deployed.

Trijicon has a solid reputation for being rugged. I have used an MRO on my home defense weapon for years and swear by it. Check out our review where we tested one extensively.

I find the newer MRO SD to be an improvement on the original. Paired with the 3X magnifier, it’s a great combo that provides increased range, while taking up very little room.

For even more magnification options, check out Best Red Dot Magnifiers [Real Views].

By the Numbers

Reliability: 5/5

As mentioned, I’ve used the MRO for a decade and have only had to replace batteries in it. It has been wholly reliable and continued that performance during our test. I expect the magnifier will hold to the same standard.

Affordability: 2/5

At around $1,500, this combination is expensive when compared to other high-end dot and magnifier combos.

Looks: 4/5

In this case, form follows function. I like the simplicity of the MRO and appreciate that the magnifier, while looking a bit like an afterthought, does a great job.

Function: 5/5

The new MRO SD is a great optic, and the 3X magnifier did a great job of making my distance shots that much easier.

Overall: 4/5

Meet the Experts

At the helm of this review was Pew Pew Tactical Content Producer Sean Curtis. Sean has been shooting since childhood but really began to delve into guns more during his law enforcement career. He spent over two decades in law enforcement, where he became a POST-certified handgun instructor and NLEFIA Red Dot Instructor and received CLEFIA Advanced Firearms Instructor Training and AR-15 armorer training. He has since attended a variety of training, including Tactical Performance Center Handgun Mastery & Carbine Mastery, and earned USCCA rifle instructor certification. Aside from training and prior to joining the Pew Pew Tactical team full-time, Sean wrote for several gun publications evaluating and testing guns and gear and has written hundreds of articles.

This review was edited by Editor-in-Chief Jacki Billings, who runs Pew Pew Tactical’s experienced team of reviewers. Jacki is a member of the Society of Professional Journalists, ACES: Society for Editing, and the Professional Outdoor Media Association and has her bachelor’s degree in Mass Communications. She has worked as a media professional for close to 20 years, specializing in gun media for almost 10 years, and has worked as an editor for five years. She uses her extensive professional journalism and editing experience to set testing protocols and editorial standards.

Final Verdict

I’ve been a fan of LPVOs and the abilities they provide for some time now, though this new combo from Trijicon has me leaning in on the benefits of a simple dot and magnifier. Although the price is pretty steep, the MRO has a proven track record.

Trijicon clearly took the feedback from the original MRO/magnifier combo and made some improvements because this setup functioned well, and offered no terrible parallax.

If you’re looking for a long-lasting combo with a small footprint, look no further.

Are you picking up this capable combo? Let us know in the comments below. For even more rifle red dots, check out 11 Best Red Dot Sights [Hands-On]: Rifle, Pistol, & All Budgets!