Expert Review Works as advertised, long range product only, parallax issues at close range - TRYBE Optics Enhancer Scope Magnification Doubler w/ Tube Mount

I reviewed this as GB in 2019 when I had it on an older Vortex 1-6 Strike Eagle. I was very happy with it on that optic, but wanted to use it with a TRYBE SLED 1-8x24 now on a different gun. Since the optic is "timed" to the mount with a witness mark, I was not able to buy an extra mount only and swap the optic from scope to scope, but oh well.
The 1-8 SLED is mounted on what is labeled #1, since it was the first of a series of TRYBE builds I started last year. It's a TRYBE complete upper in 5.56 with a heavy barrel, black nitride finish and A2 flash hider. #1 became a favorite of my range invitees over the last couple of years, with no prompting from me. And there's a lot to choose from on one of our range visits. I'll review that upper on the appropriate page.
The Enhancer is heavy and appears to be a quality product in your hand. It's beautifully made and sophisticated-looking. I unscrewed the two pieces of the Enhancer and slid the nice-looking mount precisely over the circumference of the scope tube without scratching until the very front of the scope abutted against a shoulder in the ID of the mount. Perfectly. I snugged the 4 mount screws with the included hex wrench. Snugged.
#1 was already sighted in at 50 yards with either green tip or XM193, both of which we have a lot of. #1 is a gun I give right away to my range invitees because it's easy to shoot with the 1-8, especially for new or newer shooters, whom I take out a lot. BUT, it's hard to shoot tiny groups at longer distances like 100 yards with only 6x magnification, or at least for me.
This is where the Enhancer shines.
NOTE: When you install the doubler, it will change your point of impact. SO, the Enhancer has its own elevation and windage adjustments. IT ALSO HAS A SET SCREW TO LOCK THE TURRETS! Pay attention, read the destruction manual first. Unlock the tiny set screw with the included tiny wrench before you sight in. When done, lightly snug the set screw to ensure a solid zero under recoil and bumps.
The key for me is a laser boresighter. I boresighted the doubler before I went to the range. I love the excellent Sightmark rechargeable Accudot cartridge type boresighters that activate upon chambering. With this in place, I screwed on the optical part of the Enhancer onto the mount part until the witness marks lined up and I aw where I needed to move the adjustments on the enhancer to put my crosshair over the laser dot.
Across the shop at about 25 yards I was a couple feet high and to the left. I made sure the set screw was unlocked and inserted a penny (also comes with, wth?)in to the adjustment slots and uneventfully moved the friction dial to where I needed.
Removed boresight, shot one round at the range, moved a bit, shot, a bit more, and I was sighted in. My groups shrunk magically. I unscrewed and reinstalled and shot again and again into the same tiny group.
This thing really works! It's a gorgeous quality optical product that increases your accuracy through magnification. Now I have a 2-16x scope, and that blows my mind.
BUT it's not perfect. Parallax is greatly affected. For instance, most 1-6 and 1-8 scopes have parallax set at 100 yards. When shooting at closer distances, parallax may affect focus so much that you can not see your target clearly. In example, and in general, a 1-8 scope will not allow you a perfectly clear focus at 25 yards at 8x. With the doubler at that distance, it is really not useable with your scope set at 4x or above. So the doubler does not perform well at closer distances, or for that matter in low light, since the exit pupil reaching your eye is half the size it was also.
Without using a laser boresight first, sighting in could have turned into a real waste of time and ammo. Luckily both installations were uneventful.
Also, my TRYBE SLED 1-8 scope has BDC lines that are not linear like a MIL or MOA reticle. They are spaced differently for the 223ish and 308ish cartridges at certain distances. With the doubler making your scope 2x more powerful, the non-linear lines no longer line up correctly so you're not able to range with accuracy. If someone was using MILs or MOA and was smarter that me (not saying much), I'm sure they could figure it out. I use it for group sizes at the range, so I'm not too worried about using it to the potential some may see in it in different scenarios.
Anyway, it installed twice on two different platforms really well, adjusted perfectly and stayed where I set it, even after regularly forgetting to snug the set screw for the adjustments.
Brilliant idea, works as advertised, very happy with it and my range peeps think it's amazing. Lovely chunk of glass.