One of the benefits of a red dot + magnifier is it's weight and modularity. - Vortex SPARC Solar 1x31 mm 2 MOA Red Dot Sight

I got this with the 6x magnifier and it takes up less realestate than a 6x variable scope. But, you can quickly swap between 1x and 6x. You can also quick detatch the magnifier and store it on your vest. It's also about 20-30% lighter. Overall, it's the best system for most situations for under $1000. However, there are some downsides to this setup. The SPARC's red dot does not last as long as they claim. Don't leave this on in your safe, it won't be there when you need it. Also, there's not QD for the red dot sight. If I want to swap between thermal and this sight, that takes specialized tools. IMHO, all sites need QD, and I wouldn't mind it if all attachments had QD as well.