Frenzy-S 1x17x20 Red Dot Sight Aspheric Lens (SCRD-68) Review

Here is the review of Frenzy-S 1x17x20 Red Dot Sight Aspheric Lens (SCRD-68) from Csaba Zoltán Laboncz.

Vector Optics's True "Instant" Red Dot. Why do I call it that? Because it's exactly like instant coffee — a 3-in-1 solution!

I was eagerly anticipating this optic, as it’s perfectly suited for one of my secondary pistols. Specifically, due to the slide design, it’s a perfect fit for the CZ P09 Nocturne model, as it features the necessary hole and pin for mounting. Another reason for my excitement was that I had never tried such a closed, dual-lens optic on a pistol before.

When I opened the package, it came in the familiar, modern Vector packaging: the new type of box, the carbine-like tool, the VIP warranty card, screws for installation (several types), a mounting adapter for a Weaver rail, and the optic itself. It was a sleek and solid package.

The first thing that caught my attention was the size of the optic. Fortunately, I have experience testing both large, competition-focused optics and smaller, standard-use optics, and I have also tried self-defense devices. This red dot falls between the small and medium-sized optics. The housing size is more in line with smaller optics, but Vector managed to make the frame so thin that the lens size is still acceptable and comparable to that of standard-sized optics. The frame is thin yet stable — I didn’t hold back during testing, and it performed flawlessly. Speaking of lenses, this optic features two lenses, which is rare among pistol red dots. This means there’s a normal optical lens on the dot, which is also aspheric, and a secondary protective lens on the rear side of the viewing area, making the system "closed." This design better meets the requirements of modern devices, as it prevents dirt from getting between the projector and the lens. Therefore, it remains usable in rainy, sandy, or muddy environments.

I’ve already made a video regarding the mounting. However, one thing I think is worth mentioning is the footprint — the standard alignment pins and screw placement for mounting the red dot. Instead of the more common RMR mounting pattern, this optic uses the more recent and widely sought-after RMSc mount, which Vector calls the MGT. This mount design allows for the optic to remain compact and mount directly onto many firearms.

Vector has also improved the brightness of the red dot. I used it on a sunny day, and you can see in the video that even at 50 meters, the metal target rang clearly. It has 9 daytime and 2 night vision brightness settings. If you forget to turn it off, there’s no problem, as it has a motion sensor that will automatically turn it off if left idle. When you pick it up again, it will turn on by itself. Practical and useful.

On the left side of the optic, there are two buttons with arrows. The size is just right, and they have a high-quality, rubberized coating. Pressing them gives a tactile feedback with a click. To turn off the optic, hold the down arrow. You can also adjust the brightness using these two buttons. What I really like is the fine adjustment of the windage and elevation screws. They allow for very precise adjustments, the screws are clearly visible, and the adjustment tool fits very smoothly. The "clicks" during adjustments are outstanding, something that even some high-end competitors (cough, yes Shield, I’m looking at you) might envy.

The battery can be inserted from the side, as is common with newer Vector models, so you don’t need to remove the optic from the firearm to change the battery. It uses a smaller CR1620 battery.

The material is the proven 7075-T6 aluminum, which has set a high standard in the firearms, aerospace, and even space industries. Modern firearm receivers are also made from this material. It has an IP67 waterproof rating and can withstand forces of up to 1500G, making it resistant to the recoil of firearms.

I thought a lot about what the main role of this optic would be in the market, and I concluded that they’ve managed to create a red dot that performs excellently in every area. For target shooting, the 3 MOA red dot is flawless, and the lens is perfect as well. For self-defense, it stands out due to its size and the closed system, making it more reliable against contaminants or objects obstructing the projector, which can be critical in a real-world situation. In dynamic shooting, there might be a slight disadvantage compared to larger-window optics designed specifically for this sport, especially when paired with a larger, 6 MOA dot. The nature of the sport demands the fastest shooter, and in that context, larger optics allow for quicker target transitions and hits without requiring perfect dot placement. However, for an experienced shooter, this optic can still be perfectly suitable for tackling a competition at a high level without the need for those extra-large sizes.

The rear of the housing features a rear sight, allowing it to be used in a so-called "Co-witness" setup with iron sights on certain optics where the rear sight disappears when the optic is mounted.

In terms of design, it delivers the expected quality with elegant curves and well-executed angles where needed.

It’s also worth noting that, like all higher-end Vector products, this optic comes with a VIP warranty, which covers the lifetime of the optic. The warranty card is inside the box and must be registered on the website.

What makes this red dot even more attractive compared to competitors is the price. As of March 2025, its European price is 220 Euros, which is half the price of similar products from other manufacturers.

I can only highly recommend this optic, as it offers outstanding performance with excellent specifications.

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