The GPO Centuri Super Compact, in addition to being extremely small for the magnification provided, includes a host of shooter-friendly features and exceptional optics.
The GPO Centuri Super Compact, as tested, included a MIL-FFP reticle that is pretty straightforward, practical and accurate. The center X can be illuminated for improved visibility in low light.
German Precision Optics (GPO) is an American-based company that sells both German-engineered and designed optics made from German-manufactured parts. These are assembled in major offshore facilities and then returned to Germany for rigorous quality inspection. The result is top-quality German glass and mechanical systems at a working man’s price. I have had the opportunity to test several GPO scopes in the past, all retailing for less
The Centuri Super Compact 4-16x 44mm includes exposed, locking turrets. The turret caps pop up/out to make corrections, and down/in to lock those corrections. Turret travel was positive and precise.
than $1,000, but with optical quality and features comparable to much more expensive riflescopes. GPO also has a knack for offering scope configurations often missing from other brands, filling voids that appeal to serious shooters. These designs are the brainchild of GPO owner and CEO Mike Jensen, an avid big-game hunter himself.
The unique configuration in this case refers to GPO’s new Centuri Super Compact in 4-16x 44mm. This is an ultra-compact first focal plane (FFP) riflescope featuring exposed 0.10 Mil turrets with zero stop, side parallax and an illuminated MIL reticle. It is, indeed, compact. The Centuri Super Compact measures just 9.9 inches from objective to ocular lens and weighs 20 ounces (1.25 pounds). True to GPO’s enduring appeal, the Centuri Super Compact retails for approximately $630.
The GPO Centuri Super Compact magnification ring includes a wide and generously knurled surface that makes adjustment easy. Magnification powers are marked at the 4, 5, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14 and 16 positions.
Before diving into technical details, it is important to address some practical realities
Parallax adjustment on the GPO Centuri Super Compact is sandwiched inside the GPO iCONTROL illumination control wheel. The illumination system includes eight intensity settings.
resulting from the scope’s extreme compactness. Simply put, this scope is not compatible with all rifles or mounting systems. Its ultra-short main tube provides limited mounting latitude. Any long action with two-piece ring bases is likely incompatible, as the scope will not span the gap. I found this to be true on the factory-mounted two-piece bases of the short-action Mossberg Patriot Walnut I ultimately used. One-piece cantilever mounts are also unsuitable. Similarly, any classic American-style stock with a low comb that requires low rings for a solid cheek weld may create challenges. GPO markets this scope as ideal for short, ultralight tactical rifles.
Ideally, the scope should be paired with a rifle equipped with a full-length Picatinny rail and an adjustable comb, such as a modern chassis rifle. This setup should be combined with medium to high, narrow two-screw rings. The narrow ring width is important, as sufficient rearward adjustment is needed to achieve edge-to-edge viewing at higher magnifications. Despite the scope’s 3.75 inches of eye relief, I struggled to obtain a clean sight
German Precision Optics’ (GPO) Centuri Super Compact certainly lives up to its name, especially for a 4-16x 44mm configuration. This is one of the most compact riflescopes in this magnification.
picture at 16x. I managed to clear the objective over a Picatinny rail using high-medium rings, placed
The exposed elevation and windage turrets of the GPO Centuri Super Compact include 0.1-MRAD movements that correlate to the MRAD first focal plane (FFP) reticle.
the rear ring in the rearmost slot and slid the scope as far rearward as possible - still found myself craning my neck forward. Dual, rearward-offset, narrow-band rings may solve this issue. The only rings of this type I am aware of are made by Monstrum Tactical.
Aside from these mounting limitations, the Centuri Super Compact offers the classic GPO experience: crystal-clear optics and rock-solid controls.
GPO employs a proprietary Double HD objective lens system for enhanced resolution, along with GPObright high-transmission lens coatings. Together, they deliver 92 percent light transmission. Double HD refers to the process of chemically laminating multiple extra-low dispersion lenses to form a single, multilayer, high-performance optic. This reduces light reflection, enhances resolution and color contrast, minimizes aberrations and preserves image sharpness during low-light conditions. GPO’s PASSIONdrop hydrophobic lens coating fills microscopic pores and grooves on the glass, creating a smoother surface that repels water, dust and oil.
The tested reticle was a MIL First Focal Plane (FFP) design. The field of view at 100 yards ranges from 34 feet at 4x to 9 feet at 16x. The scope is sealed to be both dustproof and waterproof, with nitrogen purging to prevent internal fogging under humid conditions or drastic temperature changes.
The 44mm objective lens, Double HD lens system and GPObright high transmission lens coatings give the Centuri 4x Compact 92 percent light transmission. Given the limited mounting latitude of the Centuri, a larger objective lens wouldn’t make sense.
Elevation and windage turrets pop up for adjustment and press back down to lock. The turrets are clearly marked with UP/H and R arrows, though the tube itself lacks directional markings visible from a shooting
The Centuri 4x Compact from GPO includes a generous eye box combined with a 3.75-inch eye relief. With the right base and ring combination, this makes scope alignment nearly instantaneous.
position. The elevation turret includes a rotation indicator - a small silver plunger that rises after a full revolution to help track long-range corrections. During testing, turret-click adjustments closely matched measured impacts on paper, giving me confidence in their precision. Adjustments are made counterclockwise. Slotted screws on top and side allow the turrets to be returned to zero after sight-in. Elevation adjustment is listed at 22 MILs (80 inches), and windage at 36 MILs (100 inches), all within a 30mm main tube. The elevation turret also features a ZeroStop locking reset.
The fast-focus ocular ring is marked with +/– indicators and brings the reticle into sharp clarity. The left-side parallax knob - marked from 10 yards to infinity - is positioned below the illumination dial. The 4x to 16x magnification ring includes a detachable throw lever that clamps onto a raised ridge between the 8x and 10x marks. The reticle illumination features GPO’s iCONTROL system, providing visible aiming in the dimmest or brightest conditions. All control surfaces are knurled in staggered columns, offering excellent grip without being abrasive. Out of the box, the controls felt stiff, though this will likely ease with use.
The Centuri Super Compact ships with see-through lens covers, rubber bikini-style tethers, a microfiber cleaning cloth, a CR2032 battery, a ZeroStop adjustment tool and an instruction manual.
Its compactness is undeniably appealing. However, my own mounting difficulties serve as a cautionary tale. A customer might eagerly purchase this scope only to find their favorite rifle incompatible. This is an exceptional optic, no doubt, but potential buyers should bring their rifle to a dealer and verify compatibility with available mounting systems before making a purchase. Learn more at GPO-USA.com.
