Quick verdict
- A ~40 mm riser lets you keep your head up with helmet, mask and goggles on.
- The matched set aligns the red dot perfectly with the magnifier.
- Align the magnifier carefully before tightening – it is easy to get it slightly off.
- Budget metal clones of Unity mounts do the job well for airsoft.
Watch the video
Finally, a riser that is high enough and works for me. I upgraded my Vector Optics Maverick red dot and 3x magnifier with a Unity-style FAST mount set – and the matched kit makes the red dot line up perfectly with the magnifier.
Why a taller mount?
With a helmet, mesh mask and goggles on, a standard low mount forces you to crush your face onto the stock. A taller riser – the Unity-style FAST mount is around 40 mm – lets you keep your head up in a natural position. On my rifle it also lets me see over the scope camera.
What’s in the kit
- Scope (red dot) mount base with its own tools and hardware
- Magnifier mount base, packed the same way, with a mounting tool that works really well
Two solid pieces of metal that will definitely get the job done – and these are budget options.
Optics I use
| Red dot | Vector Optics Maverick 1x22 SOP (SCRD-39) |
|---|---|
| Magnifier | Vector Optics Maverick-III 3x22 (SCMF-32) |
| Mount height | About 40 mm (Unity FAST-style) |
Installation
- Remove the old mounts from the replica.
- Separate the red dot from the old mount and install it on the new, noticeably taller Unity mount. Everything matched perfectly.
- Remove the old short mount from the Maverick magnifier and fit the new magnifier base.
- Carefully align the mount and the magnifier – otherwise you’ll end up redoing it a couple of times, like me.
- Install both mounts on the rail and check the dot sits centred in the magnifier.
Verdict
- Pros: heads-up shooting position with full face protection, red dot and magnifier perfectly aligned, solid metal, budget price, clears a scope cam.
- Cons: alignment of the magnifier takes care; budget clones, not original Unity Tactical.
I’m really impressed with the upgrade over my old mounts. See the whole rifle in my camera rifle setup.
Gear in this article
Unity-Style FAST Riser Mounts (Red Dot + Magnifier)
Finally a riser that is high enough: about 40 mm tall, so I get a heads-up position with helmet, mask and goggles on. The matched set keeps the red dot and magnifier perfectly aligned. Two solid pieces of metal at a budget price.
Vector Optics Maverick 1x22 SOP Red Dot (SCRD-39)
Budget red dot that holds zero well. I run it on a tall riser so it lines up with the magnifier and sits above the scope cam.
Vector Optics Maverick-III 3x22 Magnifier (SCMF-32)
Flip-to-side 3x magnifier behind the red dot for spotting players at distance – flip it away for CQB.
Airsoft player, YouTuber, photographer & software developer. I film my games and gear tests for the GFA Airsoft YouTube channel and write about the gear and lessons that make a difference on the field.
