If you have limited time and do not wish to go through this whole article, then I would highly recommend the Xopin AR15 tactical scope.
This is the ultimate guide to choosing the best tactical scope for the money in 2018.
And let us be clear about something:
I have not randomly chosen 10 scopes just for the sake of filling this article. I have chosen tactical scopes for people with a limited budget and the not so limited budget. I will also look at the following:
- Magnification
- Reticle colors and options
- Mounting
- Windage & elevation knobs
- Night vision
- Automatic ballistic calculators
- Built-in rangefinders.
Let’s dive right in…
Tactical Scope Buying Guide For Beginners
If you are brand new to tactical or even hunting scopes, then you need to read this guide as this guide might save you a ton of trouble.
There are just so many different types of scopes out there and if you do not know what is available, then you are missing out.
Why I am saying this is because there is a long list of features that you might want to know about. Some of these features might include colored reticles, laser, built-in rangefinders, video recorder and also night vision.
I will also go through very important and fundamental information such as the magnification and rail mounting.
1. What can you expect when it comes to the price tag
Well, there is actually a lot of things to absorb when it comes to the price tag. For instance, the least expensive flashlight is just above $40 while the most expensive one can reach up to $4000.
I mean that is a gigantic jump which is almost 100 times more expensive than the first mentioned price.
I know that the majority of people will never be able to afford the most expensive scope, but I know that there are some people that might like to know more about what makes those scopes “tick”.
If you are short on a budget and you would like to know more about the least expensive option, then I would highly recommend the CVLIFE scopes as it was the least expensive option in this article.
If you have a more flexible budget and you would like to get your hand on the best night vision scope out there, then I would recommend the Armasight Vulcan 6X which is a night vision scope (and also the most expensive).
2. The magnification of the scope
The lenses inside of the scope will give it the ability to zoom into your target. This is also what scopes are known for why you are reading this article in the first place.
Let us talk about some of the numbers.
I think it is best for me to explain this by giving you an example. The example I am going to use is from the scope Vortex Optics Diamondback which has a magnification spec of “4-12×40”.
The 4-12x is the magnification capability and the 40 stands for the objective lens diameter in mm. Usually, when a scope has 2 numbers before the “x” it will have 2 zooming options.
The first is the “4” and the second option is the “12”. The 4 stands for 4 times normal view magnification while the 12 stands for 12 times normal magnification.
If you like to hunt very long distances and you would like to have a scope that has a huge magnification, then I would highly recommend the Millett LRS-1 as this scope can zoom up to 25 times normal view.
3. How the scope will be attached to your rifle
This is a very important factor that you need to consider before buying a scope. For a scope to be attached to your rifle, you need to consider 2 things which are the attachment rings and the rails.
The attachment rings will be “middleman” between the scope and the rails.
The are many different sizes of the attachment rings and this will all depend on how thick the tube of the scope is. If the tube is 1-inch, then you might want to use a 1-inch attachment ring as well.
Most of the times you will need 2 rings that will attach to the nearest and furthermost sides of the shaft (depending on whether it is a Weaver or Picatinny rail.
It is also important to note that Weaver and Picatinny rails are very similar in design and most of the times a ring that can fit on a Weaver rail will also be able to fit on a Picatinny rail but not the same can be said about the Picatinny.
Both of these types of rails will have recoil grooves which stops the scope from moving along the rail after each shot. The only difference between the 2 will be the spacing of these grooves.
4. The type of materials used to make the hull of the scope
Most of the time aircraft grade Aluminium will be used to manufacture the hull of these scopes. It is very important to have a material that is strong, lightweight and also shock resistant.
Some of the times the scope will also be covered with some type of rubber which will also help against scratches and shock and will also make it water and fog proof.
5. Will you need to constantly recalibrate the scope
Almost all of the scopes will not need to be recalibrated on a constant basis. When you shoot, your weapon will create recoil where the shock of that recoil might shake the scope up a bit.
This constant shaking of the scope will also make it less accurate for a given distance over time and you might have to zero the scope in order to calibrate it.
I personally do not have a problem zeroing my scope and it is kind of fun to do this. For some people, it is a nightmare and if you are the type of person that hates the zeroing process and you do not want to do this before every hunting trip, then I would highly recommend the UTG BugBuster which is known for its True Strength (TS) platform.
6. Multiple colored reticles
Some of the scopes also come with an option where you can change the color of the reticle on the spot. Most of the times the scopes will only have 3 colored reticles which will include Black, Green, and Red.
Where this would help a lot is when the color of the image that you see through your scope has the same contrast as that of your crosshair.
When you are in this situation, you might want to change the color of the reticle will make it stand out. One of the scopes that have this option is the Xopin AR15 scope which has 3 colors.
7. Every scope must be able to adjust for windage and elevation
This is just one of those things that you cannot get passed and if a scope does not have the ability to change the reticle according to the windage and elevation, then I would not consider it a tactical scope.
Windage has a huge role to especially when you shoot long distances which might make you miss the target completely.
8. Does it have a laser?
Some tactical scopes will also have a laser attached to it in order to aim better when you are not in a position to correctly aim at your target.
There are currently 2 scopes in this review that has this ability and they are the Xopin AR15 and also the CVLIFE.
9. Let us talk about night vision.
Night vision gives you the ability to see at night without having to use an external light source. What makes this so special is that you can see someone while they cannot see you.
This will give you a huge advantage when hunting wild pigs at night.
They might be able to smell or hear you but they won’t be able to see you. If you would like to have the advantage to hunt at night with night vision, then I would highly suggest 2 scopes to you.
The first one is the ATN X-Sight II which is also the least expensive night vision scope while the second one which is the Armasight Vulcan 6X that is much more expensive and also has a much better quality image and night vision.
10. Some scopes can even help with finding range and ballistics
If you are an experienced marksman, then you will already know that ballistics and the range of your target will go hand in hand.
In short, the term ballistics refers to the science of the travel of a projectile in flight. If you would like to land the perfect shot, then you need to know your ballistics.
You will need to take the distance, elevation, windage, weight of the bullet, temperature, air pressure and sometimes even the turning of the planet (if you have ever watched the movie Shooter).
There are currently only 2 scopes in this review that can somewhat calculate the distance and help to indicate bullet drop.
The first scope is also the least expensive option and is the Monstrum Tactical which uses an AO lens which stands for Adjustable Objective while the second scope is the ATN X-Sight II which has a built-in rangefinder and is also more expensive than the first option.
11. Some scopes can even record your shots
Yes, you heard right.
There are actually scopes that can record all of those breathtaking moments before, after and during each and every shot you make.
Just imagine going to the hunting lodge after each hunt on to replay the shot that you took to get that trophy animal on its knees.
This is where I would like to introduce to you the ATN X-Sight II which also has night vision as well.
Next, let us compare some of the best scopes that you can find on the market:
#1 Xopin AR15 Tactical Scope (Top Pick)
If you are not interested in only a scope but you would like to have more features available to you, then I would highly recommend the AR15 tactical scope from XOPin.
This scope only comes in the color Black and has a 4-16x50EG magnification.
This scope can be used on the 22, 11mm Weaver/Picatinny rail mount and I am not sure if it will fit into other types of rails.
The AR5 tactical combo scope is one of the most versatile scopes that you can find and is not bad for the price that you pay. It comes with the following:
- Red dot sight.
- Normal 4-16x magnification scope.
- Green laser sight.
- Flashlight etc.
The scope is also not that expensive and might cost you less than $100.
More info on the features:
- Made out of very strong and lightweight material. The scope is made out of T6061 Aluminium which is a very strong and lightweight metal.
- It is also more accurate. It is also 1200G shockproof type scope that can resist most of the shock which can help to make the accuracy more consistent.
- Multiple colored reticles. The reticle is also illuminated with green or red that can help you to shoot in darker areas.
- Can be adjusted for elevation and windage. It also has a Windage and Elevation knobs that have a 1/4′ click value at 100 yards.
- Is also fog resistant. The lens is also coated to help against fog and it makes the scope more waterproof. There nothing worse than having any type of moisture inside of your scope.
- It has a flashlight attached. On the left side of the scope, you will find a LED flashlight that has 5 modes which include low, medium, high, SOS and strobe. The flashlight is great for when hunting in the dark.
- It also has a laser. On the righthand side of the scope, you will find a green laser which can reach a distance of between 200m-500m. The green laser can also be detached or switched off.
- Has a Red/Green dot sight. This dot sight has a field of view of 15.8 meters at 100 yards. It comes in the colors green and red plus the brightness can also be controlled.
I think that this is a perfect scope that can also do a lot of things. The only problem that I had was that this scope might come forth as being too bulky for some people.
Luckily you can of some of the extra accessories that are not needed.
What we liked
What We Didn’t Like
>> Check Price And Availability <<
#2 CVLIFE Scope (Least Expensive)
If the Xopin AR15 was too expensive for you and you would like to have a less expensive option then I would highly recommend the CVLIFE tactical scope.
This scope is colored black and has a smooth texture to it. It also has a red laser on the left-hand side.
This scope has a magnification of 2.5-10x normal view and can also be attached to a 20mm or 11mm weaver dovetail rail.
If I have to mention anything regarding the price, all I can say is that it is least expensive option in this article.
More info on the features:
- Has a wide field of view. At a distance of 100 yards, it will have a FOV of 32.5′ at 2.5 times normal view and 8.9′ at 10 times normal view. Keep in mind that the magnification is set to 2.5 times and 10 times normal view.
- Can adjust the color of the reticle. The color of the reticle can also be illuminated to green and red. This is useful for when you want to change the contrast of the reticle on your target to make it more visible.
- Can adjust the elevation and windage. This scope also has the basic elevation and windage adjustments and also a Kellner eyepiece for a clearer view.
- Comes with a laser on the side. The scope also has a red laser on the right-hand side of the shaft. This laser can easily reach a distance of up to 100 yards.
- Made out of durable and lightweight material. This scope is made out of aircraft grade aluminum which is both strong, durable and lightweight.
I think that this is a perfect scope to start out with especially for when you are short on a budget.
What we liked
What We Didn’t Like
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#3 ATN X-Sight II
If you are someone that is serious about hunting or you own a game lodge, then this scope will be a very good investment.
Let me explain why:
It has a day/night mode, rangefinder, ballistic calculator and also an HD video recorder.
How nice would it be if you could let your clients watch their own shots after the hunt while sipping on a tumbler glass of whiskey?
Also, keep in mind that this scope will come at a price.
This scope also has a magnification of 3-14x/50mm and this scope can also be mounted on a 22mm Picatinny rail.
More on some of the awesome features:
- Very good magnification. This scope has a 3 and 14x magnification where you can adjust your zoom very smoothly.
- Can also be used at night. This scope also has night vision in HD which makes it easy to use at night. Keep in mind that this scope is also a digital scope.
- Has a rangefinder with a ballistics calculator. The scope also comes with a built-in rangefinder where you can easily calculate the range with 2 clicks. Along with the rangefinder, your scope will also calculate the drop with its built-in ballistics calculator. Just make sure to enter the environmental data beforehand.
- Has a compatible controller. You will also get an X-Trac remote control that will enable you to adjust the rangefinder and ballistic calculator. This is a very useful tool for the ranger to help one of the hunters to land a perfect shot.
- Can record your favorite moments. Along with an SD card, you will have the ability to capture those adrenaline rushing moments.
This is one of my favorite scopes and is also ideal for any type of big game hunter.
If you own a game lodge and you would like to take hunters out on a hunting trip, then this scope would be one of the best investments that you could ever make.
What we liked
What We Didn’t Like
>> Check Price And Availability <<
#4 UTG BugBuster
When it comes to long-lasting reliability then I must give it to the UTG scope.
If you would like to have your hands on a scope that is very reliable and will not lose its accuracy after a couple of shots then I should recommend this scope.
The scope did not have any other fancy features such as a laser, rangefinder or a ballistic calculator but instead, it has a Smart Spherical Structure or SSS for short that helps the scope to retain its accuracy after each shot.
The magnification is also 3-9X32 normal view and can also fit on any Picatinny and Weaver rail.
When it comes to the price then I can say that this scope is in the same price range as the Xopin AR 15.
More info on the features:
- Has mil-dots on each side of the reticle. The reticle also has 9 mil-dots on both the horizontal and vertical direction as well.
- The reticle can also change color. The reticle also has a red and green reticle illumination. This works best if you want to have your reticle stand out if the colors get mixed up.
- It is also shock, fog, and rain proof. The scope is also filled with nitrogen and is also shock, fog, and rainproof which gives it better durability.
- The scope very very reliable. The heart of the scope is its True Strength (TS) platform. This design makes the scope very reliable because the recoil after each shot can make it less accurate. With this scope, it is less likely to occur.
- Can adjust the scope for windage and elevation. The turrets are also re-setting and lockable which enable you to accurately adjust the scope for the elevation and windage.
- Can adjust the reticle brightness. On the side of the scope, there is also a wheel where you can adjust the brightness of the reticle when you have changed it to either green or red.
This scope does not have any of the other fancy features but instead, it focused on doing one thing right and that is the reliability of the scope under pressure.
What we liked
What We Didn’t Like
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#5 Dagger Defense Red Dot
I am aware that this article based on more traditional scopes and not really reflex sights. I think it is important to include at least one reflex sight for those that are interested in close quarters shooting.
This scope can be mounted on a Picatinny rail.
When it comes to the price I would like to say that this scope is very inexpensive and is in the same price range as that of the CVLIFE scope.
Some of the features:
- Good quality material. This scope is made out of aircraft grade aluminum which is both strong and lightweight. This will not make your rifle bulkier and heavier than it already is.
- Multiple color dot. This reflex sight has a green and also a red dot sight which can be changed according to your personal preference.
- Ideal field of view. This scope has a FOV of almost 16m at 100 yards. This is ideal for close quarters which is not too narrow and not too wide.
Overall, I think this is the best reflex sight for most weapons to be used at close quarters.
What we liked
What We Didn’t Like
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#6 Monstrum Tactical
If you would like to have a scope that is very simple and can also help to find the appropriate range, then you need to have a look at the Monstrum Tactical AO lens scope.
An AO lens stands for “Adjustable Objective” lens which can also indicate the distance of your target (will get to that part later in this section).
This scope also comes in the colors black and flat dark earth and is also in the same price range as the Xopin AR15 and the UTG Bug Buster.
This scope also has a magnification of 3-9×32 and can be attached to any flat top Picatinny or Weaver rail rifle.
More info on the features:
- Can estimate the range. With the AO ring located on the scope, you can adjust the ring until you have a sharper focus on your target. Once the focus on your target is sharp enough, you will notice that the appropriate range of your target will also be visible. The marking that is made visible on the verticle line below the reticle will indicate the distance of your target in yards.
- Can somewhat estimate the bullet drop. The same marking that will indicate the distance will also be relevant to the bullet drop as well. Keep in mind that this bullet drop will not be the same for every rifle.
- Can change reticle color and brightness. The reticle color can be changed to both green or red. The brightness can also be changed where you will have 5 brightness levels. This will enable better reticle visibility during night times.
- Durable and lightweight. This scope is made out of aircraft grade 6061 aluminum which is very lightweight but does not sacrifice durability.
- Can adjust reticle according to windage and elevation. By turning the 1/4 MOA/click dials you can adjust the reticle according to the windage and elevation.
If you would like to get your hands on a very simple scope that can do what most other scopes cannot do, then this is the scope for you.
What we liked
What We Didn’t Like
>> Check Price And Availability <<
#7 Millett LRS-1
If you would like to have a long range scope that can zoom up to 25 times normal view, then you might want to get your hands on this scope from Millett.
This scope has a magnification of 6-25x normal view and also comes with 35mm rings that can be used on most Picatinny rails.
This scope also comes in the color black and is also in the same price range as the ATN X-Sight II scope.
Let us get to some of the features:
- Very clear reticle that is also illuminated. This scope has a Mil-DotBar reticle which is also illuminated. This will help you to see the reticle even when it gets darker.
- Will focus a lot of light into the scope. This scope also has a 56mm objective lens that will help to focus a lot of light into the scope. This will help you to see a much clearer image than most other scopes.
- Comes with 35mm mounting rings. Because the tube of the scope is 35mm in diameter, you will also get 35mm mounting rings with it. These rings are crucial in mounting the scope to the rail.
- Can zoom very far. This scope has a magnification of 6-25×56 which is also the highest magnification of all the scopes in this article.
- Will not lose its accuracy. This scope is also computer tested under heavy recoil which will help it to retain its zeroing capabilities so that you do not need to constantly recalibrate your scope.
- Is also fog proof. This scope also has fog proof capabilities which will help it to keep out any type of moisture.
If you like to hunt from far and you would also like to have a very simple scope, then this scope is for you. Also, keep in mind that it is also somewhat expensive as well.
What we liked
What We Didn’t Like
>> Check Price And Availability <<
#8 Trijicon ACOG
If you have ever wondered which scopes the military used during the Afghanistan war and you would also like to have a taste of how these scopes perform, then I would like to introduce to you the Trijicon ACOG.
All of their scopes also come with a tritium bases reticle that comes in the colors Amber, Green, and Red.
This scope also has a magnification of 3.5×35 normal view and recommends the TA70 mount and also the Cluster Rail system.
When it comes to the price, it is important to note that this scope is very high tech and it is very rare to find one that costs less than $1000. These scopes are for the serious marksmen.
More info on the features:
- Almost indestructible material. The hull of this scope is made out of 7075-T6 aircraft-aluminum-alloy which is a very durable and also lightweight material.
- Can calculate bullet drop. The reticle will also allow for bullet drop compensation for up to 1200 meters. Just make sure that the scope is calibrated for the specific weapon.
- The reticle is illuminated. What really stood out for me with this scope was that it has a small silicon stick which holds the tritium which is a glow in the dark liquid. Because this “stick” is exposed, it will automatically charge the tritium which means this scope will never need batteries. This will also allow the reticle to automatically adjust its brightness according to the lighting conditions.
- Can be used on multiple rifles. The best rifles/ammo to use these scope is with the “.308”, “.223″ and the”5.56”. Some of the scopes will already be calibrated for a specific rifle but if you wish to put your scope on another rifle, then you need to re-calibrate it.
- Different types of reticles. The reticle will heavily depend on the prism that is being used inside of the scope. It is highly advised to choose the right scope beforehand because if you want to have a different reticle, you might have to replace the prism. The reticles that will be included are the Chevron, Crosshair, Doughnut, Horseshoe, Circle/Chevron, and Triangle.
It is important to note that these scopes have a magnification of 3.5×35 which is not made for very long range shooting. This is ideal for short/medium range shooting.
What we liked
What We Didn’t Like
>> Check Price And Availability <<
#9 Armasight Vulcan 6X (Best for night vission)
If you are serious about getting a high-performance night vision scope then I would highly recommend the Armasight Vulcan tactical scope.
This scope is very similar to the ATN X-Sight II but only more advanced and specifically made for night hunting.
This scope has a magnification of 6x and can also be mounted to standard Weaver or Picatinny rails. It is also important to note that this scope is also rubber coated for added protection against scratches and shock.
What I would also like to add is that this scope is very expensive and but at least it costs less than $5000 per scope.
If you like to hunt pigs at night, then you might want to watch the video below on how this scope is used. If you are sensitive to animal hunting then I would not advise you to watch this video:
More info on the features:
- This scope has night vision. This scope also a pure night vision scope and keep in mind that it is not some sort of night vision addon to a scope. This is what also makes it so expensive.
- Illuminated reticle. This scope also comes with an illuminated red cross mil-dot reticle that can also be adjusted to be as bright as you want.
- Magnifies x6 normal view. This scope only has 1 magnification option and that is the 6x magnification. There are also 2 other Vulcan scope options such as the Vulcan 4.5x and 8x magnification which needs to be bought separately.
- Also makes use of eye relief. This scope makes the use of a 45mm eye relief. This is some sort of a rubber attachment to the opening lens that protects your eye when shooting,
- Is also waterproof. This scope is also waterproof and even further improved with the rubber coating. This will enable you to shoot outside during rainfall.
- Has an elevation and windage adjustment. This scope makes use of a 12 SOA adjustment that will bring the windage and the elevation into consideration while shooting.
- Battery operated with long battery life. Because this scope is a night vision scope, it will make the use of batteries. This scope can use 1 CR123 3V lithium battery or an AA Alkaline 1.5V. It also has a battery life of up to 50 hours.
- It Is shock protected. The lens is also protected against any type of shock that might sabotage the accuracy of the scope.
- It has a bright light cut-off cover. When you are shooting during the day and you want to limit the amount of light going through the lens of the scope, you can then attach the cover which has a small hole in which to see through.
- Also comes with a wireless remote control. If you are hunting with someone and you do not have the ability to shoot and adjust the scope, then your teammate can do that with the remote.
- Can manually adjust the focus. The focus can also be manually adjusted for when you want to have a clearer image of the target.
And that is it for this scope. I think that this is the ideal scope for when you want to hunt at night.
What we liked
What We Didn’t Like
>> Check Price And Availability <<
#10 Vortex Optics Diamondback Tactical
If you would like to have a simple rifle scope that is also very high quality, then I would recommend the Vortex Optics Diamondback scope.
This scope only comes in the color black and has a magnification of 4-12×40 normal view. The only problem with this scope is it does not come with any attachment rings and they need to be bought separately.
This scope has a 1-inch tube so you will also need a 1-inch ring to go with that tube. Most of these rings can fit on a Picatinny rail.
Another thing to note is that this scope can be expensive but not as expensive as that of some of the other scopes in this article.
This scope is also in the same price range as the Millett LRS-1 and can even be less expensive.
Some of the features worth considering:
- Water and fog proof. This scope is filled with nitrogen gas which gives it anti-moisture capabilities. This scope will also avoid any type of leakage which might result in the malfunctioning of this product. The lenses are also fog proof which will give you a clearer image after it was exposed to fog.
- Is also shockproof. It is very important for tactical scopes to also be shock resistant and let me tell you why. When the scope is exposed to shock, the “mechanics” that keep the lenses and reticles together will need to be recalibrated. Most of your cheaper scopes will then need to be recalibrated in order to “zero” your reticle again.
- Is also anti-reflective. With the help of proprietary coatings, the lenses will be non-reflective which will also allow more light to pass into the scope.
- Can adjust to compensate windage and elevation. This scope also has 2 turrets that can be turned to adjust your reticle to windage and elevation.
It is a very nice scope that can do the job when in the hands of a skilled marksman. It is also very important to note that this scope does not come with any type of attachment rings.
What we liked
What We Didn’t Like
>> Check Price And Availability <<
Tactical Scope Comparison Table
Product Name | Magnification | Mounting | Price |
1. Xopin AR15 (Top Pick) | 4-16x | Weaver/Picatinny rail mount | $$ |
2. CVLIFE (Least Expensive) | 2.5-10x | Weaver Dovetail rail mount | $ |
3. ATN X-Sight II (night vision & video recording) | 3-14x | 22mm Picatinny rail | $$$ |
4. UTG BugBuster | 3-9X | Picatinny and Weaver rail | $$ |
5. Dagger Defense (Best Reflex Sight) | N/A | Picatinny rail | $ |
6. Monstrum Tactical | 3-9× | Picatinny or Weaver rail | $$ |
7. Millett LRS-1 | 6-25x | Picatinny rails | $$$ |
8. Trijicon ACOG | 3.5x | TA70 mount & Cluster Rail System | $$$$ |
9. Armasight Vulcan 6X (Best for night vision) | 6x | Standard Weaver & Picatinny rails | $$$$$ |
10. Vortex Optics Diamondback | 4-12× | Picatinny rail (Attachment rings not included) | $$$ |
Final word
You’ve read about the 10 best tactical scopes that you can find online. If you are still unsure about which one to take and you also have a limited budget, then I would recommend the AR15 Tactical Rifle Scope Combo because its price is the best for what you are getting.
Now it is up to you.
What was your favorite tactical scope and why?
If I have missed any type of scope that is worth mentioning, then please submit the name in the comment section below. If you are not that interested in the scopes that we have reviewed, then head over to the tactical accessories page for more info.
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michael j lisbona says
Wow, extremely thorough post! Thanks for all the great information!
Norman says
Thanks for the product review. My initial reaction, after going through the options several times, was to lean towards the UTG BugBuster. I particularly iiked the reliability of the scope in maintaining accuracy despite repeated recoils. However, when I realized that the price is pretty much the same as that of the Xopin AR-15, then I decided that this was my preferred scope. It has more features yet it doesn’t seem to sacrifice reliability either. It seems like a scope I could evolve with as a marksman.
Thanks again, and all the best,
Norman