But since 1949, Swarovski Optik , headquartered in Absam, Austria, has specialized in the manufacturing of optical instruments. It comes with 3-9x magnification, and the objective lens is 32 millimeters. Burris considers themselves specialists when it comes to making rifle scopes. Below are three of the different types of scopes, and they are the most common scopes on the market. The Kahles scopes I've used are very impressive. Slim, sturdy, reliable rifle scope which stands out for its lightweight design and incredible optics. One question that often gets asked at the Outdoorsmans headquarters is, Are high end optics worth the investment? The answer of course is yes, but I interviewed Cody Nelson from the Outdoorsmans so everyone would understand why high end optics are worth the money. Probably in the $1500+ range & spend the extra on bino/ spotter! . It is a functional, capable confluence of optical and electronic engineering. They vow that they only employ the most passionate and knowledgeable engineers to manufacture their products. The majority of rifle users want the best scope for their rifle in order to help with whatever it is they are hunting. We especially like the APRS1 reticle, a Christmas-tree style reticle with .2 mil hash marks and 6 mils of references in any direction from the center aiming point. Thanks to its high-precision optics and graceful design, the Z3 3-1042 exhibits a slim construction and close mount to the barrel. One can argue that these earlier scopes lacked the remarkable optical quality and durability of todays models. It offers a lot of quality features, and has a sterling reputation with thousands of online reviews. You must log in or register to reply here. We would expect a 30mm scope to give up significant internal reticle adjustment compared to 34mm models, but the NX8 features 26 mils (90 MOA) of elevation adjustment, more than many of the larger scopes in this years test. Consider coated, fully coated and multi coated. Spotting scope specifications: Swarovski's high-contrast HD spotting scopes are ideal for color-rich digital photography. Its a one-inch highly precise scope with a five times zoom and weighs in just under a pound. Reticle? Speaking of digiscoping (the art of taking pictures or video through a spotting scope), Swarovski has two new adapters to fit the X scope. Designed using SWAROVISION ELs technology, this binocular comes with an aperture size of 50mm that makes them ideal to use for outdoor activities such as hawk watching, whale watching, and hand-held astronomy. Taking the Swarovski dS Test Drive. Whether youre big game hunting, shooting the occasional small prey or honing your precise target skills, you can rest assured Swarovski scopes wont let you down. Just $1 per month , While long-distance shooting continues to dominate riflescope design, we welcome the renaissance of the versatile optic, By Looking at a ceiling of $3000, I was researching some high end scopes for hunting rifles and saw a Swarovskis in that price range. While the trend has been to pack more features inside increasingly large tubes34mm has become the industry norm, and a few brands are going even largerthis 30mm Nightforce seems almost retro. The scope received high marks for its solid zero stop, magnification throw lever, and appealing price. Every year when magazines do their optics tests, the companies that win the low light contests are companies that make high end optics. This will get you top the right place with the information I think you are looking for: The price you pay does NOT mean the scope is reliable. This may not sound like a big deal, but after youve used the X scope for an hour or two and then go back to a traditional eyepiece power-ring scope, youll know what I mean. The Japanese glass inside this billyclub of a 30mm scope is quite good. Compared to Nightforce and Swarovski, its all those things, but its also a great bargain in a very versatile rimfire scope. You'd have more glass than you could ever appreciate and an extra thousand or more in your pocket if you just picked up a VX6 HD in 3-18x50 with a TMOA or B&C Reticle illuminated model. Rifle scopes can range from $40 up to thousands of dollars depending on how much one is willing to spend. Money back on investment, maybe step up to . Sent Once A Week - No Spam - No Selling Your Email. Its optics are disappointingly dark. Coming on the heels of the remarkable first-plane Vudu 1-6 Precision scope, we had high hopes that this 1-8 EOTech would deliver all the versatility of its predecessor. I will be using it for mainly hunting big game in Colorado and I will not be back packing. The answer from Zeiss is unacceptable, you paid a lot of money for the binoculars and then the glass must be in order, after all Zeiss boasts of good service. It has finger adjustable turrets and it has a click adjustment. The perfect "deer/varmint" gun for American shooters. When he saw that he said, "I always thought that was not a good scope." When you're staring down your target at dusk or dawn you need a clear, crisp and concise view. Nightforce NXS Rifle Scope 30mm Tube 5.5-22x 56MM Hi-Speed The Nightforce NXS Rifle Scope is a high speed scope that could not be ignored for the unlimited budget best category. There is a simple answer as to why that is. The optics inside the 30mm Midas disappointed, especially at higher magnifications. But they do make good optics. This is because the wider the range the more versatile that scope will be. the Swarovski DS really is an amazing piece of technology and well worth looking at. Below are just a few of the unique features that this scope has to offer someone. Most people swallow hard when they look at the price tag on a pair of Swarovski, Zeiss or Vortex Binoculars. Fixed Scopes These scopes can be a little less complicated than variable scopes, but they are also only better if people know exactly the specs they need when shooting their gun. Below are just a few of the many features that makes this rifle scope stick out among all of the other unlimited budget scopes on the market today. 0oz/ 1420Gfunctional temperature - -13 F to +131 F (-25 C to +55 Storage Temperature - -22 F to +158 F (-30 C to +70 c)submersion tightness - 13ft/ 4M Water depth (inert gas filling)in addition . In looking at the spotting scope market, it seems that the Swarovski ATX is at or near the top of the heap. At one station trainer Tim Fallon challenged us to hit twenty 9- and 12-inch steel plates at distances from 260 to 589 . GND is community supported. My absolute favorite Vortex optic, the 20-60x85mm Razor HD is a serious piece of glass. Objective lens: 80mm The MOA-based Milling Hunter reticle is deceptively simple, featuring an illuminated stadia with 2-MOA hashes on both the windage and elevation axes, and numeric designations at each 10-MOA mark. This is generally more important with variable scopes, because the difference in magnification can change the field of view drastically. . So my Z5 was just a handful of clicks above bottom. Learning to shoot with a rifle scope is an extremely useful skill. They seem to be pretty high quality too. When using a rifle scope, one thing should come to mind: simplicity. Straight hunting scope with holdovers I think its a fantastic piece of glass. This scope generally runs anywhere from $2,250 to $2,500. The color-coded BT (Ballistic Turret) knob that ships with the scope has colored references that represent different distances, so presumably moving your zero-hold from, say, 100 yards to 550 yards is as easy as turning the turret to the correct color. I have a Swarovski Z5 5-25x52 on my main hunting rifle. Hi there, I'm Will and I'll be your guide. Some have created special features that make their scopes better in certain aspects, and some brands have an all around aspect to their products that put them on top. (800) 426-3089 info-us@swarovskioptik.com Mon - Fri 8:30 AM - 5:00 PM EST. They overbuilt the BTX into a super durable single focal length dual eyepiece, making 30x magnification on the 65mm and 85mm objectives while bumping up to 35X on the 95mm objective. VX6 HD in whatever power/ configuration! sounds like that might be worth looking into if I were you. This category was a hard choice to make. Ive already had a few sportsmen mention that it would be a pain to constantly have to put your scope together each time you needed to use it. The NX8s glass is among the best in the field, winning the resolution test and turning in very good low-light marks compared to scopes with light-hungry 56mm objective lenses. Its scopes are used by the United States Marine Corps and Navy SEALs, which definitely is a major vote of confidence in their design and manufacturing. What power range? Now that youve figured out why you need an optic, lets consider the scopes durability. I have a pile of VX3's that I like but they aren't in the same league as the VX6's I've been replacing the others with. These types of scopes come in a variety of magnification variables, and depending on what you are hunting, this could be extremely important. When you are going to look for your idle rifle scope, you should ask yourself what is it that you are going to be shooting at. In the past, the old metallic sights that were placed on rifles were a lot harder to aim with than the newer scopes on the market today. Overall Best Value: Sig Sauer Buckmasters 3-9X40mm Combo Kit. The third generation in Burris venerable XTR line, this model would have competed well in our Versatile category. Some versions of this scope will also be available with Meoptas slick new dichroic reticle technology, which can best be described as battery-free illumination. . This is evidenced by the excellent first-plane reticle: the MSR2, or Multipurpose Sniper Reticle, with a bonus reticle in the image plane thats used to range distant targets. It has a lot of different features, and it is manufactured by Zeiss one of the more popular brands among those that enjoy the . We also deducted points for stingy eye relief, and optical quality that placed the Ares near the bottom of the category. I've never owned a scope that was over $600 and honestly I'd have to study to understand all the functions properly. If you want a dependable choice, go with the Vortex Diamondback. When people invest in good glass, it lasts a long time. Are Swarovski scopes good? Or 3-18 thanks. The idea is to use the turrets to dial your shooting solution, rather than rely on hold-over. It only allows one rotation and with my 30-06 it maxes out at 600yrds. Andrew McKean is Outdoor Lifes hunting and conservation editor, drilling into issues that affect wildlife, wildlands, and the people who care about them. It features state-of-the-art technology and is there when you need it the most-especially for that long range shot. The drawbacks to this variant include slightly "soft" images beyond 150 yards, a narrow field of view, and the need to purchase the eyepiece separately. It has a variety of different aspects that make it this way, and it will surely get the job done efficiently and effectively. This is a good question to ask. Are you looking for superior precision in your next rifle scope? They often decide not to make the purchase because many hunters dont want to fork over $1,000 or more for a pair of binoculars. Did we lead with the price, and try to assess whether scopes in the $2,000 range are really three times as good? But the Meopta had some misses too. Or do you simply need a clear and ultra-reliable scope for household protection rifle? We recommend capping the turrets (our sample featured exposed target-style turrets), but the glass is good, the lines are elegant, and the mounting dimensions on the 30mm tube are excellent. Coming to the one we were talking about, how do the below three compare? Mar 23, 2022 #2 PRC_GUY Well Known Rokslider Joined Dec 24, 2020 Messages 588 Location Memphis TN Pay for what you get!if you pay for a good good one, then it is good good. The turret adjustments are very good, and the zero stop, anti-cant indicator, and impressive 72 MOA of elevation adjustment inside the 30mm tube are features borrowed from the precision riflescope market. The power ring is located next to the focus ring, making it very easy to manage all the controls on the scope without taking your eye off of the subject. Since 2001, we have provided the latest in gun rights news, tech reviews and product information. I honestly cant remember having this much difficulty explaining a new product in the optics market! You are using an out of date browser. When most people think of the best brands, they think about the brands that the majority of people who buy a product actually purchase. I have been looking through this forum and read many reviews and am just lost. Spend that extra buck for peace of mind. Vortex is an incredibly popular brand of sporting optics, and for good reason. And we found that the tube dimensions are so stingy that we couldnt mount the Whiskey5 to a standard full-length action with two-piece bases. It's built around an 85mm objective lens, which offers a tremendous amount of light transmission, but the drawback is the weight such a hefty piece of glass requires. We thank you for supporting our business! More information: 01737 856812, www . 2. Swarovski ATS HD 20-60x80mm spotting scope (angled) - our pick. The CSA presented the test team with an interesting dilemma. It may not display this or other websites correctly. To this day this scope is regarded by some as the first sensible optical rifle sight. Mark Ripley finds himself 'far from DS-appointed' when testing the long-range capabilities of the Swarovski DS scope. Weekly Deals are sent out on Tuesday at 7PM Eastern Time. Read on for more options. This is a very popular price range, and for good reason. Currently, own a basic Leupold v3i 3.5-10 40 scopes. We liked the LevelPlex cant indicator, excellent zero stop, and ample mounting dimensions of its 34mm tube. Lots of good high-end glass, I'm sure all of it good. We know that animals move a lot at first light and at last light. Your emails are safe with us. Both forehead rest and aiming aid are part of the black rear section of the BTX and can be easily taken off for cleaning and repairing purposes. Need more target practice? It is not the customer's job to regularly wipe things off the binoculars that come out of the rubber . The X scope is truly modular in that you can purchase an angled eyepiece or straight eyepiece assembly, either of them for a 65mm, 85mm or 95mm objective lens assembly. It has fully multicoated glass for excellent image quality. We wanted more visible indexing on the controls, and the dragon scale knobs are uncomfortably sharp. The most encouraging trend in precision scopes this year is the emergence of affordable optics. Probably not, but we concluded that it is a fair price for a precision scope that should provide years of adequate service. Do yourself a favor by buying the best optics you can afford. If you choose to purchase a product after going through one of these links, we will receive a small sales commission at no extra cost to you. Are you a newly appointed police officer? The MOA-based reticle has an illuminated center dot. The main advantages you get with the Z6 is much larger field of view, more forgiving eye positioning, an image that literally seems to extend to the very edge of the eyepiece housing, and more robust construction via the coil spring supported erector assy. Their motto is No Excuses, and they offer a full lifetime warranty to their customers on all of their non-electronic products like their rifle scopes. I hope to bring along the most salient practical points that I've learnt along the way keeping in mind that spotting scopes are a significant investment ranging from $1k to over $6k in different formats and setups. The heart of the Z5 is a second-plane plex reticle that has windage hashes but no elevation references. For me, it depends on what type of hunt I am going on and the duration". Finding the perfect rifle scope is easy if youre debating on which Swarovski model to choose. If there is still a guarantee, I would insist on changing the rubber coating. If the scope that you choose has a 9 like this one it means that you can see your target 9 times closer through the scope than with the naked eye. The Whiskey5 delivers attributes for both groups, enabling a shooter to use their scope for hunting and for hunters to not feel disadvantaged at a long-range steel match. Replies 15 Views 3K. The field of view for this scope at 5.5x magnification is 17.5, and the field of view at 22x magnification is 4.7 at 100 yards. For a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding. I use even my hunting rifles a lot at the range and greatly prefer exposed turrets, zero-stop turrets, first focal plane and lots of magnification. Because the focal length on the 85mm is only slightly longer than the 65mm, the resulting power seems like it should be something like 27x-63x. When I shoot my sons rifle with the Kahles, I get a little jealous. A friend brought it over to do some low light testing. While it wont compare to the Zeiss and Nightforce scopes at the end of this list in terms of optical clarity and quality, this budget scope is perfect for getting the job done with a minimal financial burden. From specifications to practical tips: everything you've always wanted to know about long-range optics. | Yes, they are worth the money! The new TLS is specifically for digital SLR cameras and could revolutionize wildlife photography and videography. High end glass is clear and sharp, which makes spotting game easier. Ergonomics It may not display this or other websites correctly. Many of you have already started to do the math on how much it would cost to put together your own dream X system scope. All three objective units are HD lenses with field flattener lens technology, but with the extreme magnification generated from the 95mm, the resulting edge-to-edge clarity is especially astounding. The heart of the scope is the first-plane MIL-C milling reticle thats built for Precision Rifle Series shooters. The Tango6 doesnt fail on any basis. These larger lens also can cause your rifle to be a little less comfortable to shoot due to the fact they can make the rifle feel unbalanced, clumsier, and heavier. This classy second-plane scope bucks a significant trend in sports optics. Burris products are not only used by the occasional hunter or sports shooter, but some of their rifle scopes are used by professionals throughout the entire world. I love my nightforce ATACR 5-25x56 ffp. Weighing only 12.4 ounces, the RS.2 is a simple, functional gem. While long-distance shooting continues to dominate riflescope design, we welcome. Andrew McKean The Zeiss Conquest rifle scope is one of the most ideal scopes for those that enjoy target shooting on the range. Most people swallow hard when they look at the price tag on a pair of Swarovski, Zeiss or Vortex Binoculars. In the end, the scope you choose will largely come down to personal preference and your shooting needs. For me the Swar products help define the objects and gather more light than other brands. Well I am thinking of going all out on a new spotting scope. Being able to see game in lowlight is a necessity. But it didnt stun us, either. Another noted that the mounting dimensions are too short to mount to a long-action rifle with standard bases. This is enhanced in this 2nd generation Z6i in part due to the High Definition (HD) element. The compact dimensionsits only 12 inches longmake it a great choice for a carbine. Its a serviceable choice for shooters looking to break into precision-shooting matches. Always liked the BRH reticle, which is basically a Mil reticle. They have over 40 countries that they distribute their products too outside of the United States. It might be useful to provide some additional information. GPO Passion 3X 6-1850 $700 Bill Buckley. There are a lot of different rifle scopes that you can get for under $100, many of which you probably want to avoid. Many of the links that you'll find on Optics Den link to products on third party sites. The variable-power eyepiece is fixed in place, so as the focal length changes with the change of the objective, so does the power. The Razor HD is darned near bulletproof . Nightforce throws in a smaller second reticle in one quadrant of the field of view, an inverted-T ranging scale that shooters can use to measure the size or distance of their targets. They have been in business for over 65 years, and they pride themselves on providing only the best quality to their customers. But the Athlon scored very well on our price/value assessment, especially considering the all-in transferrable warranty. High quality glass outperforms inexpensive glass in lowlight conditions. This rifle comes with 4-14x magnification, and it is equipped with a 44 millimeter objective lens. These are all valid situations which require the perfect rifle scope. Youll also see a growing trend: the integration of electronics. The story you just read had been published in a previous issue of Western Hunter Magazine. At 29 ounces, its heavy, but would be suited for most medium-weight walk-about rifles that a Western hunter might use. ndczerwinski; Aug 25, 2018; 2. Z5 has MOA turrets and Z6 is mil. Probably won't be shooting past 500 yrds and having problem deciding if the z6 is worth the extra money thinking of 5-30. In general, if you are a deer hunter, using anything over a 3-9x or 4-12x scope on your rifle would be overkill, and it could actually hinder you in the long run. You also probably thought that your calculator was lying to you for a split-second. Below are a list of the top six brands that make rifle scopes, and they all got on this list for a variety of reasons. Pragmatic design and state of the art technology that you can feel. The Swarovski Austrian producer is probably best known for their superior crystal products such as watches and various types of jewelry. I understand this is an old thread, but want to reply anyway. Never sent it back to swaro. Redfield was purchased by Leupold & Stevens, Inc. back in April of 2008, but they did not acquire any of Redfields capability of repairing their products that were made prior to them buying the company. The difference is a hunter replaces his bow every few years. TIP: When it comes time to purchasing a scope, aim (no pun intended) for the best! (The $900 quoted here is for the non-illuminated version; add another $50 for illumination.). We have updated our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy as of May 5th, 2020. All the optic brands we carry offer great warranties. JavaScript is disabled. Whether you are a hunter, or you just enjoy shooting for sport, you know that choosing a scope for your rifle will be one of the biggest factors in determining how accurately youll be able to shoot. Below are just a few different scopes that are considered to be the best in their dollar range, but before choosing your scope, you should look at all the details in order to make sure it will provide you with a solution to all of your individual needs. Scope weight is the least of my concern now. The last number, in this case the 40, is the objective lens diameter in millimeters. Depending on what the rifle scope is being used for, you can sometimes get away with or at least get the same results with a cheaper scope that you could do with a higher end one. New for this year is a lower price and the ability to order a high-profile BRH (long-range) turret. But if you're looking for the very best in optics and accuracy, then a Swarovski scope is definitely worth the money. You arent going to use this reticle for ranging or bracketing moving targets, but its quick, precise, and covers a wide range of shooting situations. Currently, they are operated out of Mansfield, Texas, and there motto is Make Your Mark. Waterproof? There is also a side knob parallax adjustment for versatility. However the UTG 3-932 BugBuster Scope is one of, if not the best in this price range. Variable Scopes By far the most common, variable scopes are useful if magnification of the target is needed for a clean shot. Additional site navigation. The hash reticle, called the REV2, is serviceable as an AR-mounted optic or on a dangerous-game rifle, but at magnifications above about 6X, you lose the quick-aiming capability of the reticle and dont get as much precision-shooting references as you might expect or want. As stated earlier, Athlon is one of the top brands on the market for making high quality rifle scopes, and this particular rifle scope is just one of the mid price range examples of why they made it to the top brand list. The Tango6 travels 23.2 mils on the elevation axis and only 14.5 mils of windage. Knowing your bow and [], The beauty of stalking mule deer in lush alpine basins in August; the sweet sounds of elk ringing out in [], Deer and elk shoulders are tough really tough. Check great and honest reviews! Hence, theres no comparison in terms of strength. Click to see the price. We declared the death of the duplex reticle last year, and before that, the demise of the 3X9X riflescope. Swarovski Spotting Scopes ATX & STX Review, Swarovski dS 5-25x52 Smart Riflescope Review, How To Glass Without Using The Grid Technique. After all, thats how much a gun or bow costs! Crimson Traces freshman effort in magnified optics does have some hits. Forward mounted scopes are great because they make target acquisition quicker (peripheral vision) and enable faster follow up shots at close-medium ranges. I have Swarovski range finder, spotting scope, 8x42, 10x42 and 12x50 and use them often. If you know that you are going to be shooting far away at your prey, then you will be using a different scope as opposed to shooting at something closer. Click here to learn more and see its price. There are many coatings available for optics. The answer of course is yes, but I interviewed Cody Nelson from the Outdoorsmans so everyone would understand why high end optics are worth the money. Despite those subjective shortcomings, the Riton scored well on objective criteria, including our resolution test and low-light performance, where it was one of the top 50mm scopes in the field. Disclaimer Policy And FTC Affiliate Disclosure, GND Serious About 2nd Amendment - Unisex Jersey Long Sleeve Tee, GND Serious Gun Lover - Unisex Jersey Long Sleeve Tee, BRX distance reticles for precise long-range shots, Centered reticle in the second image plane, Tube features defined ribbing to prevent residual reflections for high-contrast images regardless of the lighting conditions, Lightweight alloy main tube with scratch resistant surface, Exceptional in poor lighting and for long distances, 50 mm objective lens plus 12 times magnification, Bigger diameter means brighter scope in low light, Heavier reticle version of the popular BRX reticle with 3 times zoom, Designed for the hunter who wants a small, lightweight scope, High magnification with a wide field of view, 3.74 extended eye reliefworry free concentration on shot, Large, wide field of view: 5.8 to 1.17 degrees. While Nightforce has lost market share to competitors who have followed its lead of providing excellent reticles matched to tight, precise controls, the NX8 will appeal to both diehard fans and those looking for a scope to break into the precision-shooting game. One of them is a small off-road camp trailer. You also need to figure in what kinds of shots you are planning on having to take. But for a shooter that wants all the features of a high end scope that is affordable and clear, I would choose the Athlon Argos BTR series. The Prostaff 5 features capped turrets with a total of 40 MOA of internal adjustment. The best way to answer this question is this. Another wanted additional hashes on both the windage and elevation axes (the reticle has only 4 hashes down, left, and right of the center aiming point).