In expensive scope???

[jds holler]

I've got a handful of Vortex Vipers and a Diamond Back, -- always considered them a pretty solid economy scope. I'm very interested to see how the Discovery compares to that class/price. I just don't have the stomach to jump into the truly high-end scopes. jd

 

[Turkeytider]

The Arkens have proven to be a really nice scope for the money. I own a few of them now and wouldn't hesitate to buy another.

Nor would I. Have an EP-5 and an SH4J Gen II on two range rifles. Through hundreds of rounds, absolutely no issues. The SH4J is on a Tikka Super Varmint in 6.5 CM. It slipped out of a 15 ft. elevated deer stand and landed squarely on the elevation turret. Checked reticle, zero and tracking. Like nothing ever happened.

 

[ELR LVR]

Glass is subjective.... just because it's one Brand of glass doesn't mean it's that brands best. These companies sell their glass like the industries sell diamonds. They make a batch of glass and try to make it the best.... it doesn't always turn out that way.... they grade the batches and buyers look at the batches and buy what fits there needs for the intended grade of scope they are building in a given product line. A batch of glass may not meat the requirements for certain top their brands but may very well meet the requirements of a lesser brand or line of scopes in the same brand. So just because someone advertises they use so and so's glass doesn't mean it's the same as in a more expensive line of scopes. Also every manufacturer have their proprietary coatings formula... it sometimes even varies in-between product lines of the same brand.... and coatings make a big difference in what you see in the end product.

I'm aware, especially of the fact that Scope Glass is traded like diamonds to the highest bidder
(Or so I've read)
Since there are few Optical Glass Makers
---
I am just surprised at what is capable and available now for say $400 compared to years before.
When I bought a Vortex Viper I couldnt focus / see past 300 yds with it
So I tend to avoid $400 scopes
even for $100
but, Some of these off brand companies like Arken are surprising me in their optical clarity
out past 600 yds

 

[jds holler]

Seems to me that with the variables I've owned ALL of them lose a bit of focus/clarity at the highest power. -- Spotting scope, same thing. jd

 

[ronemus]

Another vote for the Vortex Diamondback - very good for the price, and one of the few with good performance at 10 yds; I have them on my air and smallbore rifles.

 

[lancexxx]

Sightron S-Tac
The 3-16x42 is on sale right now. P.M. for price

 

[pertnear]

I bought a Meopta MeoPro 6.5-20x50 HTR - ZPlex 4 years ago for $550 from Doug @ Cameraland. The glass quality is fantastic! Everything tracks perfect! The only complaint that I've ever heard about Meopta scopes is that they tend to be a bit on the heavy side.

 

[Desert Fox]

Arken

 

[ELR LVR]

I bought a Meopta MeoPro 6.5-20x50 HTR - ZPlex 4 years ago for $550 from Doug @ Cameraland. The glass quality is fantastic! Everything tracks perfect! The only complaint that I've ever heard about Meopta scopes is that they tend to be a bit on the heavy side.

I keep forgetting about Meopta - Great Scopes!
I looked through one years ago before going with a Kahles at that particular time
The Meopta looked great but the Kahles just had more features I wanted was all, otherwise I was seriously considering the Meopta
they are a very fairly priced scope

One thing I like about Meopta is their glass is designed, manufactured, and assembled "In House"
by Meopta s.r.o. in the Czech Republic.
This could have changed since Carlyle Group acquired them in 2023? I Dunno
I like a scope maker who also makes their own glass
no outsourcing, trading etc and I would think they might take more pride in their product that being the case.
---
a 4-20x50 Optika5 is less than $600,
the Meopro is more but still very fair for the FFP scopes they offer.

 

[muleystalker]

I'm aware, especially of the fact that Scope Glass is traded like diamonds to the highest bidder
(Or so I've read)
Since there are few Optical Glass Makers
---
I am just surprised at what is capable and available now for say $400 compared to years before.
When I bought a Vortex Viper I couldnt focus / see past 300 yds with it
So I tend to avoid $400 scopes
even for $100
but, Some of these off brand companies like Arken are surprising me in their optical clarity
out past 600 yds

The few ARKENS I have seen look a lot better than the Atholons I have looked through. I know what you mean about the Vortex, I actually ordered a couple PST's for a cousin and a buddy, I tried to point them in another direction but they wouldn't listen. They got the 4-16 and when we looked through them next to a 3-15 SWFA it was night and day difference. The SWFA on 15x was way clearer than the Vortex at at 6-8x. And that was their second to the top of their line at the time. It was somewhat usable but when you looked through the other glass you could sure see the difference. A lot of times people don't notice until the scopes are side by side looking through them.

 

[muleystalker]

I bought a Meopta MeoPro 6.5-20x50 HTR - ZPlex 4 years ago for $550 from Doug @ Cameraland. The glass quality is fantastic! Everything tracks perfect! The only complaint that I've ever heard about Meopta scopes is that they tend to be a bit on the heavy side.

Meopta used to make the EURO Line of rifle scopes for Cabelas, they were nice glass especially for the money. The only downside was they were 1" tubes, not a deal breaker for that type of scope as all the Lepoulds and other American companys were 1" in that style of scope also. Meopta also made Cables EURO line of spotting scopes and binoculars back then.

 

[Lead Slanger]

I've seen a few recommendations for the Sightron S-Tac. I'm going to go against the grain and not recommend that scope unless you don't ever plan on running it at max power. The 4-20 that I had got fuzzy after 16x. I was disappointed with the S-Tac.

 

[littlebuddybr]

I've seen a few recommendations for the Sightron S-Tac. I'm going to go against the grain and not recommend that scope unless you don't ever plan on running it at max power. The 4-20 that I had got fuzzy after 16x. I was disappointed with the S-Tac.

Interesting- for my intended use it will primarily be used at max power.
Like I said on the bench shooting groups or steel. Occasionally a wood chuck.

 

[Lead Slanger]

Interesting- for my intended use it will primarily be used at max power.
Like I said on the bench shooting groups or steel. Occasionally a wood chuck.

Personally, I would pass on it then. I was disappointed first trip out. I gave it a second chance and removed it once I got home. I replaced it with an Athlon Ares ETR and it's a whole different world. I know they're not in the same price range, but I found one used at $600.

 

[FALPhil]

One thing I like about Meopta is their glass is designed, manufactured, and assembled "In House"
by Meopta s.r.o. in the Czech Republic.
This could have changed since Carlyle Group acquired them in 2023? I Dunno

Unfortunately, it did. If you have one of the older Meoptas, hang onto it. I have one and wish I had bought two more.

I've seen a few recommendations for the Sightron S-Tac. I'm going to go against the grain and not recommend that scope unless you don't ever plan on running it at max power. The 4-20 that I had got fuzzy after 16x. I was disappointed with the S-Tac.

Optically speaking, this is a common problem in variable scopes once you get into the higher multiples of magnification, such as 5x and 6x. That is why scopes using those multiples and don't have aberrations at the higher powers cost so much. It is also one of the reasons why those expensive scopes are heavier. It takes some engineering to keep the view clear when magnifying that much. It is much easier on large celestial telescopes with 150+mm tubes.

I use the S-Tac 3-16x out to 750 yards, which is longest range in my area. At that range I am shooting at 24 inch bullseyes and not ground hogs. I have also used it on the unknown distance range at CMP in Talladega. It is more than adequate adequate for my purposes. The aberration on my S-Tac is chromatic at the edges at the highest power and does not affect targeting.

 

[Lead Slanger]

I use the S-Tac 3-16x out to 750 yards, which is longest range in my area. At that range I am shooting at 24 inch bullseyes and not ground hogs. I have also used it on the unknown distance range at CMP in Talladega. It is more than adequate adequate for my purposes. The aberration on my S-Tac is chromatic at the edges at the highest power and does not affect targeting.

It does depend on your usage. For mine, it was an absolute no go.

 

[Desert Fox]

I have two older scope that are really good for benchwork. One is the 8-32X44 Burris Signature and the other is Leupold Var-X III gold ring 6-24X40. Both has fine cross hair. Both scope is almost 30 years old and still as bright as ever.

 

[std7mag]

I've had a bunch of different scopes used for hunting and informal range sessions. Mostly in the 4-12, 4-16 range.

I got a deal on the Sightron STAC 4-20X50 with the MOA-2 reticle.
Mounted it on my Stevens 200 in 7mm-08AI for my first F-Open match.
After adjusting the paralax, and zooming to 20 power (600 yards) it was the first time that I had seen the mirage. I had heard about it, but I had never seen it before.
All of the controls operated smoothly and reliably.
Turrets are really TALL!!!
Glass is clear and bright.

It's on my Savage 111 in 7mm Rem Mag now. Has been for about 4 years.
And I put between 150 to 300 rounds a year through it.
I usually hunt with it on 4 power, like my other scopes. But when the opportunity arises on the gasline (1,500+ yards) I know I can stretch my legs with it.

Other than that, I did buy a used Sightron SIII 10-50X60 LRTD on here for $750 shipped several years ago.
I recently saw the same going for $700.