Sooooo...I bought a Crimson Trace yesterday and, I'm not sure what to expect....

[cavedweller60]

I am just getting back into long range shooting....actually, I guess it's mid-range...LOL, Idon'twant to offend the long range purists. I am going to try the AR-Tac game.

Anyway, they have a max of 16x magnification on optics and the closest I had was a 12x so I went shopping for a scope.

I almost bought the 14x NF SHV but, I wanted to take full advantage of the 16x allowance to assist my old eyes. I also didn't want to spend $1k to TRY something I might not stick with.

I saw that Eurooptic had the CT Hardline Pro for $260. I did a lot of research but, there just doesn't seem to be many people using them. That being said, most everything I saw on the different forums were positive.

So, now that it's sort of too late, does / has anyone used them, tried them, heard anything about them, etc. If not, I report back with my opinion....for what it's worth.

 

[Knotwild]

I personally like my Sightron 3x16x42. I have not used a Crimson trace though, so I guess my comment doesn’t amount to much.

I’ll be curious to see how you like it.

 

[cavedweller60]

I personally like my Sightron 3x16x42. I have not used a Crimson trace though, so I guess my comment doesn’t amount to much.

I’ll be curious to see how you like it.

I looked at the sightron...I have a couple that I really like. I wanted a second focal plane reticle and, if I remember right, the sightron is an FFP retical. I also wanted a fairly large objective lense and the CT had a 50mm objective.

 

[Lead Slanger]

I have threatened to buy one several times and I can't make myself do it. They've got good prices on them. I have a Hardline Pro 1-6 on an AR. I like it, but it's hard to compare that to one with some magnification. One of the main reasons that I haven't bought one is, if I didn't like it.... re sell. It's like you said, no one seems to be running them.

 

[cavedweller60]

I have threatened to buy one several times and I can't make myself do it. They've got good prices on them. I have a Hardline Pro 1-6 on an AR. I like it, but it's hard to compare that to one with some magnification. One of the main reasons that I haven't bought one is, if I didn't like it.... re sell. It's like you said, no one seems to be running them.

I thought the same thing. I checked completed sales on ebay and they are going for more than what euroopic is selling them for in most cases. I should be able to get out of it for what I paid or slightly.

I just remember when they first started in business and they were know as a second rate red dot company. It seems as though they have improved considerably since then so, I figured I would see if they are worth $260.

They have the same warranty as Vortex so, I'm not worried about that.

 

[Knotwild]

I looked at the sightron...I have a couple that I really like. I wanted a second focal plane reticle and, if I remember right, the sightron is an FFP retical. I also wanted a fairly large objective lense and the CT had a 50mm objective.

Sightron S-Tac 3x16 and 4x20 can be had in SFP for $300 -$350, no zero stop or for more money you can get the same scope in FFP with a zero stop. For me, having a zero stop is extremely useful.

 

[cavedweller60]

You are correct, I completely missed that one...not sure how because I searched Sightrons products. I must have seen the FFP version and just assumed the other 3-16 was FFP too. As to price, you must be talking about used prices, the cheapest I am seeing them new is about $475.

 

[cavedweller60]

Ok, I got the scope a couple days ago and figured I would post my first thoughts since there is very little info out there from people that have actually tried them and, that aren't getting the scope for free or getting paid to "review" them.

Out of the box, the scope feels quite solid for it's price range. It certainly doesn't feel like a $1500 optic but, it isn't claiming to be one. The finish is nice but matte...very matte. It doesn't feel like it will hold up as well as pricier finishes but, it looks great now. It came with lens covers but, they are the type with elastic cords holding them together.

I mounted the scope without incident and took it out yesterday. It is quite clear but, there again, not a NF, sightron or even a decent vortex but decent. I was shooting in the last hour of daylight and it was quite bright for the low light conditions. The clicks were very solid and I zeroed it quite easily. I did both a box and ladder tracking tests and it was dead on. I only did 3 laps of the square and 3 ups and downs on the ladder but they were all perfect. Each group in the tracking test was in the .25 - .5 range. Something I didn't like was the thickness of the crosshairs. I haven't checked the specs to see how thick they are but they seemed to be in the .25 range and it was hard to stay on a small dot because it covered it.

Final FIRST impressions are that the MSRP of, I believe $750, is too high. That being said, I think most MSRPs are too high on any product. They seem to be going for $350 - 500 on average and, that would be fair. I got this one for $270ish to my door and, at least as a first impression, that is a very good deal.

I tried, for the first time, to take pictures through the scope with my cell phone. They didn't come out very well and I had a very hard time getting the ones I did. Does anyone have suggestions on how to do that? If you do, I will try to get some more and post them here.