Correct me if I'm wrong but the theory of a scope checker is to align two scopes on parallel mounts and then use "the scope that you haven't monkeyed with" as a reference as you do a box test or whatever with the other scope.
It seems to me that it's just as easy to add on a laser, align it to a reference point and not monkey with the laser as you do a box test or whatever with the scope. It's just a cheaper product that does the same thing in a different way.
Thinking about ways to ensure reliable results, I think the best improvement would be to eliminate the least consistent part of a scope checker, the human. A cell phone camera adapter on the eyepiece would let you compare pictures, count pixels to get better readings and see if the laser reference moved.
No. Verifying turret correction factor is just one of the multiple uses for a scope checker. But using two scopes on a checker will still give you more accurate calculation results than using a laser.
The scope checker design was originally intended for testing reticle movement under recoil with live fire. The idea is to have one mechanically frozen scope for reference (reticle cannot move) and the scope being tested beside it on the checker. Align them with identical POA on target and fire multiple rounds.
Here's an example of some tests I conducted in the past. Have more test results but no photos of them at the moment. But this will give you an idea of how I personally conduct scope testing.
- The first scope has zero reticle movement in all tests against the frozen reference optic, but a good amount of POA shift in the middle of the magnification levels.
- The second scope has no reticle movement initially, but then has reticle movement during the first 2 rounds fired after dialing the turrets. This one was done at 50 yards so 1/16" of reticle movement is significant at long range.
Now a person could still use a scope with small reticle movements in a competition that allows sighter rounds before record groups as long as the reticle movement is a repeatable pattern and you know exactly when the scope will be solid. Maybe not so good for PRS competition and hunting.
I will conduct a turret tracking correction factor test after the recoil testing. Much more accurate to use a scope checker on a tripod with 2 optics and a level.measurement at an exact known distance than it is to conduct a live fire tall target scope tracking test.
Instead of firing groups from a rifle (which can cause reticle movement), I use a second scope as a zero reference while dialing the other scope for tracking checks. Reference optic doesnt need to be frozen for a tracking test on the checker because there is nor recoil. Any high magnification scope will work as a reference optic.
