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So What Is It That More Money Buys |
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macky
Optics Apprentice Joined: February/20/2006 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 122 |
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Posted: March/19/2006 at 14:36 |
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I did a search at www.riflescopes.com on 3-9x40. I then sorted by price. On the bottom end you'll find the "Tasco 3-9x40 Pronghorn Riflescope" @ $33.95. On the top end you'll find "Zeis 3-9x40 Conquest" @ $549.49. And in between are about 12 pages of other scopes. That's a pretty big spread and allot in between.
What exactly does more money buy you when you buy a scope? What are the price points where you start to get into any sort of quality? I'd really like to know ... and why not use the 3-9x40 scope as an example ... what do you get in a scope below $100, $100-$200, $200-$300, $300-$400, $400-$500, above $500.
It would be great if any feedback is specific enough that it could almost serve as a "buyers guide" for people that are new to the world of optics and are looking for a balance between "how much they have to spend" and "what trade-offs can be made" when selecting a scope.
Also, any hints about whats "an important feature/quality" and whats a "nice-to-have but not "got-to-have"
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catusbill
Optics Apprentice Joined: July/07/2005 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 161 |
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I will start by saying: What is the intended use?
And what type of rifle and reticles are a consideration after you start
using the scope. I personally would pick a $300.00 fixed power on a
center fire rifle for 250 yards or less. So with that give us a caliber
and range you plan to shoot.
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silver
Optics Master Joined: November/04/2005 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 2291 |
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Fair question, the short answer is quality. Sometimes it is also what you don't get. If you have ever had a lady ask you for a date at the truck stop you may understand the last statement better...
The low end stuff is like looking through scratched up plexiglass. The higher end stuff is like watching HDtv; you can see it better than if you were there in person with the naked eye. You can look through it for hours and never feel tired. It is sharp at every place in the scope. Often there is a certain "pop" (Extra Definition) to the images The adjustments are sharp and smooth at the same time and stay in the same place. The low end often has a mushy feel to any adjustment. Or the adjustments may feel like they stick or not feel even.
There is a wide middle ground. Some have little eye relief. Others may not have the fine adjustment. Most have good, but not great glass. A scope may look good at a lower power, but as you turn up the power things seem to get grayer and not as sharp a focus.
Coatings are often the biggest part of it. The better coatings cost more, so does getting them applied properly. These control the spectrum of light in addition to the lens. |
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"If we weren't all crazy we, We would go insane." Jimmie Buffet
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cheaptrick
MODERATOR Joined: September/27/2004 Location: South Carolina Status: Offline Points: 20844 |
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You my friend, have a way with words!!!
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If at first you don't secede...try..try again.
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Urimaginaryfrnd
MODERATOR Resident Redneck Joined: June/20/2005 Location: Iowa Status: Offline Points: 14964 |
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Optical Glass is a visual thing hold them up and look at them and see what you like. For many people it is a matter of what they can afford. For others it is a matter of the reputation of a manufacturer for service after the sale. How serious are you about the success of your hunting trips - are you hunting for meat or trophy animals. A lot depends on how much recoil your firearm has - if it kicks hard you want something that will hold up the more expensive scopes are tougher and more reliable as far as holding zero. Here is a rule of thumb if it's not close to $200 (or more) you don't want it unless you really cant afford to spend more. That said by the time you get to $300+ you are into a reliable scope built by a manufacturer that will be able to afford to provide service after the sale and this is where you should start if you have a heavy caliber or hunt for trophys. When you hit the $400+ range you have gotten to each manufacturers better grade of scopes with better glass and added features not found on their least expensive model. When you get to $500+ it better be absolutely fantastic or nobody will buy it. Important considerations are the design of the reticle - does it provide any holdover points like a Burris balistic plex or Leupold varmit or Boone and Crocket Reticle. Type of knobs - can you adjust the windage and elevation by hand to dial in correction like a Nikon Monarch or like a tactical scope. Is the tube 1inch or 30mm the larget 30mm tubes have more MOA internal adjustment. How does it focus, is it adjustable is the adjustment in a convenient location. Does the brand have a reputation for holding its zero under abuse like weaver grand slam. Does the finish match your firearm. Peer pressure of your hunting buddies can be a factor If they all use brand X do you want to be the only one with brand Y unless it's clearly better. Is the reticle Illuminated. I like this one:
But for a hunting gun I could work with any of these and trust it.
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