Scopes, binoculars, and sight glasses can be expensive, but you don’t need to pay a mortgage to buy high-quality glass

Written by Andrew McKean | Published 3:08 PM, December 6, 2019

You always hear something like this: buy the most expensive optics you can afford, and then reduce the price by 50%. The reason is that for sports optics-rifle scopes, binoculars and scopes-price is a good proxy for quality.

At least, it used to be. I am happy to report that the price of optical components is no longer a reliable barometer of their quality. Improvements in the manufacturing process have made the glass and coatings that are the core of the optical elements more balanced, as well as the gears, housings, and finishes that make the optical elements comfortable to operate.

You can pay thousands of dollars for European binoculars and expect top-notch performance. But you can also pay a fraction of that price and expect very good optics made in China or Malaysia. The market is also full of junk products, which may bear the logo of a premium brand, but are produced in facilities that produce the worst products for various brands.

What does all this mean to you? Buyers beware. Teach yourself how to distinguish high-quality optics at a reasonable price from brands that may sell high-quality products at a high price and brands that sell low-quality products at a high price. But don't ignore the product just because the price of the product is unbelievably good. This gift guide introduces optics that provide excellent performance at a reasonable price.

Although Leupold's VX-2 series of durable and simple scopes are still best-sellers, the VX-Freedom scopes are only sold for about half of them in the versatile 3-9X power range. It has a clear quarter MOA turret adjustment, a 1-inch tube is suitable for various rifle actions, and the entry-level scope is enhanced with Leupold's excellent optical coating to resist scratches and enhance low-light visibility. Pair it with budget rifles such as Savage Axis or Weatherby Vanguard for accurate, frugal and effective packaging.

This rifle scope comes from a company in Wyoming and usually sells directly to buyers, expanding our definition of budget optics. But its image is so clear, its operation is so simple, its use is so wide, so it belongs to this gift guide. You will not find many knobs and dials. You will not find a complicated marking. Instead, you will find a simple and practical duplex crosshair, quarter MOA turret positive adjustment and classic 1-inch tube. The clear and bright glass will convince you to install it on your favorite rifle. If you want to know more about markings, please choose Maven's very good SHR (simplified keeping markings) at the same price.

As a newbie in the field of performance shooting optics, this Arizona-based brand's scope bridges the gap between precision shooting and large hunting. Mod 5 is built on a 30mm tube and has a second plane hash mark adjusted according to the MOA reference. It is a multifunctional optical device, which is also suitable for aiming at distant steel plates or western mule deer at home. The image is clear and clear, but you will love the tactile turret control.

Simmons ProTarget Rimfire 3-9×40 • $42 Simmons

Do you have a .22 rifle with a scope? How about the .17 HMR begging for an optical upgrade? This basic sight (for Pete's love, look at the price!) is worth a look. The scope is super basic. It has a bold two-phase in its adequate (if we tell the truth here, dull and granular) glass. But the core of the scope, and the reason it is worthy of your consideration, is because it is equipped with a Weaver-style ring suitable for most rifles. It is also equipped with three different turrets, one for the popular .22 LR, another for the .17 HMR, and the other for the general quarter MOA reference, which can be used with any number of edge fires. Or use with center fire rifle. Honestly, you can't help but buy this range!

Sightmark Latitude PRS 6.25-25×56 • 700 USD

For long-range shooters, the precision rifle series competition is a measure of your own abilities, and also a standard for comparing your rifle skills with other shooters. However, it is expensive to trick a precision rifle and then pair it with a high-end scope. Happily, PRS has a production-level category, and the cost of rifles and optics is capped at $4,000. The retail price of the optics itself must be less than $2,000. This department prompts manufacturers to produce reasonably priced precision sights, and this Sightmark is one of the best sights. Even for the farthest and most difficult targets you will face in the PRS competition, you can also get a large turret, a greater magnification, and the first plane milling markings.

Bushnell AR Optical 4.5-18×40 • $110 Bushnell

This scope incorporates popular trends in many shooting fields: reticle adjusted for 6.5 Creedmoor ballistics, compatibility with AR platforms, and versatility in a wide range of magnifications. It is also a very hot deal, which does no harm. The second plane marking has a hold function suitable for 6.5 Creedmoor loads, but you can use it for a variety of calibers. At the lowest magnification, it is useful for high-volume shooting, but you can also amplify the power and use it for precise targeting at longer distances.

The new platform from the Czech company defines the term "European Value". This closed-bridge binoculars has good glass, excellent coating, and is completely waterproof. Finishes and eye masks can use more finishes, but the balance is almost perfect, durability and versatility are very good. The 10×42 version also has an 8 times power model, which won a big buy award in this year's outdoor life optical test.

Well, let's talk about the disadvantages first: this super square binoculars won't win the fashion award. Its enough Asian glass will not evoke large sums of money from the last possible dim light on November night. But it will help you see deer in most light conditions. You will find it has a good ergonomic design and satisfactory durability. But you will definitely notice its slight impact on your wallet. This is a serious hunting lens at a fair price. What else do you want?

Do yourself a favor and upgrade to the HD (High Definition) version of Diamondback. The glass of the normal version is obviously darkened. But this Vortex has reached the best point of performance and value. You can get 10x and 12x versions of this binoculars, but the 8X provides excellent field of view and image brightness as well as a large condenser 42mm objective lens. Its coating is very good, and its threaded hinge can be used to mount a tripod.

SIG Sauer KILO3000BDX Ranging Binoculars • US$948 SIG Sauer

Yes, it's almost $1,000, but this range-finding binoculars are worth a lot. First, you can install SIG's excellent KILO3000 rangefinder in a spacious housing. Because of its lightning-fast laser, range (we set the range of non-reflective targets to 2,822 yards), and full compatibility with SIG’s BDX ballistics software, the device won this year’s outdoor life rangefinder test. "Big buy" award. The Bluetooth connection connects the binoculars to a mobile application with a huge database from Applied Ballistics, so you can make instant on-site adjustments to the target. The device has good glass, and has a full set of modes, ranging from angle modification, line-of-sight ranging and target mode selection. A pretty good collection of assets under $1,000.

Meopta Carbon Fiber Tripod • $299 Meopta

This is not a magnifying optical element, but it is very useful and can improve the performance of any spotting scope or binoculars in your collection. This is also a screaming deal. The price of most carbon fiber tripods can easily be twice this price, and usually just for the legs; you have to pay extra for the head and accessories. The kit includes twist-lock legs, full-height extensions, and a fluid translation head that can be locked in place with a plate that fits almost any screw-mounted oscilloscope. It also includes a convenient spring-loaded smartphone holder.

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