Check out the new Leupold Mark 8 the military is starting to use. More details in the video. Continue reading Leupold Mark 8 1.1-8×24 – SHOT Show Media Day 2011
Category: Optics
Zeiss Conquest 4.5-14×44 Rapid Z 800 Review
Last summer I decided that if the perfect hunting scope existed, I would find it. Of course “perfect” is subjective as everyone has a different opinion of what “perfect” is. My perfect bucket list is known to change depending on application. For a medium to long range hunting scope I think its important that it not be too big or heavy, have good glass, turrets that can be dialed accurately, enough eye relief to be used on a magnum rifle, have a good reticle with the ability to make fast holdover shots, enough magnification to make the long shot, waterproof, fogproof, durable, etc. It also needs a good manufacture warranty to back it up just in case your horse rolls down a mountain with it. Last, it shouldn’t require robbing a bank to buy one. I ruled out an unbelievable number of good scopes for one reason or another, including some very big name expensive scopes. A scope would seem like it was working but then would fall short in one of the categories I listed as being important. Things got so bad that I had an excel sheet with specs, eye relief, field of view, price, adjustment range, and any other data that I could get in an excel spreadsheet. I was analyzing reticles and comparing glass in scopes every opportunity Continue reading Zeiss Conquest 4.5-14×44 Rapid Z 800 Review
Sightron SI 3-9×40 with HHR Review
After acquiring a Sightron SI 3-9×40 I’m convinced that if your budget for optics ends at around $140 that you need to spend it on a Sightron. Unlike almost all other optics in this price range the Sightron SI is made in Japan and NOT in China.
Continue reading Sightron SI 3-9×40 with HHR Review
New Sightron SIII Scope Models
New for 2011 – Sightron announces a new lineup of SIII Long Range scopes. The new scopes will continue to have the superb optics Sightron is known for as well as their Exactrack system. The new models feature Mil-Dot Reticles that adjust in centimeters and MOA Reticles that adjust in MOA. The 8-32×56 Target Dot has been updated to have a 1/8 MOA Target Dot and 1/8 MOA Turrets. The other major change to the new models is the elimination of the dust cap on the turrets and tighter, stiffer, more positive turret adjustments.
The new Sightron scopes will be available in March. We will be reviewing these new scopes when they become available so check back for a complete write-up.
Vortex Announces new HD Binoculars in their 2011 lineup
Vortex announced some changes today to their lineup of 2011 binoculars. At first glance it appears as though the new Razor Binoculars will be substantially better than the lineup they are replacing based on their new MSRP. The Vortex Razor Spotting scope has been praised and credited with being on par with the much more expensive Swarovski spotting scope. Maybe these new Razor HD Binoculars will be on a similar level as other high end German optics. Watch our website for a review of these new binoculars when they become available.
Vortex also announced a completely new line of very reasonably priced HD Binoculars, the Talons. We’ll be excited to see what these new glasses have to offer. It looks as though the Talons fall between the Razors and the Vipers in the lineup. They appear to be a bargain based on the MSRP in the press release below. Watch for a complete review of these later as well.
Vortex Optics new Razor HD binoculars crowned king of 2011 binocular lineup
Continue reading Vortex Announces new HD Binoculars in their 2011 lineup
Burris Fastfire II Review
As a little kid I can remember using bugs that were squashed on the windshield of our family car as my reticle. I would carefully line up a very unlucky bug with a passing car or a road sign and say “bang”. Even as an adult with my own children I sometimes catch myself using a bug and the windshield to get in a little target practice. While a bug and windshield may not seem much like actual target practice, they are actually not far off from some very modern sighting systems.
The Burris Fastfire II simplifies the process of lining things up. It has a very bright red dot that you simply place on your intended target. Its kind of like a bug on a windshield. If your eyes have a hard time lining up a front sight, rear sight, and target, you really need to give the Fastfire II a try. No more lining up and trying to focus on 3 different things. The dot and target will both stay in focus. You’ll also find that the sight is extremely fast with a little practice. Another advantage to the Burris Fastfire II is that you don’t have to have perfect form or even be directly behind the firearm. If you can see the dot from any angle and place it over the target you will achieve a hit. Continue reading Burris Fastfire II Review