Web Edition Special
SHOT Show Exclusive – Getting a focus on new optics
A critical part of any hunter’s gear is a good pair of binoculars and a good rifle scope, along with maybe a decent rangefinder and even a spotting scope.
Following up on last month’s preview of new products in our inaugural issue of TheGunMag.com, we’ve gotten the lowdown on some of the top optics introductions for 2012 that were debuted at the Shooting, Hunting and Outdoor Trade Show(SHOT) held in Las Vegas in mid-January. There was literally something for everybody.
For openers, Leupold (14400 Northwest Greenbrier Parkway, Dept. TGM, Beaverton, OR 97006; phone: 503-646-9171; on-line: www.leupold.com) has announced an upgrade on the VX-II series with the Index Matched Lens System, delivering up to 94% light transmission. They have an all-new main tube design as well, with advanced power selector and tactile power indicator. Windage and elevation are finger-adjustable and some models come with a Custom Dial System with elevated dials for precision long range shooting Exterior lenses surfaces feature Leupold’s DiamondCoat.
Meanwhile, Leupold’s VX-I scopes will have a new optical system built with lead-free precision-ground and polished lenses finished with Multicoat 4 lens coatings.
Swarovski Optik’s (2 Slater Road, Dept. TGM, Cranston, RI 02920; phone: 800-426-3089; on-line: www.swarovskioptik.com) new EL Range is a rangefinder-binocular that will knock your socks off. The EL Range comes in 8x42mm and 10x42mm models, featuring Swaro-Aim technology. In layman’s terms, this means they offer an electronic distance readout in yards or meters on an LCD screen, while at the same time compensating for angle. There are individually adjustable brightness levels. At 1,000 ya
The folks at Burris (331 E. 8th Street, Dept. TGM, Greeley, CO 80631; phone: 888-228-7747; on-line: www.burrisoptics.com) have responded to growing demand for optics to mount on AR-type modern sport-utility rifles with the introduction of the new MTAC scope on 30mm main tubes. Models include a 1-4x24mm, 1.5-6x40mm, 3.5-10x42mm, 4.5-14x42mm and a 6.5-20x50mm. The lower power model has an illuminated Ballistic CQ reticle, while the three higher-power models are for precision long range shooters, and they all have adjustable parallax and a G2B Mil-Dot reticle. All feature HiLume coatings.rds, the 8X has a 411-foot field of view and the 10X model has a 330-foot field of view. They are powered by a CR2 battery.
Burris has also unveiled the AR-132 compact 1X scope model with a 4 MOA red dot. It has ten brightness levels. The 5X Burris AR-536 has a 36mm objective lens and a Ballistic/CQ lighted reticle with five different illumination settings.
The FastFire III red dot sight offers a choice of 3 MOA or 8 MOA dots and upgraded windage and elevation adjustments.
Three new FullField E1 scopes include a 3-9x40mm, a 4.5-14x42mm (both built on 30mm tubes) and a 6.5-20x50mm on a 1-inch with the new E1MV reticle calibrated to the .22-250 Remington.
There are also three new tactical sight mounts including the 30mm AR-Pivot Ring for mounting the Burris AR-Tripler behind the XTS-135 SpeedDot.
There’s a new rangefinder and red dot sight from Vortex (2120 West Greenview Drive, Suite #4, Dept. TGM, Middleton, WI 53562; phone: 800-426-0048; on-line: www.vortexoptics.com). The Ranger 1000 can measure distances out to 1,000 yards. It operates on the power of a CR2 battery and has a multi-coated optic. The HCD (Horizontal Component Distance) display includes an angle-compensated distance reading, and it can read distances in meters or yards.
The Razor red dot sight is designed for use on an AR sport-utility rifle or shotgun. It is available in either a 3-MOA or 6-MOA dot model.
Bushnell (9200 Cody, Dept. TGM, Overland Park, KS 66214-3259; phone: 913-752-3400; on-line: www.bushnell.com) has introduced a new folding 10×25 compact binocular in the Legend Ultra HD series. It features wide-angle BaK-4 roof prisms and fully multi-coated lenses. There’s also the new G-Force 1300 ARC laser rangefinder that can measure distances to 1,300 yards against reflective surfaces, and 900 yards against tree-size objects. It features what they call “Vivid Display Technology,” with four adjustable brightness levels. The eyepiece provides 6X magnification and it features a built-in tripod mount.
The new Bushnell compact monocular joins the Legend Ultra HD family. It features ED Prime extra-low dispersion glass, a PC-3 phase-coated prism and fully multi-coated optics. Lenses are coated with RainGuard HD. It has a Picatinny rail, carry clip, and twist-up eyecup.
New from Legacy Sports (206 South Union Street, Dept. TGM, Alexandria, VA 22314; phone: 703-548-4837; on-line: www.legacysports.com) is the Nikko Sterling Targetmaster scope series. Available in four different variable power models, these 30mm scopes feature Japanese-made lenses with Microluxe ETE coating. Scope models include a 4-16x44mm, 5-20x50mm, 6-24x56mm and 10-50x60mm. All feature tall target-type turrets and Mil Dot reticles, and weigh about 25 ounces each. Targetmaster scopes feature side parallax and focus adjustments, and there is also a switch that activates the reticle illumination.
Steiner (97 Foster Road, Suite 5, Dept. TGM, Moorestown, NJ 08057; phone: 856- 866-9191; on-line: www.steiner-binoculars.com) has unveiled a new lightweight binocular series called the Merlin. Models include an 8x42mm, 10x32mm, 10x42mm and 10x50mm. All are full-size binoculars with center focus and rubber armor exterior. The 8x42mm model weighs 18.3 ounces, the 10x32mm weighs 21.1 ounces, the 10×42 comes in at 26.1 ounces and the 10x50mm model scales at 33.1 ounces. They come with a padded travel case, removable neoprene rain guards for the ocular lenses, objective lens caps and padded neck straps.
New this year from Weaver (N5549 County Road Z, Dept. TGM, Onalaska, WI 54650; phone: 800-635-7656; on-line: www.weaveroptics.com) is the Kaspa riflescope series and a new Kaspa binocular. There are eight models in the new series including a 2-7x32mm, 1x20mm, two 3-9x40mm models, two 3-12x50mm scopes and a pair of 4-16×44 scopes. All feature one-piece tube construction, ¼- MOA click adjustments, and fully multi-coated lenses. Kaspa tactical riflescopes are built on 30mm tubes and there are four models available, all with illuminated reticles, either Ballistic-X or Mil Dot. Choices include a 1.5-6x32mm, a 2.5-10x44mm, a 2.5-10x50mm and a 3-12x44mm with side focus. All have ¼ MOA click adjustments, flip-up scope caps, fully multi-coated lenses and one-piece tube construction.The new Kaspa roof prism binoculars are offered in 8x42mm and 10x50mm. They feature an open hinge design with fully multi-coated lenses and twist-out eyecups.
Trijicon (49385 Shafer Ave., Dept. TGM, Wixom, MI 48393; phone: 800-338-0563; on-line: www.trijicon.com) has announced the SRS (Sealed Reflex Sight). Measuring only 3.75 inches in length, this red dot sight works on AR-type sport-utility rifles, shotguns and handguns. This sight features an LED-lighted 1.75 MOA aiming point with ten brightness settings including three NVG settings. Powered by a single AA lithium or alkaline battery and a solar panel, the Trijicon SRS operates primarily on the solar power and utilizes the backup battery power only when necessary. Trijicon designed the SRS with a parallax-free objective lens and an auto-locking, self-adjusting level mount. It has a 23 meter field of view at 100 meters.
The new Monarch 3 roof prism binocular from Nikon (1300 Walt Whitman Road, Dept. TGM, Melville, NY 11747; phone: 516-547-4200; on-line: www.nikon.com) is available in 10x42mm and 8x42mm models. Both feature high-resolution optics in a waterproof and fogproof body. They have long eye relief, multi-click turn-and-slide rubber eyecups, flip-down rubber lens covers and Nikon Eco-Glass lenses.
Nikon has also introduced the EDG Fieldscope line with a lens shift VR (vibration reduction) system. There are seven eyepieces with a bayonet lock design, and models range from 20X to 70X. Offered in either an angled or straight body, the EDG comes standard with a 20-60X zoom eyepiece. This scope can also be used with a Nikon digital SLR camera for taking long-range photographs. It operates on four AA batteries, either alkaline or lithium.
