OpticsTalk by SWFA, Inc. Homepage SWFA     SampleList.com
Forum Home Forum Home > Scopes > Rifle Scopes
  New Posts New Posts RSS Feed - Help me set up an "Inexpensive Scope" comparison
  FAQ FAQ  Forum Search   Events   Register Register  Login Login

Visit the SWFA.com site to check out our current specials.

Topic ClosedHelp me set up an "Inexpensive Scope" comparison

 Post Reply Post Reply Page  123 5>
Poll Question: Which <$200 scopes should be included?
Poll Choice Votes Poll Statistics
22 [15.38%]
6 [4.20%]
14 [9.79%]
12 [8.39%]
12 [8.39%]
1 [0.70%]
17 [11.89%]
50 [34.97%]
1 [0.70%]
8 [5.59%]
This topic is closed, no new votes accepted

Author
Message
koshkin View Drop Down
MODERATOR
MODERATOR
Avatar
Dark Lord of Optics

Joined: June/15/2004
Location: United States
Status: Offline
Points: 13182
Direct Link To This Post Topic: Help me set up an "Inexpensive Scope" comparison
    Posted: December/06/2009 at 19:32
It has been on the list for a while, but now I will actually do it.

I am going to run a comparison of several "inexpensive" scopes.  The price cutoff is $200, as listed on SWFA website.  If the scope is listed on SWFA for more than $200, it is not eligible for this competition.

I need feedback on which scopes should be included, so please vote above.

I will pick five or six scopes with the most requests and test them side by side.

I will probably contact the companies when we round up the contestants to see if they are willing provide loaner products for the comparison.  As is usually the case, some will be willing to provide loaners and some will not.  For those who are not willing to provide loaners, I will buy the scopes from SWFA and sell them afterwards.

Now, go ahead and vote.

ILya


Edited by koshkin - December/06/2009 at 22:45
Back to Top
Urimaginaryfrnd View Drop Down
MODERATOR
MODERATOR
Avatar
Resident Redneck

Joined: June/20/2005
Location: Iowa
Status: Offline
Points: 14964
Direct Link To This Post Posted: December/06/2009 at 19:42
DOA 600 Bushnell 3-9x40 Trophy Rifle Scope
Stock # - 733948B
Matte, DOA 600, Centerfire
$119.95
Add Bushnell 3-9x40 Trophy Rifle Scope to Cart 
Ballistic X Weaver 2-10x38 Classic V Rifle Scope
Stock # - 849403
Matte, Ballistic X
$199.95
Add Weaver 2-10x38 Classic V Rifle Scope to Cart 
Hunting Holdover Reticle Sightron 3-9x40 SI Riflescope
Stock # - SI39X40HHR
Matte, Hunter Holdover Reticle
$154.95
Add Sightron 3-9x40 SI Riflescope to Cart 
Ballistic Plex Burris 3-9x40 Fullfield II Rifle Scope
Stock # - 200162
Matte, Ballistic Plex, Hunter Knobs
$199.95
Add Burris 3-9x40 Fullfield II Rifle Scope to Cart 
Dead-Hold BDC Vortex 3-9x40 Diamondback Rifle Scope
Stock # - DBK01BDC
Matte, Dead-Hold BDC
$199.95 
Add Vortex 3-9x40 Diamondback Rifle Scope to Cart 

"Always do the right thing, just because it is the right thing to do".
Bobby Paul Doherty
Texas Ranger
Back to Top
tahqua View Drop Down
MODERATOR
MODERATOR
Avatar
Have You Driven A Ford Lately?

Joined: March/27/2006
Location: Michigan, USA
Status: Offline
Points: 9042
Direct Link To This Post Posted: December/06/2009 at 20:12
To me, the FFII is always worthy of consideration as are the 3200 and Nikons. 
Back to Top
koshkin View Drop Down
MODERATOR
MODERATOR
Avatar
Dark Lord of Optics

Joined: June/15/2004
Location: United States
Status: Offline
Points: 13182
Direct Link To This Post Posted: December/06/2009 at 20:17
I just modified the poll to allow for multiple votes.

ILya
Back to Top
Urimaginaryfrnd View Drop Down
MODERATOR
MODERATOR
Avatar
Resident Redneck

Joined: June/20/2005
Location: Iowa
Status: Offline
Points: 14964
Direct Link To This Post Posted: December/06/2009 at 20:23
Multi-X Bushnell 3-9x40 Elite 3200 Rifle Scope
Stock # - 323944M
Matte, Multi-X, Fast Focus, RainguardThunbs Up
$174.95
Add Bushnell 3-9x40 Elite 3200 Rifle Scope to Cart 
DOA 600 Bushnell 3-9x40 Elite 3200 Rifle Scope
Stock # - 323940B
Matte, DOA 600, Rainguard
$260.95 Shocked
Add Bushnell 3-9x40 Elite 3200 Rifle Scope to Cart
Ballistic Reticle Bushnell 3-9x40 Elite 3200 Rifle Scope
Stock # - 323944B
Matte, Ballistic Reticle Question, Rainguard
$174.95
Add Bushnell 3-9x40 Elite 3200 Rifle Scope to Cart 
Your're probably right the 3200 should be in the mix sure is a big difference in price to change to the balistic reticle though - who do they think they are LeupoldRoll on Floor Laughing

"Always do the right thing, just because it is the right thing to do".
Bobby Paul Doherty
Texas Ranger
Back to Top
Ed Connelly View Drop Down
Optics Retard
Optics Retard
Avatar
God of no Chihuahua

Joined: December/16/2007
Location: USA
Status: Offline
Points: 24225
Direct Link To This Post Posted: December/06/2009 at 20:28
 
The "L" word!!!          
 
                                                    Shocked
Be sure to visit,

THE ED SHOW

Ju Cucarachas!!!
Back to Top
koshkin View Drop Down
MODERATOR
MODERATOR
Avatar
Dark Lord of Optics

Joined: June/15/2004
Location: United States
Status: Offline
Points: 13182
Direct Link To This Post Posted: December/06/2009 at 20:32
If a particular scope is available in some configuration that comes in under $200, that is the one I will look at.

If there are multiple configurations that are under $200, I am open to suggestions.

ILya
Back to Top
Smokey53119 View Drop Down
Optics Apprentice
Optics Apprentice


Joined: November/02/2005
Status: Offline
Points: 165
Direct Link To This Post Posted: December/06/2009 at 21:17

Note to potential voters: select one scope then vote, repeat for next choice

I suggest adding Leupold Rifleman, Bushnell Legend, Pentax Gameseeker,
Weaver Classic V, BSA Majestic, Barska Hornet (or best 3-9x40 best non-illuminated Barska)
 


Edited by Smokey53119 - December/06/2009 at 21:31
Back to Top
koshkin View Drop Down
MODERATOR
MODERATOR
Avatar
Dark Lord of Optics

Joined: June/15/2004
Location: United States
Status: Offline
Points: 13182
Direct Link To This Post Posted: December/06/2009 at 22:16
It looks like you have figured out how multiple selection worksBig Smile.

Let me see if I can add some additional selections to the poll.

Right off the bat, I am not going to spend any additional time on a BSA scope until someone tells me that they are sufficiently improved.

With Barska, I have been told that Tactical and SWAT lines may be worth looking at, so I will not spend time on any other Barska scopes. 

Leupold Rifleman: I am conflicted about this one.  This scope qualified as technological leap in the 1950s or so.  I have looked at it in the past and thought that in the 21st century it was an insult to Leupold's name.  Now that Leupold owned Redfield scopes are back on the market, I hope that Leupold will have the presence of mind to get rid of Rifleman and VX-1 lines.

ILya
Back to Top
Kickboxer View Drop Down
MODERATOR
MODERATOR
Avatar
Moderator

Joined: February/13/2008
Status: Offline
Points: 23679
Direct Link To This Post Posted: December/06/2009 at 22:31
What about Weaver?
Opinion,untempered by fact,is ignorance.

There are some who do not fear death... for they are more afraid of not really living
Back to Top
koshkin View Drop Down
MODERATOR
MODERATOR
Avatar
Dark Lord of Optics

Joined: June/15/2004
Location: United States
Status: Offline
Points: 13182
Direct Link To This Post Posted: December/06/2009 at 22:42
Weaver Classic 2-10x38 is a viable option, as is Weaver Classic 3-9x38.

It looks like I can not add additional items to the poll, so keep posting them in the thread.

ILya


Edited by koshkin - December/06/2009 at 22:47
Back to Top
Shenko View Drop Down
Optics Apprentice
Optics Apprentice


Joined: April/20/2008
Location: WA
Status: Offline
Points: 249
Direct Link To This Post Posted: December/07/2009 at 00:10
Leupold. I've seen them bashed and praised, but I haven't seen them in many head-to-head comparisons.
Back to Top
koshkin View Drop Down
MODERATOR
MODERATOR
Avatar
Dark Lord of Optics

Joined: June/15/2004
Location: United States
Status: Offline
Points: 13182
Direct Link To This Post Posted: December/07/2009 at 00:14
Originally posted by Shenko Shenko wrote:

Leupold. I've seen them bashed and praised, but I haven't seen them in many head-to-head comparisons.

Earlier this year:

Are you suggesting a particular Leupold model for this comparison?

ILya
Back to Top
Shenko View Drop Down
Optics Apprentice
Optics Apprentice


Joined: April/20/2008
Location: WA
Status: Offline
Points: 249
Direct Link To This Post Posted: December/07/2009 at 00:21
I've read that test.
No, I didn't have a particular model in mind. I figured the only one that might fit the price limit would be the Rifleman.
Have been curious about how the Buckmaster, FFII, and 3200 would do against each other.
I look forward to reading your results.
Back to Top
koshkin View Drop Down
MODERATOR
MODERATOR
Avatar
Dark Lord of Optics

Joined: June/15/2004
Location: United States
Status: Offline
Points: 13182
Direct Link To This Post Posted: December/07/2009 at 00:26
Originally posted by Shenko Shenko wrote:

I've read that test.
No, I didn't have a particular model in mind. I figured the only one that might fit the price limit would be the Rifleman.
Have been curious about how the Buckmaster, FFII, and 3200 would do against each other.
I look forward to reading your results.

If enough people vote for the Rifleman, I will include it in the test.  However, as I said earlier I was disappointed with the Rifleman before, so I am quite excited about seeing the new Redfield.

ILya
Back to Top
Risasi View Drop Down
Optics GrassHopper
Optics GrassHopper


Joined: November/29/2009
Status: Offline
Points: 19
Direct Link To This Post Posted: December/07/2009 at 05:28
I am very interested to see how the Diamondback will fare against these other scopes. 
Back to Top
Smokey53119 View Drop Down
Optics Apprentice
Optics Apprentice


Joined: November/02/2005
Status: Offline
Points: 165
Direct Link To This Post Posted: December/07/2009 at 07:30
As to Rifleman, BSA, and Barska.......
 
I believe Rifleman needs to be included.  Folks who buy them think they purchased a very fine optical instrument.  After all, they are $200 and made by Leupold, isn't that the criteria? :)  It is at exactly the right price point, widely available (Walmart even), and highly regarded by many casual hunters.  I understand your point of view, but the market is what it is.
 
The BSA model listed claims to be fully multi-coated, costs $160, and has a lifetime warranty.  I have never heard of this scope until I searched the SWFA website last night looking for it, but it must surely be postioned as a "premiuim" hunting scope.
 
I am not too keen on the choices available from Barska and did not feel like perusing everything they had, but again it sounds like their "premium" hunting scope
 
I respect that the work and effort may be for nought, but lots of casual hunters and plinkers buy these things.  All you have to do is look to the left and right next time you are on the firing line at the range.
 
BTW, I am not attempting to justify my own purchase of any of these "instruments" nor to see where it stacks up against other similarly priced units.  Just curious, that's all
Back to Top
pyro6999 View Drop Down
Optics Retard
Optics Retard
Avatar
OT TITAN

Joined: December/22/2006
Location: North Dakota
Status: Offline
Points: 22034
Direct Link To This Post Posted: December/07/2009 at 07:41
Originally posted by Risasi Risasi wrote:

I am very interested to see how the Diamondback will fare against these other scopes. 

you might be surprised, i spent two weeks messing around with that exact scope and i thought it was just as good if not better than my buckmaster. they actually make a nice scope.
They call me "Boots"
375H&H Mag: Yeah, it kills stuff "extra dead"

343 we will never forget

God Bless Chris Ledoux
"good ride cowboy"
Back to Top
martin3175 View Drop Down
Optics Master Extraordinaire
Optics Master Extraordinaire
Avatar

Joined: January/19/2005
Location: Maryland
Status: Offline
Points: 3773
Direct Link To This Post Posted: December/07/2009 at 08:15
I'd add the Weaver V series also
Back to Top
Risasi View Drop Down
Optics GrassHopper
Optics GrassHopper


Joined: November/29/2009
Status: Offline
Points: 19
Direct Link To This Post Posted: December/07/2009 at 09:44
I'm hoping I won't be surprised.

Everything I've heard about these guys has been nothing but good. Lately I've been buying Nikon Monarchs. It seems that the Viper line goes toe to toe w/ the Monarchs. Their warranty seems to at least be on par with Leupold. And I've e-mailed them several times, getting a response generally within 8-20 hours. My big hangup is I can't seem to find anyone that carries them around here.

I just peered through some of these other lower-end scopes at the local Cabela's, so if Koshkin reviews their Diamondback against some of these I know, his reviews are thorough enough I can be confident purchasing sight unseen. I'm leaning toward Viper's anyway, but it wouldn't hurt to hear about the Diamondbacks.
Back to Top
 Post Reply Post Reply Page  123 5>
  Share Topic   

Forum Jump Forum Permissions View Drop Down

Forum Software by Web Wiz Forums® version 12.01
Copyright ©2001-2018 Web Wiz Ltd.

This page was generated in 0.289 seconds.