I have recently grown an interest in magnified optics for rifles but I know next to nothing regarding the overall reputations and qualities of the different brands, which are many.
Needless to say, I have read somewhat on general features of scopes (Multicoated lenses, Adj.Objectives, parallax, Fixed mag. vs. Variable mag., different styles of crosshairs, exit pupil diameter, friction vs. click adjustment, zero hold and tracking ability, etc.) and understand them, but all brands seem to claim that they sport features which make a good scope. I have not been able to find a general overview that discriminates which are the high end, low end, good, acceptable or just plain garbage brands(other than somewhat by the price).
So, I have made a list of the scope brands that I see most often and I would like you to comment on them, roughly ordering them considering both Optic quality and Accuracy (I know that Zeiss makes excellent microscopes, Nikon makes great cameras so they must be pretty good in the optic quality department, but what about their accuracy?) Perhaps they can be grouped into A)excellent, B)acceptable and C)cheap quality. Help me get an idea of what is what.
Here's the list in alphabetical order:
Needless to say, I have read somewhat on general features of scopes (Multicoated lenses, Adj.Objectives, parallax, Fixed mag. vs. Variable mag., different styles of crosshairs, exit pupil diameter, friction vs. click adjustment, zero hold and tracking ability, etc.) and understand them, but all brands seem to claim that they sport features which make a good scope. I have not been able to find a general overview that discriminates which are the high end, low end, good, acceptable or just plain garbage brands(other than somewhat by the price).
So, I have made a list of the scope brands that I see most often and I would like you to comment on them, roughly ordering them considering both Optic quality and Accuracy (I know that Zeiss makes excellent microscopes, Nikon makes great cameras so they must be pretty good in the optic quality department, but what about their accuracy?) Perhaps they can be grouped into A)excellent, B)acceptable and C)cheap quality. Help me get an idea of what is what.
Here's the list in alphabetical order:
BSA
Burris
Bushnell
Kahles
Leupold
Millet
Nikon
Schmidt-Bender
Sightron
Simmons
Swarovski
Thompson Center
Tasco
Weaver
Zeiss
Burris
Bushnell
Kahles
Leupold
Millet
Nikon
Schmidt-Bender
Sightron
Simmons
Swarovski
Thompson Center
Tasco
Weaver
Zeiss