LPVO 1-8x that's not made in SE Asia?

[silicosys4]

I bought a Vortex Strike Eagle 1-8x SFP as a black friday deal, and it was a big fail right out of the box, faulty electronics.

Thats two chinese LPVO's i've bought, both over $300 apiece, both with tons of good reviews, and both have had bad illuminated reticles right out the box. The first one's illuminated reticle was offset from the etched reticle by about 4" at 100 yards, so it was super annoying to look through while illuminated, giving you two reticles to choose from, slightly offset from each other.
I could just use it as a non-illuminated scope, but the etched reticle is so lightly etched and fine that its unusable in anything but direct bright sunlight and light backgrounds.

The strike eagle's illuminated reticle started flickering on setting 11 the first time I turned it on, then cut out, then would only work on 11 intermittently as I cycled through the settings, then gradually got better until it mostly works on setting 11, with a light tap needed on the battery cover when it starts flickering or just doesn't turn on.
Range toy only. A shame because when it works I really like it, and I really like the BDC3 reticle.

So whats a comparable 1-8x LPVO with a good BDC reticle for a .308/556, that isn't made in China? Buy once cry once, I suppose. High price Chinese optics aren't any better than their cheapest NCstar garbage in my experience.

 

[powermad]

Step up to a Viper that's made in the Phillipines.

Vortex Viper PST Gen II 1-6x24 VMR-2 MRAD Like New Demo Scope PST-1607

Like New Demo Vortex Viper PST Gen II 1-6x24 at Eurooptic.com. Vortex Viper PST riflescope offers top-tier performance in a riflescope designed and built to the standards precision tactical shooters request. Shop Vortex rifle Scope online. SHIPS FREE!

www.eurooptic.com

Nevermind, not a 1-8

 

[LocoGringo]

I got news for you...$300 is not "high priced". Generally, if you want quality, you have to pay for it. You've probably never heard of them, but Tract Optics is a phenomenal company. I own 4 of their scopes, although not the LPVO. I prefer a FFP scope rather than a SFP scope. Here it is:

TORIC UHD 30mm 1-8x24 MRAD IR LPVO SFP Rifle Scope

The TORIC UHD 30mm 1-8x24 SFP rifle scope is a high-performance low power variable optic (LPVO). With a true 1x magnification, this scope will provide an extremely wide field of view for fast target acquisition. Quickly adjust to 8x for longer shots. This scope is specifically designed for the...

tractoptics.com

Their customer service is absolutely second-to-none. I hate cliches, but it's true in this case.

 

[HKGuns]

Better yet step up to a Burris RT-6 and forget about Vortex. The eyebox is going to be real tight on any sub $500 1-8 optic, making 8x next to useless regardless. The RT6 blows both the Viper and Strike Eagle out of the water. I own two copies of the Viper and the Burris is far and away the better scope.

$315.99 @ EuroOptic

 

[silicosys4]

I got news for you...$300 is not "high priced". Generally, if you want quality, you have to pay for it. You've probably never heard of them, but Tract Optics is a phenomenal company. I own 4 of their scopes, although not the LPVO. I prefer a FFP scope rather than a SFP scope. Here it is:

TORIC UHD 30mm 1-8x24 MRAD IR LPVO SFP Rifle Scope

The TORIC UHD 30mm 1-8x24 SFP rifle scope is a high-performance low power variable optic (LPVO). With a true 1x magnification, this scope will provide an extremely wide field of view for fast target acquisition. Quickly adjust to 8x for longer shots. This scope is specifically designed for the...

tractoptics.com

Their customer service is absolutely second-to-none. I hate cliches, but it's true in this case.

$500 msrp for a chinese optic is high priced.
I'll take a look at that, I haven't heard of them before.

 

[silicosys4]

Better yet step up to a Burris RT-6 and forget about Vortex. The eyebox is going to be real tight on any sub $500 1-8 optic, making 8x next to useless regardless. The RT6 blows both the Viper and Strike Eagle out of the water. I own two copies of the Viper and the Burris is far and away the better scope.

$315.99 @ EuroOptic

Meh. Phillipines.

 

[HKGuns]

Meh, then continue to buy Chi-com garbage and be disappointed.

Or Quadruple your Budget

 

[silicosys4]

Meh, then continue to buy Chi-com garbage and be disappointed.

Or Quadruple your Budget

I'm wholly prepared to spend what I need to if that what it takes to get a "good" optic. I'm not interested in budget scopes anymore, I'm pretty soured on the hit or miss nature of the southeast Asian optics manufacturing industry.
Japanese, American, and European manufacturers are on my radar now.

 

[LocoGringo]

I'm wholly prepared to spend what I need to if that what it takes to get a "good" optic. I'm not interested in budget scopes anymore, I'm pretty soured on the hit or miss nature of the southeast Asian optics manufacturing industry.
Japanese, American, or European manufacturers are on my radar now.

Tract is an American company manufactured in Japan with (I think) German Schott glass. The owners used to be connected to Nikon before they shut down their rifle scope business.

The guarantee for their scopes is unconditional, whether you're the original purchaser or the 10th, no questions asked and no registration card to turn in. If you call or use the chat function on their website, you'll likely talk with one of the owners directly, no phone tree to go through.

Look through YouTube reviews and look'em up. You'll likely not be disappointed.

Edit to add: One significant thing I forgot to mention, they are direct to consumer...no wholesale middleman markup. The value is excellent. The precision scopes I have from them are priced at about $1300 but compete and in some opinions, beat, $2000 scopes. If you can catch them on a demo sale, they're even less expensive and still have the unconditional guarantee.

Edit 2 to add: Came across a sitewide discount code of 10% and free shipping if you use "Christmas 23" Dec. 1-10.

 

[Russ57]

I just went through a scope buying experience. I'll share some things I learned along the way.

Speaking in broad generalizations, 50% will fall on the side of "good glass" and 50% will go for reliable/repeatable tracking. The good glass crowd will favor names like Zeiss, Swarovski, Kahles, etc. The accurate tracking crowd will go with SWFA, Nightforce, Trijicon, etc. The good glass crowd will say "you can't hit what you can't see". The good tracking crowd will say "you can't rely on a scope that won't hold and return to zero, especially after a hard knock" and that the glass is "never bad enough to cost them a shot in legal hunting hours".

You have to decide which camp you fall in. I think a lot of it comes down to the conditions and usage the scope/rifle will be exposed to.

I hesitate to say this but I'm going to. I noticed that there seems to be a group of folks dominating forums and pushing certain brands/models of scopes. Your scope is one of those brands. There are three others that come to mind and two of them start with the letter A.

I wish you the best of luck.

Myself? Initally I bought an Optika 6 based on some forum reviews/advice. I had to return it. Then I bought a Trijicon TenMile for myself and my brother. My brother has deeper pockets and owns all the high dollar Euro scopes. He was impressed with the quality of glass in the Trijion and said he felt was the equal/better of an older Zeiss. Trijicon makes scopes for our Marines so I feel good about the ruggedness.

In closing I'll say the higher the zoom range the higher the cost and complexity of making a good scope. Think hard and long and decide if you could settle for a 1-4 or 2-8 instead of a 1-8. I think you will get a lot more for your money if you can. I'd also up my budget. Spend what you spent of the rifle (and I doubt you have a $300 rifle).

If I was you I'd look at the Trijicon Accupoint, or at least the Credo.

 

[HKGuns]

Well, my 4 Burris RT-6 scopes would like to argue that point.

I too agree that the Trig scopes are great. My Credo and Tenmile are both excellent as well.

Expecting those sorts of recommendations coming from a Strike Eagle is asking a lot. Especially considering your very own statement. But it appears you just like to argue with people who are trying to help you, so welcome to the list.

Thats two chinese LPVO's i've bought, both over $300 apiece

 

[js8588]

Call Vortex. They'll take care of you on that scope. Would probably even give you trade value towards a Razor if you're truly done with the budget stuff.

 

[rabid wombat]

Here is a 1-8. https://www.swarovskioptik.com/us/en/hunting/products/rifle-scopes/z8-i/z8i-plus/z8i-plus-1-8x24

 

[LocoGringo]

Here's another possibility:

EOTECH Vudu® 1-8x24 SFP

VUDU MODEL 1-8x24 SFP

www.eotechinc.com

 

[Russ57]

Silicosys4, it is never about the country. It is about the company, the specifications, and the testing. LOW (light optical works) in Japan makes scopes for at least 10 companies I can think of offhand. They are not at all the same quality. You can get good stuff from China and certainly the Philippines. It tends to comes down to the tolerances that the glass was ground to and the type of suspension system used.

This is one of those "good forums". The people here don't push agendas and try to helpful. They aren't dealers hiding behind monikers pushing products. Treat them with respect and you will be richly rewarded.

The direct to consumer scopes can offer great value but you have no way to see them in a store. So it comes down to word of mouth. Tract makes a well regarded mid/upper level scope. SWFA scopes are cheaper, but rugged and reliable. The SWFA 2.5-10 X 32 ultralight gets rave reviews (good luck finding them in stock).

So you can get something good in the $400 range. You can get something darn good in the $800 range. Now if you want something good in a 1-8 X whatever range you are getting into the $1,000+ and well over range.

Vortex will fix your scope no matter how many times it breaks. They have a great warranty. Many people have used it a lot Not a problem if you have to head home from the local range early. Deal breaker for me if the scope fails in the middle of an Alaska/Africa hunt.

 

[LocoGringo]

So you can get something good in the $400 range. You can get something darn good in the $800 range. Now if you want something good in a 1-8 X whatever range you are getting into the $1,000+ and well over range.

Until Dec. 10, the Tract is $894.60 OTD if my calculator isn't lying to me, and I would consider it in the "Great" range. That's a HECK of a value IF it ticks all of the buyer's requirements for features, quality and durability.

I actually have the EOTech Vudu 1-10 and got it at a great price (for the Vudu 1-10). I can't really compare it to the Vudu 1-8 because the 1-10 is FFP while the 1-8 is SFP. It really depends on what the shooter wants and what the scope compromises to get the magnification range, eyebox, anything else working right.

 

[Russ57]

Tract and Vudu would be high on my list. Not a lot of info on the Vudu line so I'd go Tract. The only negative on Tract is the inability to see/feel/look at one in a store first.

My post was more about how setting the bar at a 8X brings the cost up and therefore the choices down.

 

[Mauser lover]

Just a thought here, that might decrease the budget required.

Get a 3x-9x or 12x and put a reflex sight atop it. I’ve been thinking about switching from my LPVO to that setup for my 3-gun rifle.

Advantages, other than possibly cost, include a better (closer to perfectly true) 1x optic, and faster transitions from near to far targets.

YMMV, I do not know your application, but there’s a thought for you.

 

[Peakbagger46]

I had a Vortex Viper 1-6 (Philippine made) briefly, clear glass and good eyebox BUT it was broken out of the box and had to be returned TWICE before it was fixed.

If you can get a military/LE discount on a Nightforce they’re still expensive but worth the piece of mind and features. I really enjoy my NX8 1-8 (Japan made).

 

[TonyAngel]

If you really want a "good" LPVO, you're gonna have to get to the $1500 or so price point.

I've owned MANY 1-6x PSTs and they're good scopes at the price point. Despite what was said above, the RT6 does not blow a Gen II PST out of the water. The RT6 is an inferior scope, but a good one for its price. Some good scopes come out of the Philippines.

If you're just hell bent on trashing scopes made in China, you've never used one of the Athlon scopes in the Ares line. Its about the specs and the QC. If you buy a scope that is spec'd to meet a $300 price point, that's exactly what you're gonna get.

The point I'm trying to make is that you should be more open minded, rather than basing your entire opinion on an experience you had with a $300 scope. You'll likely get more bang for your buck.

If a scope with a 1x is what you want, be sure that the reticle illumination is bright enough for you, especially if you're going FFP. If I was in the market right now, I'd be looking at a Razor 1-6x, Trijicon Credo HX, Primary Arms PLXc, Tract. If you're looking to spend real money, Khales, Swarovski, Nightforce Atacr.

 

[dranrab]

Myself? Initally I bought an Optika 6 based on some forum reviews/advice. I had to return it.

Why did you have to return it?

 

[Charlie98]

Better yet step up to a Burris RT-6 and forget about Vortex.

I would agree. Buddy of mine has one of those on his AR, and for an LVPO, it's pretty darned nice!


I've got a Crimson Trace CSA-3108, made in Japan, 1-8x28. Very nice scope, but it's big.

 

[Robert]

Vortex will fix or replace it no questions asked. Maybe give them a chance to make it right...

 

[Russ57]

Dranrab, I returned it for a few reasons.

When I took it out of the box I noticed the turrets were screwed all the way down and left. That seemed strange as every other scope has had them centered out of the box. I emailed the manufacturer to ask if that is how they shipped them and never got a response. That didn't leave me feeling good about warranty support. Then, when I looked through the scope, while it was clear and bright I felt the resolution was poor.

 

[Peakbagger46]

Vortex will fix or replace it no questions asked. Maybe give them a chance to make it right...

Yes, and that’s the problem with their glass. Chances are very good (in my personal experience) the VIP warranty will need to be used. On a big game hunt or a serious work/defensive rifle, one doesn’t want good service, we need a reliable optic.