Scopes - New technology or craftsmanship?

joeranger · July 25, 2012, 10:09 PM

I finally replaced my golf clubs after 25 years. I used to make fun of people that blamed their equipment for bad shots. I am shocked at how much better the technology is.
With riflescopes, the key is glass quality and craftsmanship.

However, what new technology is coming for rifle scopes?
Thermal, day/night, rangefinding...
If money was no object, what is the best scope you can buy?
Is is a technologically advanced spyscope or a basic scope with glass that a german artisan polished on a Fraulein's thigh for a year.

I understand that lots of other factors go into a scope decision. I am just trying to get a general feeling for what is new vs old.

Creeper · July 25, 2012, 10:46 PM

Quote:

If money was no object, what is the best scope you can buy?

If cost equates to value... then the Carl Zeiss Optronics Hensoldt ZF 6-24x72 SAM, at a bit under $12,000 would be the "best".

Best is a relative term... best for what?

I tend to go with what I know. Leupold, March, IOR Valdada and US Optics.

Cheers,
C

impalacustom · July 26, 2012, 05:48 AM

Quote:

glass that a german artisan polished on a Fraulein's thigh for a year

This made me have a good laugh, I needed it too, thanks.

jmr40 · July 26, 2012, 10:45 AM

A $200-$300 scope made today is better than a $1,000 scope made 25 years ago. A $50 scope made 25 years ago has more craftsmanship and is probably better finished. I'll take the new technology.

For my money a $300 Leupold VX-2 is about the perfect balance of price and quality. I have more expensive scopes, and less expensive scopes. There is a big gap in quality with a scope only $50 less, only a tiny bit better quality on a scope costing $300 more.

joeranger · July 26, 2012, 12:46 PM

Quote:

A $200-$300 scope made today is better than a $1,000 scope made 25 years ago

This is why I posted the golf club example. Modern technology crushes 20year old craftsmanship. Internet time on your cell phone vs Swiss watchmaking.

Expensive scope technology, if practical, will become cheaper. Think of the laser sight Arnold used in the 1st Terminator. He had a cable running up his sleeve attached to a car battery.

On the contrary, my wife has her mom's old sewing machine and she was told; "Never get rid if it, they don't make them like that anymore".

joeranger · October 24, 2012, 08:48 PM

Update.

New "one shot" scope in the works.

http://www.businessinsider.com/new-o...sniper-2012-10

July 25, 2012, 10:09 PM	#1
joeranger Senior Member Join Date: March 18, 2006 Location: Virginia Posts: 423	Scopes - New technology or craftsmanship? I finally replaced my golf clubs after 25 years. I used to make fun of people that blamed their equipment for bad shots. I am shocked at how much better the technology is. With riflescopes, the key is glass quality and craftsmanship. However, what new technology is coming for rifle scopes? Thermal, day/night, rangefinding... If money was no object, what is the best scope you can buy? Is is a technologically advanced spyscope or a basic scope with glass that a german artisan polished on a Fraulein's thigh for a year. I understand that lots of other factors go into a scope decision. I am just trying to get a general feeling for what is new vs old.

July 26, 2012, 10:45 AM	#4
jmr40 Senior Member Join Date: June 15, 2008 Location: Georgia Posts: 10,806	A $200-$300 scope made today is better than a $1,000 scope made 25 years ago. A $50 scope made 25 years ago has more craftsmanship and is probably better finished. I'll take the new technology. For my money a $300 Leupold VX-2 is about the perfect balance of price and quality. I have more expensive scopes, and less expensive scopes. There is a big gap in quality with a scope only $50 less, only a tiny bit better quality on a scope costing $300 more.

October 24, 2012, 08:48 PM	#6
joeranger Senior Member Join Date: March 18, 2006 Location: Virginia Posts: 423	Update. New "one shot" scope in the works. http://www.businessinsider.com/new-o...sniper-2012-10