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Retirement Age: The Progress of Modern Optics
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March 21, 2012
Retirement Age: The Progress of Modern Optics
By David E. Petzal
At any given time I’m likely to be shooting loaner rifles, and so I keep eight or so scopes on hand to mount on these guns. Some of the scopes have been around for 15 years or more, and I keep using them because they work. The other day, however, I was shooting with one that had been around a long time, and on the other rifle I was using I had a brand-new Meopta MeoStar. When I switched from the rifle with the Meopta to the one with the old scope it was as though I had suddenly developed glaucoma. Everything went dim and muddy.
Often, when this happens, it’s because the lenses have acquired a coating of what looks like dried oxtail soup, topped by a layer of dust. You clean them off and they’re fine. But the lenses on this old scope were clean. What was at work? New scopes are so much better than those from only a decade ago that they make them look...disadvantaged. Optical progress, which used to proceed at a measured and stately course, now moves at the same breakneck speed as everything else.
This is not a disadvantage. One of the results is, I’m now seeing new low-priced scopes that are as good, optically, as the high-priced scopes of the 1990s. And today’s medium- and high-priced scopes are in another league altogether.
The other thing that happened on that fateful day was, my old scope declined to send bullets where they were supposed to go. The windage adjustment was either worn out, or wearing out, and was unable to do what I was telling it.
So I sighed, and retired the old scope, and got a brand-new Meopta Meopro, and everything is now bright and sharp, and the bullets go where they’re supposed to, but it’s sort of sad. The old scope had served honorably.
I have yet to feel an ounce of empathy, however, for any old computer.
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Comments (21)
Dave,
It is a wonderful thing that optics are getting better every year since our eyes aren't.....
Is the Meopta Meopro the scope you wrote about that's made in Czech Republic? If they're anything like the CZ rifles they should be quite a bargain.
From Zeiss' Conquest, to Nikon's Monarch and Prostaff series, Redfields new models and a Vortex crossfire that I paid about a $100.00 for, it's amazing what today's optics give you for the money invested.
I have a fair amount of various new age scopes of mid range prices, but my tiring eyes never fail in delighting in Bushnell optics.
That said, a close codger friend has meopta stuff and it is indeed fine optical quality.
However, I still wish I could do iron sights.
To PBshooter1217: The Meostars are made and assembled abroad and have 30mm tubes; the Meopros have their parts made in the Czech Republic but are assembled here, and have 1-inch tubes.
many of those old scopes have lifetime warranties on them redfield, leupold, bushnell, weaver and some others will fix them for free. after many years of use the seals may leak and other problems will occur. i have sent some scopes back to the above manufacturers and the came back good as new. I sent a redfield and a leupold that were 40 years old and they were fixed absolutely free
Quality of glass now days is amazing. Looking through a decade plus old Leupold VX-III and the new VX-3 are two entirely different experiences.
Speaking of Leupold, some time back I sent them a VX-II from the late 70's that was failing. Three weeks later I received a brand new in the shrink wrapped box VX-II via UPS.
Dave,I'm starting to notice that myself. Like you, I have a safe full of good old optics; some dating back further than I care to guess. They cost a pretty penny back in the day. However, I am discovering that I can get equivalent function and better clarity in scopes costing much less today. That is wonderful news for us and I could not be happier.
My nephew recently got a $200 Vortex for deer hunting that shoots lights out and I recently got a Nikon Monarch that is an outstanding hunting scope in the $400 range. I'm still using my old Leupold 6.5020x for 1000 yard shooting because I really works but if I had to get a new scope today, I don't think I would pay nearly as much for more.
I've never been one to spend a ton of money for glass, I know lash me to the yard iron, but that's the way it is for me....and it works!
That reminds me, I got one of the very first 3x9 Red Field Wide Fields to ever hit the market to be sent back. Guess I'll see what the new owners (Leupold) will do?
Speaking of glaucoma, I've notice over the years my eyes don't adjust like they use to. SOOOO, I'll have to either readjust them and buy scopes that are adjustable. Alex can't see through my scope and his scope is a blur! Getting old really sucks!
I also lack any empathy for any new mac. You can learn more in 15 minutes in the woods behind a scope than in in 10 years on facebook.
speaking of old computers, they were made with keyboards that were extremely tough and meant to be banged, since the first computer users were raised on typewriters. today's keyboards are downright flimsy.
DP,
I admire your willingness to 'drive on' with that which most interests you while ignoring that which does not - i.e.,computers. I tend to do the same. If a computer were an airplane I would not consider flying it.
Clay, re, O-A Sucks, I couldn't agree more but I am doing the best I can to ignore it. So,
onward,
dickgun
Sell your scopes and write a review on Lasik, or cataract surgery. Cheers.
About Lazik, been there, done that. Now my vision is 20-20 but my eyes are constantly dry as Death Valley. I use high priced eye drops every day for a little relief. Wish I had used the $2K+ for another gun or maybe a hunting trip instead.
Douglas:
Better get used to it. I had to deface my grandfather's sleek, smooth .35 Remington model 141 pump with a scope because I couldn't see zip with iron sights anymore.
I was reading the new rag Rifle Firepower. They were testing one of the 30" barreled 12 series Savage target rifles. Known to be tackdrivers and win international competitions right out of the factory. Expected a Nightforce or at least some other four figure scope. Nope. $150 Pentax.
At this phase I don't know if I could part with my go to scope. Its and old schmidt and bender (old enough to say West Germany on it), and it gathers light so wellthat I can see through it well past legal shooting time because it just gathers light so well.
Give me Leupold or give me death.
Post a Comment
Dave,
It is a wonderful thing that optics are getting better every year since our eyes aren't.....
I have a fair amount of various new age scopes of mid range prices, but my tiring eyes never fail in delighting in Bushnell optics.
That said, a close codger friend has meopta stuff and it is indeed fine optical quality.
However, I still wish I could do iron sights.
To PBshooter1217: The Meostars are made and assembled abroad and have 30mm tubes; the Meopros have their parts made in the Czech Republic but are assembled here, and have 1-inch tubes.
many of those old scopes have lifetime warranties on them redfield, leupold, bushnell, weaver and some others will fix them for free. after many years of use the seals may leak and other problems will occur. i have sent some scopes back to the above manufacturers and the came back good as new. I sent a redfield and a leupold that were 40 years old and they were fixed absolutely free
Quality of glass now days is amazing. Looking through a decade plus old Leupold VX-III and the new VX-3 are two entirely different experiences.
Speaking of Leupold, some time back I sent them a VX-II from the late 70's that was failing. Three weeks later I received a brand new in the shrink wrapped box VX-II via UPS.
I also lack any empathy for any new mac. You can learn more in 15 minutes in the woods behind a scope than in in 10 years on facebook.
About Lazik, been there, done that. Now my vision is 20-20 but my eyes are constantly dry as Death Valley. I use high priced eye drops every day for a little relief. Wish I had used the $2K+ for another gun or maybe a hunting trip instead.
Is the Meopta Meopro the scope you wrote about that's made in Czech Republic? If they're anything like the CZ rifles they should be quite a bargain.
From Zeiss' Conquest, to Nikon's Monarch and Prostaff series, Redfields new models and a Vortex crossfire that I paid about a $100.00 for, it's amazing what today's optics give you for the money invested.
Dave,I'm starting to notice that myself. Like you, I have a safe full of good old optics; some dating back further than I care to guess. They cost a pretty penny back in the day. However, I am discovering that I can get equivalent function and better clarity in scopes costing much less today. That is wonderful news for us and I could not be happier.
My nephew recently got a $200 Vortex for deer hunting that shoots lights out and I recently got a Nikon Monarch that is an outstanding hunting scope in the $400 range. I'm still using my old Leupold 6.5020x for 1000 yard shooting because I really works but if I had to get a new scope today, I don't think I would pay nearly as much for more.
I've never been one to spend a ton of money for glass, I know lash me to the yard iron, but that's the way it is for me....and it works!
That reminds me, I got one of the very first 3x9 Red Field Wide Fields to ever hit the market to be sent back. Guess I'll see what the new owners (Leupold) will do?
Speaking of glaucoma, I've notice over the years my eyes don't adjust like they use to. SOOOO, I'll have to either readjust them and buy scopes that are adjustable. Alex can't see through my scope and his scope is a blur! Getting old really sucks!
speaking of old computers, they were made with keyboards that were extremely tough and meant to be banged, since the first computer users were raised on typewriters. today's keyboards are downright flimsy.
DP,
I admire your willingness to 'drive on' with that which most interests you while ignoring that which does not - i.e.,computers. I tend to do the same. If a computer were an airplane I would not consider flying it.
Clay, re, O-A Sucks, I couldn't agree more but I am doing the best I can to ignore it. So,
onward,
dickgun
Sell your scopes and write a review on Lasik, or cataract surgery. Cheers.
Douglas:
Better get used to it. I had to deface my grandfather's sleek, smooth .35 Remington model 141 pump with a scope because I couldn't see zip with iron sights anymore.
I was reading the new rag Rifle Firepower. They were testing one of the 30" barreled 12 series Savage target rifles. Known to be tackdrivers and win international competitions right out of the factory. Expected a Nightforce or at least some other four figure scope. Nope. $150 Pentax.
At this phase I don't know if I could part with my go to scope. Its and old schmidt and bender (old enough to say West Germany on it), and it gathers light so wellthat I can see through it well past legal shooting time because it just gathers light so well.
Give me Leupold or give me death.
Post a Comment