optics

Two Super Spotting Scopes From Zeiss

Dave_Maccar — Thu, 04 Aug 2011 10:49:50 -0400

by David E. Petzal

Over the past several months, through the forbearance of Carl Zeiss, Inc., I’ve been able to form a meaningful relationship with two spotting scopes that deserve special attention. Neither is brand-new, and I believe I’ve written about at least one before. But so what? Would you play Screamin’ Jay Hawkins recording of "I’ll Put a Spell on You" only once? Huh?

The first of these is the Victory DiaScope T* FL, which comes in 65mm and 85mm versions. (I had the 85.) It’s rubber-armored, runs from 20X to 75X, weighs 52 ounces, comes in straight or angled versions, and costs a lot of money. You can look up the price yourself as it varies considerably by source.

The important thing about this instrument is, its brightness, sharpness, and high magnification render it nearly intergalactic in its capabilities. If you’re a serious shooter, it’s worth the money, period. It will do things that other spotting scopes can’t.

The Old Days: Fogged Scopes and Wet Feet

Dave_Maccar — Wed, 29 Jun 2011 10:09:25 -0400

by David E. Petzal

Through the kindness of a friend, I came into a copy of a handbook called “Deer Hunting,” published in 1966 and written by Warren Page. There’s a lot of good advice in it--Lefty knew his business--and there are also some jarring reminders of how much things have changed.

Page spends a couple of paragraphs on rifle scopes, fragility of, how to avoid fogging, and I was shocked to realize I couldn’t remember the last time I saw a scope built in the last 20 years that had fogged. I’ve seen a number of them that were broken by recoil or poor treatment, but no fogging. That problem seems to be licked.

The same with wet feet. The last time I got wet feet from a pair of “waterproof” boots was in the late 1980s or early 1990s in Virginia, when I hiked through the hills and hollers in a pair of Gore-Tex-lined boots that leaked like sieves. The problem was not with the Gore-Tex itself, but with the fact that boot makers didn’t know how to use it. Since then, I can’t remember a Gore-Tex boot leaking.

Field Tester Wanted: Rock the New Revo Water Lenses

Joe_Cermele — Mon, 18 Apr 2011 10:01:10 -0400

By Kirk Deeter

One of you is going to get a keeper pair of the newest Revo polarized sunglasses--the "Guide" model, with the new "Water lenses" that have the fly fishing world buzzing (a retail value of $179). And all I want in return is your honest opinion. Well, it's not quite that easy. You're going to have to work a little to earn this spot on the FlyTalk field test roster.

Old Gear vs. New Gear: Snowshoes and Scopes

Dave_Maccar — Thu, 17 Feb 2011 11:07:24 -0500

by David E. Petzal

One of the areas in which I resisted change the longest was snowshoes. I had a pair of Vermont Tubbs traditional webs made out of ash and varnished rawhide in the “Michigan” pattern, and swore I would never get the new style Tubbs, which are made in China out of aluminum and neoprene. For years we got no snow, so I gave the old webs away, but this winter we got so much snow that I needed snowshoes just to pick up the branches on my lawn, and since I couldn’t find the old style anywhere, I got the new ones (the Venture model). I’m saddened to say the aluminum and neoprene monstrosities work much, much better than the old type. It isn’t even close. Next thing you know I’ll be replacing all my wood-stocked guns with plastic.

Leupold’s CDS Explained: Part I

Dave_Maccar — Wed, 29 Dec 2010 07:39:57 -0500

by David E. Petzal

As I revealed in my post of December 22, Leupold has a new range-compensating system called CDS which offers some major advantages to those of you who yearn to hit things Way Out There. Here’s how it works:

1. Buy a Leupold VX-3 scope equipped for the CDS system. (There are five models from which you can choose.) The scope comes with a “sighter” elevation dial that you use for getting the scope on target.

2. Figure out which loads you want to shoot at long range and then call the Leupold Custom Shop (1-800-LEUPOLD) so they can make you a custom dial. Provide them with the diameter, ballistic coefficient, bullet type (spitzer, round nose, etc.), muzzle velocity (it helps if you have a chronograph so you can give them what you’re actually getting), the average elevation and temperature at which you shoot, and whether you intend to zero the gun at 100 or 200 yards. The price is $50 per dial.

A Big Deal from Leupold Optics!

Dave_Maccar — Wed, 22 Dec 2010 08:57:37 -0500

By David E. Petzal

On December 20 and 21, when normal people were watching their kids wet themselves in mall Santas’ laps, I was out in 20-degree weather (with winds gusting to 30 mph) testing a new range-compensating system from Leupold.

It’s called the CDS, and is just the ticket if you wish to join the ravening hordes who want to shoot at long range. CDS works with the Leupold VX-3 series scopes, and gives you these advantages:

- You get to use a normal-sized scope.
- Look ma, no batteries!
- It adjusts in 10-yard increments, unlike most systems, which adjust in 50-yard increments.
-The range compensation works at any power setting, not just one.
- It’s extremely simple.
- It works.

But here’s the catch: Leupold has a special offer in connection with the CDS that saves you $100, but it’s good only until December 31. So put down the eggnog, which you don’t like anyway, and click on VX-3 CDS Promotion.

Deeter: Use Binoculars to Help Select Your Fly

Joe_Cermele — Wed, 15 Sep 2010 11:24:48 -0400

I've been spending a lot of time lately sitting high on the banks looking through binoculars at the river surface and watching trout eat. Many years ago, legendary guide Rusty Vorous taught me this trick while we were fishing the spring creeks in Montana's Paradise Valley. His theory was simple: If you take the time to watch the river through field glasses, you get a better idea of what bugs are hatching, and what trout are really sipping, long before you're standing knee-deep in an area where every cast matters, and every wasted motion spooks fish. That's especially important at this time of year, when waters are low and clear, and the trout have been through months of "education."

Petzal: The Bushnell 6X-24X Elite 4200 Tactical

Joe_Cermele — Fri, 19 Mar 2010 11:07:14 -0400

When talking about the 4200 Elite, I find it necessary to repeat the following: When the scope came out in the early 1990s, I was drawn to it for a variety of reasons, and ended up with maybe half a dozen. When the company developed Rain Guard coating for the line, I sold all the first crop and replaced them with the newer scopes. All told, I’ve had something like 14 Elite 4200s in service for close to 20 years, used them everywhere, mounted them on some fearsome rifles, and never had one fail in any way, shape, or form.

Gear Review: Nikon Coyote Special riflescope

JayCassell — Wed, 24 Feb 2010 14:19:30 -0500

Equipped with an open circle and bullet-drop compensating reticle, this scope has an antireflective honeycombed screen that eliminates game-spooking glare. It’s available in 3–9x40mm and 4.5–14x40mm.

Gear Review: Leupold VX-7 Varmnt Hunter riflescope

JayCassell — Wed, 24 Feb 2010 14:15:41 -0500

Excellent light transmission, fully multicoated scratch-resistant lenses, bombproof waterproofing, and a rangefinding reticle make this scope suitable for any conditions. It’s available in 3.5–14x50mm, 3.5–14x56mm, and 4.5–18x56mm.