Optics: The Latest Glass

Keep these new products in your field of view when buying scopes and binoculars.

By Robert Sadowksi | Published Jan 1, 2000 5:00 AM EST

Gear

Field & Stream Online Editors

Your shooting customer comes to you for three integral pieces of equipment. A firearm, of course, and ammo, but without the right glass, he’s just shooting in the dark. Let’s take a look at what’s new this year in optics.

Alpen Outdoors
Alpen Outdoors has introduced a line of binoculars that feature external LCD readouts for compass direction, temperature and time. The line includes 8×25 and 10×25 compact models (SRP: both under $100) and a full- size 10×42 version (SRP: under $200). The Shasta Ridge line of 8×26 and 10×26 compact binoculars has an improved eye-cup system with a twist-up-and-lock design (SRP: both under $200). Booth #7672. (909-987-8370; alpenoutdoor.com)

Barska
Barska is introducing a new line of illuminated tactical riflescopes (SRP: $170 to $480) and launching the Benchmark Series of spotting scopes this year (SRP: $180). Booth #8273. (888-666-6769; barska.com)

Brunton
Brunton is partnering with the NRA to offer a line of optics that includes binoculars, spotting scopes and riflescopes. The company has also redesigned its Eterna binocular series with ergonomic body armor and a new eye-relief system for eyeglass compatibility. Eternas come in compact 8×25 (SRP: $249) and 10×25 (SRP: $249), midsize 8×32 and 10×32 (SRP: $449) and full-size 8×45, 11×45 and 15×51 (SRP: $499 to 599) models. A new Eterna 18¿¿¿38×50 compact spotting scope was designed with the mobile hunter in mind. It weighs just 24 ounces, making it lighter than most binoculars (SRP: $599). Complementing the tripods are two quick-release tripod heads: the Micro (SRP: $99) and the Grip, a grip-action ball-and-socket head that offers one-handed control (SRP: $129). Booth #3125 and #3325. (307-856-6559; brunton.com)

Burris
Burris is launching the Signature Select line of binoculars, featuring premium, multicoated glass, in 8×42, 10×42, 10×50 and 12×50 (SRP: $459 to $599). The LaserScope (SRP: $999) integrates a 4¿¿¿12×42 riflescope and an 800-yard laser range finder. The 30mm Euro Diamond line offers four new models: 1¿¿¿4×24, 1.5¿¿¿6×40, 2.5¿¿¿10×50 and 3¿¿¿12×56 (SRP: $479 to $749). Burris’s 2¿¿¿7×32 handgun scope (SRP: $379) now features a lighted reticle. Booth #4167. (970-356-1670; burrisoptics.com)

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Bushnell
Bushnell’s new laser range finder, the Elite 1500 ARC, has two modes that determine true horizontal distance for archers and five ballistic settings to match caliber and bullet for riflemen (SRP: $499). The Legend line of binoculars has been upgraded with a smaller and lighter magnesium body. The line includes 8×32, 8×42, 10×42 and 12×50 models (SRP: $200 to $230). The new Yardage Pro 4¿¿¿12×42 riflescope (SRP: $899) combines multicoated optics with a laser range finder. Booth #3933. (913-752-3400; bushnell.com)

Carson Optical
Carson’s Caribou 10×42 binocular is for the sportsman on a tight budget. It features fully multicoated optics and a BAK-4 prism system. SRP: $95. Booth #8631. (800-967-8427; carson-optical.com)

[NEXT “More Optics”] Elcan
Elcan introduced the DigitalHunter riflescope at last year’s SHOT Show. This year, Elcan has started production and will have the scope available for dealers. The DigitalHunter is part traditional optic and part electronics. The rear eyepiece is like the viewer in a camcorder. Users can record still or video images through the scope manually or upon firing the rifle, save the image to a memory card and download it later. SRP: $1,399. Booth #22063. (705-526-5401; elcan sportingoptics.com)

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Konus
Konus has introduced the Laser Range Finder 600, a coact 600-yard laser range finder with three modes: rain, reflection and over 150 yards (SRP: $530). The ViviSport 21 microcompact 8X binocular is compact enough to be carried inside your pocket (SRP: $50). Two new KonusPro scopes, a fixed 2.5×32 (SRP: $80) and a variable 1.5¿¿¿5×32 (SRP: $115) are suitable for both shotgun and blackpowder shooting. Booth #22037. (305-258-9886; konus.com)

Kowa
Kowa has just taken a major step to decrease its visibility. Working with Realtree Camou-flage, Kowa has added this legendary “stealth pattern” to three of its most sought-after high-performance compact binoculars-the BD42, BD32 and BD25-and to its TSN 602 60mm spotting scope. The lenses and prisms of the BD binocular series and the TSN scopes are fully multicoated, ensuring a clear visual range and high image resolution. The lightweight yet rugged housing of each instrument is designed to minimize bulk. SRP: $260 to $620 for the binoculars, $490 for the spotting scope. Booth #7643. (800-966-5692; kowa-usa.com)

Leupold & Stevens
Leupold’s VX-L gives hunters a large 50mm-objective riflescope that can be mounted as low as a typical 36mm riflescope. The 56mm VX-L sits as low as a 40mm scope and lower than standard 42mm and 44mm models. It’s available in 3.5¿¿¿10×50 (SRP: $700), 4.5¿¿¿14×50 (SRP: $750), 3.5¿¿¿10×56 with one-inch tubes and 4.5¿¿¿14×56 and 6.5¿¿¿20×56 models with 30mm tubes. Booth #4229. (503-526-1400; leupold.com)

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Meopta
Meopta entered the U.S. market in 2004. Last year it introduced a complete line of Meostar riflescopes and binoculars. This year the company will focus on a new spotting scope line. The Meostar S1 series features an angled and straight eyepiece (SRP: $814). The Meostar S1 APO uses fluoride optics to reduce secondary color aberration, assuring brilliant, crystal-clear images (SRP: $1,059). Booth #7349. (631-436-5900; meopta.com)

[NEXT “More Optics”] Minox
Minox unveils its porro-prism binoculars in 8×44 (SRP: $399) and 10×44 (SRP: $399). Both models have a new look and weigh just over 24 ounces. Enhanced 3-D imagery yields greater light transmission. Booth #429-3. (minox.com)

Nikon
Nikon’s new DigiScope P1 Pro Wi-Fi System is a spotting scope adapted to a digital camera. It combines the Nikon Coolpix P1 digital camera with the Fieldscope digital-camera bracket FSB-3, the 82mm Fieldscope ED straight body and 30X Wide DS digiscoping eyepiece. SRP: $2,000. Booth #3713. (310-414-8107; nikonusa.com)

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Pentax
Pentax’s line of DCF HS binoculars in 8×36 and 10×36 are now available in Mossy Oak New Break-Up camouflage (SRP: both around $250). The 8×42 and 10×42 DCF WP binos have been upgraded with helicoid eyepieces, aluminum-alloy bodies and super-reflective prism coating for brighter images (SRP: both under $450). Booth #5137. (800-877-0155; pentaximaging.com)

Redfield
“Redfield now employs the only true one-piece tube in the construction of all new scopes,” says national sales manager Kyle Brown. “The lightweight magnesium-alloy tube is machined as a one-piece unit from the object bell to the ocular housing.” Brown says that the objective lens uses extra-low dispersion (ED) glass that prevents colors from separating. This type of lens is usually found in high-end spotting scopes and telescopes. The new Redfield line will include five models: 3¿¿¿15×52 (SRP: $699) and 5¿¿¿25×52 (SRP: $799) scopes with one-inch tubes and 1.5¿¿¿7.5×42 (SRP: $649), 4¿¿¿20×56 (SRP: $799) and 6¿¿¿30×56 (SRP: $899) scopes with 30mm tubes. Booth #8709. (888-285-4486; redfieldoptics.com)

Simmons
Simmons has expanded its CaptureView series with a high-resolution, waterproof, 3.2 megapixel 8×30 model (SRP: $279). With CaptureView, users can download photos to a PC. Simmons Yardage Master Laser Rangefinders not only provide precise distance measurements, they can also measure velocities of up to 400 mph. The Yardage Master 800 (SRP: $320) and the Yardage Master 1000 (SRP: $400) are accurate to 800 and 1,000 yards, respectively. Booth #8709. (800-285-0689; simmonsoptics.com)

[NEXT “More Optics”] Steiner
The 10×40 Predator Pro, the latest addition to Steiner’s Predator line, offers improved clarity and greater light transmission.The rubber armoring has also been reengineered to be quieter and easier to grip in wet weather. SRP: $299. Booth #5841. (800-257-7742; steiner-binoculars.com)

Swarovski
Swarovski is reintroducing its SLC line of binoculars, now with photo-quality lenses. They also feature a new ergonomic design and new vulcanized rubber-armored housing. The new SLCs come in 8×30 (SRP: $1,110), 7×42 (SRP: $1,410), 10×42 (SRP: $1,477), 7×50 (SRP: $1,666), 8×50 (SRP: $1,721), 10×50 (SRP: $1,777), 8×56 (SRP: $1,777) and 15×56 (SRP: $2,032). Booth #3425. (800-426-3089; swarovskioptik.at)

Trijicon
In October, Trijicon started fulfilling a contract with the Marine Corps for 104,000 TA31 Rifle Combat Optic (RCO) ACOG sights. Civilian consumers can expect a redesigned TriPower with an aluminum housing (SRP: $599). The AccuPoint 3¿¿¿9×40 Riflescope has a tritium-illuminated, amber- or red-colored reticle, multilayer coated lenses, a quick-focus eyepiece, a manual brightness-adjustment override and precise windage and elevation adjustments (SRP: $1,450). Booth #4018 and #4121. (800-338-0563; trijicon.com)

Vortex Optics
The new Vortex Razor binoculars in 8×42 (SRP: $850) and 10×42 (SRP: $870) offer European styling, multilayered lens and prism coatings and a multi-click eyecup design with interchangeable flared eyecups. Vortex’s Spitfire binoculars, available in 8×25 (SRP: $140), 10×25 (SRP: $150), 8.5×32 (SRP: $190) and 10×32 (SRP: $200), feature single-hinge construction with twist-up eyecups. Booth #4189. (800-426-0048; vortexoptics.com)

Weaver
Weaver has given its Grand Slam 7×42 and 10×42 binoculars a makeover. They’re less bulky and lighter, the extended eyecups pull straight out and the black-rubber armoring offers better protection. SRP: From $655. Booth #8709. (949-451-1450; weaveroptics.com)

Zeiss
Zeiss’s magnum-sized riflescope, the Victory Diavari 6¿¿¿24, offers a 72mm objective lens and a 34mm tube that provide enhanced light transmission so users can locate and identify targets at extreme distances in very low light (SRP: $3,750). The new 2.5¿¿¿10×42 is available in two models: the Vi>
Simmons has expanded its CaptureView series with a high-resolution, waterproof, 3.2 megapixel 8×30 model (SRP: $279). With CaptureView, users can download photos to a PC. Simmons Yardage Master Laser Rangefinders not only provide precise distance measurements, they can also measure velocities of up to 400 mph. The Yardage Master 800 (SRP: $320) and the Yardage Master 1000 (SRP: $400) are accurate to 800 and 1,000 yards, respectively. Booth #8709. (800-285-0689; simmonsoptics.com)