I'm sure I'm not catching everything here, but these are the items that have been released or announced this month with my thoughts and comments based on what I've heard so far.
- Schmidt & Bender FFP version of Meta 3-18x42 with FML-TR1 type reticle - this could prove to be a really nice option with PM II turrets and alternative to some of the smaller MPVO's, at 44.5' FOV at 3x for the SFP version if they keep the FFP close this might be an impressive alternative to the 2.5-20 scopes. At around 27oz this could shake some things up, but sounds like we need to wait until summer for this one.
- ZCO 2-10x30 MPVO single turn turret with 12mrad up and 2mrad below zero. A very expensive MPVO but I also imagine along with the price tag comes the best optical performance we have seen yet for this range. Coupled with the new reticles that are the best FFP reticles I've seen to date for MPVO these could prove very promising!
- Leupold new CMR-Mil reticle for 2-10x30. Okay, so it took Leupold 2 years to bring a usable MPVO reticle to market and I still think the reticle could use some improvements, apparently Leupold doesn't think anyone will be dialing this scope because wind holds are essentially non-existing on the main horizontal line, at least they could have given us dots if they didn't want to run the line through the horseshoe.
- Primary Arms PLxC 2.5-20x48 - this could be pretty exciting. PA is known for punching above their class in terms of optical-mechanical performance and I expect this new 2.5-20 will impress, but the bigger question is the reticles, the Athena G2 and Neptune just seem way too busy which leaves the DEKA G2 which could be really nice especially if it works at 2.5x, but that's a big if.
- Primary Arms PLxC 4.5-36x56 - while I am excited about the 2.5-20 not so much with this 4.5-36, similar to Kahles, why use 8x erector for competition oriented scope, with already strong competition from numerous outstanding 6-36x56 designs, I'm not sure what appeal of going down to 4.5x is? Maybe there is some hidden market I am not seeing?
- Kahles K540i 5-40x56 Ultra Wide Angle eyepiece - after almost 20 years of their questionable patent, Swarovski finally takes advantage of the ultra wide angle eyepiece. However, why the 8x erector? The K328i wasn't the best option to start with, so more excitement over this one for sure. With this scope aimed at the competition community I just don't know many who've been asking for such a high erector, instead the community tends to prefer more forgiving designs. Did Kahles engineers figure out some kind of optical formula magic or will this scope struggle to be as forgiving as its counterparts at the price point? Would love to see this side by side with the ZCO 8-40x56, TT 7-35x56 and March Gen2 5-42x56... if I can source or fund some of these I may try to review these later this year.
- Burris XTR PS 3.3-18x50mm and 5.5-30x56 - using their new HUD gives Revic a run for the money, looks like Burris may have even improved upon the knurling which was one of my biggest gripes in previous releases. The HUD looks very promising and the new clickless turret sounds interesting. Consider me impressed, I may look to review one at some point as I've always liked the idea of HUD where I don't have to break cheekweld for changes.
- Leapers scopes from Taiwan. Price is pretty high. Not sure if the market is ready for Taiwanese scopes at this price point, but I imagine they are impressive for the price and may be worth looking into.
- Meprolight scopes from Taiwan. Similar to above on Leapers, maybe same OEM?
- Telson optics 5-32x56 Japanese mfr - starting to see more and more companies pop up with options, unless they are priced right not sure how many people will take a chance on them.
- SAI 10 1-10x24 finally makes its debut, I've been talking about this one for a couple years now but have been told "no", well now it's reality and it's very short and very light, possibly the lightest 1-10 on the market. The SAI 6 is my favorite 1-6 LPVO so I have high hopes for this SAI 10 as long as ATI didn't cut too many corners to make it so short and so light.
- Apex 1-10x24 LPVO assembled in USA - interesting that this Canadian company felt they needed to assemble in the USA, the decision was likely made before Trudeau decided to become a hermit and live out the rest of his exile in Saskatchewan.
- US Optics X Line - yay, more scopes from China... (that was a joke by the way) come on USO, you used to be a dominant force in the high end scope world, let's get some new and innovative designs for your higher end series.
- Meopta under new ownership (2023?), revamping product line, MeoForce DF is new tactical line, these could be really good.
- Primary Arms HTX-1 enclosed RDS, completely made in USA even the glass! Lock deck height to co-witness with standard height irons. This could bring some serious competition to Trijicon and Aimpoint, but pricing the optic close to these major competitors who have already established a solid name for themselves along with military contracts may hinder sales a bit. But it is nice to see someone besides Vortex AMG going full MAGA!
- Apex Vapor 1-4x22 Prismatic - clever design with built in multiplier, wonder if it would work with NODS?
- Zerotech 1-4 prism (motorized zoom) what on earth?
- EOTech compact SFP 3-9x with ACOG compatible mount but with strange MOA reticle - EOTech continues to show they don't understand the market, not sure this is a scope that a bunch of hunters have been asking for, I assume it's going to be pretty finicky but maybe my assumptions are wrong. I think EOTech could help this model with a mil/mil version and a reticle that works better for the gas gun crowd.
- Hi-Lux has super short scopes in 3-12 and 4-16 - wonder if these are same OEM as GPO which also has super shorts in the same mag ranges... coincidence? Either way, I'm not sure yet where these super short designs fit in, I expect them to be pretty finicky and not have the greatest reticles for low mag use, but who knows, maybe we'll all be surprised.
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