Rifle Scopes Glassaholic's History of Reviews

[Glassaholic]

No, you're definitely correct.

I have a 7-35 ATACR & I typically use 16-20x, particularly when there is mirage. I took it out to 1,336 yards two weekends ago & stayed @ 18x the whole time & didn't think twice about it... I rarely shoot @ 25x. Everything above 25x is for shooting paper <200yd & seeing the groups without walking to check the target.

The only time I'd like to have a lot of magnification on a hunting rifle is if I was trying to take the largest ram out of pack of Auodad or biggest cow from elk herd. You'd most likely be shooting long range & need some magnification to see which is the largest ram or cow while you're glassing them. Then I'd put up with the extra 4oz.

eta: for what it's worth, the 5-25x ATACR has the worst glass of the entire ATACR line, so stay away from that one.

^^^ This is spot on! Too many guys think they need lots of magnification to shoot far. All these new 7-35's, 6-36's, 8-40's, etc. are not because guys are shooting 3 mile targets using 40x, if you're shooting anywhere outside you are going to deal with atmospheric conditions do not play nicely with magnification.

PS - I love your signature quote, I have thought about leaving the Hide because I agree - this site has caused me to spend way more money on shooting than I ever thought I would a decade ago. That being said, I have also learned a lot more about shooting and am much better educated than I was a decade ago. If I could go back in time to a ten year younger self there would be a lot of advice that I would give that I wish I had then

 

[R_A_W]

if you're shooting anywhere outside you are going to deal with atmospheric conditions do not play nicely with magnification

I actually decided last weekend that ATACR is the highest magnification I'd ever own. Conditions are only good enough maybe 5 of my shooting days each year to even use it. It's a spotting scope with a receiver under it. Future purchases will probably top out in the 18-20x range.

this site has caused me to spend way more money on shooting than I ever thought I would a decade ago.

I see how much you spend on glass & I'm speechless... until I start adding up what I've spent this year, on stuff I won't see until well into 2024

 

[Convex]

A real waste is blowing your money on "fast women and slow horses".

At least when U buy a good gun, you can get some of UR money back.

 

[Glassaholic]

Just added the review for the March 1.5-15x42, Athlon Helos BTR Gen2 2-12x42 and Nightforce ATACR 4-16x42 - check out how a 4x, 6x and 10x scope compared to one another.

 

[LoCal247]

Ummm... not quite sure how to take this

It’s deep

 

[Scopeye]

Where would the Zeiss LRP S3 4x25x50 fit in comparing these two scopes considering street prices?

I'd sure like to see how the $2299.99 Zeiss LRP S3 4-25x50 34mm compares to the $1494.00 Tract Toric ELR 34mm 4-25x50 version of that scope. Also curious to see how the new $1999.99 Element Nexus Gen 2 4-25x50 30mm compares to them as well.

 

[david walter]

I’d like to see your “Best Value” list in each category.

You pick the categories.

 

[Glassaholic]

I’d like to see your “Best Value” list in each category.

You pick the categories.

Oh wow, okay. Probably the reason I've never done this is because there are so many caveats to "best" so I will rename this to recommendations - what would I recommend based on each category. Here are some categories I am thinking of, if someone else has some ideas of other categories please share, I only care about FFP scopes, so no need to ask, if you want SFP then go over to Rokslide or LongRangeHunter as plenty of guys over there can give you advice on SFP and how many inches to hold over .

• Long range scopes (>= 24x max mag)
• Heavy Crossover scopes (30-35 oz, low mag <=4.5x, high mag >= 15x)
• Light Crossover scopes (<30 oz, low mag <=4.5x, high mag >= 15x)
• Ultra Short scopes (<35 oz, low mag <=5x, high mag >= 18x)
• MPVO scopes SPR/DMR for AR platform (<32 oz, low mag <=5x, high mag >= 12x)
• LPVO*

Within each of the above categories I will also have the following sub-classes:

1. High Alpha Class (>$4k MSRP)
2. Low Alpha Class ($3k - $4k MSRP)
3. Mid Class ($1500 - $3k MSRP)
4. Budget Class (<$1500 MSRP)
5. Biden Class (<$1k MSRP)

Within each of the above classes I'm going to have an Olympic style ranking:

1. Gold Medal
2. Silver Medal
3. Bronze Medal

This will allow me to choose my top 3 recommendations and I will also explain why I chose what I did, keeping in mind the rankings are subjective based on my preferences, what I rank as Bronze may be someone else's Gold because they have different preferences for example.

* I honestly do not have enough experience with LPVO's to give reasonable recommendations, there are plenty of other experts here who can offer much better advise than I when it comes to this niche category.

 

[david walter]

Thats the ticket, right there.

 

[The Knuckle]

Glassaholic Really appreciate you putting the time into doing these reviews. I've enjoyed every single one and have learned a great deal about optics! Thank you!

 

[Glassaholic]

Glassaholic Really appreciate you putting the time into doing these reviews. I've enjoyed every single one and have learned a great deal about optics! Thank you!

Appreciate that Knuckles, illness has kept me out of the picture for a bit but hoping to do more in 2024, wanting to start a youtube channel but proving harder than it seems, mostly because I’m a perfectionist and my videos are anything but so I need to learn to let that go to get content out in a timely manner.

 

[david walter]

I spend a lot less money on buying scopes to try when you do it first.

Keep ‘em coming!

 

[Convex]

Appreciate that Knuckles, illness has kept me out of the picture for a bit but hoping to do more in 2024, wanting to start a youtube channel but proving harder than it seems, mostly because I’m a perfectionist and my videos are anything but so I need to learn to let that go to get content out in a timely manner.

WHAT!!! You pay attention to details, double ck b4 you open your mouth, you wait and don't release results until you are sure?

This is an outrage!!

 

[farwest]

I appreciate the time that you spend on the reviews. You are providing useful information, not trying to sell some product.

 

[Glassaholic]

WHAT!!! You pay attention to details, double ck b4 you open your mouth, you wait and don't release results until you are sure?

This is an outrage!!

Probably a little too much attention to detail

 

[Convex]

A guy who researches, questions, expending a tremendous amout of effort spelling out the little details to help others while saving them a boatload of money w/o asking anything in return, will never be that kind of guy.

You'll be the only guy saying that about you Glassaholic, so my respect/compliments for the work you've put in.

Take Care.

 

[smarcus]

Thanks very much OP. I really enjoy your reviews and have found them extremely helpful. Best regards.

 

[godofthunder]

Did i miss the Steiner T6xi vs ATACR or has that not been posted?

 

[Glassaholic]

Did i miss the Steiner T6xi vs ATACR or has that not been posted?

It has not been posted, it has been delayed, my apologies as health and family issues have taken priority.

 

[Glassaholic]

I know many of you have been waiting a long time for my Steiner T6Xi 3-18x56 review and it is almost done, I could go on and on about why it's taken so long but let's just say work, weather and illness have not been my best friend the past 5 months.

I just received a Schmidt 6-36x56 and a friend is sending me his TT 7-35x56 for review, I plan to also throw in my RG3 6-36x56 as well as a mystery scope that I cannot yet reveal, but I'd love to round this out with a NF ATACR 7-35 just for posterity, if you all know someone who might be willing to offer one up to the reviewing consortium please let me know

 

[Jojo417]

I know many of you have been waiting a long time for my Steiner T6Xi 3-18x56 review and it is almost done, I could go on and on about why it's taken so long but let's just say work, weather and illness have not been my best friend the past 5 months.

I just received a Schmidt 6-36x56 and a friend is sending me his TT 7-35x56 for review, I plan to also throw in my RG3 6-36x56 as well as a mystery scope that I cannot yet reveal, but I'd love to round this out with a NF ATACR 7-35 just for posterity, if you all know someone who might be willing to offer one up to the reviewing consortium please let me know

I'm curious to see your review, I just picked up a t6 3-18 and I'm not a fan of the glass at all. My eyes don't cooperate with it at all.

 

[Glassaholic]

I'm curious to see your review, I just picked up a t6 3-18 and I'm not a fan of the glass at all. My eyes don't cooperate with it at all.

I would say fiddle with the diopter a bit and try fine tuning it some, but could be a dud that slipped through QC or possibly your eyes just don’t like it as that sometimes happens depending on multi-coating, glass hugh, etc.

 

[Jojo417]

I would say fiddle with the diopter a bit and try fine tuning it some, but could be a dud that slipped through QC or possibly your eyes just don’t like it as that sometimes happens depending on multi-coating, glass hugh, etc.

I’ve played with the diopter. Got the reticle a little better, but not great. I don’t think it’s a dud. I had some buddies look through it and they seemed to like it and think it was good. I’m just guessing my eyes don’t like the glass. Which is a shame. I love everything else about the optic.

 

[Glassaholic]

I’ve played with the diopter. Got the reticle a little better, but not great. I don’t think it’s a dud. I had some buddies look through it and they seemed to like it and think it was good. I’m just guessing my eyes don’t like the glass. Which is a shame. I love everything else about the optic.

I hear you, that's how I am with the old "blue tint" Japanese glass we used to get, by and large the Japanese OEM's have largely moved to a much more neutral tint (except for Sig Sauer it appears).

 

[Glassaholic]

My review for the Steiner T6Xi 3-18x56 is finally up! Thank you all for your patience, this was a rough winter for me on all fronts so took longer than I hoped.

Rifle Scopes - Steiner T6Xi 3-18x56 Review and comparison with NF ATACR 4-16x42, S&B US 3-20x50 and March 4.5-28x52

HISTORY OF STEINER From wiki (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steiner-Optik): The company was founded in 1947 by Karl Steiner, and the first product of the company was the Steinette camera. In 1955, the company changed focus to production of binoculars. In 1965, Steiner was awarded a contract with...

www.snipershide.com

Also, my next review is the new alpha class long range review and I have all the high end scopes I want (S&B, TT, NF, RG3, etc.) except for the ZCO 8-40, if any of you have this scope sitting around and wouldn't mind being without it for a few weeks please let me know

 

[Glassaholic]

Latest update, I am almost ready for my high magnification (35x and higher max magnification) alpha class review. Last call for anyone with a ZCO 8-40x56, I would love to get this in here, I have spoken with ZCO but they are unable to get me a scope in time for the review and I only have limited time as some of the other scopes are on loan. On the bright side, I've been able to source a Zeiss LRP S3 6-36x56 so will be curious to see how this "budget" scope (compared to the others) will stack up.

 

[Roberto-62]

Latest update, I am almost ready for my high magnification (35x and higher max magnification) alpha class review. Last call for anyone with a ZCO 8-40x56, I would love to get this in here, I have spoken with ZCO but they are unable to get me a scope in time for the review and I only have limited time as some of the other scopes are on loan. On the bright side, I've been able to source a Zeiss LRP S3 6-36x56 so will be curious to see how this "budget" scope (compared to the others) will stack up.

I was hoping to see something on the Zeiss. Looking forward to this review.

 

[taliv]

Tag for sb 6-36 vs Tt 7-35

 

[TheOE800]

Tag for sb 6-36 vs Tt 7-35

I too would like someone to spend $10K so I don’t have to.

 

[Glassaholic]

Tag for sb 6-36 vs Tt 7-35

How about this

 

[NiteQwill]

How about this
View attachment 8387762

Rookie numbers there....


Jk

 

[taliv]

that will be a nice review!
And thanks for the effort! Going in though I’d say the odds of my next purchase from left to right are 1% 49% 49% 1% 0% 0%

Just can’t make up my mind…

 

[Pinkes]

To bad no ZCO840...

Thanks for the effort..

 

[Glassaholic]

To bad no ZCO840...

Thanks for the effort..

I tried to get one of these unicorns but my efforts came up empty. Once they are more widely available I'll do an independent review.

 

[YotaEer]

How about this
View attachment 8387762

Very much looking forward to this. I suspect the Razor Gen 3 and Theos will perform surprisingly well

 

[TheSunPope]

How about this
View attachment 8387762

Looking forward to your take on the 7-35 ATACR. With how strong the fan base is it seems hard to find objective opinions. But I suspect they wouldn't be as popular as they are if they weren't at least competitive.

 

[Glassaholic]

Very much looking forward to this. I suspect the Razor Gen 3 and Theos will perform surprisingly well

Surprisingly well, yes. If I can get over my procrastination with youtube I’d like to post a video with a brief summary of all the scopes. It will take me a while to fo my detailed writeup.

 

[Glassaholic]

Looking forward to your take on the 7-35 ATACR. With how strong the fan base is it seems hard to find objective opinions. But I suspect they wouldn't be as popular as they are if they weren't at least competitive.

I was pleasantly surprised with the ATACR 7-35, it is the oldest scope in the bunch and did very well.

 

[Roberto-62]

Any progress on the report? I'm really interested in your thoughts on the SB 6x36.

 

[GBMaryland]

@Glassaholic More powerful than a locomotive, able to leap tall 6-36 class scopes, faster than a speeding photon...

 

[Glassaholic]

Any progress on the report? I'm really interested in your thoughts on the SB 6x36.

I've finished the evaluation portion, now is the long process of the writeup. I am on the fence between providing my initial feedback on all the scopes first and then provide all the data and analysis later, or if that would be somewhat of a disservice as much of my rankings are based on my somewhat subjective observations so while I may rank scope #3 lower than scope #2 it may be more of my personal preference and someone else may prefer scope #3 over #2 due to their personal preference. What I can say is this, all of the scopes did absolutely phenomenal and while some weren't ranked as high as others, I would have no issue with giving each one of them a "highly recommended" mark.

Regarding my thoughts on the S&B 6-36 I can say that it is a really, really good scope and I can see what a lot of the buzz around it has been, I think it is a very capable replacement of the 5-25; however, it wasn't so good that I think you should go sell your 5-25 if it's been working for you. Guys who are looking to buy new I think the Schmidt 6-36 is the easy choice. But I was also surprised to see how well the LOW 6-36's scopes did compared to the Schmidt and in some areas I thought did better. What did surprise me, and maybe it shouldn't have given their history, is how well the Tangent Theta 7-35 performed, it absolutely crushed it optically and kept going well beyond 25x which is where most of the other scopes struggled a bit, in fact, I would say the TT 7-35 is the best long range optic on the market today and yes, as much as I like the 5-25 the 7-35 is even more special, but I would also say that, similar to what I mention about the Schmidt 6-36 above, if your TT 5-25 is working for you today, there is no reason to upgrade to the 7-35, but if you do short range high precision work (think NRL22 and other rimfire comps) and absolutely need/want above 25x and need closer focus, then by all means the TT 7-35 is the best.

 

[Glassaholic]

I finally published my Alpha Class High Magnification 6-36/7-35 FFP Scope Review over on ILya's site:

Alpha Class High Magnification 6-36/7-35 FFP Scope Review » OpticsThoughts

I would like to provide a Snipers Hide summary but want to include some fancy charts based on my data points but am having some issues with figuring out how to get the chart to map out correctly, are there any Excel experts here who can take a look at my Excel file and let me know what I'm doing wrong, please PM me if you think you can help.

I'm trying to get a proper line chart that shows the data points and scope names correctly in the X and Y axis from a sheet that looks like this

 

[markl323]

Curious why do you want to review the non-US model S&B that most can’t get?

Also, do you have any plans to review Range finder binos? The Vector X is out but the opinions on glass quality are so diverse ranging from “as good as my Fury 5000” to as good as “Swaro EL range.” We need some “official”, definitive review such as yours.

 

[Fret]

https://opticsthoughts.com/?page_id=97

 

[Rob01]

I finally published my Alpha Class High Magnification 6-36/7-35 FFP Scope Review over on ILya's site:

Alpha Class High Magnification 6-36/7-35 FFP Scope Review » OpticsThoughts

I would like to provide a Snipers Hide summary but want to include some fancy charts based on my data points but am having some issues with figuring out how to get the chart to map out correctly, are there any Excel experts here who can take a look at my Excel file and let me know what I'm doing wrong, please PM me if you think you can help.

I'm trying to get a proper line chart that shows the data points and scope names correctly in the X and Y axis from a sheet that looks like this
View attachment 8540535

Kind of stretching the term "Alpha class" a little.

 

[Glassaholic]

Kind of stretching the term "Alpha class" a little.

How so?

 

[Glassaholic]

Curious why do you want to review the non-US model S&B that most can’t get?

Because I want to see if there is a difference in optical performance.

 

[Rob01]

How so?

Because the NF, Element and Vortex are not really Alpha glass. They are high Bravos for sure but none I would consider Alpha.

 

[Fret]

So which companies are considered alpha or is it just the actual individual models?

 

[Glassaholic]

Because the NF, Element and Vortex are not really Alpha glass. They are high Bravos for sure but none I would consider Alpha.

Roger that. Some define alpha based on price point while others base on performance, sorry if my title was a bit misleading but I would say the ATACR and LOW 6-36's are very capable of keeping up with the "higher priced" alpha's.