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Someone get this man in touch with the manufacturers. Imagine what March could accomplish if they'd just do something with a normal erector.March:
1. Blasphemy - make one or two "normal" scopes with a 5x or 6x erector ratio (e.g. 3-18, 4-20, 5-30, 6-36)
2. Do not artificially restrict the exit pupil of said scope
3. Update the FML-TR1 and FML-3 reticle to extend all the way to edge at low mag
5. Tone down the .2 mrad hash marks by the FML-TR1 / FML-3 center a touch
6. Label the distance on parallax knob
7. Crack the code on non-translating turrets
ZCO:
1. Adapt all that sweet engineering known how to a 34mm tube (or even a 30mm) for a cross over design.
2. Give a bottom post on the MPCT1 after... 10 mrad at most, 6-8 is more reasonable.
S&B:
1. Just pay someone else for their reticles... presumably the margins on your optics can cover the expense.
2. If I have to choose between S&B and TT/ZCO, you will lose every time... adjust pricing or design accordingly.
Vortex:
1. Make something between the monster that is the Razor HD G3 and the LHT
2. Eliminate the thin top crosshair from the XLR-2 reticle above 3 mrad
3. Give me the XLR-2 side/bottom posts in (or the whole damn thing in lieu of) the EBR-7D, eliminate the top crosshair above 3 mrad
Zeiss:
1. LRP turrets... non-translating
2. LRP turrets... smaller than a top hat
3. LRP S5 tube/body... slim and tone, maybe some yoga
Kahles:
1. update/modernize your k318i, call it a k318i DLR and sell many
2. Something other than a SKMR trees would be great, but I can deal with the plain SKMR
General, to whoever wants to take up the gauntlet:
- make a competitor to the Razor HD LHT... the under 25 oz. full featured FFP optic space is a lonely one
There's no new ideas in this thread.This is the can of worms inside Pandora’s box thread, but maybe (just maybe) some mfr’s will look, listen and learn.
Would they though?Someone get this man in touch with the manufacturers. Imagine what March could accomplish if they'd just do something with a normal erector.
Vortex 1-10 can be had for $1700 and works great with clip onsFor everyone to quit asking 2k plus for a 1-10 and quit putting circles in the reticles.. love to have one that was hunting based for popping yotes day and night
I agree (well maybe some). I meant Pandora's box for the Hide, not necessarily for the manufacturersThere's no new ideas in this thread.
I think you're right, none of this should be "new" news for them if they've been paying attention.Any manufacturer listening to the market would already have already heard these "requests" dozens of times from this forum.
Spot on, but you forgot one thing and that is - manufacturers don't see a big enough return on investment for a particular designThe way I see it is either:
-they aren't listening
-what people want is impossible/financially not viable
-the voice of a very vocal, very small minority
I think that is the case for most, but there are some who are simply too stuck in their own ways and think they own a big enough market share that whatever they make they think will be fawned over by their loyal fan base (I'm thinking of a company that starts with L and ends with d and rhymes with... well, nothingIt's fun to dream but ultimately if the business case was there, then companies would be doing these things.
Agreed, especially if they can get the glass right.I'd like to see an American scope brand(s) manufacture their entire scope (glass, coatings, everything) here in the US. I'm not talking about assembled here in the US either. Hell I'd like to see several brands do this such as Nightforce, Leupold, Vortex or USO.
March:March:
1. Blasphemy - make one or two "normal" scopes with a 5x or 6x erector ratio (e.g. 3-18, 4-20, 5-30, 6-36)
2. Do not artificially restrict the exit pupil of said scope
3. Update the FML-TR1 and FML-3 reticle to extend all the way to edge at low mag
5. Tone down the .2 mrad hash marks by the FML-TR1 / FML-3 center a touch
6. Label the distance on parallax knob
7. Crack the code on non-translating turrets
ZCOZCO:
1. Adapt all that sweet engineering known how to a 34mm tube (or even a 30mm) for a cross over design.
2. Give a bottom post on the MPCT1 after... 10 mrad at most, 6-8 is more reasonable.
S&BS&B:
1. Just pay someone else for their reticles... presumably the margins on your optics can cover the expense.
2. If I have to choose between S&B and TT/ZCO, you will lose every time... adjust pricing or design accordingly.
Vortex:Vortex:
1. Make something between the monster that is the Razor HD G3 and the LHT
2. Eliminate the thin top crosshair from the XLR-2 reticle above 3 mrad
3. Give me the XLR-2 side/bottom posts in (or the whole damn thing in lieu of) the EBR-7D, eliminate the top crosshair above 3 mrad
ZeissZeiss:
1. LRP turrets... non-translating
2. LRP turrets... smaller than a top hat
3. LRP S5 tube/body... slim and tone, maybe some yoga
Kahles - I think you captured it here, nothing more to addKahles:
1. update/modernize your k318i, call it a k318i DLR and sell many
2. Something other than a SKMR trees would be great, but I can deal with the plain SKMR
Would love to see thisGeneral, to whoever wants to take up the gauntlet:
- make a competitor to the Razor HD LHT... the under 25 oz. full featured FFP optic space is a lonely one
Vortex AMG was "close". There is a new AMG team at work and I am excited to see what they'll bring to the market especially with the advancements made in the optical manufacturing arena since the original AMG was introducedAgreed, especially if they can get the glass right.
Is there an American company that can make glass as good as, or even close to, Swarovski? (I honestly don't know.)
Interesting. I've never even looked at an AMG.Vortex AMG was "close". There is a new AMG team at work and I am excited to see what they'll bring to the market especially with the advancements made in the optical manufacturing arena since the original AMG was introduced
I mentioned this before but us .mil bois like the rotating ocular-put some sole adhesive tape on it and use that for manipulating the magnification. I doubt they will get rid of thatInteresting. I've never even looked at an AMG.
When I got my 1st ATACR, I was really surprised by the rotating ocular so I emailed NF. The answer was that's what they had to do to meet the mil-spec for waterproofing. I still don't get it, and it's something I can't get over. I've tried a few more times, and always end up selling them.
I think I'm missing something here. I'm talking about the reticle focus changing with the magnification.I mentioned this before but us .mil bois like the rotating ocular-put some sole adhesive tape on it and use that for manipulating the magnification. I doubt they will get rid of that
Those 5-25 atacr are known to be the worst glass of the atacr line up. That’s why when you first got it I asked you to tell us what you thought. It’s the only atacr I haven’t owned and was curious if they improved it. The tunneling though is every modelNightforce needs to fix the glass in the ATACR F1 5-25x56, and also fix the tunneling and give it edge-to-edge image, instead of it looking like you’re looking through a black paper towel roll…image through the scope feels constricted.
I misunderstood what you were saying-some dudes don't like the whole ocular piece being the magnification ring.I think I'm missing something here. I'm talking about the reticle focus changing with the magnification.
Granted, it's not a lot, but it's still changing.
Agreed, I think a mil V4 would sell tons.Id tell Zeiss they need to offer the entire Conquest V-series (4, 6, & 8) in MIL/MIL configuration and the 6-24x50 & 5-30x56 models with a 34mm tube, and a thinner version of the Z-MRi reticle in them. Maybe call it the Z-MRi-T. Other than that, they’re excellent hunting scopes with good glass.
aka ArkenRealistic? Are you forgetting where you're posting?
This is snipershide where 90% of members want $3K+ optics for $500-$1000 and thats not possible so they just buy the cheap shit and tell everyone else it's just as good. If it goes on long enough more join the party and you have a "JuSt As GoOdEr" circle jerk and you'll never in your life see so many buckets of cum on a riflescope until the next time it happens.
First of all, we have to define what our favorite optic is, do we have different categories to choose from, if so then let me try it this way:Every optic has compromises-If the manufacturer was listening, what realistic thing would you change about your favorite optic? I'm not talking about the mythical 10oz, ffp 1-8 that's bullet proof, German glass, and costs $100. I'm talking realistic change(s) to your favorite optic
I’ve said that on their IG numerous times, but no response from them.Agreed, I think a mil V4 would sell tons.
No apology needed! I think those are smart, simple fixes. I believe any 10x erector lpvo needs parallax adjustment. I think it would solve a lot of the rg3's issues.Well, I think an apology is in order. I did not follow the request of this thread or the title but fell in line with a lot of other comments and made it more about what I'd like to see changed in every scope manufacturer. So, to be fair, I want to specifically answer your question.
First of all, we have to define what our favorite optic is, do we have different categories to choose from, if so then let me try it this way:
- Favorite Alpha Class Long Range Optic: Tangent Theta 5-25x56 - please print larger numbers on that big turret for us geezers, improve flare control and get daylight bright illumination (this might change once I get my hands on the new Schmidt 6-36x56 but wish Schmidt had the Gen 3XR reticle)
- Favorite Long Range Gas Gun Optic: March 4.5-28x52 - brighter illumination, non-translating turrets
- Favorite Long Range Rimfire Optic: Vortex Razor G3 6-36x56 - offer black (big shocker), get a better locking mechanism (see Schmidt DTII+ and March Shuriken), print larger numbers on the turret
- Favorite mid range crossover optic: Steiner T6Xi 3-18x56 - improve turret clicks, get brighter illumination, better 3x reticle design
- Favorite lightweight mid range crossover optic: Vortex FFP LHT 4.5-22x50 - change magnification range to 3.5-18x50, put much better turrets in there, improve illumination, improve FOV (makes me wonder if Vortex released this mag range and hasn't addressed the 3-18 with the Razor G3 because a new AMG is coming that will fit all this criteria, if something like an AMG 3-18x50 is released then I will be in high heaven). If the March 3-24x52 had better glass and illumination I think this scope would take over this spot for me.
- Favorite Ultra Short optic: ZCO 4-20x50 - offer 10 mil turrets, offer crossover oriented reticle with dots in tree and usable at 4x, include Tenebraex caps
- Favorite MPVO: Doesn't exist, right now the March 1.5-15x42 is probably my "favorite" but wish this scope performed better optically above 10x, leaves the door open for an excellent 2-12x42 design...
- Favorite LPVO: Vortex Razor G3 1-10x24 - offer in black or use same color as XM-157, offer side parallax adjustment and exposed locking turret
Do you think there is actually a decent market for light weight FFP MVPO type scopes?On taking a light weight scope and making the FOV wider while adding beefier turrets: there is a good chance it will no longer be a lightweight scope. That's one of the compromises.
ILya
The way I remind myself I'm in the minorty when it comes to this industry/market is by thinking about the promo videos companies use.Realistic? Are you forgetting where you're posting?
This is snipershide where 90% of members want $3K+ optics for $500-$1000 and thats not possible so they just buy the cheap shit and tell everyone else it's just as good. If it goes on long enough more join the party and you have a "JuSt As GoOdEr" circle jerk and you'll never in your life see so many buckets of cum on a riflescope until the next time it happens.
I think there is a market for FFP MPVO type scopes, but I do not think it is a big market. People who shoot a lot tend to like scopes of this type. People who buy fancy scopes and only shoot at 100yards off the bench are likely a much bigger crowd and they buy high magnification stuff.Do you think there is actually a decent market for light weight FFP MVPO type scopes?
I've been following this "market" for many years now, it keeps coming up on the hide and other forums that it's not a secret there is a market then (albiet a small one).
You mentioned somewhere that an FFP 3-15x42 LHT is probably not going to happen as Vortex doesn't see a market.
Bushnell said their was no market for the LRHS/LRTS so they aren't bringing it back.
Despite a vocal miniority saving the LRHS 3-12 was/is the dogs bollocks GAP bought out the LRHS2 as the 4.5-18 only.
I'm guessing between OEMs not offering many MVPO type scopes and scope companies thnking (or knowing) they wont sell very well, theres a bit of a stalemate type situation. That combined with the physical constraints of making one lightweight enough for people to actually buy is the final straw for this market segment.
Part of the issue is it’s got to be the “right” MPVO. Too many thought taking an existing design and throwing in a new reticle would suffice, or offering a decent reticle in a poor design. I realize this is personal opinion but a proper FFP MPVO needs to go below 3x on the bottom (preferably be closer to 2x) and offer 12x or higher on the top end and have a reticle that works as well at the bottom as it does the top, I think several LPVO reticles would suffice and all this needs to be wrapped up in a package that is preferably under 25oz or darn close to it. Athlons Helos G2 2-12x42 is a very nice design with one gaping flaw - it’s Chinese. Trijicons 2-12x36 had so much promise but they handicapped it with a useless reticle (useless for low mag work). Manufacture a quality 2-12 from Europe, Japan or even the Philippines and put in the proper reticle and we’re in business. March’s 1.5-15x42 is the closest I’ve seen at trying to accomplish this but I think they reached too far with a 10x erector and short design and IQ suffers at higher mags as a result, but man I love the idea of this scope even if the execution isn’t quite what I’d hoped it would be so it may stay a while. Leupold’s 2-10 just doesn’t have the top end needed for an effective MPVO (IMO) but it will sell just because of the name. Nightforce, Vortex and Steiner/Burris have the wherewithal to attempt this - who wouldn’t jump at an ATACR 2-12x42 with FC-DMX or a Vortex Gen3 2-12x42 with EBR-9 mrad reticle. There are a bunch of guys dropping $3k, $4k and higher for KAC’s and LMT’s, even more building really nice DMR/SPR style rigs wanting to put some good glass on it. I believe there is a market, but only for the right scope and that is the risk that any mfr has to take when considering this market. So far only a few have dared to enter, but hopefully it will encourage others to follow suit.Do you think there is actually a decent market for light weight FFP MVPO type scopes?
I've been following this "market" for many years now, it keeps coming up on the hide and other forums that it's not a secret there is a market then (albiet a small one).
You mentioned somewhere that an FFP 3-15x42 LHT is probably not going to happen as Vortex doesn't see a market.
Bushnell said their was no market for the LRHS/LRTS so they aren't bringing it back.
Despite a vocal miniority saving the LRHS 3-12 was/is the dogs bollocks GAP bought out the LRHS2 as the 4.5-18 only.
I'm guessing between OEMs not offering many MVPO type scopes and scope companies thnking (or knowing) they wont sell very well, theres a bit of a stalemate type situation. That combined with the physical constraints of making one lightweight enough for people to actually buy is the final straw for this market segment.
Well, I think an apology is in order. I did not follow the request of this thread or the title but fell in line with a lot of other comments and made it more about what I'd like to see changed in every scope manufacturer. So, to be fair, I want to specifically answer your question.
First of all, we have to define what our favorite optic is, do we have different categories to choose from, if so then let me try it this way:
- Favorite Long Range Gas Gun Optic: March 4.5-28x52 - brighter illumination, non-translating turrets
- Favorite mid range crossover optic: Steiner T6Xi 3-18x56 - improve turret clicks, get brighter illumination, better 3x reticle design
- Favorite lightweight mid range crossover optic: Vortex FFP LHT 4.5-22x50 - change magnification range to 3.5-18x50, put much better turrets in there, improve illumination, improve FOV (makes me wonder if Vortex released this mag range and hasn't addressed the 3-18 with the Razor G3 because a new AMG is coming that will fit all this criteria, if something like an AMG 3-18x50 is released then I will be in high heaven). If the March 3-24x52 had better glass and illumination I think this scope would take over this spot for me.
- Favorite Ultra Short optic: ZCO 4-20x50 - offer 10 mil turrets, offer crossover oriented reticle with dots in tree and usable at 4x, include Tenebraex caps
The decision for the FML-TR1 or FML-3 not to run the reticle to the edge of the glass (or nearly) on 3x / 4.5x is an odd one considering the same people make the FMC-1, FMC-3, FML, FML-1, FML-TRH, FMA-1, FMA-2, FMA-3, FML-LDK, FML-PDK, FML/FMA-MT... clearly, someone at March understands the utility of etching the reticle on more than just the center of the glass ;-). When @koshkin asked them to optimize 15-20x, I'm not sure he meant "the reticle doesn't need to be useable at 4.5x."
Damn it, man! I suppose a more FML-LDK oriented solution might work? Keep the crosshairs compact and thicken them? The scope itself is compact, (relatively) light... easy to see the desire to put it on something that might get carried and used on low mag and in low(ish) light. The optical system being what it is, having a cross hair that works for the shooter at low mag, particularly in low light, seems like a good idea.That one was actually me. I do not like it when reticle lines go all the way to the edges, especially on eyepieces with very wide FOV. The reticle was sized for the 5-42x originally. On the 4.5-28x, I would run it a little wider, but still not all the way to the edge.
15-20x optimization referred to image quality optimization on the 4.5-28x.
ILya
You do realize this was done (Vortex AMG) and everything but the reticle was made and assembled in the US. It was a such a good idea they discontinued it and lost money on every one sold.I'd like to see an American scope brand(s) manufacture their entire scope (glass, coatings, everything) here in the US. I'm not talking about assembled here in the US either. Hell I'd like to see several brands do this such as Nightforce, Leupold, Vortex or USO.
Depends on what you mean by "American". The major glass companies are multi-national. They don't make every product in every country. Schott has US facilities, but is a German company. They even have facilities in China. Same with Corning. You might as well get over hoping for 100% "Made in America" (or any particular country), that ship has sailed. Best you can hope for is designed and assembled in the USA.Agreed, especially if they can get the glass right.
Is there an American company that can make glass as good as, or even close to, Swarovski? (I honestly don't know.)
Or, how about these so called "American" companies, build a glass manufacturer company that can compete with the absolute best of European and Japanese glass.You do realize this was done (Vortex AMG) and everything but the reticle was made and assembled in the US. It was a such a good idea they discontinued it and lost money on every one sold.
Feel free to start a optics company and show us all how its done.
Thats just a stupid take for alot of reasons.Or, how about these so called "American" companies, build a glass manufacturer company that can compete with the absolute best of European and Japanese glass.
I co-designed the FML-PDK and FML-LDK reticles over 4 years ago with a friend, who is a long time PRS competitor. We started from a clean sheet, and he worked out the Christmas tree, while I concentrated on the stadia crosshairs. The two were designed to complement each other in the PDK design, and we also submitted the LDK design (without the Christmas tree) to DEON, because we thought it was a nice clean design that would satisfy the shooters who do not like Christmas trees in their reticle. Wide angle FOV designs were new(ish) and the 4.5-28X52 has the second widest FOV of any riflescope, right behind the March-FX 5-42X56 HM, so we wanted to take more advantage of the huge FOV, without overpowering the view. The Christmas tree really comes into its own after 12-14X and the main crosshair extension disappear around that time. (I'm writing this from memory.)Damn it, man! I suppose a more FML-LDK oriented solution might work? Keep the crosshairs compact and thicken them? The scope itself is compact, (relatively) light... easy to see the desire to put it on something that might get carried and used on low mag and in low(ish) light. The optical system being what it is, having a cross hair that works for the shooter at low mag, particularly in low light, seems like a good idea.
Yep, I learned this lesson years ago when I was in the fastener biz. It just takes a certain % of added value to call something 'Made in the USA'.Depends on what you mean by "American". The major glass companies are multi-national. They don't make every product in every country. Schott has US facilities, but is a German company. They even have facilities in China. Same with Corning. You might as well get over hoping for 100% "Made in America" (or any particular country), that ship has sailed. Best you can hope for is designed and assembled in the USA.
Could not agree more, if the FC-DMx reticle could be updated to provide more refined holdovers that would be ideal. The whole MIL holds down the center line are a little tricky at distance (I just love floating dots). If we are really dreaming, some sort of dual focal NX8 in this mag range would be awesome5. Lightweight NX8 1.5-12x42 (maybe even 1.5-12x36) with FC-DMx reticle
Get ready for a dumb question - what about reducing minimum parallax on a scope? I love my FDNs, but min parallax is 50 on the 17x and 75 on 25x. Why is it that the G3 razor's parallax (10yds) is lower than the G2 (32yds), or that the 7-35 ATACR has 11yds min parallax where the 5-25 has a min of 50yds? Does changing the magnification range compared with erector size change minimum parallax?Interesting thread.
One of the things you want to keep in mind is that most manufacturers do pay attention to what is being said here and in a few other places. However, they have to make what sells and a lot of what is being asked has very narrow audience and questionable marketability.
Some of the things brought up here are already in the pipeline for a few manufacturers.
From a feasibility standpoint, yes, it is possible to shift parallax with magnification, but not simple. S&B's Dual CC LPVO does exactly that and if it wasn't so ridiculously expensive I would own one. I really liked it when I was testing it. I would have the distance parallax set at 250m and close focus at 20m or something along those lines.
Every time someone says "just make scope ABC with glass from scope XYZ" I start hitting my head against the wall. Image quality is heavily dependent on scope design. This whole idea that you can take a decent scope and swap out lenses for something out of different glass and get better results is nuts. Then again, I can't even convince people that tube diameter has no bearing on light transmission, so might as well give up.
Sticking with 10mrad turrets is a good idea in many situations, although I can argue this both ways. Tangent has 6mrad and 15mrad turrets. Both are awesome, so I guess it comes down to the manufacturer.
On taking a light weight scope and making the FOV wider while adding beefier turrets: there is a good chance it will no longer be a lightweight scope. That's one of the compromises.
ILya
It is just a matter if designing for it. Broader range is a little more of a challenge, but not that much more.Get ready for a dumb question - what about reducing minimum parallax on a scope? I love my FDNs, but min parallax is 50 on the 17x and 75 on 25x. Why is it that the G3 razor's parallax (10yds) is lower than the G2 (32yds), or that the 7-35 ATACR has 11yds min parallax where the 5-25 has a min of 50yds? Does changing the magnification range compared with erector size change minimum parallax?
With NRL22 and PRS Rimfire getting more popular, I imagine a lot of optics manufacturers could up their sales margins if their parallax could make to down to 25yds or less.