Rifle Scopes New March FFP 5-42x56 High Master FML-TR1 preliminary review

I have updated my review above in post #2 providing a more thorough optical evaluation. I will be putting together a thorough evaluation between the March 5-42x56 High Master and the Schmidt 5-45x56 High Power on opticsthoughts.com so keep an eye out over there.
 
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I wonder if March will provide reticle upgrades on the 5-40s

I am not sure. The physical reticle cell size is different in the 5-40x and 5-42x, so to provide reticle ugprades they woul dneed to run a batch of reticles manufactured just for the 5-40x. I do not know if there is enough demand for that since there are minimum order quantities involved with ordering reticles.

ILya
 
I am not sure. The physical reticle cell size is different in the 5-40x and 5-42x, so to provide reticle ugprades they woul dneed to run a batch of reticles manufactured just for the 5-40x. I do not know if there is enough demand for that since there are minimum order quantities involved with ordering reticles.

ILya

Thanks ILya, I was afraid that would be the case.

I like everything about the 5-42 over the 5-40 (the reticle has grown on me and it’s certainly an improvement over the FML1) but those of us with 5-40s are starting to realize the beating we’re going to take on them. An upgraded reticle would certainly help.
 
Thanks ILya, I was afraid that would be the case.

I like everything about the 5-42 over the 5-40 (the reticle has grown on me and it’s certainly an improvement over the FML1) but those of us with 5-40s are starting to realize the beating we’re going to take on them. An upgraded reticle would certainly help.

I don't work for March, so I do not know what kind of quantities they would need for that. I doubt that there will be enough demand for them to offer the service.

From a business standpoint, if I were them I would not do it. Or maybe I would only offer it to people who buy new scopes (as in, buy a new scopes and send your old one in for a reticle swap), or something like that. They are not a very big company and to offer reticle swap only in a way that makes financial sense they would have to charge some pretty ridiculous amounts of money.

ILya
 
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I don't work for March, so I do not know what kind of quantities they would need for that. I doubt that there will be enough demand for them to offer the service.

From a business standpoint, if I were them I would not do it. Or maybe I would only offer it to people who buy new scopes (as in, buy a new scopes and send your old one in for a reticle swap), or something like that. They are not a very big company and to offer reticle swap only in a way that makes financial sense they would have to charge some pretty ridiculous amounts of money.

ILya
They do swap reticles. Last year I sent in my then 5 year old March-X 5-50X56 and had them swap the MTR-2 for an MTR-5. Age, don't ask. It went to Japan for the swap. It took about 3 weeks door to door and it cost $350. They also took the time to check out the scope and informed they tweaked the focus at long range. I had not detected any wrong.

March scopes are immensely strong and durable. I was happy they could accommodate my aging eyes.
 
Much of it comes down to marketing bugets. You don't hear much from Kahles either or Tangent. Neither are made hear with trmendious reputations and limited productio volumes.
 
'I am just curious, why March scopes are not quite present in tactical world?
Is it the case that they have bad reputation of tracking? maybe bad durability, or glass not better that competition? or it's just the price?'


Because they are not S&B/ZCO/Kahles/NF /ad infinitum so cannot be any good ;):rolleyes:😁 (cynical mode off).

Some have issues with the warranty compared to other brands I suppose, but in reality not an issue (and if so a bit of duplicity don't you think?)

Think the original marketing and commercial model in the US was not as good as it could have been = give a dog a bad name etc.

I'm too old to be a fan boy, have a couple and not found them lacking compared to other 'nice' scopes I've own and used.

T
 
So can I send my 3-24x42/52 in for reticle swap to the TR1?
I do not believe so, the TR1 is designed for the 5-42X56 which has a different focal length at the objective compared to the 3-24 series. I will find it for sure and let you know here, or you can PM me.

ETA: Which one do you have, the 52mm or the 42mm? I want to be precise.
 
I do not believe so, the TR1 is designed for the 5-42X56 which has a different focal length at the objective compared to the 3-24 series. I will find it for sure and let you know here, or you can PM me.

ETA: Which one do you have, the 52mm or the 42mm? I want to be precise.
Have both. Would love to do the swap on both, but 42mm preferred.

Thanks for help.
 
Unfortunately, the TR1 is designed only for the 5 - 42 is my understanding. The 5-40s and the 24s require a different ratio. I believe this market need has been raised with the manufacturer.

Also, be aware that Japan Post has stopped delivery of parcels to the US as a result of COVID.
 
Unfortunately, the TR1 is designed only for the 5 - 42 is my understanding. The 5-40s and the 24s require a different ratio. I believe this market need has been raised with the manufacturer.

Also, be aware that Japan Post has stopped delivery of parcels to the US as a result of COVID.

FML-TR1 will be available in the 5-42x56 and the upcoming 4.5-28x52. It may also make an appearance in the Genesis scopes.

ILya
 
FML-TR1 will be available in the 5-42x56 and the upcoming 4.5-28x52. It may also make an appearance in the Genesis scopes.

ILya

It would be great to see your reticle, and perhaps your upcoming design available in
the 3 - 24 and the 5 - 40, and maybe 1 x10. If the demand was there from a US
distributor to cover the cost of re-scaling and production cost, perhaps possible ?

Maybe you could ask on our behalf. In the current COVID 19 environment, it might
be a tough job and I’m sure they have a lot on their plate already.
 
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Figured as much. Thanks for asking.

I'll consider the FML-T1 as I know they are used in those scopes.

I have a 3-24x52 with T1. The reticle takes some getting used to and there are things about it I don't like, but overall, it is very usable and suprisingly decent even on low power.

Which part of the country are you in?

ILya
 
I have a 3-24x52 with T1. The reticle takes some getting used to and there are things about it I don't like, but overall, it is very usable and suprisingly decent even on low power.

Which part of the country are you in?

ILya
Right Coast. MD but mostly shoot in PA and WV.

The T1 is almost identical to the Kahles AMR which I have experience with.
 
I have updated my review above in post #2 providing a more thorough optical evaluation. I will be putting together a thorough evaluation between the March 5-42x56 High Master and the Schmidt 5-45x56 High Power on opticsthoughts.com so keep an eye out over there.
Great review wjm308!! I've enjoyed reading many of your reviews on here. I was wondering if your thorough evaluation with the S&B 5-45x56 High Power has been completed/posted yet? I'm very keen to read the report.
 
I have a 3-24x52 with T1. The reticle takes some getting used to and there are things about it I don't like, but overall, it is very usable and suprisingly decent even on low power.

Which part of the country are you in?

ILya
I have two units with this reticle. Holding wind with elevation dialed on tiny targets
( say 1/2 Moa ) is a little tricky due to the large centre. Not ideal for shooting groups
either, but otherwise it’s great. The grid under the centre is easy to use, and doesn’t
obstruct target view or look like a fly screen door like some reticles. Holding el and
wind without dialing is super easy.
 
Excellent review, extremely detailed and well presented.

I have 2 comments:
1- The March-FX 5-42X56 reviewed here is not the first FFP March scope with the High Master Lens system, that would be the Genesis 6-60X56.

2- In the section about the magnification ring movement, it is stated: "(In the S&B,) the magnification throw is much wider and my particular model exhibited a slight rough feel while the March throw was shorter and very smooth throughout the entire range. "
Yet in the Overall Fit & Finish, the S&B gets the edge by .5 with this statement as the reason: "the smoothness of each mechanical feature." One could see these two statements as contradictory.

I know, I'm picking nits.:)
 
Excellent review, extremely detailed and well presented.

I have 2 comments:
1- The March-FX 5-42X56 reviewed here is not the first FFP March scope with the High Master Lens system, that would be the Genesis 6-60X56.

2- In the section about the magnification ring movement, it is stated: "(In the S&B,) the magnification throw is much wider and my particular model exhibited a slight rough feel while the March throw was shorter and very smooth throughout the entire range. "
Yet in the Overall Fit & Finish, the S&B gets the edge by .5 with this statement as the reason: "the smoothness of each mechanical feature." One could see these two statements as contradictory.

I know, I'm picking nits.:)
Well that is an excellent point on the Genesis, I always forget it has the High Master lens system. With regard to your second statement/question the first system is specifically dealing with the magnification and then the final section is the entire mechanical system as a whole, even though the Schmidt had a slight rough feel on the magnification throw itself, it doesn't detract from the overall fit and finish.
 
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I know Frank was trying to put together criteria for a new scoring system, not sure how much they align but I tried to create some score cards for these two scopes, curious what everyone's thoughts are

March_5-42x56_FML-TR1_ScoreCard.jpg


SchmidtBender_5-45x56_LRR-MIL_ScoreCard.jpg
 
Hi, wjm308 checking in to see if your review was finished. I couldn’t find it on optics thoughts.
Thanks
Sorry it took so long, this review was brutal for me to get all the information out. I can see why so many just do video reviews, it's much easier to just share all your thoughts in a quick video (or maybe it's not) than it is to make sure all my notes from days of evaluations are translated properly into a summary for a review.
 
Sorry it took so long, this review was brutal for me to get all the information out. I can see why so many just do video reviews, it's much easier to just share all your thoughts in a quick video (or maybe it's not) than it is to make sure all my notes from days of evaluations are translated properly into a summary for a review.

Both take time. I can talk into a camera faster than I can type, but once you add video editing into the mix, both take serious amounts of time.

One of the reasons I started doing more videos is that I do a fair bit of writing for other things, so I get tired of typing.

ILya
 
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I am interested in understanding how best to go about actually acquiring this exemplar of optomechanical genius?
Best place to look for that is here:

March scopes are hand built almost to order and they have a lot of options. You can check the dealers where the March site shows to have stock first. If you do not find what you are looking for, you can order exactly what you want from any of the dealers listed at the site. I have had good experience with Long Range Supply and also EuroOptics.
 
Best place to look for that is here:

March scopes are hand built almost to order and they have a lot of options. You can check the dealers where the March site shows to have stock first. If you do not find what you are looking for, you can order exactly what you want from any of the dealers listed at the site. I have had good experience with Long Range Supply and also EuroOptics.
Thank you. I had looked around but not found any in stock I wondered if there were some inventory somewhere I had not discovered. I will do as you suggest. Thank you!
 
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Thank you. I had looked around but not found any in stock I wondered if there were some inventory somewhere I had not discovered. I will do as you suggest. Thank you!
I feel foolish it was not that hard to find. Thank you again and apologies for the numbskull questions.
 
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