Rifle Scopes New Meopta Scope - Optika6

[thehun]

Big let down for me...bought a 3-18x56 FFP with MRAD reticle (new)...from factory...somehow it made it out with MIL elevation turret and a MOA windage turret...somehow QC didn't catch it...so when I discovered it...promptly reached out to Meopta (which they responded in 15 min of sending a message...great job)...they stated they would have to get a part from Czech...well with COVID19...who knows how long that will take and what else was missed in my optic quality wise...so I returned it...

Optically...it didn't come close to the LRTS x18 optics I have but better than a Vortex PST...compared to my LRTS, it felt "flatter" with a tad more CA at 18X...feel of the turrets did feel great...if you are going to dial...there are no indicators as to what rev you are on...so just be aware...

Diopter Eyepiece had a weird feel to it...it was uber loose feeling 1/2 turn out...than it would tighten...1/4 more turn loose......1/2 turn tight again...I didn't see/feel any play in it...but there was something def weird going on like the tube was out of spec...

The MRAD reticle in the Optika6 is pretty awesome...wish it wasn't in this optic as the quality mishaps do not give me confidence again for me to spend $700+ on it...

Again, so far...for me...the Bushnell LRTS line of optics, in its price point, is super super hard to beat...I bought a S&B PMII and will see how it compares (I am no a brand snob of any kind...I care about what works and doesn't)...because so far...I have tried a lot of optics below the price range of Alpha scopes...and my conclusion is (I am an amateur, not a pro with zero involvement in the industry to pad a brand)...there is a lot of fluff marketing without backing it up with value...the Bushy LRTS has no crazy marketing...but it has a lot of value...

 

[MudMuppet]

Big let down for me...bought a 3-18x56 FFP with MRAD reticle (new)...from factory...somehow it made it out with MIL elevation turret and a MOA windage turret...somehow QC didn't catch it...so when I discovered it...promptly reached out to Meopta (which they responded in 15 min of sending a message...great job)...they stated they would have to get a part from Czech...well with COVID19...who knows how long that will take and what else was missed in my optic quality wise...so I returned it...

Optically...it didn't come close to the LRTS x18 optics I have but better than a Vortex PST...compared to my LRTS, it felt "flatter" with a tad more CA at 18X...feel of the turrets did feel great...if you are going to dial...there are no indicators as to what rev you are on...so just be aware...

Diopter Eyepiece had a weird feel to it...it was uber loose feeling 1/2 turn out...than it would tighten...1/4 more turn loose......1/2 turn tight again...I didn't see/feel any play in it...but there was something def weird going on like the tube was out of spec...

The MRAD reticle in the Optika6 is pretty awesome...wish it wasn't in this optic as the quality mishaps do not give me confidence again for me to spend $700+ on it...

Again, so far...for me...the Bushnell LRTS line of optics, in its price point, is super super hard to beat...I bought a S&B PMII and will see how it compares (I am no a brand snob of any kind...I care about what works and doesn't)...because so far...I have tried a lot of optics below the price range of Alpha scopes...and my conclusion is (I am an amateur, not a pro with zero involvement in the industry to pad a brand)...there is a lot of fluff marketing without backing it up with value...the Bushy LRTS has no crazy marketing...but it has a lot of value...

Thanks LRTS Optika6 and swfa 3-15 were at the top of my list, bushy is a bit more expensive but I haven’t heard a bad word about them

 

[thehun]

If it wasn't for a quality mishaps on the Optika 6...it is def a workable optic...and the reticle is near perfect...glass is not terrible by any means...I just question the quality control on the Optika6...now I am a sample size of 1...so...

 

[SharpsNitro]

If you are looking for a quality scope that has parallax down to 10yds the Element Optics is a good scope for the money. I picked one up recently and am very pleased with it. Originally I was looking at the Optika6 3-18-56 and NF NX8 2.5-20.

 

[thehun]

Who the heck is Element? Looks like they are geared towards airgunners...

 

[eveyoz]

I’m also looking at the 3-18 by 56, I’m waiting for the FFP mrad.

I notice a couple of people here have them, any more feedback after using them a few times?

 

[thehun]

I’m also looking at the 3-18 by 56, I’m waiting for the FFP mrad.

I notice a couple of people here have them, any more feedback after using them a few times?

That is the variant I had...with out-of-box issues...

 

[joshobean]

Went shooting with mine on Saturday, even more impressed after using it. The glass for the money punches way above its class. I compared it to my Sig Whiskey 5, and its not even close. Honestly, comparing it to the Tract Toric and S&B its not bad at all, at least as good as the Toric, probably better. European glass is where its at! I'm thinking now of selling my Sig, and putting a 2.5-15x44 on my other POF 308 for hunting purposes in SFP. If anyone has experience with those models let me know.

 

[thehun]

Agree...the glass is good and better than most $700-900 optics...I think the next optic to watch out for in this price range is the new Vortex SE 5-25x56...

 

[SharpsNitro]

Who the heck is Element? Looks like they are geared towards airgunners...

New company backed by FX Airguns. Scopes are designed for anything from a piston airgun, with its funky recoil characteristics, up to 50bmg. The Nexus is made in Japan (maybe by Low, not sure) and is a solid scope that fills the gap between the Chinese scopes and the handful of Alphas that can focus down to 10yds.

I wrote up my impressions of the scope last week but the post has sunk with no interest. I assume when ILya starts writing up the one he has there will be more interest.

 

[joshobean]

Agree...the glass is good and better than most $700-900 optics...I think the next optic to watch out for in this price range is the new Vortex SE 5-25x56...

First I'd seen that model. Not sure what Vortex is trying to do there, looks like it will be competing with their PST II model, except on paper the SE has even better stats in areas while cheaper (lighter at 30 vs 31 oz, 34 vs 30 mm tube, 56 vs 50 mm objective, 110 vs 70 MOA of elevation. It does appear the PST has "XR" multicoated lenses vs the SE having only fully multicoated lenses so I guess the PST has better glass. I assume both will be made in the Phillipines.

 

[thehun]

First I'd seen that model. Not sure what Vortex is trying to do there, looks like it will be competing with their PST II model, except on paper the SE has even better stats in areas while cheaper (lighter at 30 vs 31 oz, 34 vs 30 mm tube, 56 vs 50 mm objective, 110 vs 70 MOA of elevation. It does appear the PST has "XR" multicoated lenses vs the SE having only fully multicoated lenses so I guess the PST has better glass. I assume both will be made in the Phillipines.

Both are Phillipines...I would say its the same glass...in a different chassis...that is the first thing popped into my head...this competes and beats the PST Gen 2...optically...you would probably have to reaaaaallly nit pick it to find a difference...and I bet those differences come due to other factors than glass alone.

 

[Bitchtitsbob]

I assume both will be made in the Phillipines.

Both are Phillipines...I would say its the same glass...

Without hijacking this Meopta thread too much, the Strike Eagle line is made in China. Meopta is made in the Czech Republic and has a street price of $765 vs the Strike Eagle which is MSRP of $700 and can be bought for less than $500. Optika6's price point competes more with the PST Gen 2.

 

[thehun]

Sorry. My bad. Yes. Strike Eagle=China.

 

[joshobean]

Not sure if this has been mentioned yet, but I asked Meopta if any other of their Optika6's had ED glass. I read that the 5-30 did so I asked if my 3-18 did. Got a response this week - in short no other models do:

Pavelka Jan <[email protected]>	Tue, Apr 28, 9:35 AM (1 day ago)
to me

Hello, only 5-30 have.

Jan Pavelka
Online marketing specialist

Meopta - optika, s.r.o. Kabelíkova 1, Přerov, 750 02, Czech Republic
P: +420 581 243 526 | M: +420 733 591 747 | [email protected]
www.meopta.com | Facebook



From:
Sent: Tuesday, April 14, 2020 8:26 PM
To: webadmin <[email protected]>
Subject: Dotaz k produktu MEOPTA

Na webových stránkách byl vyplněn dotaz k produktu:
Optika6 3-18x56 FFP

Tazatel: joshobean
Telefon tazatele: 5027415955
Email tazatele:
Dotaz tazateleo the 3-18 Optika6 Models have ED glass? I just saw where the 5-30 model does. I have recently ordered a 3-18 model.

 

[thehun]

I could have told you it didn’t have ED.

 

[joshobean]

I could have told you it didn’t have ED.

Honestly hard for me to tell, but my eyesight isn't the best. It compared favorably to my Tract Toric which does have ED glass. I do see some CA in the Optika6 when its bright, so maybe that's a giveaway.

 

[thehun]

You can still see CA in ED glass...depending on manufacturer.

 

[zaprosper]

I Got the 4.5-27 mrad1

The rtz is perfect. Feels better than the gen1 razor and the glass is about equal, maybe a touch better color. Though it does start to cloud after 22x. I would hazard a guess that The 3-18 is the top dog in The optika6 lineup. The eyebox is very good throughout the mag range. The mag ring and side focus are very good, and the adjustable cat tail is a nice touch.

Imo, it's better in every respect compared to the swfa 5-20, and for less$$.

Only time will tell if they hold up.

I'm hoping they put that mrad1 in the 2.5-15, while the reticle is usable, it would be better suited for a hunting scope that may be used for extended ranges.

Now that you have used this scope for a bit, how have you found it to function? Anything else that you have that you would compare it to? Looking at potentially getting the 4.5-27 as well and would love further input.

 

[zaprosper]

View attachment 7299005
Just got the 5-30 last week. Its surprisingly good. If it wasnt up to the task it was destined for my Sako Quad. I'll try it out on the 6.5creed when this isolation stuff is over. Have a ATACR F1, razor 4.5-27, XRS2, and mk6 3-18 to test it against. Whilst it isn't a NF or Razor, and is still behind the XRS2 (didn't check against MK6), it is terrific value for money. The only things I can be critical on is parallax needs adjusting between ranges more often to say the NF, and the eyebox isn't as forgiving above 20x. With a adjustable cheek this really isn't an issue though. I give this scope a big thumbs up, certainly is great value.

When I can get out I will check it out on target compared to the other I have. Also need to find scope caps... Anybody know the sizes? Eye piece looks big!

Did you get a chance to take it out and do some comparing?

 

[bman940]

I have been using the Optika6 5-30x56 34mm tube for 6 months now. I couldn't be happier. Sitting on my Bergara 6.5 CM it makes hits easy at 400 yards and a blast letting new shooters bang steel at that distance. So far I haven't been past 727 yards on a 10-inch plate. Huge fun, especially early in the morning when you can see the vapor trail all the way to the target. This scope has all the features I need and the reason I also got a 4.5-27x50. You really can't go wrong with an Optika6 riflescope. Believe me, after 10 years with another company, Meopta goes the extra mile to make a scope that you won't wish you spent more $ on down the road. Quality glass, construction, and QC are what it's all about.

 

[jjrgr21]

It runs right along with the gen1 rzr, the mrad1 reticle is ok, I prefer the ebr reticles. It's way better than the swfa 5-20 in every respect, imo. But this is very subjective as it's still a very new scope. The zero stop is very good. And mine has 18mils of adjustment.

Illumination is ok, but not great. Doesn't flare, but I would've lit the dot and bottom axis as well as 1mil left and right. But I have no idea if that's possible

 

[zaprosper]

I have been using the Optika6 5-30x56 34mm tube for 6 months now. I couldn't be happier. Sitting on my Bergara 6.5 CM it makes hits easy at 400 yards and a blast letting new shooters bang steel at that distance. So far I haven't been past 727 yards on a 10-inch plate. Huge fun, especially early in the morning when you can see the vapor trail all the way to the target. This scope has all the features I need and the reason I also got a 4.5-27x50. You really can't go wrong with an Optika6 riflescope. Believe me, after 10 years with another company, Meopta goes the extra mile to make a scope that you won't wish you spent more $ on down the road. Quality glass, construction, and QC are what it's all about.

Do you notice a difference between the 4.5-27 and 5-30( the 5-30 has ed glass)? I know they have a different tube and reticle, but would you say they compare favorably outside of those 2 differences?
1 4.5-27 model finally became available in Canada and I ended up jumping on it. I was at the top of a list of a list of people trying to find an MRAD model.
If you don't mind me asking, who was the previous company you worked for?

 

[zaprosper]

It runs right along with the gen1 rzr, the mrad1 reticle is ok, I prefer the ebr reticles. It's way better than the swfa 5-20 in every respect, imo. But this is very subjective as it's still a very new scope. The zero stop is very good. And mine has 18mils of adjustment.

Illumination is ok, but not great. Doesn't flare, but I would've lit the dot and bottom axis as well as 1mil left and right. But I have no idea if that's possible

My main concern with the MRAD 1 reticle is the lack of windage holds right around the point of aim. Really that's about it and the donut seems like it is going to allow it to function well as a crossover scope. Knowing that it compares favorably to a razor gen 1 at this price point has me excited to get mine.

 

[jjrgr21]

I'd get the 3-18, the 4.5-27 gets a touch fuzzy at 22.

But I had no problems spotting impacts at 1100.

 

[zaprosper]

The 3-18 was my first choice, but the 4.5-27 is the only one coming available. Can't wait to get it and see how it holds up.

 

[koshkin]

Good stuff I thought he did the regular MRAD on the 5-30 I didn’t realize he did the donut, I watched another video where he goes over the regular Mrad and didn’t mention the donut

I'll need to do a video on the MRAD 1 reticle in the 3-18x50 as well. I originally designed it with a donut for 3x visibility and a slightly shorter tree, but Meopta decided to stick with essentially the same tree as in the MRAD reticle in the 5-30x56.

The idea with these two reticle was for the MRAD to be a dedicated precision reticle and MRAD1 to be a crossover design. In retrospect, I probably should have added a couple of extra wind holds inside the horseshoe, but that can make the whole thing look too busy, so the jury is kinda still out. Personally, I like it quite a bit in the 3-18x50.

ILya

 

[koshkin]

Do you notice a difference between the 4.5-27 and 5-30( the 5-30 has ed glass)? I know they have a different tube and reticle, but would you say they compare favorably outside of those 2 differences?
1 4.5-27 model finally became available in Canada and I ended up jumping on it. I was at the top of a list of a list of people trying to find an MRAD model.
If you don't mind me asking, who was the previous company you worked for?

I don't have the 4.5-27x, but I have the 3-18x50 and 5-30x56. Above 14x or so, the 5-30x56 is a bit better, but it is not a huge difference. The colors are a little nicer and contrast is a touch stronger.

ILya

 

[Kisssofdeath]

I have had my two for several months. The Zero stop is a PITA to work with and the instructions are horrible. That's the only negative. Clicks on both scopes are firm, audible and accurate. Parallax is accurate. Clarity is great but not as good as some of my other scopes but they cost 3-4 times more. For what I do I went with the 4.5-27x50 SFP with the 4D Dichro reticle.

 

[zaprosper]

I don't have the 4.5-27x, but I have the 3-18x50 and 5-30x56. Above 14x or so, the 5-30x56 is a bit better, but it is not a huge difference. The colors are a little nicer and contrast is a touch stronger.

ILya

Thanks Ilya,
I would imagine the 4.5-27 would compare quite similarly to the 3-18. I'm also considering a 2.5-15, but the weight is 10 oz heavier then the scope it might replace. Don't mind the weight on the tactical oriented ffp scopes, but it is a little on the high side as a hunting scope.

 

[zaprosper]

I have had my two for several months. The Zero stop is a PITA to work with and the instructions are horrible. That's the only negative. Clicks on both scopes are firm, audible and accurate. Parallax is accurate. Clarity is great but not as good as some of my other scopes but they cost 3-4 times more. For what I do I went with the 4.5-27x50 SFP with the 4D Dichro reticle.

View attachment 7340649View attachment 7340654

What do you all do that made you decide on sfp and dichro in that magnification range? Was the zero stop just a PITA to figure out, or is it a timely process to do?

 

[army_eod]

Where is this scope assembled? Where is the glass from? Who manufactures most of it?

 

[JS8588]

Where is this scope assembled? Where is the glass from? Who manufactures most of it?

Made in the Czech Republic.

 

[zaprosper]

Where is this scope assembled? Where is the glass from? Who manufactures most of it?

Meopta makes their own glass, Czech republic based company. I'm sure they source some of the other components, but it is a Czech scope. Although I sometimes wonder why people can be so concerned about that, unless they want to avoid chinese products.

 

[army_eod]

I am a big fan of Czech stuff. CZ for instance. Good stuff. Thanks for the info.

 

[army_eod]

I keep reading that the light transmission on these is 91%. That sounds pretty bad. What is that about?

 

[bman940]

I keep reading that the light transmission on these is 91%. That sounds pretty bad. What is that about?

I have found the light transmission to be very good on my Optika6 scopes. All-around use the 3-18x50 is tough to beat. For a hunting rifle or long-range shooting, it gives you a lot of great features. I have personally used mine to watch deer pre-sunrise which allowed me to take a nice buck last year. I have also found the Optika binos to perform very well in low light situations.

 

[JS8588]

I keep reading that the light transmission on these is 91%. That sounds pretty bad. What is that about?

These scopes are pretty much all under $600. There's only so much you can ask for at that price point that isn't WuFlu made.

 

[akxx]

These scopes are pretty much all under $600. There's only so much you can ask for at that price point that isn't WuFlu made.

And there is much more to perceived optical clarity and quality than specs.

 

[bman940]

Anyone who needs info on setting the zero stop, drop me a note and I will e-mail you the info, with pics, that you need.

 

[army_eod]

And there is much more to perceived optical clarity and quality than specs.

Agree. I read that each lens transmits 99% but scope 91. Agree it is more about what users say.

 

[spife7980]

I keep reading that the light transmission on these is 91%. That sounds pretty bad. What is that about?

Is that bad or is it actually honest for once?

Meopta is an OEM, they make scopes for all sorts of other companies labels.

 

[jjrgr21]

Thanks Ilya,
I would imagine the 4.5-27 would compare quite similarly to the 3-18. I'm also considering a 2.5-15, but the weight is 10 oz heavier then the scope it might replace. Don't mind the weight on the tactical oriented ffp scopes, but it is a little on the high side as a hunting scope.

The optika 5 is a 1" tube and much lighter

 

[zaprosper]

The optika 5 is a 1" tube and much lighter

Lol and when can we expect those to be available. It was incredibly difficult for me to find one of the 6's and multiple models I would have preferred still aren't available. Hopefully we can see good availability on the new Optika 5 and current Optika 6 towards the end of the year, but who knows. As a 30mm tube it is quite heavy compared to a lot of other 30mm tubes with similar features. To be fair, I got rid of those lighter scopes due to durability(Leupold) and the Meopta should hold up better I would imagine.

 

[akxx]

The optika 5 is will have, if it ever hits shelves, a 1" tube and much lighter

Fixed it for you.
A lot of folks are anticipating the Optika5 line, for sure.

 

[army_eod]

Welp I just ordered a Meopta Optika6 from Camera Land. Got a screaming deal. Thanks Doug and Bro.

 

[akxx]

Welp I just ordered a Meopta Optika6 from Camera Land. Got a screaming deal. Thanks Doug and Bro.

Does Doug offer veteran discounts, or was the Hide discount good enough to 'scream'?

 

[army_eod]

Does Doug offer veteran discounts?

Well I asked and got a great deal. As a vet and Hide bubba.

 

[akxx]

Well I asked and got a great deal. As a vet and Hide bubba.

Good 'nuff. And now it will be your turn to share your thoughts on image clarity, tracking, etc.!

Looking forward to your AAR.

 

[koshkin]

I keep reading that the light transmission on these is 91%. That sounds pretty bad. What is that about?

Virtually every light transmission number mentioned in marketing literature is absolute useless nonsense and I have not seen a single marketing employee in any of the scope companies I have talked to (well, maybe there is one), who understands what "light transmission" means and how it is measured.

Ignore it.

ILya