Scope Clarity! So what!?
 

I am in the market for a new scope. I have just about decided on the Nikon Monarch.
With a little research, the Chuck Hawks site says that eventually all scopes are prone to failure! (I think that its safe to say we all know that!)
Also, when speaking of scopes, we usually speak of "clarity!"
I know that some scopes ARE brighter than others, but it is almost safe to say that "except in shadowy conditions, just about ANY scope will give the clarity needed for a shot!"
What IS HARD to find, is "failure rates" and "scope life expecancy" comparisons! To me this is the big difference in scope prices!
I have had more than my share of scope failures for a lifetime!
Does anyone know of any hard-number comparisons for failure issues?

RE: Scope Clarity! So what!?
 

I don't know of any numbers, or statistics, but, I can say, that almost any scope will do the job, under normal conditions. It is just a matter of how much you want to pay.

RE: Scope Clarity! So what!?
 

The only mainissue I could see for failure would be the gasses in the scope wearing out and foggin up. Unless it is really abused intentionally I see no other failure than this. I have seen the cross hairs fall off from poking them, But it took some force to do so. I all so seen the MOA screws tightened down to where the scope could not be sighted in after that. But these are intentional abuses I have performed my self on scopes.:DOnce my sling broke walking down the tracks,Not intentional. And my scope took a nasty hit off the rail. It bent thetube.I couldnt see the cross hairs from cross up. It was screwed.

RE: Scope Clarity! So what!?
 

I agree about clarity. I have never seen anyone who could actually define "clarity" or "brightness". Both words are abstract, and open to interpretation.

Scope failure is normally due to either internal fogging. Or crosshair failure. The quality of the lense does not determine longevity of the scope.

To me the major difference in the cross hairs is friction adjustment versus click adjustment. I will not buy a scope with friction adjustments, they will fail. I have had click adjustment scopes for 30 years. They work as well today as they did 30 years ago.

As far as internal fogging-you get what you pay for.

Adjustable objectives are nice, but not necessary in a hunting rifle that will be handled in a rough manner. They are basically one more thing that can go wrong. I think their only use is in Varminting, and target shooting. Tom.

RE: Scope Clarity! So what!?
 

Stick with a top rated brand of scope that offers a "Lifetime warranty".
Never had a single issue withLeupold scopes.

RE: Scope Clarity! So what!?
 

There is a difference in scope clarity, and it does make a difference TO ME. I have used everything from $50 Tascoes to Zeiss Diavaris, and I won't go back. Is it worth the extra money for a high end scope? It is to me, but to each his own. Buy what you can afford and enjoy!

RE: Scope Clarity! So what!?
 

you can't hit what you can't see. my money is on burris!

RE: Scope Clarity! So what!?
 

Maybe big country can provide some brightness numbers and comparison values. I think he works with optics. As far as fogging goes, I don't think the gas in the scope wears out. ( I think nitrogen is or was used for this). I think seals get old for one thing, and a poorly designed or machined joint will promote leakage also. A good beating can cause a scope to fail, as most of us probably have experienced too.

RE: Scope Clarity! So what!?
 

I agree, Leupolds are a great scope.

RE: Scope Clarity! So what!?
 

I have owned at least 50 scopes. Most of them were well under 100.00. I have only had one scope failure in all these years and that one was my fault. I forgot to tighten the ring screws and it was on a 35 Remington handgun. The cross hair broke on about the fourth shot.

About twn years ago I bought six Tascoe Pronghorn 4X scopes and mounted them on rifles for myself, my wife and my brother and his boy. One is on a 300 Win Mag, one on a 30-06, one on a6.5x55 and one on a 250-3000. The other two are on 22 rifles. All have seen quite a bit of use and are all working well and are very clear to us. These scopes sold for 15.00 dollars each. I have had a lot of Bushnells of the tropphy and Banner models. Very clear and no failures. You don't have to spend big bucks on scopes.

That said, I now prefer scopes in the 150.00-200.00 range as the cheaper scopes have slipped a notch or two. I have Aetecs now as well as VX-l's and Bushnell 3200's. I also have a coupls Rifleman Leupolds that work just great. Swift and Sightron have some scopes in that price range as well. If they look clear to you in the store and you give them a litttle care, scopes in that price range offer the best dollar value IMO. Don't overlook the Nikon Pro-Staffs either.

RE: Scope Clarity! So what!?
 

I owned lot of different scopes over the years. I've also drug many of them into hunting camps that really torchured them.

In all of those years i've put more Leupolds on my "work" guns than anything else. I also have two Williams scopes that i bought back in the 70's that still work perfectly.

If i was buying a new scope today i'd without a question buy a Zeiss because they are better in low light conditions and are as good as or better than everything else out there today in every other way. My second choise would be another Leupold. I buy my scopes for life, not untill i get another rifle!

I've yet to have the "gas wear out" in a scope, and the real test to this is, put your scope in the freezer over night, the next morning put it in a pan of luke warm water and see it any bubbles start riseing.

My scopes will past this test, cause if they didn't they didn't go hunting with me. If you go hunt fall brown bears on the Alaska peninsula, your scopecan get pretty much the same treatment. Other places in Alaska can be like that too, and your going to be out there for a while, so why carry something you can't trust?

I had a 2x6 Williams scope on a 338 mag. one time, and while crossing a glacier i fell hard on the gun. The scope would no longer rotate to a higher power and the tube was bent. I put up a target and it was still on the money.

I think a "quality" variable scope today won't be failing in the feild just because it's a variable... None of mine ever have, but i won't put a low end scope a work gun either.

DM

RE: Scope Clarity! So what!?
 

Scope choice is all about budget. Everyone here will buy the best scope they can afford. Most scope companies stand by their products, even the lower end scopes. Unless you drop your gun or fall on them they will usually last a lifetime. I usually buy scopes around $200-$300. I will spend money for the best mounts I can find. I figure as long as the sopce doesn't move it should stay accurate.

RE: Scope Clarity! So what!?
 

Get a leaupold. The basic 3-9x40 usually starts at about 200-250$. They are WELL worth that and more.

RE: Scope Clarity! So what!?
 

I have to totally disagree with you on the clarity and brightness issue. Let me tell a little tell that will show the differences. I was walking into our hunting area with my dad years ago. We were strolling downa two track that opened into a fairly large clear cut during the early dawn. When we got to the edge we always stopped and glassed the cut. Dad saw a doe at the far end of the cut (about 200 yards) next to a cedar. He told me to take her. I raised my rifle and couldn't make out anything. Dad raised his rifle and said he could see her clear as day. So I searched, I could see the outling of the cedar but not the deer. So dad took my rifle and handed me his. I could then see the doe clearly and dad couldn't see anything. Long story short I killed the doe, and started saving for a Leupold scope to replace my bushnell sport view that day.

Now I will only put high quality optics on my weapons. Thats not to say that I won't shop for bargains because I do. I really like the Weaver Grand Slam series for a medium priced High quality scope. The bushnell elites are nice, the upper end Nikons are good. But, for a scope that I'm taking to the mountains it will always be a Leupold Vari-x3(preferably) or the new VX3 in 2.5 x 8power. Never failed me so, if it ain't brokedon't fix it.

RE: Scope Clarity! So what!?
 

Your choice of Nikon is just fine, and it has a lifetime full warranty. Clarity is a subjective term at least in regards to what you as a person expects from it.

RE: Scope Clarity! So what!?
 

It actually has more to do with resolution I think and it can be measured. I do know that scopes with better optics are more pleasant to use. I have owned scopes from 30 dollars to 400 dollars and the more you spend on good optics it does make a difference.

Can a cheaper scope work, sure it can if it works in the conditions you use it for. At least spend enough money to get a scope with good coatings on all the lenses. How clear or bright a scope is doesn't matter if you pull it up on a wet snowy day and the lens fogs over while your aiming. Been there done that.

Don't buy into the big objective giving you more light either. Better coatings and glass are always better than a huge objective.

A clearer scope is also better on the eyes, especially when using one at longer distances for longer periods of time like target shooting or varmint hunting.

I tried about 4 scopes on my 17 HMR before I found one I liked. Ranging from 100 dollar BSA's up to a 400 dollar Cabela's brand (A nikon I think). You could deffinately tell the difference in the scopes as you moved up in price, especially at longer distances and higher powers.

Go to a good shop and pick two scopes of the same power and simular size. One being a lower priced tasco or bushnell in say 3-9 or 10 power with a 40mm objective. Then look through a more expensive scope like Zies conquest or something in the same size. If you can't tell a difference in resolution, color and brightness you should have your eyes checked.

You can do the same thing with binocs, look through some cheap walmart tascos and then through a high dollar pair. It's like night and day.

Does that mean you have to spend a fortune on a scope to get a servicable one to hunt with? Nope, not at all. However it doesn't mean the more expensive are not any better, because they are.

Paul

RE: Scope Clarity! So what!?
 

I have 3 Bushnell Trophy scope... 1 on a 300WSM, 1 on a 444 Marlin and 1 on Knight 50.cal inline... All 3 shoot perfect and I think the clarity is pretty good... If your on a budget I'd get a Bushnell:)

RE: Scope Clarity! So what!?
 

The easiest way Ive compared scopes is side by side at the range close to dark. I dont mean after legal hunting time but in the last half hour of low light.

If you take a cheap scope like a Tasco or BSA and crank them up at low light looking out 150 yards or so its hard to see the target very clear. If at the same time I look through a high end scope like a B & L or Nikon(thats high end to me, I don't spend over 500$ fora scope) its very obvious how much clearer they are.

I hunt a large field a lot in the eveand at 250ish yards when its getting close to quiting time(when the bucks come out)I like to crank the scope up to max power and just can't do that and stillsee veryclear with the cheaper scopes. I have a couple of cheaper Simmons 3x9's that you cant turn up more then 4 or 5 power without it being just to dark that far out in the field.

Try to get a side by side comparison(not in the store)that how I can tell the biggest difference between the scopes. I know when we are out shooting some groups I can still shoot with my 4200's and see the targets fine while my buddy is putting away his guns with some of the cheaper stuff. I used to be a big believer in Leupold stuff and had a couple of VX III's and II's and after looking thru them at the range close to dark compared to my buds Monarchs and the B & L 4000 I have I sold all ofLuppys but 1 and happily wear Bushnellson most of my rifles. I have no doubt which are brighter.

RE: Scope Clarity! So what!?
 

Thanks for the replys! I might have been misunderstood with the title "Scope clarity, so what!"
I know that there IS a difference in clarity, but even cheaper scopes can make decent low-light shots!
I just want something tht is going to hold up! As I've said, I've had 3 different scopes fail, and I can promise you they were not abused!
Perhaps I am just snake-bit! 3 failures is more than many people have in a lifetime!
I am almost sure that there are no statistics for scope brand failure rates, but I sure would'nt mind seeing that kind of stats!

I have just about decided on the Nikon Monarch, as most people say it is as clear or better than Loopies, at a savings of over 100.00!

I guess the bad thing about deciding on a new scope is that, most companies "claim" a "lifetime warranty" and "full multi-coating."
Leupold has just about "forced" others to offer a good warranty, and while others like Nikon maybe as good, or better, for less $$$, I've always heard that Loopy's repair/replacement has always been great! No fine print! Just repair or replace, no questions asked!
To me the BEST warranty, will be the one I never have to use!

RE: Scope Clarity! So what!?
 

Ditto...;)

RE: Scope Clarity! So what!?
 

Ha Jag: I believe Midsouth is having a substantial sale on Monarch's. Good choice. Tom.

RE: Scope Clarity! So what!?
 

Personally being the Walmart shopper that I am, I agree with this. Get a Nikon ProStaff, that's all you need.

RE: Scope Clarity! So what!?
 

Clarity? Check and see what optics Brain Surgeons and Eye Surgeons use!.......ZEISS