Can anyone definitively tell me how you judge the quality of a scope, other than in mag reviews and pricepoint? From experience, I can certainly see a difference between a cheap quality scope like a Tasco world class and a decent scope like a Nikon monarch. The differences I can see between these two classes are edge clarity and brightness. I'm sure there's also a difference in the quality of the construction and how well they hold zero. However, this isn't where my question lies. I would like to know how you tell the difference between a mid level scope like a Nikon Monarch and a premium scope like the Khales and S & B or Leupold VX-L? Comparing them side to side, I can't "see" a difference. What makes premium scopes cost soo much more when there seems to be so little difference?

Keep in mind that when I reference to mid level scopes, I'm talking about scopes like the Monarch,Elite 4200, Fullfield,& Grand Slam that have fully-multi coated optics, lifetime warranties and have a proven track record for being good scopes.

It can be tough to judge side by side in a sporting goods store where the lighting inside the store is good. All decentoptics seem to be OK under good lighting enviromentand when you look through them for only a minute or 2. Before I spent the big dollar amount for the pricey optics, I purposely went to the stores late in the evenings around sunset and asked if we could take the products outside for a better look. Helped me alot fo decide on my binos and spotting scope.

Most of the time in the stand (and certainly in a store) you won't be able to see a clear difference, but during those last 15 minutes of hunting time the top of the line glass will take over even the mid price range glass. An example of this, a couple of weeks ago I was in a stand with my grandson. He had his Elite 4200 3x9x40 which is a nice little scope. I had carried my Zeiss Diavari just to make sure of what he might shoot. At dark he told me he couldn't see anymore. I took his rifle and scaned the field, not seeing anything. I took my scope and made the same pass and a raccoon was walking across the field. I could see his ring tail plainly and with the Elite I couldn't see the coon.

Best way to test the quality of a scope is to use a broadband LED laser 450nm center wavelength, and use a detector to find the back reflection and the loss thru it both from the ocular end and the objective.Even better is to test it atvarious freq using a thin film optical filter. But even that does not cover the spectrum of light detectable by the human eye.

One thing I do, is when in a store, view something far away but with alot of contrast. One way to achieve this is to find a hole (kinda like a cave) and put something readable inside and try to make it out from 30 yards or so.

Also, all pieces of lenses are not equal. I have found ziess that wasn't as bright and clear as a leupold and viseversa. Ask to see the scope out of box, not demo, and buy that scope you find desirable. You could test Back reflection out of 18 different scope and find one at the top end and one at the bottom end.

Interesting. I wish outfitter stores like Cabelas, Bass Pro, and Gander Mountain would set up a lowly lit indoor range to compare scopes before buying. I think if consumers could physically see a difference under simulated field conditions, it would lead to a lot more sales of high end optics.

I remember years ago, some company (can't remember who)designed a special target that had various symbols used to compare focus and definition of different scopes. It would be a great marketing tool to have if you were a premium optics manufacturer.

Thanks for the responses.

Good question! It is hard to tell without trying them under hunting conditions. Without testing them at all 2 things do stick out though.
1. A cheap scope cannot possibly be as good as high cost/quality scopes!
The price of "cheap" cannot even pay for the quality materials and workmanship that goes into a better scope.
2. For practical purposes, you reach the point of "deminishing returns!"
I don't think that you can really notice much improvement from a 300-500 dollar scope and one costing 3 or 4 times as much! But, a bargain basement scope is much more likely to fail you than a decent one!

I compare optics in different lights and over several trips. WhatI look for is clarity edge to edge, brightness, crosshairs, eyerelief/eye positoning,focus and contrast/sharpness . Last but not least is build quality and function (such as focus, mag, etc).

I agree their is a line where things get obscure between the various classes, which is one reason whyI never buy based on first impressions. Especially Bins or spotting scopes where you spend more time peering through them. In such optics for me eye strain is one think I pay particluar attention in additon to the above optic reviews i run through my head. I have noticed once you get used to a certain optic returns your eyes pic up flaws more easily that others may miss in short side by sides. I guess you could call it optic snobbery, but I think of it is as an appreciation level.

Actually Cabelas and Bass pro have dimly lit places to evaluate optics. Ever notice the shooting gallery on the other side of the store? They didn't do it on purpose but I was able to evaluate several top shelf optics peering into the dimly lit shooting range. Look for fine details in the back wall, with the naked eye I couldn't see the rocks but with the bino's I settled on I could see the fine cracks and detail. I drove the guy at the optics counter nuts for months, after all good glass IS pretty salty.

Pete

if you take say 3x9x40 scopes,there is a big differents between the 40.00 scopes 125.00 scopes after that in most brands you won't see much differents until you get up to 300.00 range.

i find that for normal light the 125-200.00 scopes will do in most deer hunting .i'm just to hard on those high end scopes to carry one around much.