Got a M3 compact coming. Looking a decent compact scope for it to keep it light. Anybody got any experience on them. Prefer something under the $4-500 range.
Best compact scope
- Thread starter lancehenley1
- Start date
It all dep[ends on what your goal is ? What are you going to be shooting , paper targets @ 25 yards ? Less ? more ? varmints ? small medium or large ?
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The Vector Optics Veyrons are really nice, and to me punch above their purchase price. 3-12 for hunting within ~60 yards or so, or you give up some of their light weight and compactness for more power with the 4-16 or the 6-24.
The Optisan CP series are a little brighter overall, but the price is increased over the Veyrons. Available 3-12 or fixed 10x
I have found all above to have very usable reticles for fine target work, but which don't get lost in the background when hunting. And I feel that they all remain quite sharp to the edges even at full magnification. I do like the shorter honeycomb lens shades which the Veyrons have, over the longer one on the Optisan. But if I had to pick my favorite in the compact 3-12 range, it would be the Optisan.
You can spend plenty more, but these really get the job done for my needs.
The Optisan CP series are a little brighter overall, but the price is increased over the Veyrons. Available 3-12 or fixed 10x
I have found all above to have very usable reticles for fine target work, but which don't get lost in the background when hunting. And I feel that they all remain quite sharp to the edges even at full magnification. I do like the shorter honeycomb lens shades which the Veyrons have, over the longer one on the Optisan. But if I had to pick my favorite in the compact 3-12 range, it would be the Optisan.
You can spend plenty more, but these really get the job done for my needs.
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I recommend the Optisan CP 3-12X32 scope. Small but robust with low turrets. Easy to get into gun cases and rifle soft cases. I have three of them now, nice simple reticle with mildots. Very bright, parallax is very forgiving by 20 yards or so. Excellent scope for hunting or HFT. Trenier Outdoors usually carries them (I would email Jeff to check on restock times if interested) and Jeff has very fast shipping.
https://www.trenieroutdoors.com/optics-2/optisan/optisan-optics-3-12x32-mh10-reticle/
Good Luck!
https://www.trenieroutdoors.com/optics-2/optisan/optisan-optics-3-12x32-mh10-reticle/
Good Luck!
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I was in the same boat awhile back. I finally found a vector veyron 3-12x44. For the money I like it. I just recieved a west hunter 3-12×44 last week not really impressed with it. Glass is good. The AO is stiff to turn. Turrets are mushy. No defined click when adjusted. Alot going on with the crosshairs... I have one more compact that needs a scope and I've been looking real hard at the US optics compact scope.
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@jasonmc, is that the West Hunter WHT 3-12x44 SFIR FFP that you're finding to be lacking? My West Hunter WHT has audible clicks, a simple reticle, the side focus is smooth and turns with minimal force, and daylight bright IR. The reticle itself is super simple a center dot, the Xmas tree is not obtrusive to the sight picture. Maybe you got a bad one? I've been dialing with mine from 25-60 yards, so far it's holding up fine.
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Vector Veyron hands down. Perform far above their price point. I've owned the 3-12x44 & the 4-16x44 and currently use two of the 4-16.
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I had the US Optics T12 and the Discovery model which it is based on. The graphics are nicer on the US Optics @ $500 versus $200 for the Discovery. Otherwise identical.
US Optics made in USA scopes for PRS are high quality but $3000.
US Optics made in USA scopes for PRS are high quality but $3000.
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so after seeing some reviews here, and in particular, this video below, i decided to try a vector veyron (specific model below).
Vector Optics Veyron Rifle Scope, 3-12x44mm, First Focal Plane, 30mm Tube, MPR-4 Non-Illuminated Reticle
https://youtu.be/5nRIwUVX61Y
i wanted something with parallax down to 10 yards, because i do some shooting inside where 15yds is about all i can get.
while i wasn't wowed as much as i sort of expected, i found the glass and clarity to be decent enough.
not as bright or clear as a $2k scope, but it is certainly good enough for airgun or rimfire distances (imho).
i might suggest the SFP version, because the reticle is so fine, the ranging marks are really only usable for me down to about 6x, and they all but disappear at 1x.
the turrets are ok, and they seem to return to zero or original poa on tracking tests, but i probably won't bother with a full ladder test (being lazy).
for $130 bucks, i would say it is worth it, but not having dabbled in the $4-500 mid power scope arena, i cannot say there aren't better options.
Vector Optics Veyron Rifle Scope, 3-12x44mm, First Focal Plane, 30mm Tube, MPR-4 Non-Illuminated Reticle
https://youtu.be/5nRIwUVX61Y
i wanted something with parallax down to 10 yards, because i do some shooting inside where 15yds is about all i can get.
while i wasn't wowed as much as i sort of expected, i found the glass and clarity to be decent enough.
not as bright or clear as a $2k scope, but it is certainly good enough for airgun or rimfire distances (imho).
i might suggest the SFP version, because the reticle is so fine, the ranging marks are really only usable for me down to about 6x, and they all but disappear at 1x.
the turrets are ok, and they seem to return to zero or original poa on tracking tests, but i probably won't bother with a full ladder test (being lazy).
for $130 bucks, i would say it is worth it, but not having dabbled in the $4-500 mid power scope arena, i cannot say there aren't better options.
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I use the 3-12 bugbuster. I got it for under 100$ before everything went up in price. For shooting 50yrd shots it's worth what I paid. I'm interested in the vector veyron 3-12 if it's better at the current price point.
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MIke I have a Vector 3-12x44 FFP. You're welcome to take it for an extended demo. I'm not using it at the moment.
I believe it has dovetail rings on it currently but I also have rings & a one piece mount in picatinny you can borrow.
I'm pretty flexible with my schedule for meeting up & letting you borrow it.
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Sorry. I meant to reply to an old PM of yours. Too much multi tasking today. PM me if you want to borrow it.
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Another big fan of the Veryon Vector 3-12. Has been an excellent scope with repeatable turrets and has held a good zero.
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Leupold Mark AR Mod-1 4-12x40 Mil-Dot AO. Great all around quality and focus down to 15-20 yards. For small game hunting and basic target shooting or plinking it is fantastic. I successfully completed the 10 dimes challenge recently with one on my HW97. It is SFP which I prefer on a scope of 12X or less.
12” long and 15 oz.
12” long and 15 oz.
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Some of the best are the Leupold compact scopes,have good glass are are light weight..also Burris has some good compact scopes and both brands can be had with AO .
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I spent a lot of time looking for a compact scope. I went with the Athlon Helos BTR 2-12x42 mil version. It’s under twelve inches. Which was a must for my rifle. Wanted the new Intergrix 3-18X44. It’s UTG’s upper new line of scopes. My dealer called. And they said it won’t be available till next spring. At shot show they said this year. Too bad. Because they are supposed to have Japanese glass.
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I recently picked up a veyron 3-12 ffp mil. Everything about the scope is punching well above it's price range.
My only complaint is that the the center cross hair is 8/10 mil long with no intermediate indicators of any kind. It relegates one to estimating holds for a solid chunk of range on either end of mean point blank range.
Granted, the clicks seem highly repeatable. Given the time, I would dial confidently.
The reticle on the westhunter looks preferable. If it has similar optical and mechanical quality, that could be a solid pick.
My only complaint is that the the center cross hair is 8/10 mil long with no intermediate indicators of any kind. It relegates one to estimating holds for a solid chunk of range on either end of mean point blank range.
Granted, the clicks seem highly repeatable. Given the time, I would dial confidently.
The reticle on the westhunter looks preferable. If it has similar optical and mechanical quality, that could be a solid pick.
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Hi
I'm also interested in buying another compact scope, I have 3 UTG I use them at 50 yards and the quality/price is good. I don't see any comments on the Airmax Compact does anyone have any good or bad experience
Regards
Enkey
I'm also interested in buying another compact scope, I have 3 UTG I use them at 50 yards and the quality/price is good. I don't see any comments on the Airmax Compact does anyone have any good or bad experience
Regards
Enkey
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