March Scopes: The Best Air Rifle Optics Bar None

Jump to latest Follow Reply
mmahoney

mmahoney

Member
Feb 20, 2017
890
82
Wyoming, United States
It was only a few short years ago that I scoffed at the thought of paying more for a scope than a firearm. In the last few years I’ve become as obsessed with quality optics as I have quality airguns. In fact, the quality of the scope has a direct impact on my impression of the rifle. The scope has such a great influence on the shooting experience, that a great gun with a crappy scope will diminish my opinion of the gun.

I’ve bought and sold nearly 50 different scopes over the last several years. I’m pretty sure I’ve about caught up to the famous Joe Rhea of Cyclops Videos on how many different scopes I’ve owned. I’ve fallen for hyped new offerings trying to get tier one clarity at mid range prices. It took awhile but considering the large amount of time I spend looking through my scopes, I finally decided that my air rifles and I deserve the best. In the last year or so I’ve even purchased several top tier “compact” scopes looking for the best optic possible. I’ve finally gravitated toward the best airgun scopes available - March scopes- hand made by the folks at Deon Optical.

Introduction:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2g9oQtxIpq8&t=11s



March Compact 1-10x24

https://youtu.be/328xrmdvhsY



March Compact 2.5-25x42

https://youtu.be/PIBnpI9byuo



March-FX 5-40x56

https://youtu.be/H6AmDVltio0



March-X 10-60x56 High Master

https://youtu.be/nvE-rRt7YGU
 
I have owned a number of March scopes and IMO are they in the top 5 optically absolutely yes, are they the best overall, IMO no!

Japanese glass gives a very "white" image, European glass not so much, therefore people tend to confuse this apparent brightness with light transmission, however as has been proven recently by RECON, you can combine Japanese glass and European glass in the same optic, this gives the brightness qualities but also the advantages of the European glass which is reading mirage and resolution at long ranges which can be lost to the very white image of the best Japanese lenses.

Of course that maybe very subjective as far as using them with airguns, the March range is light and compact VS other brands without sacraficing anything and their illumination system is excellent as pointed out, shame it is such a huge cost addition, 10 yards PX as you say practically impossible to find on other optics of this quality.

The seconhand market for March is also very poor, certainly here at least, as is distribution and retail opportunity, the other thing I don't like is the turrets on some models particularly, the tiny grubscrews they annoy the hell out of me.

Best March I owned was the 2.5-25 X 52 a truly excellent little scope, currently I am exploring ZERO COMPROMISE as like you I am in love with high quality glass.

Nice videos anyway, looking forward to the review of the 40X FFP as I was considering one, not had that particular model and I do miss (not the turrets) the little 25x tactical, the closest to it I have found is the new NF NX8 32x.

It's a shame more dont invest in top tier glass for airguns IMO!
 
Upvote 0
@Spray1Mark

Thanks for sharing your detailed opinion! I can see how you would like the warmer tones of other glass. Those warmer tones come at the cost of making some colors not look natural to my eye.

I wonder if the second hand market is affected by the relative scarcity of the scopes? Few of my friends had ever heard of the brand, and none had looked through one until I bought my first.

I don't mind the little grub screws. They are secure and I seldom have to mess with them. The new turrets on the March PRS 5-42x56 suggest that most people agree with you, though.
 
Upvote 0
Never looked through the March, but I owe the Zero comprise and the Tangent Theta gen3. I think you’d be hard press to make the argument which is the best. In my opinion it is VERY subjective. For your eyes the March is the best. For mine it’s the Zero Comprise.
ive bought and sold the Nightforce, Schmit& Bender, Kahles, Vortex Razor. All have their good points so pick one that’s good for your vision. I do appreciate your reviews. Great information!
I would like to look through a March scope. Optics are very very important. My 2 cents



(I don’t have the ZCO or the TT on an airgun.)
 
Upvote 0
@sharpdoug

I hear you. Experiencing high dollar scopes is hard to do and owning them all at once requires having more money than most can afford. I too have bought and sold the scopes from S&B, Kahles, Vortex Razor and Nightforce. I'd love to look through a Tangent Theta, ZCO, and Valdada but don't know anyone who has one. I'd have surely bought at least one of the three if they focused down to 10 yards.
 
Upvote 0
I think people would have to get a March High Master to get equal or close to ZCO or TT image quality, because the 3-24x42 and the FX 5-40x56 I've had/have are a step down in glass. These two March scopes have very good glass but not great glass. My S&B 5-25's are superior in image quality compared to them. I've only looked at the High Master at Shotshow so I can't make the best judgement but I can on the two I mentioned. 

For whatever reason I like the glass more in the TT than the ZCO, maybe it's the spectacular depth of field???

But I agree that on AG's it's a hassle not having sub 25Y min focus! Since I can't afford a S&B 5-25/H59 on all my guns my compromise is the Athlon Ares 4.5-27x50 which has a fantastic .2 mil reticle, it has 25Y min focus which has been a downer at times on powerful PCP's because I like to shoot closer in on occasion using 27x.

I've almost bought that March 1-10 a few times but lower power scopes I don't use much. I use a SFP Athlon 1-4.5x24 which has a side focus that adjusts down to 10Y. 

I need mo money, lol! Once a guy has had great glass it's hard to be satisfied with lesser scopes. In fact I'm selling a few rifles with plans on upgrading glass on some of the rifles I'm keeping.


 
Upvote 0
How long is the warranty and is it easily no questions asked transferable like Bushnell lifetime no receipt needed? Just curious since they're so expensive.

Not that it's a bad thing, but when reading the fine print on some scope warrantees, they warranty for "LIFE OF THE SCOPE", not as most peeps think, your life. That said, the life of a Bushnell scope for instance is anywhere from 1 to 30 years depending on that particular scope.

BUSHNELL IRONCLAD WARRANTY Products manufactured on or after April 2017 are covered by the Bushnell Ironclad Warranty. The Ironclad Warranty is a full lifetime warranty that covers the lifetime of this Product. Each Product has a defined lifetime; lifetimes can range from 1 to 30 years. This Product’s lifetime can be found at the website listed below and/or on the Bushnell webpage specific to this Product.

Something that I didn't know until reading the last page of the manual.

mike


 
Upvote 0
Why....

That is on the Bushnell website under "Manuals", I looked at the Nitro line. I would imagine that many companies do that very thing as they can state it's "Lifetime" but not anyone living persons lifetime, but the life THEY deem is the product lifetime. I suppose that if the actual LIFETIME of a scope is only 5 years, that may be a problem, but at 30 years, probably not. I mean if we think about it, if a scope was bought by a father for his son and the son lived to be 90 years old, how would a company cope with that? They couldn't, thus the product lifetime.

No matter what though, it pays to check the fine print on any warranty.

mike
 
Upvote 0
The March has a 10 year warranty. Typically, an issue with a scope will show up early on. Issues like artifacts in the reticle (noticed immediately) or turret issues show up very early in the scopes life. March scopes are very well built and stories I've heard all say they take care of their customers.

The warranty is transferrable and no receipt or registration is required.
 
Upvote 0
I’ve read that if there’s a problem, they do take care of it. And I’ve read that the only reason they only offer a 10 year warranty is because of the rules in Japan. If they offered a longer warranty the taxes or something like that bureaucratically would cost more money. So I’ve read they have taken care of out of warranty scopes. I’ve also read that that one instance is the only one I’ve heard of a problem. 


As for the scope, I have the FX 5-40 and I love it. Everything about it. From the turrets to the FFP reticle to the magnification. Was just out with it on Sunday and was still amazed at how nice the scope is. 
 
Upvote 0
I would like to know how the March 2.5-25x52 and Nightforce 4-32x50 compare to each other. What are your thoughts, i know this can/will be subjective but do wish to hear all thoughts on these two scopes. Thanks guys.
Click to expand...


I prefer the NF for features, build and aesthetics, but I would say the March is a slightly brigher and definitely whiter image.
 
Upvote 0
Click to expand...


I liked the 5-40 video review thanks, the point that I really agree with is the hand built factor, making things more slowly does not of course guarantee better quality and attention to detail is another thing altogether.

I liken it to ARAI MX and MC helmets, no better really than other brands in a lot of ways, but considerably more expensive which is a factor of Japanese manufacture.

I work for a US company and we produce the same products in many different countries but to buy from Japan is hugely more expensive, I guess NF etc. which are also made in Japan negotiate a price based on volume, but without compromising on quality?
 
Upvote 0
As for the second hand market it’s definitely dry here. But for top tier glass you go over to Snipers Hide forum. Lots of great second hand scopes there. I got my March FX there. It’s to me the ultimate airgun scope. 10 yard parallax. FFP usable reticle throughout the entire magnification range. 1/8 moa clicks for pinpoint ret placement. Zero stops that are the easiest in the industry. It’s truely a joy to use. A luxury item to be sure, but one of no compromise is a pleasure to own but with an anxiety as to when we will be hunting again. 
 
Upvote 0
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top Bottom
Back
Home
Forums
Resources
Menu