This scope looks interesting. Has anyone done a review? Does this scope use ED glass like the name suggests?
Marcool stalker ED 5-30 56mm FFP IR zero stop
- Thread starter steve-l
- Start date
@Steve-I Never heard of this brand before. Looks like a Westhunter type of outfit to me. Didn’t see much of anything on the ED version, mostly reviews appear to be on the HD models in search engine results. Not much information is provided by the manufacturer on their site if in fact this is the manufacturer’s site. Looks Ali Expressish. I’m skeptical when a manufacture provides scant details for a product offering.
www.marcool-cn.com
Have you used any of their products before?
MARCOOL STALKER 34mm ED GLass 5-30x56 FFP Rifle Scope with Zero-Stop Function-MARCOOL
MARCOOL STALKER 34mm ED GLass 5-30x56 FFP Rifle Scope with Zero-Stop Function
www.marcool-cn.com Have you used any of their products before?
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No, that's why I ask. It is being advertised on AliExpress at $669. That price is almost twice as high over other Chinese brands of scopes. I have a high end Discovery scope that works very well. I have had it two years and it was around $350 at that time. I would love to have a Sightron SVIII 5-50 x 56, but at $3200, I cannot justify that much for a scope.
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@Steve-I I see. Sightrons go on sale periodically. I’ve also seen some Crimson Trace scopes with ED glass that have enjoyed a good reputation for years. Occasionally I see them on sale. I’m not sure about the Athlon brand but I’ve read good things about them. Dunno if they have any models with ED glass. I’d try to find a quality scope made by a proven manufacturer and a reputable warranty, preferably a lifetime warranty.
There are several guys on the forums who are knowledgeable about scopes. Who I would refer you to would depend upon your intended use with said scope. Are you a FT or BR competitor?
There are several guys on the forums who are knowledgeable about scopes. Who I would refer you to would depend upon your intended use with said scope. Are you a FT or BR competitor?
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I'm willing to pay more for the extra clarity low dispersion glass provides. I also would like a larger eye window on higher magnifications. I think that is important for acquiring your target rapidly. I also want FFP. I don't traipse about in the field looking for animals to shoot, so weight is no issue
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@Steve-I What’s your primary intended use? Are you looking to mostly shoot from a bench? Speed silhouette styled shooting? Are you hunting in lowlight environments seated within a blind? Long-range pesting (pigeons. starlings, etc.)? Or paper punching and plinking on a range shooting 100+ yards from a table or tripod? This information is helpful.
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I primarily shoot behind my house into a field longer than 250 meters generally with targets not longer than 110 meters away. I shoot mostly using a support standing, not a bench and at times, low light. I no longer shoot competition, but did for years.
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@steve-l In That case I recommend that you reach out to @jwrabbit123 first. He’s posted about his extensive use of a long list of scopes. He shoots long distance off of tripods. I mean he can stretch out some shots. I’ve found him to be pretty knowledgeable. Also for comparative scope specs you may want to check out some @JungleShooter spreadsheets. He’s posted links to them in multiple AGN posts. They definitely help and save time when shopping around. There are some field target guys that have posted good info and been helpful in answering questions about scopes as well.
www.DVOR.com and www.CameralandNY.com usually have decent sales. DVOR can have some deep discounts on optics, but only give you store credit for returns to my understanding. You may want to review their return policy. I’ve seen Sightron III and other high-end Sightrons on sale there for 35% off or more. Again the Crimson Trace scopes look great on paper, but for outdoor long-distance shooting wind reading is important. I’ve found some of their reticles deficient for windage holds.
www.DVOR.com and www.CameralandNY.com usually have decent sales. DVOR can have some deep discounts on optics, but only give you store credit for returns to my understanding. You may want to review their return policy. I’ve seen Sightron III and other high-end Sightrons on sale there for 35% off or more. Again the Crimson Trace scopes look great on paper, but for outdoor long-distance shooting wind reading is important. I’ve found some of their reticles deficient for windage holds.
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Could be that this is a sister scope to the Vector Continental with similar specs.
It also sells for a similarly high price.
The Vector claims German Schott glass. Might be so.
Steve123 did an extensive review of it.
Here is one of his comments:
www.airgunnation.com
I'm very intrigued by a 4-24x56 FFP. Vector has one in the same Continental line. Does Marcool also have one in that magnification range?
Matthias
It also sells for a similarly high price.
The Vector claims German Schott glass. Might be so.
Steve123 did an extensive review of it.
Here is one of his comments:
ARES ETR UHD 4.5-30×56 thoughts?
There is a lot of hype around ARES ETR UHD 4.5-30×56 thoughts? What do you think is it better than the Arken EP5 ?
www.airgunnation.com I'm very intrigued by a 4-24x56 FFP. Vector has one in the same Continental line. Does Marcool also have one in that magnification range?
Matthias
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Hi Steve Their is many scopes to choose from , I see you like the FFP I use these as well , My advice is what ever your budget is buy the best optic you can as alot of cheap scopes are cheaply made , meaning turrets , assembled with glues and plastic instead of brass and rings and screws ,
So all scopes today are made in China , Japan , Germany and a few other countries , many of the scopes people post here which are not heard of are just cheap knockoff china junk , Buy a name brand and one which has good customer service even a $5000 scope needs repairs from time to time , A very high magnification on a cheaper scope just magnifies defects so super high power isnt all what it is marketed for , but it is advertised for selling points , With a ffp scope realize on low power like a 4x 24 at 4x the crosshairs are very small and may be hard to see , but the advantage is if it is a mil scope one line is always 1 mil where as a sfp scope can change when zoomed , FFP scopes cost more as have more parts then sfp and are harder to build , as far as image quality and durability a fixed power say 10x is most durable then a 4x24 set on 10 with same lens quality again cause less lens to see threw and no moving parts , The good glass in higher end scopes like HD or Ed add alot more weight as they much heavier as well , I never heard of Marcool my self , I am not saying its junk but it is not proven so Id get what has been used and what is serviceable , are you a hunter or target shooter or both ? I see you said low light , well low light best optic for this would be a larger objective lens ,and some quality coatings the better the glass the better you can see targets in bright sun and or twilight conditions
LOU
So all scopes today are made in China , Japan , Germany and a few other countries , many of the scopes people post here which are not heard of are just cheap knockoff china junk , Buy a name brand and one which has good customer service even a $5000 scope needs repairs from time to time , A very high magnification on a cheaper scope just magnifies defects so super high power isnt all what it is marketed for , but it is advertised for selling points , With a ffp scope realize on low power like a 4x 24 at 4x the crosshairs are very small and may be hard to see , but the advantage is if it is a mil scope one line is always 1 mil where as a sfp scope can change when zoomed , FFP scopes cost more as have more parts then sfp and are harder to build , as far as image quality and durability a fixed power say 10x is most durable then a 4x24 set on 10 with same lens quality again cause less lens to see threw and no moving parts , The good glass in higher end scopes like HD or Ed add alot more weight as they much heavier as well , I never heard of Marcool my self , I am not saying its junk but it is not proven so Id get what has been used and what is serviceable , are you a hunter or target shooter or both ? I see you said low light , well low light best optic for this would be a larger objective lens ,and some quality coatings the better the glass the better you can see targets in bright sun and or twilight conditions
LOU
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Could be that this is a sister scope to the Vector Continental with similar specs.
It also sells for a similarly high price.
The Vector claims German Schott glass. Might be so.
Steve123 did an extensive review of it.
Here is one of his comments:
ARES ETR UHD 4.5-30×56 thoughts?
There is a lot of hype around ARES ETR UHD 4.5-30×56 thoughts? What do you think is it better than the Arken EP5 ?
I'm very intrigued by a 4-24x56 FFP. Vector has one in the same Continental line. Does Marcool also have one in that magnification range?
Matthias
Hi Matthias,
I haven't got to the point yet to do a review "per say" but on the other hand there's not a whole lot else to say about my Vector Continental than what I wrote. I suppose I'll leave any other commentary on it for later this winter when I do a review. I like to do a 1-10 rating system when I do a review and that is on things like IQ, controls, etc, compared to scopes I've owned or at least have been behind a time or two. A lot of that is just impressions and of course I like certain attributes here and there which is just a personal preference.
OP, the #1 consideration when buying a scope is warranty. A reputable company that will take care of any issues quickly. Too young a company, especially this day and age, might well go out of business and then you are SOL.
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One word on Scott glass while some of the best scopes in the world use it such as Swarovski ,ZCO , Schmidt Bender , and Hensolds , their is also a big thing to think about when some say Scott German Glass , which is
Where glass is made is not entirely relevant. There are different grades, densities, coatings and all sorts of things. Some useful info. FWIW, HD is mostly a marketing term. so Scott makes many levels of glass like chevy made a pinto , a camaro , a caddy and a vette , something to think about , some use words for marketing hype ,
LOU
Where glass is made is not entirely relevant. There are different grades, densities, coatings and all sorts of things. Some useful info. FWIW, HD is mostly a marketing term. so Scott makes many levels of glass like chevy made a pinto , a camaro , a caddy and a vette , something to think about , some use words for marketing hype ,
LOU
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