Scopes

The Maven Optics S1.2S-25-50x80 Spotting scope was provided by Maven for this review, and while I am allowed to keep this optic after the conclusion of this review, it will not impact my current or future opinions on the brand and their products. The Maven Optics S1.2S - 25-50x80 has been used extensively over the past 9 months on the range and at a local farm.

Burris has introduced the fifth generation of its Fullfield riflescope series, marking fifty years since the original model was launched. The first Fullfield scopes were known for providing a wider field of view and improved light transmission compared to many contemporary optics, establishing the line as a popular choice among big-game hunters in the United States.

In this review, we take a closer look at the new Kahles K18i-2 low power variable optic (LPVO), with a focus on practical shooting. Dynamic rifle shooting is a discipline that demands speed, precision, and adaptability. All at once, and under the pressure of getting the maximum out of yourself and your gear in as short a time as possible. Optics that don’t enhance your performance under these kinds of circumstances usually don’t stay on top competitors’ rifles for long.

Nocpix has announced the Nite D70R, a new digital day and night riflescope designed for hunters seeking improved image clarity and long-range precision. The Nite D70R combines a 70mm objective lens and 5× base magnification with a 4K Ultra sensor (3536×3536, 12MP) that is said to offer about 50% higher pixel density than conventional 4K systems and provide sharper detail, improved color reproduction, and consistent performance across varied environments.

Nocpix has announced the new RICO 2 Series of thermal weapon sights, a lineup aimed at hunters and shooters looking for advanced performance in the field. The series includes four models: the S75R, H75R, H50R, and L42R. All RICO 2 optics feature a ≤15 or ≤18 mK NETD rating, a 2560×2560 round AMOLED display, and a smooth digital zoom system. Each unit also integrates a 1,200-yard laser rangefinder with a built-in ballistic calculator. Users can input velocity and ballistic coefficient to receive instant drop calculations for long-range shots. RICO is short for Rugged Infrared Compact Optic.

AGM Global Vision has announced the release of the RattlerV3 series, the newest generation of its Rattler thermal riflescopes. The lineup includes the RattlerV3 LRF 35-384 and RattlerV3 LRF 35-640, both equipped with a 1,000-meter laser rangefinder and on-board ballistic calculator, and the RattlerV3 25-384, which offers the same updated imaging technology in a more compact design without an integrated LRF. All models bring shutterless operation, improved thermal sensitivity, updated imaging algorithms, and long-range capability.

You’re on the range and unbagging your brand-new rifle. The air is still, and the sun is high in the sky. You load and make ready. You aim, and with a press of the trigger, let the perfect shot off. The sweet smell of burnt gunpowder and gun oil enters the air, and the action cycles. For a moment, you’re satisfied with your rifle, until you begin to wonder if you made the right choice in optic type. The debate of a red dot and magnifier combo vs an LPVO has been had by many people, and to be honest, I’m not sure if I’m dedicated to one camp either. Let’s talk about some pros and cons, and why you might want to pick one over the other.

For more than a few of my rifles, I’m looking for a riflescope that’s a good combination for both hunting and competition scenarios. It seems that the German high-end riflescope manufacturer Schmidt & Bender has a really interesting solution, as they unveil the next evolution with the 3-18x42 Meta (First Focal Plane). This scope blends those features needed, has a proven performance, with a sleek, modern design.

The new Vortex Crossfire HD riflescope series includes models for various hunting styles, such as rimfire, muzzleloader, straight-wall, and scout. Each model is designed for specific hunting applications. These riflescopes feature HD glass, which provides improved light transmission and resolution compared to standard glass, enhancing visibility in low-light conditions.

So you’ve got a modern sporting rifle, and you want to see what’s beyond that red dot or those iron sights? But you’re not really interested in spending a lot of money? It seems SIG Sauer’s got you covered with their new TANGO-MSR Compact riflescopes. Measuring just 8.4" long and weighing 14.5 oz, it’s ideal for your kind of rifle. I don’t really use red dots on any of my rifle caliber firearms; I keep the red dots for pistol caliber firearms, but the final judgment may depend on what the purpose of the rifle or carbine is.

It’s been eight years since its introduction, and it’s now time for the VX-5HD Gen 2. It’s available in six configurations: 1-5x24, 2-10x42, 3-15x44, 3-15x50, 3-15x56, and 4-20x52. The VX-5HD Gen 2 is designed for hunters needing reliable performance in tough conditions. It features Leupold’s Professional-Grade Optical System for clear visuals, with strong light transmission, glare reduction, and sharp resolution. The scopes include Guard-Ion lens coatings to repel dirt and water, ensuring clarity across the entire field of view.

No gunpowder, just air power in this Photo Of The Day! However, this new air-driven beast has been keeping me quite busy this summer, and I’ve enjoyed every moment with it. Shooting airguns is underrated, for sure. Do they replace the real thing? No!

At the time of writing, there are only 18 pieces left out of 20 made, making this Schmidt & Bender 5-25x56 PM II a true limited edition. You would think that the reincarnation of the legendary Finnish sniper Simo Häyhä would order something like this. In fact, and for once, the initial demand didn’t come from a military contract, but from a long-time customer. It wouldn’t surprise me if all these end up on white-outed Sakos and Tikkas up in the North, close to the Eastern border of Finland.

Meprolight is a company long known for crafting 1x red dot optics for everything from the AR-15 platform to shotguns, traditional rifles, and more. In recent years, they have begun to produce handgun micro optics, which you may have noticed in the bevy of reviews we have been producing. Next on their checklist of quality glass is variable optics. Or, as Meprolight likes to call their riflescopes, “MVO” - Meprolight Variable Optic. So, today we are going to take a look at one of Meprolight’s LPVO (low powered variable optic) options - the Meprolight MVO 1-8x28mm FFP M1 MRAD. Let’s dive in!

Without a doubt, night vision is a fun addition to any shooter’s repertoire. From LARPing in the dark to hunting at night, night vision gives you a superpower, turning the average Joe into a nighttime apex predator capable of seeing in the dark while stalking prey that can’t see you back, hopefully. Night vision devices come in a variety of form factors, from helmet-mounted monoculars, binoculars, and panoramic quad-tubes to weapon-mounted systems intended for use as a clip-on device or a dedicated riflescope. Then there’s digital nightvision versus analogue, and I’ll say up front that the jury is not out on anything. Analogue rules the night. But an inescapable factor that plagues us all, well, most of us anyway, is the cost of seeing in the dark, which can range from very expensive to astronomical. So, when Sightmark asked me to give the   Wraith 4K 4-32x40 Digital Riflescope a spin, my first thought, after yes please, was whether this sub-$500 optic brought any value to the table, and if it did, for whom?

For shooters seeking high-quality optics without breaking the bank, the new Konus Wild riflescopes are said to deliver unmatched value in a robust 30mm platform. Designed with the cost-conscious consumer in mind, these scopes combine durability, versatility, and premium features at budget-friendly prices.

Two new options will join the Konus Fiery thermal scope series. First in the new series is the flexible Fiery RF, a unique 3-in-1 thermal device (pictured above) and the Fiery R, a conventional-looking 30mm riflescope. For those not familiar with Konus, they market products ranging from riflescopes to spotting scopes and from electronic dot sights to binoculars and more.

Konus enters the (extreme) long-range riflescope arena with the launch of their new Invincible optic. Designed to deliver serious long-range performance in a durable, high-powered package, it packs some really interesting specifications with a 5x-50x zoom power and a 60mm objective diameter. Built around a large 34mm main tube, and combined with ED (Extra-low Dispersion) glass, this setup is said to deliver crisp resolution and excellent light transmission, even at the highest zoom levels.

Konus has added a new low-power variable optic (LPVO) to its lineup: the Sultan 1-10x24mm riflescope. Built around a 30mm tube, the Sultan offers a true 1x for close-quarters work and extends up to 10x for longer-range engagements. Could this be a new budget-friendly contender for general-purpose rifles?

Nocpix has launched the Bolt L35R, a thermal riflescope designed with new night hunters in mind. The scope combines user-friendly controls with advanced thermal imaging, aiming to provide reliable target detection and clarity without overwhelming first-time thermal users.

The right optic is a cornerstone of your firearm. They can add range, reliability, or target acquisition speed. A gun without an optic is like a car without a steering wheel. There are numerous different optics on the market, but how do you choose the right one for you?

When Vortex launched the Strike Eagle 3-18x44 FFP, they created something different in a market flooded with 1-6x, 1-8x, and 1-10x LPVOs. This isn't your typical close-quarters optic—it's built for shooters who want some real versatility without compromising on either end of the magnification spectrum. After putting 200 rounds downrange with this scope mounted on a "long-range" AR build, here's what you need to know.

Winchester recently established their own optics line under the name Winchester Supreme Optics, the launch of which included a slew of practical offerings. Right off the bat, Winchester Supreme Optics offers binoculars, rangefinders, spotting scopes, and rifle scopes. As the title of today’s review suggests, we’ll take a look at the Winchester Supreme 1-4x24mm LPVO rifle scope. Let’s see how Winchester’s first optics line checks out.

The Primary Arms PLxC 1-8X24 FFP scope was recently named by TFB the best optic for the AR-15, so it’s time for a heads up, as they just launched a new variant of their PLxC 1-8x24mm Second Focal Plane Compact Rifle Scope. It now features the ACSS NOVA 5.56/.308 Fiber Wire Reticle. Offered in black or flat dark earth, this LPVO is designed for users running modern sporting rifles or tactical carbines who want a lightweight optic with extended capabilities.

LPVOs have become a popular choice among shooters due to their versatility, providing a compromise between red dots and traditional optics with the ability to engage targets from 1x up to 10x magnification in some instances. Having been a fan for years, I love an optic that provides illumination when needed but isn’t beholden to battery life for general use. While I tend to keep my LPVOs set to 1x, there’s no mistaking usefulness in the ability to go from fast close-quarter target acquisition to precise mid to long-range positive identification and engagement. For these reasons, LPVOs have flooded the marketplace throughout every price range, but sifting through more budget-friendly options and looking for great value can be difficult because there are so many players, especially compared to well-established higher-priced behemoths like the Nightforce ATACR, Vortex Razor, and Trijicon VCOG. Today, I’ll make that job a little easier by addressing what I believe is the best LPVO for your money under $500: The   Griffin Armament   1-10 Mil-R SFP.

This is a review of the Schmidt & Bender 6-36x56 PM II riflescope. It is specifically designed for medium to extreme long-range shooting, and has an exceptional field of view. Everything about the design of the new 6-36x56 PM II is pretty traditional and conservative. But who can blame Schmidt & Bender? Their concept is very successful and their optics are famous both for image quality and durability with the best military and police forces on the customer list.

To commemorate its fifty-year milestone, Burris Optics has unveiled its redesigned fifth-generation Fullfield riflescope series. Reimagined from the ground up, new Fullfield rifle scopes will preserve the legacy of enhanced optical clarity and wide field of view from previous generations, characteristics that have cemented them as a staple among hunters, while incorporating modern features and advanced technologies like the Burris Knob Synergy System.

Primary Arms just dropped their latest LPVO at IWA 2025, and the PLx Compact 1-8x24mm is a game-changer. Featuring their new Red Dot Bright (RDB) illumination, this optic delivers true daylight-bright visibility, making the ACSS Raptor M8 reticle faster and clearer than ever. Built on a compact, lightweight 30mm tube with Japanese ED glass, a first focal plane reticle, and AutoLive motion-sensing tech, this is the most advanced 1-8x Primary Arms has ever released.

Zero Compromise Optic is pushing the limits of LPVO performance with the all-new ZC210, a 2-10x30mm scope designed for professional shooters, law enforcement, and hunters alike. With a lighter, more compact design, the ZC210 features a precision-engineered reticle system, a parallax adjustment from 8m to infinity, and lockable elevation and windage turrets for ultimate accuracy. Offering red and green illumination, a rugged 36mm tube, and a waterproof construction rated to 4 meters, this optic delivers versatility and durability for any mission. Check it out from IWA 2025.

At Jagd & Hund, Europe’s largest hunting trade show, Swarovski Optics expanded their Z8i line with a high-magnification rifle scope. The Z8i+ 5-40x56 is the first of its kind in the premium hunting segment, combining sharp optics with a wide field of view for precise target acquisition. Designed for long-range hunting, it delivers exceptional detail even at 40x magnification. This latest addition to the Z8i series—now totaling eight models—will be available at select retailers starting February 2025.