How much better are scopes now than 20 years ago?

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huskerhunter

Member
Wow I guess I'm getting old! Looking at the guns in my safe I see a lot of "classics." 1" tube 6.5x20 Vari-X III's with gloss finish, 1" tube Nikon Monarchs 6.5x20, etc. I can remember when these were "top of the line" scopes and the only 30mm tubes out there were on a few obscure Euro scopes. Everyone said 30mm was a waste unless you were hunting past dusk like they do in Europe, blah blah blah. Now a lot of these are dedicated prairie dog guns that only get used in bright daylight a few times a year. But hey, my eyes are older and I don't like straining all day when sitting in a PD town. So I've been considering an across the board upgrade that would put the same scope on 4 or 5 dedicated varmint rigs. It wouldn't be cheap but...

So what say you? Are scopes noticeably better (light transmission/brightness, tracking, etc.) than 20 years ago? I'd love to have an optics lab take my 20 year old Leupold's and compare it to a "new" scope of comparable magnification/dimensions.
 
That's an interesting question. Here's my view:

Coatings have been updated, as have illumination systems, and finally the switching systems for illumination (e.g., Leupold moved away from the dial on/off to a movement on/off). Other than that, I think that custom turrets and reticles are more common than they were 20 years ago. Some of this is simple marketing of the latest thing, but some features -- such as those other than turrets and reticles -- are useful innovations.

Maybe one of the optics sponsors can chime in?

Sendit

ps - nice coyote in your avatar!
 
The ability to make, and grind, glass is better, and so are the AR coatings, making the scopes much brighter and sharper.

With today's Anti-Reflective coatings, there is about a 1/2% loss of light per lens surface with the best AR coatings.
 
I don't think that scopes are hugely better now than they were 20 years ago. The scopes that were good back then are a little better now with better coatings and reticles. Leupold Vari X II's and III's were great back then. I still have a couple of them as well as some VX models and can't see a major difference.

One brand that comes to mind as making giant strides in quality is Bushnell. Twenty years ago about the best thing they offered was the Trophy line. Since then Bushnell has come out with the Elite lines which are light years ahead of the Trophy in every way.

The biggest difference now is that there are more quality brands available. 20 years ago Zeiss was around but not in many places. Brands like Vortex,Minox and Meopta were not even here.
 
Great input guys!

SO down to brass tacks...Looks like a used Leupold 6.5x20x40 VariX III in excellent condition/gloss scopes are going for around $325.

Sightron will have a second focal plane 6.5-20x50 1" tube model with a MOA reticle in 2012. Looks like a street price of around $650. I like the MOA reticle. I am using MOA reticles on my 6BR and 50BMG right now (Leupy MK IV 30mm with Holland ART reticles). I'd like them in first Focal but that might be a budget buster....

SO...with all that said, if you're still reading...a good upgrade in your mind? Other scopes you'd consider?
 
I hunted this fall with a scope on my Remington 700 6mm Rem. with a Weaver 3x9 40mm with steel tube & micro trak adjustments this scope is 30+ years old & works fine, I never had a scope I could not see well enough to shoot. The scopes I have had were Old Weaver steel tube, Burris & Redfield. I have only had one scope failure in my life & aftering sighting in my rifle went to clean it the o-ring was comeing out on the front lens on the Redfield. One good reason to have more than one rifle just took another. Do I think new scopes are better yes but if you have a 20yr old quality made scope it will do. Do I plan on replaceing some of my scopes Yes because I went Prarie Dog hunting with a Leupold with CDS & think it is great. So for me its the Dials & turrets are the way to go. Just FYI I love the way Leupold puts dual springs on the VX-III just like Weaver 30 years ago.
 
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The top end optics today absolutely smoke the top end optics from 20 years ago. The top of the line stuff today is Heinsoldt the tactical Zeiss and Premier with U.S. Optics and Schmidt Bender not far behind. Even the Conquest line from Zeiss smokes the current VX3 Leupolds. The Sightron SIII line is some of the best glass coming out of Japan. another scope with excellent glass but a decent price is the HD line of Super Sniper scopes where there is a 5-20x50 that I have two of and like very much. I would suggest you consider replacing one scope only with the best you can afford and see how much difference it makes for you because everyones eyes are a bit different. I will also suggest you consider using picatinny rails like the Talley or Badger Ordnance and a quick detach LaRue mount to facilitate easy change over from one rifle to another if you should decide to use one scope on more than one rifle.
 
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Compare the Nightforce scopes also they have exceptionally good mechanicals and very nice reticles although I like the glass on some of the others better they are fairly priced for what you get. Time to step up to 30mm mainly because it allows more internal adjustment.
 
Originally Posted By: UrimaginaryfrndCompare the Nightforce scopes also they have exceptionally good mechanicals and very nice reticles although I like the glass on some of the others better they are fairly priced for what you get. Time to step up to 30mm mainly because it allows more internal adjustment.

Since I'm pretty dedicated to using the MOA type reticle and holding over accordingly the internal adjustment issue really isn't at play for me personally. Better light transmission maybe....
 
well, i can only speak for tasco. the tasco's made in the 80's in my opinion are of excellent quality(japan optics). i still use a 6x18 and a straight 24x on 2 of my rifles. i have had these 2 scopes for over 20 years and they have never failed. im not saying that the newer scopes are not better in some areas..but the early tascos are a lot of bang for your buck.
 
I agree Tasco scopes give you alot of bang for the buck. I think they are overlooked by many. I was realy suprised how clear they are.
 
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