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- Last updated: 21/11/2016
Comments
These scopes have been trickling into the UK for a while now and I’m not that sure if they come from the Far East like many we see these days. Web searches brought up results that did praise these ‘old school’ designed optics, but the pair featured are basic when you consider the new era of airgun mega-scopes we’re now engrossed in.
SHARE ALIKE
They share the same main features of 1” body tube, overall layout and are rated waterproof, parallax free at 50m and have low profile ¼” MOA cover capped turret adjusters. The 2 – 7 X 32 isn’t the most compact of optics in this specification but certainly worth a serious look by dedicated rat shooters. One reason being the length of body tube. This means there’s more room to mount a light ‘n’ laser combo as many prefer when ratting. Also the reticule is the German post type or No7 as its termed by Fontaine – a configuration favoured by many for low light quick target acquisition hunting scenarios.
Turrets are under basic, screw-off caps and offer a low profile build with slot adjusters that click positively to each station so little chance of losing zero. Both elevation and windage gave 60-clicks per revolution and 7 ½ full rotations on the 2 – 7 model.
The eye-bell is relatively chunky and long with both scopes having rather squat objective lens housings. They feature nicely sized ocular adjustment lock ring and zoom magnification collar – the outer having fine but deep cut ribbing to aid grip. Another standout feature is the extra large white numbers indicating the magnification you’re on. The zoom operates smoothly, while the coated lenses give a surprisingly sharp, bright sight picture in relatively low light conditions.
HIGHER SPEC
The 3 – 9 X 40 shows all features of its smaller sibling, is slightly longer and the adjusters again offer 60 clicks per turn for both elevation and windage but both give a full extra revolution over the 2 – 7X. A good quality sight image in daylight but as the light fades you’ll find yourself needing to back down to x4 magnification.
My initial thoughts on these scopes was they’re too basic for the UK shooter who’s convinced he needs a multi-aim-point reticule with IR facility, open tactical-style locking turret adjusters, sunshades and cover caps.
Granted we have aplenty of optics in these magnification specifications already but maybe it’s the glass-etched Reticule No7 or the sleek yet rugged matt black anodised aluminium body tubes and low profile design that attracted me to them. Also they brought back some very fond memories of when I first began taking an interest in airguns as a young lad.
Many are too young to know that shooters such as me didn’t do half bad using basic scopes such as these for many years - but there’s something about them that does give them a unique appeal.
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