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Konus Pro 3-12x50

Konus Pro 3-12x50

Konus are an Italian scope brand, marketed in the UK by Range Right and are fast gaining a reputation for value for money optics. Much of their output is made abroad, and for the end user, that means manufacturing costs are kept relatively low, with end products on the whole highly competitive. Little wonder then that their name is gaining in popularity around the globe.

First time buyer

I’ve recently tested dedicated models aimed at the highly specialized Field Target (FT) market, and also more compact models, for Hunter Field Target (HFT), and all have illustrated serious capability, and a wealth of features, yet an asking price that makes you wonder just how they do it for the money. This month’s offering in the spotlight is the Konuspro 3-12x50 model, and it’s more straight forward specification is ideal for first time buyers and newcomers to the world of airguns. At just £119, this scope looks great value, but when you pick it up from the protective box, there’s a robust, slick feel that well and truly belies that RRP. The Konuspro comes complete with lens cloth, sunshade, instructions booklet and elasticated lens caps. And with a useful specification and respectable level of manufacture, there’s plenty to mull over.

Konus marketing bills this model as ‘supremely rugged and recoil proof’, and part of that bold claim concerns the reticle, in that it is laser-etched onto glass, rather than using wire, which can snap under recoil and internal stress. So yes, a level of robustness is designed in. Fully, multi-coated lenses are used, constructed from high definition glass they are intended to offer optimum light transmission from dawn to dusk. The unit is nitrogen-purged to prevent fogging and fully sealed to be waterproof. We’re off to a good start then.

Set-up

The matt black anodized coating is very smart, and the body tube is 1”. With the Konuspro bolted onto my test rifle, it was time to check the rear focus, which is of the lock ring type. The outer lip gets a rubber ring protector, although, for those unfamiliar with correct scope handling, holding it too near the face when using a recoiling gun, and you’ll still receive an unpleasant jolt around the eye, so best to avoid contact. The reticle looked clear from the off, but if a tweak is needed, then the idea is to gently unscrew the locking ring, and twist the ocular lens until it all comes in. On test, I couldn’t seem to shift the locking ring, but the entire rear section would smoothly twist if necessary, (with no slackness) so not a problem.

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Being able to correct parallax error (target focus) brings versatility to any scope’s specification, and whilst more modern systems incorporate an adjustable side wheel, a rotary collar on the front of the objective bell still work extremely well. Admittedly side focus does often allow the shooter to make adjustments and check distance with the gun still in the shoulder. Yet for a more general purpose model such as this Konuspro, such subtleties are unnecessary. Ranges are clearly marked in neat bold gold figures: 10, 15, 20, 30, 50, 75, 100, 200 yards, then ∞. Rotating the collar is reassuringly smooth, easy to grip with the contoured tube, and weighted with the perfect amount of resistance. Minimum focus came in as marked, and distances overall seemed close to the markings, which isn’t always the case.

Zero

Now to set zero, and an opportunity to check those smart low profile screw cap turrets. There’s little to criticize regarding this scope, but the long threads on the turrets are overkill, and a minor irritation; just taking a while to take off or screw back on. Hey, I concede, a minor irritation at the end of the day, but there’s little else to criticize given the price. Adjustment click values are ¼” @ 100 yards, finger-friendly with raised blocks to grip, and emit a positive click in use, so pleasing overall. Magnification is adjusted from 3-12x via the rear mag collar, and again, the mechanism proved smooth and reassuring. A chunky contoured collar helps of course.

Keep it simple

As mentioned, this scope comes complete with a 4” screw on sunshade, and with the popularity of such add-ons increasing by the day, this will, I’m sure, prove an asset for many. Reticles have been getting increasingly sophisticated over the last decade or so, with the needs of FT and HFT driving demand for more complicated designs. However, when new to a sport, there’s much to be said for keeping things simple. A sight picture overcluttered with an array of aim points and elaborate diagrams can just prove too much for novices and shooters who want to take a more basic approach.

So, with this in mind, Konus supply this model with what’s termed a 30/30 pattern. This more traditional layout shows fine central cross hairs, bordered by thicker outer posts. All are evenly spaced and equidistant, so you effectively have four quadrants. With this Konuspro set to 12x magnification, each quadrant of the reticle brackets a 40mm kill area when viewed at 25 yards, which gives some idea about proportions. The central cross hair is nice and fine, and the thick outer lines help to guide the eye to the centre, which is a real help when viewing quarry or targets up in a dark tree for example.

Bargain hunter

An impressive piece of inexpensive glassware then. Clarity and sharpness of image on test, was excellent, and the feel overall, with the Konuspro, is of a solid, nicely presented, and wellmade product, which is easy to use, and well up to the job, for an incredibly low RRP. The reticle proportions probably preclude this scopes use in HFT, but as already mentioned, as a beginner’s optic, or a budget hunting tool, this model has to be one of the best bargains currently on the market. Oh, and there’s also a two year manufacturers guarantee, so a little additional peace of mind. So, to coin the much used cliché: ‘what’s not to like’?

  • Konus Pro 3-12x50 - image {image:count}

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  • Konus Pro 3-12x50 - image {image:count}

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  • Konus Pro 3-12x50 - image {image:count}

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  • Konus Pro 3-12x50 - image {image:count}

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  • Konus Pro 3-12x50 - image {image:count}

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gun
features

  • Model: Konuspro 3-12X50
  • Reticle: 30/30 engraved
  • Weight: 24.6oz
  • Length: 14“
  • Field of View: 31ft-7.8ft @100yards
  • Eye Relief: 2.9“
  • Body Tube: 1”
  • Min Focus: 10 yards
  • Turret Type: Capped/low profile
  • Focal plane: Second Focal Plane
  • Finish: Matt black
  • Click values: ¼” @ 100 yards
  • Clicks pre turn: 60
  • Rotations: windage 6.75, elevation 6.5
  • Price: £119 including lens covers and screw fit sunshade
  • Contact: Range Right www.range-right.co.uk
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