Delta Optical Titanium 1.5-9x45

I was on the Optics Warehouse website looking for new product and I came across a company called Delta Optical. Bruce Potts tested their 2.5-15x56 Titanium a few months ago and really rated it, but my eyes were drawn to the seemingly useful spec of their 1.5-9x45 2D/4A Belyst SFP Illuminated Riflescope, which seemed to me an ideal all-rounder for close and mid-range hunting.

The only

To paraphrase Delta: ‘The only riflescope with such parameters in the world, and well suited for driven hunting thanks to its 1.5x magnification, which allows for targeting with both your eyes open. Due to the sufficient diameter of the lens and the 9x zoom, it’s also suited for stalking.’ The build is quite standard, though a tad long at 14”, although not too heavy at 1.49 lbs!

It shows a one-piece, 30mm body tube in matte black and a long tapered objective bell, with the unusual diameter of 45mm. This was probably done to compensate for the length if you fitted it to your rifle with low mounts to clear the barrel or iron sights. At the back, it’s pretty standard with a fast focus eyepiece and a slotted magnification ring, with a raised blade for easy dialing. Turrets are a medium height capped style with lift to unlock drums, so you can set to zero easily.

Click, click

Click values are ¼ MOA at 100 yards with 72-clicks per turn and 4.5 full revolutions in windage and elevation. Drums are divided into 1 and ¼ MOA divisions and dialing is smooth and easy with tactile and audible clicks. On the left of the saddle is the rheostat drum, with the coin-type battery integral. There are 11-positions with positive switch off detents between each and only the intersection of the cross hairs is lit (one colour, red). I was surprised by the small diameter of the dot and the fact it did not flare out even at setting 11, similar to Zeiss’ Victory HD line!

There are two reticle options, both in the second focal plane; essentially, both are #4-types, with three thick outer bars at 3, 6 and 9 o’clock and a slim cross and 12 O’clock line for maximum clarity. That describes the 4AS, the 2D is identical but has two lead dots either side of the inner cross, which I found useful for applying lead to moving targets and it would be my choice!

Clear and sharp

In use, the view is clean and sharp right to the periphery, with the medium thickness reticle offering good contrast against most backgrounds and daytime lightning conditions, being easy to place but not overly cumbersome. So, overall, no complaints. Wound down to 1.5x, target acquisition is excellent and with a generous field of view of 24.4 m @ 100 m!