Konuspro Evo 3-12x50

Konus Optics is an Italian brand and has recently gained popularity, being imported to the UK by the main distributor, Range Right. Their range of glassware has evolved to meet the increasing demand. On test here is the Konuspro Evo 3-12x50, which comes with a general-purpose specification, yet is surprisingly versatile.

Spec check
Inside the box, there are comprehensive instructions that cover, mounting, alignment, zeroing, parallax, and range calculation, among other things, and it’s all presented in such a way that will be a relief for any newcomer to our sport. There’s also a screw-fit 3” sunshade and a nice set of elasticated lens covers that will fit over the shade if attached. These remind me of German optics, and that’s no bad thing, for despite a very reasonable RRP, the level of build and finish suggests a grade above. This optic is not lightweight, tipping the scales at 33.1 oz, but it does look and feel very well made. Constructed around a one-piece body tube, the matte black finish is wholly practical for field use, and we also get the standard boast of fully multi-coated lenses.
It’s unusual for this Konus to have a 1” tube amidst the recent domination of 30mm body tubes across the scope market, but it’s really not a big deal. The windage and elevation turrets are low profile with screw caps, whilst the rather bulbous turret on the left is the parallax dial and rheostat all in one.

Range time
As usual, the first quick task is to check the reticle and target are clear and crisp together, and this can be done in conjunction with the fast focus at the rear. The Evo has rubber coating here, which is always reassuring, and the movement is smooth to set. Under the screw caps, the turrets have very tiny figures marked, which is perhaps the biggest negative here. The click values are ¼ MOA, and setting zero was easy. Plus, tracking back to test the integrity of the setup proved fairly textbook. As for the field of view (FOV), Konus claims that the Evo’s is some 20% greater than rivals. Not quite sure about that, but the figures are good, nonetheless.
The parallax dial, as mentioned, is the inner part of the left-hand side turret. The markings start at a minimum of 10 yards, then 15, 20, 30, 50, 75, 100, 200, 300, 500, and infinity. Again, the dial is smooth in operation, with a satisfying amount of resistance.
This scope is equipped with a dual-illuminated 30/30 reticle, and the subtle illumination means that only the floating central cross illuminates, rather than the entire image. Powered by the usual disc-style battery, stored in the screw cap of the left turret, the illumination is controlled by the rheostat dial, which is the outer part of the left turret. Simply twist clockwise for red illumination and move through the five levels of brightness. Twist anti-clockwise for the five levels in blue. It all works very well in use and is an extra tool in the armoury for when the light fades and targets are sitting in dark foliage.
The 30/30 reticle style originates from range estimation in the firearms world. For example, it allows the shooter to easily estimate the distance to a deer by using the finer inner hairs. Yet don’t let that put you off, as this Konuspro Evo is a great tool in our world of airguns too. The clamour for Mil-Dots will persist, but a less cluttered image can be most refreshing. Look closely at this reticle, and there’s actually a multitude of reference points to use. Where HFT competitions are concerned, the dreaded 15mm kill is perhaps our biggest worry, but let me give you some idea as to the proportions on offer here with the Evo. With the parallax dial set to 25 yards and the magnification set to 9x (typical settings for HFT), a 15mm kill zone, when viewed at 15 yards, is almost equal to the size of one of the quadrants inside the floating central cross. That’s a great indicator for bracketing. View the same kill at 25 yards and you’ll see the significant gap. Practise, fine-tweak the mag, and familiarity will be your best weapon. The fact that the central cross floats means it provides other aim points, including mid-cross and bottom of the cross, so full-distance targets are covered nicely.
So, what of clarity? Well, when viewing targets through typical HFT distances, without making adjustments (as per the rules), it’s sharp, bright, and commendable edge-to-edge.

Conclusion
The more I’ve experienced the Konus Optics brand, the more I like them, and this model would impress at an asking price some way above its current RRP.  Obviously, the large 50mm objective is probably more at home in a hunting scenario, but the perfect cross-over, as outlined above, makes this a two-in-one scope for any hunters wishing to dabble in HFT. The usual assurances are here, with this Konus being waterproof, fogproof and shockproof, and there’s also the Konus limited 2-year guarantee.