22 P E T E R S E N S H U N T I N G . C O M | N O V E M B E R 2 0 1 7 N O V E M B E R 2 0 1 7 | P E T E R S E N S H U N T I N G . C O M 23
FIELD TEST
Mike Anschuetz
TRACT TURION T-PLEX 3-9X40
Founded by a couple of optics-industry vets, Tract turns the traditional
business model on its head with a direct-to-consumer website. By
eliminating all the middlemen, the company can build feature-laden,
high-quality optics at value-driven prices. The Turion features Schott
HT glass that transmits maximum amounts of light through the optical
system for clean, clear, bright imaging. Its aluminum 1-inch tube is
argon purged and O-ring sealed for weatherproof performance. On the
downside, a lengthy ocular housing and oversize focus ring limits mount-
ing adjustment to just two inches. $424; tractoptics.com
WEIGHT: 1 lb. PROS EXTENDED EYE-RELIEF, T-PLEX RETICLE CONS HEAVY
VANGUARD ENDEAVOR RS 3-9X40
Vanguard is not new to the optics world—it has been making tripods
and binos for years—but the Endeavor series is the company’s initial
venture into the riflescope market. For a street price well under $300
bucks, hunters get the benefit of extra-low-dispersion glass
that’s multicoated throughout the optical system. This results in a level
of brightness and clarity that punches above its price tag, although
edge-to-edge sharpness is lacking. The 1-inch aluminum tube is
durable, with an oversized zoom ring that, unfortunately, adds several
unnecessary ounces. $210; vanguardworld.us
WEIGHT: 15.75 oz.PROS BRIGHT OPTICS, WEATHERPROOFCONS FUZZY AROUND THE EDGES
GPO PASSION 3X 3-9X40
This scope’s European-grade glass isn’t surprising, considering it
comes from a company called German Precision Optics, but what is
surprising is the quality of the scope given its entry-level price. For
about three Benjamins hunters get a solid scope built on a 1-inch,
machined-aluminum tube. The optics, with proprietary coatings and
multi-laminated lenses, produced adequate clarity during our low-
light tests, though brightness suffered at the top of the zoom range.
Another surprise for an inexpensive starter optic is a full, no-fault
warranty for life. $300; gpo-usa.com
WEIGHT: 14.5 oz. PROS PRICE, LIFETIME WARRANTY, GENEROUS EYE RELIEF CONS STIFF ZOOM ADJUSTMENT
STYRKA S5 SH-BDC 3-9X40
You’re going to pay a couple hundred more dollars for this scope, but
the return on investment might be well worth it. What you get for
those extra bucks is a serviceable side focus wheel that adjusts
parallax from 10 yards to infinity and a ballistic drop reticle, albeit
set on the second focal plane. Still, that versatility gives budget-
conscious hunters aiming solutions at extended ranges up to 600
yards. Inside the one-piece aluminum tube, fully multicoated optics
are bright and clear, delivering decent low-light visibility at dawn
and dusk. $480; styrkastrong.com
WEIGHT: 1 lb., 2 oz. PROS BDC RETICLE, ADJUSTABLE PARALLAX CONS HEAVY, LIMITED MOUNTING RANGE
From ride-sharing services to retail shopping hacks, the way the world does
business is being disrupted by small, savvy start-ups. Once dominated by
a few big names, the optics industry also is entering a brave new world as
companies pop up on the market each year. Here are four new riflescopes—
all with friendly price tags—from optics makers you may not have heard of.
start-up DAVID DRAPER
Want a quality scope without breaking the bank? Try these new companies on for size.
scopes