From premium scopes and spotters aimed at the current long-range hunting craze, to one of the best bargains in binoculars you’ll find anywhere, the class of 2016 is ready to impress.
A successful hunt often means seeing the game animal before the game animal sees you. No big surprise here, and few things can give you an edge like premium optics. What are some of the coolest new concepts in optics for 2016? To find the answers, Team HuntStand was among the more than 64,000 industry professionals who attended the 38th Shooting, Hunting, and Outdoor Trade (SHOT) Show held in January in Las Vegas. There we found some crystal-clear choices (pun intended) for the year’s most-advanced premium designs, and a few killer bargains as well.
Trijicon MRO Reflex
Military and police organizations have long recognized quick target acquisition with reflex sights, and the premium optics they use are finally available in a model for shooting competitions and hunting. At the heart of the Trijicon Miniature Rifle Optic, or MRO, is a bright, well-defined, 2 MOA red-dot sight that will run for five years under continual use on a single battery. There are eight brightness settings, including two for night vision, to cover any light conditions you could encounter on a hunt or shooting course. The optic housing is extremely light and is easy to mount and zero. The MRO provides half-minute adjustments with 70 MOA total travel, making it versatile for multiple platforms. The aluminum housing is designed to withstand any environmental conditions under the toughest use. The 25 mm objective lens makes it very easy to acquire a target. The MRO is American-made with an MSRP of $579 without mount; $629 with mount.
Swarovski X5(i)
The X5(i) is Swarovski’s answer to long-range hunting and shooting. The turrets allow for 20 MOA per revolution and the viewing window on the bottom shows the user what revolution he or she is on. The X5(i) has ¼ MOA point-of-impact adjustments. There is up to 116 MOA of elevation adjustment inside of a 30mm tube that yields a 5X zoom range. You’ll also find elevation, windage and parallax turrets as well as an inversion system offering incredible adjustability for fine-tuning your shot. Most long-range scopes have a 200-yard sight-in, making close-range targets a guessing game. The X5(i) turrets allow the user to come down 10 to 40 MOA below your preset zero for target acquisition at close range. The (i) represents fully illuminated reticles in some models that have 10 brightness settings. Second focal plane long range reticles will be available in 1 or 2 MOA increments in both illuminated and non-illuminated versions. The scopes are available in 3.5-18×50 and X5(i) 5-25×56 models MSRP $3,666 to $3,888.
Nikon PROSTAFF 3S Binocular
The PROSTAFF 3S binocular screams value. Available in 8×42 and 10×42 models, both share the same optical quality as you’d expect from Nikon. They have a waterproof/fogproof design, and the lightweight construction feels good in the hand. The 42mm objective lenses gather lots of light and provide a wide field of view, while keeping the entire unit compact. These prism design binoculars have layers of coatings on the lenses to provide bright, clear images with true color. They are fully adjustable to fit a wide range of users and feature turn-and-slide rubber eye cups with easy to use adjustments. The MSRP will shock most at just $129 for the 8×42 model.
Bushnell Legend T Series Spotting Scope
Long-range shooting has developed a strong following in recent years and anyone not using a spotter to watch for bullet splash and placement will have trouble making proper corrections. The Legend Tactical T Series Spotting scope is built with precision, with long-range shooters in mind. Anyone already using a Mil-base riflescope can match up targets with the Mil-hash reticle in the spotter, having them work in tandem. The spotter will help you find zero quickly and accurately. It is compact and lightweight, making it easy to pack on most any trip. The features include a reverse eyepiece for minimal exposure, twist-out eyecup, and optimal eye relief, as well as tactical rails on the top and sides. MSRP: $599.
Sig Sauer KILO2000 Rangefinder
The new technologies used in the KILO2000 rangefinder make it one of the most-accurate and far-ranging models available to civilians. Reflective targets can be ranged to 3,400 yards, objects such as trees to 1,500 yards, and deer at 1,200 yards. Besides the long-range capabilities the rangefinder also has an “active scan” mode, allowing you to range moving targets with continual readings. It can compensate for angles and has a display that intuitively changes in different light conditions, making it easy to see. It’s a small, handheld unit weighing just 7.5 ounces with the battery. It boasts 7X magnification and a 25 mm objective aperture. The unlimited lifetime guarantee says a lot about product confidence. MSRP: $499.99.
