Optimal Optics – The Best Optics for Any Outdoor Activitiy
1. Sig Sauer KILO 6K HD Ballistic Rangefinding Binoculars
Best Laser Rangefinder
The Sig Sauer® KILO 6K HD Ballistic Rangefinding Binoculars feature Gen II Lightwave DSP Ranging engine with XR mode that lets it measure the distance to reflective objects as far away as 6,000 yards and deer out to 2,500 yards. On-board environmental sensors allow for real-time ballistic calculations through the integrated Applied Ballistics (AB) Ultralite with a complete AB bullet database, up to 25 bullet profiles, and 8 onboard ballistic groups. A built-in Basemap app lets you drop remote waypoints for easy navigation. BDX 2.0-enabled for low-energy, long-range Bluetooth®. Everything is displayed on a segmented OLED. 32mm objective lens delivers a wide field of view. IPX-4 waterproof rating. Powered by a CR2 battery that provides a minimum of 4,000 ranges.
2. Aimpoint ACRO P-2
Best Red Dot Optic
Aimpoint takes its ACRO reflex sight to the next level with the ACRO P-2. This advanced micro red dot sight is equipped with several design features to ensure its durability, reliability and versatility surpass typical duty requirements. It utilizes a fully-enclosed design, making it impossible for rain, mud, dust and other debris enter the optical channel and interfere with the path between the LED emitter and the reflective lens. This enclosed design also seals the electronic components into the body, eliminating the threat of water damage. Additionally, the ACRO P-2 features hardened front and rear glass lenses to better protect the internals, and the sight will remain completely functional even if these protective lenses are shattered. To confirm the ACRO P-2 could stand up to heavy recoil, Aimpoint tested it using 20,000 rounds of full power .40 S&W which generates nearly twice the G-force level of 9mm. Its ability to stand up to the heavy recoil of .40 caliber ensures the ACRO P-2 can endure the most punishing shock, vibration, and material stress that a semiautomatic service pistol can inflict.
3. Vortex Razor HD 27-60x85
Best Spotting Scope
The Vortex Razor HD 27-60×85 angled spotting scope is the premier spotting scope offered by Vortex. It features high density glass for the clearest possible images, XR plus multi-coated lenses for optimal light transmission, Armortek for scratch, oil and dirt resistance, focus ring that surrounds the outer body of the scope, rubber armored body for extreme durability, and a built in sun shade that pulls out to reduce glare. As with all Vortex products this scope is covered by the VIP warrantee which extends for the life of the product and is transferable.
4. Leica Ultravid 10x32mm HD-Plus
Best Binoculars
This pair of Leica Ultravid 10x32mm HD-Plus binoculars are a great option for anyone looking for the perfect set of glass for viewing anything from animals and birds to targets and landscapes. Featuring hermetically sealed and nitrogen-filled magnesium housing, which provides the protection needed for rough outdoor use. They are fog proof and waterproof up to depths of 5m. These features combined with the spectacular optical clarity of the HD lenses provide the perfect option for viewing objects at distance through a medium to small-sized pair of binoculars.
5. EOTech G33 Magnifier
Best Magnifier
The EOTech G33 Magnifier features tool-free azimuth adjustment, a large field of view, and an adjustable diopter for precise focusing. The G33 is lighter and shorter than previous models. The included QD STS Mount offers 3x faster transitioning. Unlike other magnifiers like the Holosun and Sig 3x, the EO Tech has functionality that allows you to move the focus point of the magnification.
6. Schmidt Bender 1-8x24 PM II
Best LPVO
magnification (also known as close combat mode) for fast target acquisition in close quarters and 8x high magnification for easily engaging targets out to 500 yards. At low magnification the scope is parallax free to 7 meters and is parallax free out to 100 meters when magnification is increased.
The primary feature of the 1-8×24 ShortDot Dual CC riflescope is the dual focal plane reticles, the FlashDot red dot is located on the second focal plane allowing for a consistent dot size cross all magnifications, while the MilDot reticle sits on the first focal plane helping you make more accurate shots at longer ranges.
7. Zeiss LRP S5 3.6-18x50mm
Best Riflescope
Designed in Germany, the Zeiss V4 Conquest 6-24×50 riflescope is built to meet the demands of hunters and shooters with the quality that Zeiss in known for. This LRP model offers a higher level of magnification for positive target identification. Its HD optics have a 6 layer multi coating that allows for 90% light transmission to give a sight picture with unmatched quality. The LRP S5 3.5-18×50 also comes with exposed elevation turrets, a side parallax adjustment for increased clarity and accuracy. The windage turret is available in two options: capped or external locking. In addition, these scopes are available with illuminated reticle options, making them a prefect option for hunting/shooting in environments with low light.
When it comes to glass quality, what is Chromatic Abberation?
Chromatic Abberation is usually a symptom of poorer quality optical equipment which stems from a number of factors ranging from the quality of the glass lenses themselves as well to the overall construction quality of the optic. Chromatic Abberation is also called color fringing or dispersion and it is caused when colors are incorrectly refracted by the lens which results in a mismatch at the focal point in the optic which causes colors to not recombine as they should which leads to sometimes bright colors showing up near the edges or details of objects. If you see this in your glass it probably means you have a lower-quality lens but it doesn’t quite mean that your optic will be inaccurate.
Do I need the largest objective lens size I can find?
Your objective lens (the lens at the front of your optic) is primarily responsible for gathering light. Larger objective lenses obviously gather more light which leads to a brighter image but they also provide you with a higher resolution image which could help you pick out details a lot easier. The major downsides to having a larger objective lens are going to be that they are always bigger meaning they’ll have more bulk, and in general optics with a larger objective lens will be much heavier than an optic with equal magnification, but a smaller objective lens.
Why didn't you include any holographic optics in this lineup?
Holographic optics are entirely unique in their implementation and in truth, there really is only one company that is making a true holographic weapon sight that you can find on the market today EOTech. Their line of XPS and EXPS holographic weapon sights feature a large circle dot which is useful for ranging man-sized targets and all EOTech holographic sights feature generously sized viewing windows and a wide range of adjustments for brightness with some models like the EXPS series being compatible with night vision and offering users one of the few optics on the market that are truly useable when passive aiming due to the clarity of the glass.
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