Author Topic: Optronics Scopes (Read 917 times)

Hound_Dog55 · « **on:** October 05, 2003, 03:27:52 PM »

Thinking about buying a Optronics Horizon 3x9x40. I have looked at one and the optics were clear and bright with no distortion throughout the power range. Cant beat the warranty either. Lifetime unconditional no questions asked. Whats holding me up you ask? I dont want to be sending a scope back for repair all the time. Have any of you used one of these scopes?

Zachary · « **Reply #1 on:** October 06, 2003, 03:06:37 AM »

I have never even heard of them. How much do they cost? And where did you find them? I usually (well, actually always) stay away from products that are new, especially new companies. Best advice is stay with companies that either you, or many other people, know well.

Zachary

Hound_Dog55 · « **Reply #2 on:** October 06, 2003, 06:51:22 AM »

I saw ads in hunting magazines first, They are made by optronics, a lighting company in OK. Cabelas , and cheaper than Dirt are a couple of the companies selling them. They are priced around $100 for a 3x9x40.
Check the websight at optronicsinc.com

Zachary · « **Reply #3 on:** October 07, 2003, 09:36:47 AM »

For about $50 bucks more you can get an Elite 3200 which not only has great optics AND rainguard, but also a LIFETIME WARRANTY!!

I would save a little extra cash and go for the 3200 in the heartbeat.

Zachary

7magWoodsman · « **Reply #4 on:** August 08, 2004, 03:52:06 PM »

I know this post is old but I feel I need to leave my :money:

Optronics has made Microscope cameras for surgeons and colleges for a long time and some of the best, if not the best bulbs for spotting lights and cars/trucks...I am in no way saying go buy one but....

Everyone has to start somewhere. Where would "Big Name" companies
be today if everyone had that "don't buy em cause I ain't ever heard of em" attitude?

I do have to say I am sceptical myself and firmly believe that you get what you pay for and also believe in "dont knock it till you try it". So I just ordered one from www.cheaperthandirt.com for $62.10 after shipping and it comes with a $10.00 mail in rebate...I will report back after I torture test the thing, besides I have thrown away $50.00 on worse things plus cheaper than dirt has that 30 day money back if not satisfied policy.

http://optronicsinc.com/optics/horizon.htm

If anyone has any info please add it.

dwhas3 · « **Reply #5 on:** August 09, 2004, 11:13:28 AM »

i ordered one also same price 3x9x40 matte black unconditional lifetime warranty.
"dw"

Zachary · « **Reply #6 on:** August 09, 2004, 11:34:46 AM »

In a way I'm kinda glad that you guys bought this scope because I know that I wouldn't. I say this because this way you guys can at least give us a report on them. I have handled many scopes and thus can make first hand recommendations, but this is just not the case with this optronics. It's just a little hard for me to know that a NIB scope costs as much as my rings and bases.

Let us know how they work out for you guys.

Zachary

7magWoodsman · « **Reply #7 on:** August 09, 2004, 02:15:25 PM »

Quote from: Zachary

In a way I'm kinda glad that you guys bought this scope because I know that I wouldn't. I say this because this way you guys can at least give us a report on them. I have handled many scopes and thus can make first hand recommendations, but this is just not the case with this optronics. It's just a little hard for me to know that a NIB scope costs as much as my rings and bases.

Let us know how they work out for you guys.

Zachary

It is funny you should mention the cost of rings cause I was thinking the same thing :lol: I ordered another set of rings for my Ruger M77 that cost 60 dollars from Ruger...I am going to buy a stainless Zeiss Conquest pretty soon but until then I am going to mount the $50.00 scope in the $60.00 rings :-D

and also for the record, NIKON scopes are #1 and I am in no way using this as a replacement for my Monarch...purely for testing a product that is in need of testing.

dwhas3 · « **Reply #8 on:** August 11, 2004, 12:47:31 PM »

i called optronics yesterday and talked to a tech. he was very friendly and said that optronics did not manufacture the scope but that it was imported from china. he would not tell me who made them. but said the quality of the optics was excellent and like every other brand of scope out there they have scopes that come back for warranty and they just send out a new scope no questions asked. i cancelled my order from cheaper than dirt. "dw"

7magWoodsman · « **Reply #9 on:** August 11, 2004, 03:46:25 PM »

I also called Optronics and was told the same thing, also told that they test them for shock using a 300 win mag, but was not sure of the weight of the rifle or the action used, also stated that they are one piece tubes and are harshly tested for water-proofness...I asked to be transferred to the return department and he very happily and politely did so....that lady was also very polite and told me that almost ALL returns on the "Horizon Series" scopes are due to Shipping Damage but the "Sport Series" has had returns for production issues...she also said that she don't know a lot about them but she can tell a difference between the two series in both weight and clarity...guess I will see when the fed-ex guy brings it...if it sucks too bad I will send it back and trade for ammo or buy another .22 for it to sit on if its not too bad...any reason to buy a gun is a good reason.....either way I will test the thing to death or at least try to and tell yall what will break it or what wont...

7magWoodsman · « **Reply #10 on:** August 13, 2004, 08:20:03 PM »

I received the Horizon today and as soon as I opened the box I got kinda ill because, as I said in the previous post Optronics told me they have one piece tubes, but nope, its two...it is actually crystal clear but easily fogged externally with my breath, I added some "pink stuff" (anti fog, water repeller) that I get at the eye doctors, grabbed two buckets and a quick stop by the freezer for some ice I headed to the bathroom. I filled one bucket with ice water and let the hot water steam up and set the other bucket under it allowing it to fill up and continuously overflow so it would no doubt stay hot, with a pair of tongs I alternated between the buckets for 30 seconds each for five minutes and the Optronics Buckridge Horizon 3x-9x 40mm silver finish actually passed the first test....the eye relief varies dramatically across the power range but at 5x(which is optimal magnification for night time on a 40mm scope) it is actually quite comfortable. The scope transmits light exceptionally well for a $50.00 scope and the finger adjustment knobs was a thrill to use during bore-sighting. Tomorrow I will test for shock :twisted:

7magWoodsman · « **Reply #11 on:** August 20, 2004, 06:44:33 PM »

In total I sent 140 shots of 7mag and 14 licks with a ball pean hammer...Every 20 shots I removed it from my rifle and with the help of a buddy, I set a 2x4 on top of it and gave it a good whack with the hammer then rotated and another whack, please note these were not bone crushing blows but were hammer hits none the less...it never lost zero but did leave dents in the adjustment cover caps from the board and hammer...I believe I will see if Optronics will send me some more.

I mounted the Silver finished Horizon on a Stainless Ruger 10/22 and it looks quite nice, I am still not a fan of the eye relief but it was cheap...Again it was easy to zero on the 10/22 and is very clear and the crosshair stays "full" even when over magnified....I will probally keep it set at 5x because that is simply where the "best" eye relief is available, If they could fix that problem it would be a major improvement....

I would not buy one for serious hunting but would trust it for Tree Rats on the old .22 and that is my final opinion. Even then I would opt for a more expensive scope, perhaps a Nikon Pro Staff or compareable.

Happy Hunting