Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Hunting Optics Pentax Scopes !!!!!!

I'm looking for a decent higher magnification scope for under 200.00, and a local sporting goods store has the Pentax Gameseeker 5x15x50 on clearance for 138.00. Is Pentax a good scope or should i keep saving for something else? Thanks for any info!!!

Well, I'm going to stick my neck out here. There are others more knowledgable than me and I hope they comment and correct anything I write in error. I think this is a Chinese made scope that was made in the same factory as the Meade-made Simmons. It may even be the same scope. Meade had all sorts of problems and that is one of the reasons they got out of the scope business. For that kind of money, though, it may be worth a shot.

Someone told me that they thought Burris was making scopes for Pentax now! From the picture in the ad sort of do look like a Fullfield II.

Burris does make scopes for Pentax, but not the Gameseeker series. The gameseekers are made in China. If you are driven to a scope in the gameseeker price point I would consider Looking at Camera land NY as many have raved about how they stand behind the pentax line.

However for the $150-200 class of scopes there are several pretty good functional scopes. The Burris Fullfield II's, the pentax pioneers ( same scope) as well as the weavers are all good places to start for a in expensive but well made scope.

Thanks!!!

RTJS.

If you get a chance compare taht Pentax Gameseeker 5-15X50 with a 4-16X40 Tasco. I am willing to be you will be very surprised.

Burris made scopes for Pentax even 20 years ago. That, in my opinion, is not a particularly good recommendation. I think Beretta has control of Burris now. I don' know how Pentax figures into the equation.

I had one of the higher magnification Pentax Gameseeker scopes and I didn't like it. I found it almost impossible to properly focus and the eye relief on it was shorter than the specs. Maybe I got a lemon....I don't know but I won't buy another. In that price range, I'd watch for a used Nikon Buckmaster scope. Or, perhaps there's a good scope in the new Redfield line. The reviews on them seem to make me think they'll be a good lower dollar line and if Leupold makes them, you know the warranty support should be excellent.

Cameraland has the 4x12 for $70. It's ok but short on eye relief.
http://www.cameralandny.com/optics/pentax.pl?page=gameseeker12x40

They carry all of the Pentax scopes and the service is great.

First off RTSJ, welcome!

I have a Gameseeker in 4-12x 40mm and it has a very short eye relief. The Gameseeker line is indeed made in China and it is the Pioneer scopes that are rumored to be made in the same facility in the Phillipines where the Burris FFIIs are made.

5-15x 50mm is a lot of scope for that money, but I'm sure that if my 4-12x has short eye relief that one will be just as bad.

The question of whether that (or another Gameseeker through the Camera Land folks who are GREAT) is the right scope has more to do w/ the use you're intending than anything else.

In that price range, look at Mueller. They make a one inch 4.5-14 APV for $115 shipped, and a 30mm 4.5-14 APT with mil-dots and target turrets for $145 shipped. Mizzou Mule Guns is the seller.

If there made by burris there probley great for the money.But lifetime replacment is win!Bad reps that work for them.Great scopes though!!!

The Lightseeker is also made by Burris but here in the states, the pioneer in the Philippines, and the Gameseeker in China. Wasn't there also a whitetails unlimited line as well?

The only one I would buy would be the Lightseeker if the price was right. I don't think I would advise anybody against the pioneer, but the Gameseeker? I don't know, probably wouldn't recommend it.

If you are stuck on higher magnification and stuck on that price range then maybe consider Bushnell Legend. There is a 4-12 and a 5-15 . I do not have a Legend but I hear they are a great value and a good piece.

I've got a Pentax Gameseeker 1-6X42 that went boobs up this year. I ran it on a 45-70 NEF Handi rifle with Hornady LeveRevolution ammo. It took about 100 rounds to kill it. It was a cheap scope that turned out to be a...cheap scope.

Terry

If your looking for a cheap GOOD scope,check out the bushnell banners.From shotgun to rifle styles.I own three of them.$100ish.No problems in 5 years now.

RTSJ, You need to take a close look at the Legend series by bushnell. I have a 5-15x40 that is very clear and has performed nicely. Has rainguard for an extra. It shows accurate adjustments on my 300wsm. I originally planned or a higher $ scope for my wsm but decided not to bother. My legend was about $210 I beleive.