Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Hunting Optics Introduction, the new voice of Tract optics here on the Campfire

This is very interesting to me.

Are the testing and results something that can be made public? It would be very interesting to see which scopes failed and in which area(s) they failed.

I have not posted in this thread as it has (had) nothing to do with me and much prior experience has shown me that critical discussions do not go well with company reps. However as it seems there is confusion and or inference of what happened or did not happen with the Tract scope I was sent- so here we go.


First a bit of background-

Anyone can think anything they want about testing, repeatability, legitimacy, or relevance of how to evaluate a scope. The reality is I evaluate them as needed for field use. Will a 12” drop on a padded mat pass strict peer review in a controlled study? No. But it is absolutely a legitimate test to tell if a scope will hold zero: if the mounts and gun are beyond reproach. I was the lead on the most intensive and largest scope evaluation/test that has ever been conducted within the DOD- 18 months, 200,000 rounds with every single legitimate scope in that category being tested. For the first time scopes were tested for absolute function with no bias whatsoever by knowledgeable end users- not engineers that have no idea what we do with aiming devices. Tracking, adjustment error, zero retention, return to zero, side and top impacts, longevity under recoil, SFP vs FFP, mil vs MOA, and operational performance. Scopes were zeroed on guns with brand new barrels with a certain lot on ammunition and checked for zero retention constantly with only that lot.

Only two scopes came out of that not having failure- Nightforce and SWFA. The results of that project is being used by two major entities of the DOD to shape what and how they test optics.







Now for the Tract-

I did not ask for the Tract in any way. I said no when I was contacted about it being sent to me as I knew what the fallout would be from the “rep” and the company if it did poorly. It was stated by both the person that had it and the “rep” that they wanted it sent to me. I plainly stated how it would be tested, what I was looking for, and that if it failed it would probably be non-functional when Tract got it back. I also reiterated that I did not think they would like what the results would be, and that they should probably send it to someone else. That if it was “good” everyone would know it, and if it failed everyone would know. It was insisted that I test it. I also asked if they wanted me to replace the mount with another, I was told “nope” it’s good. Ok.

Well guess what? When mounted to a rifle of absolute consistency it produced 10 round groups of two-times the normal. It failed the most basic task a scope has- zeroing, holding POI during recoil, and zero retention. There was no malice, no bias, no subjective feelings, no “beliefs”, no “I wish”, no nonsense. It was tested exactly like every other scope I test/eval right up until the point it failed. That scope was sent back to Tract.





I did not ask for, and advised against it being sent to me because it was, and is, plainly obvious that Tract and their reps like almost every other company will try to hem and haw their way out of the results when it goes against their beliefs instead of owning it and improving the product. EVERY company, rep, engineer, and person will claim all day long how they want real results, and honest feedback.... right up until it goes against their product, their most recent purchase, or their favorite. People do not want truth- they want bliss. I’m happy to work with any company that actually desires to produce solid products, but I have no time for marketing, “features”, or salesman.


There has been calls to send me another Tract- DO NOT send me one. You won’t own the results.

This thread started on 6/11. Today is 7/13. Personally, I'm moved by Tract's commitment to finding the scope. Most companies would've given up looking for it weeks ago. I made these flyers for you to hang up in your warehouse. I hope they help.

It is amazing to me, how companies get butt hurt over poor evaluation of their products. A friend of mine was an editor of an outdoor magazine. He was given some spotting scopes to test. He did an honest evaluation and found out that was not what they wanted, when they pulled $25,000 in ad money from the mag. I will never buy that brand of high-end optics.

I have received several questions about this- no, unfortunately the test and results can not be shared. Every major brand had a scope/scopes evaluated.

I see a lot of scopes used on an individual level, and if there are specific questions I might be able to answer them.

.................
There has been calls to send me another Tract- DO NOT send me one. You won’t own the results.

Here is an insider tip in regards to testing. Writers won't review certain things because if the review goes bad they will pull advertising money. No most of these writers and magazines have too much to loose. I guess that's better then someone doing at test and saying the product in questions worked great when its a POS.

Hi Guys,

Just getting back from vacation and some good news popped up. OL did another test and the TRACT Tekoa got some great ratings. I know not everyone is favorable of their reviews, but its great to see some of the newer companies, especially TRACT, getting some attention and accolades. Link to the review below.


OL's best scopes of 2017

Hi Guys,

Picked up a bird dog this past week, Wirehaird Pointing Griffon. Been a little sleep deprived but have here retrieving the wing at just 9 weeks. Going to be a great fall..

Anyway, we had the chance to work with Bryce Towsley and he gave our optics a little run through. Here's a good read that explains a little of Tract and his thoughts on some of the units.

RifleShooter on Tract Optics

Like this?




or this?

I'm well aware of your feeling towards Tract. I stand behind them since I've tested them myself. If they didn't work I wouldn't state they are good to go.

.... and how were they tested?

Of course it matters.... you’re the spokesman, so speak about it.

This thread started on 6/11. Today is 7/13. Personally, I'm moved by Tract's commitment to finding the scope. Most companies would've given up looking for it weeks ago. I made these flyers for you to hang up in your warehouse. I hope they help.