Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Hunting Optics 2024, anything new in the world of scopes

Athlon announced a reduction in price on their Riflescopes. We think that was a great decision as they understand what's going on with the economy and are tightening their belts to help out their customers.

Interesting. Do you see this possibly trending across the industry or is Athlon the exception?

* Great question. Do not forget the shipping lanes have been affected in the Red Sea with higher cost items. Unsure if the 'optics' are moved through there.

Actually Athlon is the exception, and in this case they can be called exceptional, as we have gotten price increases from many other brands.

I still see nothing new that will be a improvement over what ive used for the last 20 years. 14 bushnell elites and they were all bought used either here or ebay. Never sent one back or had any problems with them. I dont think i will need a new scope in my lifetime.

This is pretty much how I feel. There really have been no real improvements that I've seen over the scopes that I've been using for the last 15-20 years and many of the current offerings have gotten worse.

Thermal optics excluded.

For the past years regarding hunting optics, it seem like all focus is on zoom and fov. 6 an 8x zoom, big oculars and objectives. Resulting in heavy, bulky scopes at a high cost. At least when looking at the european brands (I am from Norway). I presume the group of hunters prefering light rifles is quite big, why not also put som emphasis on neat, light scopes?

Here at home when someone is inn for a really lightweigt scope, they end up buying used scopes which is 10-20 years old. Simply because these optics are not produced anymore.
Old Swaros and Zeiss 3-9x36, 2.5-10x42 is sold within minutes when they occure for sale (Swaro Z3 is discontinued inn Europe). Same with older, really light Leuopolds, they are gone within the blink of an eye.

New Riflescopes for 2024 from Leupold:



183314 Mark 4HD 1-4.5x24 (30mm) M1C3 SFP HPR-1 $ 1,149.99
183315 Mark 4HD 1-4.5x24 (30mm) SFP Illum. FireDot BDC $ 999.99
183316 Mark 4HD 1-4.5x24 (30mm) M5C3 SFP Illum. FireDot TMR $ 999.99
183737 Mark 4HD 2.5-10x42 (30mm) M5C3 SFP illum. TMR $ 1,199.99
183738 Mark 4HD 2.5-10x42 (30mm) M5C3 FFP Illum. TMR $ 1,199.99
183740 Mark 4HD 2.5-10x42 (30mm) M5C3 FFP TMR $ 999.99
183741 Mark 4HD 2.5-10x42 (30mm) M1C3 FFP PR1-MOA $ 999.99
183623 Mark 4HD 4.5-18x52 (34mm) M1C3 Side Focus FFP Illum. PR1-MOA $ 1,599.99
183624 Mark 4HD 4.5-18x52 (34mm) M5C3 Side Focus FFP Illum. PR1-Mil $ 1,599.99
183625 Mark 4HD 4.5-18x52 (34mm) M1C3 Side Focus FFP PR2-MOA $ 1,399.99
183626 Mark 4HD 4.5-18x52 (34mm) M5C3 Side Focus FFP PR2-Mil $ 1,399.99
183822 Mark 4HD 6-24x52 (34mm) Side Focus FFP PR2- MOA $ 1,499.99
183823 Mark 4HD 6-24x52 (34mm) Side Focus FFP PR2-MIL $ 1,499.99
183824 Mark 4HD 6-24x52 (34mm) M5C3 Side Focus FFP PR3-MIL $ 1,499.99
183969 Mark 4HD 8-32x56 (34mm) M1C3 Side Focus FFP PR2-MOA $ 1,599.99
183970 Mark 4HD 8-32x56 (34mm) M5C3 Side Focus FFP PR2-Mil $ 1,599.99
183971 Mark 4HD 8-32x56 (34mm) M5C3 Side Focus FFP PR3-MIL $ 1,599.99

Dammit, a couple of those have my interest...

What do you consider lightweight?

Not sure on availability in your area, but the Maven 2-10 might be a good fit for what you describe. Likewise with the Sightron SI series of scopes. I've found both to be optically better than some of the older scopes you describe, and, IME, they are likely more rugged than some of the scopes you have listed.

I would like to handle one of the new Sightron 3-9x40 S1 g2 scopes, I like the specs but not sure at this price point about the glass quality and adjustments...Hb

Just received notice that our 1st Leupold Mark 4HD 2.5-10x42 M1C3 FFP PR1-MOA #183741 is on the way in.
Leupold has started shipping these new new Mark 4HD's

Have experience with a couple of the new 1.75-5's. Wouldn't be afraid to give other models in the line up a try if they fit the application. Glass is good and adjustments are right on.

That's because your needs have not changed in the last 20 years. This is the Hunting Optics forum and hunting has not changed in forever, for the vast majority of hunters. Yeah, some people shoot at game at longer distances than before, but that is a small minority of hunters.

I read here all the time about peope wanting to have a 1inch tube with a 3-9X zoom and under 36mm objective weighing less than 16oz. Oh, and less than $200, please.

On the other hand competitive shooting has expanded and riflescopes are being designed and manufactured to meet their needs.

I am now using a riflescope in 1000yard competition that is the end result of the latest innovations, and that's where riflescope manufacturers have been spending their research resources.

Some of those tract toric scopes seem a lot like some of the old weaver super slam scopes. Both are made in Japan and seem to be the same size and weight. Maybe it's just an oem model from LOW. Those old super slams were good scopes for the money.

Bb

You can go with the Sightron S1 3-9x40 G2's which is 13.6 ounces and this week, during our SHOT Show Week Sale they are only $217.29

All good points.

I realized a while back that the rifles, optics, and for the most part, chamberings I use for big game hunting is what I arrived at 30+ years ago. There really hasn’t been any sea change kind of improvement without unacceptable trade offs (for me, at least) since.