I came across this on the SWFA forum.
http://www.opticstalk.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=8185
The scale below was formed by SWFA sales staff, customer service, pro-staff and owners using personal experience, customer input and facts supplied by the manufacturers. The ranking system is based on the following criteria.
51% Optical Quality - How bright and clear the scope is.
15% Specifications - Field of view, eye relief, weight, adjustment travel, etc.
15% Durability - How do they with stand the test of time.
12% Special Features & Options - Proprietary items (reticles, design, turrets), Zoom ratio.
7% Warranty & Customer Service - How good are they.
0% (Value - Bang for your buck.)
This criteria has been removed due to O.T. member input.
In order to maintain the scale's simplicity we are not listing every single manufacture and only major manufactures will have several of their brands listed. This scale also does not have discontinued brands or products like the old U.S.A. made Redfields, Japan Tasco or Japan Simmons Aetec. This scale is heavily weighted toward HUNTING as being the application the scope will be used for.
This scale will be kept current with changes that the manufacturers are making that affect their rank. Many of the lower end companies have been bought and sold a lot recently and while the names have stayed the same......the product has not.
2009 Riflescope Rating Scale
- Leica ER, Swarovski Z6, Zeiss Victory
- Kahles C - CL & CSX, Premier Reticle, Schmidt & Bender
- Kahles KX, U.S. Optics, Swarovski PH & American Lightweight
- Bushnell Elite 6500, Leupold VX-7, Nightforce NXS, IOR Valdada, Vortex Razor
- Bushnell Elite 4200, Leupold VX-3, Nikon Monarch & Monarch X, Zeiss Conquest
- Leupold Mark 4 VX III & VX-L, Meopta, Nikon Monarch Gold & Titanium, Sightron SIII & S2 Big Sky, Vortex Viper
- Burris Black Diamond Signature Select XTR & Euro Diamond, Pentax Lightseeker, Trijicon Accupoint, Weaver Grand Slam
- Bushnell Elite 3200, Leupold VX-II, Millet Tactical/Buck Gold, Nikko Stirling, Nikon Buckmaster, Sightron SI & SII, Vortex Crossfire & Diamondback, Super Sniper Fixed
- Burris Fullfield II & Timberline, Leupold Rifleman & VX-I, Leatherwood, Mueller, Nikon ProStaff, Simmons
- Barska, Sightmark, Swift, Truglo
- BSA, Tasco, Yukon
- ATN, Leapers, NcStar
This is a work in progress and continuously changing, please discuss your opinions, ask questions and make suggestions HERE. This post will be updated as the scale changes and the fact that it is in the F.A.Q. section allows it to be easily accessed at any time and also restricts any posts from being added to it.
Edited by Chris Farris - April/05/2009 at 14:50
