Take a look at what Vortex is doing. The new AMG should be your benchmark for a minimum quality standard, and their reticle is simply perfect for the market it was designed for, which is the exponentially growing PRS style. IMHO, here's a wish list of what I'd like to see, if you were to compete in this field.
Magnification; 5-27X allows for spotting mirage and longer range targets, with just enough FOV on the wide end for close engagements. Don't need <4X, or >28X.
Reticle; H59, EBR-3, MSR, H2CMR.
Turrets; Vortex Gen ii Razor HD owners will probably tell you these are the best, and I'll agree. S&B are fantastic, but in the hand, I'd rather have a Burris XTRii for their feel and easy readability. 0.1 mil clicks, revolution indicator, zero stop, keyless zero reset.
Glass; plenty of offerings; Voigtlander, B&L. IOR has a strong reputation for pristine glass in their Recon scope, Schott CCR48 Glass, I believe. This should be your minimum. See next comment.
Coatings; you should approach Voigtlander, who makes sublime camera optics, about being the glass/coatings supplier. I can't imagine having the glass from one of my Noxtilux lenses in a scope.... that would be like heaven.
Cant assist; the US Optics ER-25 has an optional internal level. I'd like to see an internal LED indicator, that illuminates the left or right horizontal cross hair, to show level. You should speak with STABILA about incorporating this tech into the scope Since you're already using a power supply for illumination, no reason you can't draw from it for a micro level.
Zoom. Think about an indexed Pull-turn-release self locking indexed ring, instead of a high friction ring, which often requires an auxiliary handle for leverage. This would permit a simple change in magnification, without the risk of losing your vertical or sight picture from excessive movement.
Paralax knob. Make this oversized slightly. Fine adjustment is key, and this is where you need it.
Eye relief. 3.5-4", but this is a personal preference.
Tube/lens: 34mm/50mm is a nice combination when top quality glass is used. You get more working space in the tube for mechanics, structure, and reticle diameter, and the smaller front element(50mm) lets that scope get right down on the barrel. With the new breed of action-in-chassis rifles, this is an important feature so you don't end up with a scope sitting 2" on centre above the barrel, especially when running a 20+moa base.
Mounts: The AADmount with internal tritium level is getting rave reviews, and the Cadex Defense Unified Ring system has great options in a light weight model. Combine the two and you have a winner.
Finish: Satin black cerakote, white turret markings, Top Dead Centre etched line marking to aid in alignment, and good caps provided.
Extra: Incorporate the Spuhr wedge levelling system.
Packaging: Ship it in a hard case. There are plenty of cost effective options that will pay dividends, especially when all the "unboxing" videos start getting released. If you watch a few that have thousands of views, you'll see how much emphasis is put on the packaging as a measure of value. It sucks to think like that, but is a simple truth that can't be ignored; people love nice packaging.
All told needed for correct installation, should be available at the point of purchase of the scope. Torque driver, alan keys, levelling devices, turret indexing wall chart, dope sheet templates for microsoft excel, etc.
Support: as much effort should go into customer support as should scope design. If a new buyer wants to set up his scope, he should be able to go to the website, and see concise tutorials, in clear, HD video, with links to technical manuals in PDF form.
Warranty: Lifetime no questions asked is the base these days, offered by Vortex, Athlon, Burris and others. Yours should be no different.
If you want to speak further, PM me and I'd love to discuss working with you on this project.
