InfraredMaterials, Inc

Some days it seems as if there are more manufacturers of riflescopes than rifles. And maybe there are. This is a good thing because, even though it makes selecting a best buy scope more challenging, it raises the quality while simultaneously lowering prices.

The sheer strength and hardness of sapphire means it’s perfectly suited to protecting surveillance cameras, detectors and other optical equipment used in the security sector. In addition to its durability, anti-reflective and scratch-resistant coatings, sapphire easily handles demanding extreme environmental conditions.

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IR transparent plastic

SCHOTT Infrared Glasses and Materials can be processed using a variety of manufacturing techniques to achieve the best results for different infrared glasses. This includes conventional grinding and polishing, and single-point diamond turning and molding, while we also offer low- and high-volume production to meet any requirement. For protective windows made out of sapphire or multispectral zinc sulfide, customized coatings are available for adaptation to specialist applications.

The only thing I can’t vouch for is its durability because I didn’t have ten years to drag it from the desert sands of Namibia to the soggy muskeg of Arctic Canada. But if I did I wouldn’t bet against it. I did throw it in a bucket of water and it didn’t even request a towel when it came out.

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At any magnification above 4X the reticle’s MOA hash marks were easy to read, the wider 5 MOA lines and 10 MOA numbers minimizing confusion.

Fully multi-coated Schott High Transmission glass throughout plus an ED objective lens to eliminate color fringing combined beautifully to transmit a sharp, bright, high contrast field of view with nigh perfect edge to edge sharpness.

If your heart leaps at the sight of a bear and your spirit soars with the flight of a goose, join me here at Ron Spomer Outdoors as we discover our roles, responsibilities, adventures, and thrills as Nature’s hunters and conservationists.

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In the real world, however, this isn’t really an issue because who sets up for the kind of long range shot in which you need a 5 MOA or higher aiming point at 4X or even 5X? For shots beyond 300 yards most of us crank up the power because we feel we need it for a better sight picture and because we generally have time to do it, the game ignorant of our presence. Merely placing the center crosshair on target at 2.5X is easy, the dual thickness reticle leading the eye to the sticking place.

Then there’s that First Focal Plane reticle. This is the type that shrinks and enlarges with magnification, just like the target. This is ideal for maintaining a consistent relationship between hash mark subtensions and target size. You don’t have to worry about your power setting. If the range calls for holding the 5 MOA hash dead on, it works from 15X through 2.5X. What doesn’t work so well is seeing the 5 MOA hash at 2.5X. For me the limit was about 4X. I could easily spot the 10X and 20X numbers etched at those hash marks, but spotting the wider 5 MOA hashes among the line of one MOA marks was a challenge.

One of the highest quality scopes at one the best prices just might be Tract’s Toric 2.5-15x44 FFP with MOA turrets and reticle. This is arguably the perfect balance of power and reach in a dual purpose hunting/precision target shooting scope. And while not bargain basement cheap, at $1,094 it qualifies as a best buy in its class.

The SCHOTT Infrared Glass and Material portfolio enables customers to fulfill all their needs in the area of infrared optics. From glasses in the short-, medium- and long-wave infrared to protective windows for infrared optical systems, SCHOTT supplies materials and services around customer needs. Our portfolio of IRG materials includes germanium-free options such as IRG 26 and IRG 27. In addition, IRG 22, IRG 24 and IRG 25 contain a small percentage of germanium in their composition.

IR absorbing material

The multiple rotation elevation turret is large and easily manipulated, the MOA numbers and quarter click hash marks easily seen.

The MOA hash marks on the Toric reticle match up perfectly with the one-inch grids on this target. Regardless how far or fast I spun the turrets, the adjustments were spot on and always came back to zero.

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For most of my hunting I like a simpler reticle because I usually set up for Maximum Point Blank Range which frees me from needing 30 MOA of range adjustment on the vertical wire. But this does nothing for my long range target shooting, so that won’t work on a dual purpose scope like this. But a Christmas tree reticle with 10 mph windage hashmarks would be a useful addition.

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SCHOTT's Chalcogenide Glasses allow excellent transmission in the short-, mid- and longwave infrared range, typically found in night vision thermal systems. Designers can take advantage of the glasses’ low dispersion to create color-correcting optical systems without the need for thermal defocusing. Thermal imaging devices benefit from the remarkably clear and crisp images generated by our infrared chalcogenide glasses.

Minor gripes aside, this is a remarkably capable scope selling for less, and sometimes significantly less, than comparable competitors largely because it is factory direct, manufacturer to buyer. No middle men. The unit is made in Japan, not the USA, but then few scopes are made here. If the likes of Canon, Nikon, and Sony can make some of the highest quality photographic lenses in the world, why not riflescopes?

As the attached video shows, I was asked by Tract to test this scope and give an honest review, no holds barred, no punches pulled. So I don’t have to fudge or pull the wool over your eyes. This tool really is as good as I say it is. Maybe even better. Optically superb with a flat field and edge to edge sharpness rivaling some of the best scopes and binoculars I’ve tested. Sharp, bright, high contrast images. Crisp, sharp reticle.

This doesn’t mean I’m ready to propose and live happily ever after. I find the unit heavier than I prefer. But then I’m an ultralight mountain rifle nut. On a traditional weight rifle meant for hunting flatter country, sitting in a stand, or doubling as a long range target clanger, no problem. Along these same lines I’d prefer a slightly smaller elevation turret, one closer in size to the windage turret. I’m guessing a smaller turret, however, wouldn’t handle the 100 MOA adjustment range.

MOA hash marks are difficult to see at 2.5X, but look closely and you can see that the 6th MOA mark spans the 6 inches between the target’s center and outside edge.

The last of my negative comments is this: if I’m going this heavy I think I’d throw in an illuminated reticle. Not a biggee, but what the heck… That’s maybe cutting it too fine.

Mechanically I found all controls tight, smooth, easy to manipulate, and repeatable with no backlash. This scope feels and sounds as tight and durable as it looks. And the reticle returns to zero regardless how far I dial up, down, left or right.