Konus M30 Scopes?

[M&P45]

I have heard good things about the Konus spotting scopes. This looks interesting: M30 1-4x (http://www.midwayusa.com/viewproduct/?productnumber=680621&utm_source=froogle&utm_medium=free&utm_campaign=657)

Anyone had a chance to look through one?

[halo2304]

:D Ha ha! I was going to look into these tonight. I saw them mentioned in one of the latest editions of American Rifleman. I'd really like to see one in hand but I'd be interested in what the experts say. Sure, it's not a S&B Short Dot or a Nightforce, but in this economy...:rolleyes:

[Bimmer]

I have the Konus spotting scope that has gotten such a good review on jarheadtop (not coincidentally, he sells them).

The scope itself seems to work well enough, but it feels cheap, and the peripherals are junk.

I got it for $180, so I'm not complaining, but I wish I'd spent a little more and got something better.

For the $200+ that this costs, you could almost get a Nikon, Leupold, or Weaver scope. The choice between Konus and Nikon/Leupold/Weaver is no choice at all...

Bimmer

[trunkmonkey]

yes, posting a review of something you sell doesn't hold any weight in my book.

Especially if it's the only thing you sell.

[Hound_va]

yes, posting a review of something you sell doesn't hold any weight in my book.

Especially if it's the only thing you sell.

You may want to go back and look on his site as Konus isn't the only brand he sells. He also has Kowa which is the standard for spotters that you'll see on the high power lines.

[Bimmer]

You may want to go back and look on his site as Konus isn't the only brand he sells. He also has Kowa which is the standard for spotters that you'll see on the high power lines.

I didn't mean to cast aspersions on the integrity JarHeadTop, I'm just saying that the only review of the Konus spotting scope that I've seen is his.

In his defense, IIRC he basically concludes that it's a good cheap scope.

He's right: it IS a good cheap scope, but it's still a cheap scope. I've had no problems the function of the scope itself after only a bit of light use, but the fit and finish and the peripherals (lens cap, tripod, case) are really sub-par.

My verdict: when I went to get my parents a spotting scope a couple months later, I spent another $75 and got them a Bushnell. It's MUCH nicer.

Bimmer

[Falboy]

M&P 45, I've got one of those on the way. I'll let you know how it works out on my FAL 17.5". My dad has a Konus on his deer rifle that has been really great. So, I figure I'll give it a shot. Price is definately right! I won't be able to afford a Trijicon TR24 or IOR Pitbul anytime soon.

[Falboy]

Got the Scope Sat. , couldn't mount it with low rings, so will give review after the Med. rings show up Thurs./Fri. from Brownells. So far, I pretty impressed with it. However, putting 'er through the paces on the old FAL will tell the whole story. I like the locking turrets, but am going to walk through alot of brush to see if they stay locked, that is my theoretical concern so far.

[M&P45]

I got to look through one of these this weekend. I put it side by side with a Leupy VX-III 3-9, a 25 year old Redfield Widefield 2-7 and a cheap Simmons 1.5-5 that was all the rage on the Brian Enos forums a couple of years ago. All were much brighter than the Konus. The illumination on the Konus appears to be useless in daylight and nearly useless as the light fades. There was some fish-eye at 1x and some edge distortion on the Konus. There were also some specs visible that looked like dust near the edges of the FOV. The cheap discontinued Simmons was superior in every way. The FOV of the Simmons was better than the Konus at all power settings. I think I'll mount that Simmons on my psuedo recce after seeing how nice the glass really looks. I would put it on or slightly above par with the VX-III in terms of brightness and clarity. I think that was the best $59 I ever spent. I just have to figure out how to range with the Diamond reticle. I was hoping for some illumination but haven't seen anything in my price range that has decent illumination. Time to save up for my ACOG or Accupoint.

My buddy is now scrounging the interweb for a used Simmons. He sent the Konus packing...

On another note... Since the Simmons seems like a pretty decent scope and never sold for more that ~$150 how is it that there aren't more decent optics at this price point? Another surprise was the old Redfield. That is some really crisp looking glass and the FOV is very nice. It was head and shoulders above the Leupy in brightness and clarity. I may have to build a rifle around it...

All scopes were "tested" by looking at a Lyman zeroing target at approx 25 yards and approx 75 yards at between 2 and 4 PM on an overcast day. The scopes were placed on a handy rest for viewing the target. All scopes were checked on their lowest power and at 4x. We chose the 4x setting to be fair to the Konus.