Ultra Compact Scope. Is There A Market?

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Originally Posted by Jake'sDad

A buddy and I have been working on a custom rifle project, (which hopefully will turn into a future thread). In looking for an optic for it, what we really wanted was something akin to the old Colt 3X scope, at least size wise. Doesn't seem to be much in that category made. One of the makers of the Colt scope, Hakko, now Japan Optics, lists a SSZ-ATG-15416. It's in the size and weight ballpark, (a little bigger than we hoped, but close), but it's a 1.5-4X, which wouldn't be our first choice, and as near as I can see, no one seems to be bringing them into the country.

Through a friend, I was able to have a conversation with a "famous maker" optics company this morning. I floated the idea of a 3 or 4 power, Colt type scope. Surprisingly, he was actually quite interested, and asked if he thought there was interest in something like that.

Is there a market for a super small, 3-4X scope, built rugged, with decent glass? Clearly, I'm not talking about a precision scope. I'm talking no frills, non illuminated, (maybe a tritium dot option?) probably no BDC. Perhaps 30MM, with a flatop attachment point for a mount on the bottom, but could be used with rings, or ring, on other types of firearms. Etched glass, with a very basic reticle, maybe a second dot/line for a 4-500 yard zero.

I realize this would be a niche item, but do you have a lightweight rifle of some sort that you'd like to have such an option for? Lever guns, etc.?

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Like others have said already good glass in that market in the form of the TA33 ACOG amoung others. The TA33 has more than 1.5 inches of eye relief in reality.
Pat

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Originally Posted by Alaskapopo

Like others have said already good glass in that market in the form of the TA33 ACOG amoung others. The TA33 has more than 1.5 inches of eye relief in reality.
Pat

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No Pat, there really isn't. That TA33 is almost 12 ounces, and still has short eye relief. We don't need the BDC and the price point is higher than it would have to be for our concept.

One could say there was no need for a T1 because that market for a good RDS exists in the M4 or Pro. Different strokes.

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Originally Posted by mallowpufft

Depending on the price point I think it would be handy.
Brush guns, trunk and truck guns, etc.

Similar items are too far out of my budget to be a reality for the next 5 years or so unless I buy NcStar/UTG, etc. (Which I won't do). If it managed to come in around $250 or less with the quality roughly about Redfield or certain Vortex offerings I'd be all about one. With enough eye relief a 3 or 4x on my 336 would be excellent. It would still be light and handy but I could see a little better

Tapatalk ate my spelling and grammar.

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Yeah, that's kinda the idea. For decent glass, the street price might be 350-400 +/- though.

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Originally Posted by Jake'sDad

Yeah, that's kinda the idea. For decent glass, the street price might be 350-400 +/- though.

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Still far more reasonable for us average Joes with kids and other obligations compared to the cost of the Acog. And if the demand is high enough the price will come down.

Tapatalk ate my spelling and grammar.

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Originally Posted by mallowpufft

Still far more reasonable for us average Joes with kids and other obligations compared to the cost of the Acog. And if the demand is high enough the price will come down.

Tapatalk ate my spelling and grammar.

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I don't think this would necessarily be a good alternative to an ACOG. It couldn't be built with the same quality/durability for that much less for one thing. But I think it would work for some applications.

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Originally Posted by Jake'sDad

I don't think this would necessarily be a good alternative to an ACOG. It couldn't be built with the same quality/durability for that much less for one thing. But I think it would work for some applications.

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I wasn't saying it needs to be an ACOG lite; just that one of the most prominent of the few options in the fixed low power, compact optics is out of reach for many folks who see the value in such a package minus the amazing durability of the ACOG.
As nice as it would be to have I don't think I need anything that durable. Let alone there is no way I'd be able to justify a piece of glass that expensive to my wife unless I was using it professionally.

Tapatalk ate my spelling and grammar.

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Originally Posted by Jake'sDad

No Pat, there really isn't. That TA33 is almost 12 ounces, and still has short eye relief. We don't need the BDC and the price point is higher than it would have to be for our concept.

One could say there was no need for a T1 because that market for a good RDS exists in the M4 or Pro. Different strokes.

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I had a TA33 and with a Larue mount its significantly lighter. Your right different strokes for different folks but the TA 33 felt like a very light set up. Take care.
Pat

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Originally Posted by Alaskapopo

I had a TA33 and with a Larue mount its significantly lighter. Your right different strokes for different folks but the TA 33 felt like a very light set up. Take care.
Pat

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I'm sure it is lighter with that Larue, and it's obviously a great setup for an AR platform. But for some other guns, longer eye relief is required.

It's 1.5" longer and 1.3 oz heavier than your specs, but when people ask what I consider to be a good short to intermediate range scope for tactical or hunting use, I always point out this one:

http://www.leupold.com/hunting-shoot...-3-1-5-5x20mm/

At 9.3 oz and 9.5" long, I've yet to see anyone think it was a bad option and most think it's nearly perfect (perfect would be a true 1X to 4X or so). You can get it with an illuminated reticle, but that ups the weight to 14.3oz.

You can also get the illuminated VX-R in a 1.25-4X that's 9.5" long and 11.5oz.

I realize this isn't within your specs, but I think if you give up much in the way of performance you might as well just get an Aimpoint H1 and call it a day.

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Originally Posted by glocktogo

It's 1.5" longer and 1.3 oz heavier than your specs, but when people ask what I consider to be a good short to intermediate range scope for tactical or hunting use, I always point out this one:

http://www.leupold.com/hunting-shoot...-3-1-5-5x20mm/

At 9.3 oz and 9.5" long, I've yet to see anyone think it was a bad option and most think it's nearly perfect (perfect would be a true 1X to 4X or so). You can get it with an illuminated reticle, but that ups the weight to 14.3oz.

You can also get the illuminated VX-R in a 1.25-4X that's 9.5" long and 11.5oz.

I realize this isn't within your specs, but I think if you give up much in the way of performance you might as well just get an Aimpoint H1 and call it a day.

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That Leupold is a great scope. Right now we have a Weaver V3 on it which is a little smaller and lighter than the VX3. We'd still like something smaller. And I have both H1's and a T1. I prefer them to the larger Pro and M4. Some guys don't.

Like I said, it's a niche, and not everyone will see the need for an ultra compact magnified optic. Maybe almost nobody, but that what's I'm curious about.