Tag Archives: riflescope

Goyojo GRL 335 Thermal Weapon Sight

April 27, 2026Optics, Product reviewgoyojo, goyojo optics, GRL 335, riflescope, thermal, thermal rifle scope, thermal scope, Thermal Weapon Sightcoldboremiracle

Thermal Wepon Sights

As technology rapidly expands into every aspect of our lives, one of the popular trends in shooting optics is thermal sights. These electronic sights see heat coming off of everything around us, particularly living things. This technology has made eradicating feral animals and dispatching pests not only easier, but a 24 hour activity. Today we are taking a look at another new to me thermal weapon sight. This one comes from Goyojo Optics, a company that makes a variety of sporting devices. Our subject today is the Goyojo GRL 335 Thermal Weapon Sight.

The Goyojo GRL 335

Goyojo’s GRL 335 is a compact thermal optic, that reminds me a little bit of the a Trijicon Acog. Despite its compact size and simple operation it is still packed with a great deal of features that make it very handy.

some of the included items are mounting brackets to change position of the mounting foot

Like most modern thermal optics, the GRL 335 incorporates various color palettes to select from. As well as picture in picture, photo and video recording capabilities. With its simple four-button control panel, you can zoom in, change colors and recording settings.

You can also access a variety of different menus to adjust things like reticle type and color. And change settings for the other features like shot activated recording. Zeroing can also be done within these menus. All images are captured on a 64GB micro SD card housed in the base, right next to the USB-C charging port. What appear to be turrets on either side are actually the battery housing. The battery itself can be removed and charged externally.

USB-C charging port, and Micro SD card port

The ocular focus at the rear allows you to focus on the display. While up front, there is a blue ring around the objective you can use to focus the thermal sensor.

Specifications

Sensor Resolution: 384*288
Objective Lens: 25mm/35mm
Optical Zoom:
GRL325: 3x
GRL335: 4x
Digital Zoom: 1x, 2x, 3x, 4x
Display Resolution: 1024*768
Operating Time: 6-8h

Features

Picture In Picture:Yes
Photo/Video:Yes
Audio:No
RAV & Wi-Fi:Yes
Hot Track:Yes
Classic One Shot Zero:Yes
Thermal One-Shot Zero:Yes
Shot Activated Recording:Yes

The whole unit comes neatly in a zippered soft case. Included with are a couple batteries, additional rubber eye-pieces, charging cables and a manual.

Mounting and Zero

Installing this optic on a rifle is very easy using the QD clamp. Much like other high quality optics, this one has its own clamping mount, with a security lock to prevent unintended opening. I clamped the optic to the sight rail of my rifle, and set it up looking downrange.

To zero the optic, I would shoot a shot, and watch the impact. Then you can freeze frame using the zeroing menu, with the frame frozen, you can move the reticle from where it is currently, to the point of impact. It took me a couple tries, but mainly that was me figuring out the system. But after a few minutes, I had it zeroed enough for testing.

I also took the time to familiarize myself with different reticle options, and different zoom settings. Once I was on top of it, I decided it was time to head into the mountains.

In the Field

Hunting is the true calling of thermal optics, and that is where I intended to use it. Early spring has some different hunting opportunities in my part of the country, but for now I would have to settle with hunting small varmints. Squirrels and marmots and if I was lucky a coyote would be my options. The AR15 rifle I had the GRL 335 mounted to was more than enough rifle for any of those targets.

thermal scopes and suppressed shooting are like peanut butter and jelly, here you can see my **Banish Speed K suppressor**

Over the course of several trips, I would use the Goyojo to find all kinds of animals. Both animals I could target as well as others that I wouldn’t.

Target ID

One thing I have found about identifying target animals with thermal optics, is that the environment matters quite a bit. Using the different color pallets in the GRL 335 was also helpful. Things like rocks and tree and other things can vary in temperature greatly depending on the conditions. Oftentimes it takes a while to get used to identifying things. Particularly in the day time until you see something that is actually living and warm it can be a bit challenging to know.

My dog probably wouldn’t like knowing it, but he shows up really nice in the scope. This is approximately 120 yards away

Again, using the different color pallets available is a great tool to help in this effort. The different zoom settings also are important to understand, for both scale and detail. And I also had to stay on top of the focus of the thermal sensor, keeping a sharp focus greatly helps you recognize both targets and their surroundings.

Controls

One of my favorite things about this optic is how easy and simple the controls are. Unlike some other thermal optics, the main and most important features are all within a single button push. Making quick changes in zoom, or snapping a photo or starting video can all be done without taking your eye off the display.

Of course many of the finer features can be changed by accessing the various menus. And the central placement of the button pad right on top makes it easy to acces. The textured pad also gives tactile identification, so even in the dark you can make adjustments on the fly.

Pictures and Videos

The ability to capture shots and videos through these optics is the icing on the cake. Not only do you get to have fun hunting, but you can capture the crucial events on film to share with others. I used the capture to get stills and clips of different hunting and shooting events. By pressing and holding the X button, you get a quick toggle between picture and video. You then capture a shot or start recording using the same button.

an image looking around the neighborhood in pure darkness (before mounting to the rifle of course)

All the images are captured on a micro SD card that is housed in the foot of the optic. The MP4 files can be transferred and used as you see fit. I did have a couple issues editing and manipulating the files, but I can’t tell you if that was a problem with the files or if it was simply me not using compatible software. Either way, as you can see I figured out a way to get both pictures and video where I needed it.

Focus

Adjusting the thermal sensor focus on this unit is very easy, its location makes it quick to grab with your fingers. And I like how it is recessed in the housing to prevent it getting moved inadvertently. Adjusting the sensor allows sharp focus as close as a few feet away, and i was impressed with how clean the image could be focused.

The display also has its own twist-to-focus feature. This is handy for those who’s eyes aren’t what they once were. There is also two different rubber eye cups to select from.

Useability

I’ve already mentioned how I like the simplicity of this unit. Particularly for someone who is new to thermals. It has some pretty concise instructions, and if you follow them you will have no problem running this unit.

Battery life is great, and the fact that it comes with a charger and extra battery means you can always keep a backup in your pocket.

Value

With an MSRP just under a thousand dollars, this optic is a great value. The ony thing left to ensure its value is its durability over time. This optic makes a lot of sense for a first time thermal, as it is more affordable than other options. I intend on giving this scope a good good thrashing to see how it stands up to use, make sure you check back in the future as I will update here as time passes.

Pros and Cons

Pros

Affordable- for the price its features and function are great
Compact- small footprint means less bulk
Quick to zero- easy to understand and adjust
Image Capture- both video and still images can be recorded
Added Accessories- mounting options, eyecups and other included accessories

Cons

Made Overseas- potential conflict
Unknown Brand-

My custom **Quattro 15 rifle**, you can read more about it here

Concluding Thoughts

I really like this optic, and I plan on using it to the extend possible in my hunting adventures. I like how simple it is, and how easy it is to adjust and understand all the features and functions. Whether you plan on using this optic simply for fun, or in preparation for an impending apocalypse, it gives you a simple sight that can be used around the clock.

-CBM

More thermal scopes right here if you are looking

Medium Power Precision: The Vector Optics Continental 3-18X50

April 20, 2026Optics, Product review3-18x50, continental, medium power, riflescope, scope, vector, vector opticscoldboremiracle

Introduction

With age and time, most of us develope a larger and more refined collection of firearms. If you are rifleman like me, that means your scope inventory also develops as well. I love mid-range scopes like the 3-18 and 4-16 power range, so I have worked towards adding more of them to my inventory. Today I share one of those with you; the Vector Optics Continental 3-18X50 precision rifle scope. I am no stranger to this line or Vector Optics, my experience with other scopes is what inspired me to get this one.

The Vector Optics Continental 3-18X50

Vector Optics Continental line of scopes all incorporate most of the desired precision rifle features. The 3-18 Continental is no different, it comes with many of the things precision rifle shooters are after.

vector optics, continental, 3-18x50, adjusting magnification

Inside the Continental you’ll find the FFP VCT-34 Reticle, a Christmas Tree style reticle with a broad grid for holdovers or making corrections. Of course it is illuminated because this isn’t 1998. The reticle is matched by a set of turrets perfect for making corrections. With 10-MRAD per rotation you get plenty of mechanical adjustment, the 1/10 MRAD clicks are very tactile and can also be heard. Both turrets can be locked by pushing in, and the elevation turret features a pop-up pin indicating which of the three revolutions you are on.

bergara, premier canyon, vector optics, continental, 3-18x50, suppressed, shooting with pine trees and slopes behind, — testing the Vector Continental 3-18 aboard the **Bergara Premier Canyon** rifle, outfitted with a YHM R9 suppressor

With its large 34mm tube, this scope has 44 MRAD of mechanical travel within. More than enough for what most folks will be doing with this scope. And it’s 50mm objective is still fairly compact, allowing the scope to be mounted low.

All the control surfaces feature a nice texture, allowing quick and easy adjustments to be made. The diopter at the rear sharpens focus on the reticle, and the adjustable parallax on the side allows you to sharply focus your targets.

Specifications

Magnification:	3-18x
Objective Lens Dia.:	50mm
Ocular Lens Dia.:	42mm / 1.7 inch
Ocular Lens Length:	54mm / 2.1 inch
Exit Pupil:	8.0-2.8mm
Optics Coating:	VePro Fully-multi coat
Field of View:	40.8-6.8 feet @100 yards
Eye Relief:	100mm / 4.0 inch
Length:	338mm / 13.3 inch
Weight:	820g / 28.9 ounce
Tube Diameter:	34mm
Click Value:	1/10 MIL
Elevation Range:	44MIL
Windage Range:	16MIL
Side Focus:	10 Yds to infinite
Reticle:	Etched glass VCT-34FFP
Illumination:	6 Brightness Settings
Battery Type (Not Included):	CR2032
Focus/Parallax mark:	10,15, 20, 30, 50, 100, 200, 300, 500 and infinite
Including items:	34mm Picatinny high rings (default) rings, spare common elevation turret, sunshade, instruction, lens cover and a cleaning cloth

The extra included items drive the value of this scope up significantly. It comes with an extra elevation turret that you can swap out should you not wish to use the zero-stop and revolution indicator pin. A nice pair of scope rings, a shunshade and more. All boxed up nicely in an impressive package.

vector optics, continental, 3-18x50, rifle scope, unboxing, — Unboxing the Continental 3-18×50

I wasted no time mounting the scope, as I wanted to bring it along on one of my next shooting trips. The Vector rings that come with the scope are great, and look much better quality than the typically included rings. But, for the way I was mounting this scope they were a bit high. So instead I used a set of low Vortex 34mm rings.

vector optics, continental, 3-18x50, rifle scope, mounting, scope rings, scope mounting,

With the scope set inplace and torqued, all that was left was to boresight the scope prior to heading to the range. My tool-less boresight method is easy and you can read more on how to do it here.

On the Firing Line

Once I’d made it to a firing line, it was time to zero the scope. This was pretty easy after having boresighted it. In just a few shots, I had a good zero on the rifle, and it was time to set the turrets back to zero. This is done using either a coin or even better is the included plastic tool. this prevents you from marring the finish, and overtightening the turret fastener.

Vector Optics, continental, 3-18x50, rifle scope, turret, zero-stop, battery, illumination — Left; zero-stop setting. Top right: Unlocked elevation turret with indicator pin extended showing third revolution. Bottom Right: battery compartment installing the CR2032 lithium

With the rifle already zeroed, I also decided to set the zero-stop at the same time. This is done by removing the elevation turret, and looking at it from underneath, you turn the ring inside in the indicated direction until it stops. A tiny spring-loaded pin pops into a small hole on the inner ring, which is what stops it when you turn it. If you are using a canted scope base to get more use out of your scope’s elevation, you may need to push the little pin in allowing you to counter rotate the inner piece so you can set the turret below where it comes zeroed from the factory. For more on canted bases and why, go read this.

bergara, premier canyon, vector optics, continental, 3-18x50, suppressed, suppressed rifle sitting on a shooting bench with accessories, athlon chronograph, — the **Bergara Premier** test rifle, seen here testing velocity with the **Athlon Rangecraft chronograph**

Once the zero-stop was set, I reinstalled the turret on zero. Giving me maximum sweep of the scopes internal movement for my corrections. You could also swap out the turret for the non-zero-stop elevation turret, if thats what you prefer.

Optical Quality

Like the other Vector Continental scopes I have used, this one had a great picture. According to the companies website, they use Schott HT lenses with their own proprietary coating. I expect that is why they look so good. Not only are the images bright and clear, but there is excellent uniformity. There are no abberations around the edge of the image.

vector optics, continental, 3-18x50, reticle, illumination, — a couple different perspectives looking at the reticle, note only center of reticle illuminates (left)

The adjustable parallax in this scope allows you to get both the reticle and target sharply defined. This is a very important aspect of shooting, particularly at further distances. For more on that topic, read: All you need to know about parallax. I guess the easiest way to describe the imagery in this scope is; it looks way better than you’d expect with this price point.

bergara, premier canyon, vector optics, continental, 3-18x50, suppressed, shooting prone high in the mountains

Reliability

Mechanical integrity is important for precision shooting, and this scope is very repeatable. Dialing the scope across its entire elevation range is smooth and consistent. Running boxes using the turrets show it returning back to zero every time. And as a FFP scope its also important that the turret movements match the values on the reticle. Measuring movements with the reticle and dialing the correction with the turret show the values match. At least close enough to not to notice any difference.

This is not my first Continental scope, and my others have proven to be very durable. Surviving plane trips, bouncing around in vehicles and off road vehicles. Freezing temps and the damp heat of the gulf coast. I try and avoid physical abuse of my scopes, but they do get used a lot. I have every confidence that this scope, like the others will last a long time. If I was to improve anything about it durability, it would probably be the finish. It is a little easy to scratch.

bergara, premier canyon, vector optics, continental, 3-18x50, suppressed, shooting a suppressed rifle across a wide canyon filled with snowy pine trees,

Value

I keep finding myself repeating something along these lines when it comes to these scopes; I cannot believe I paid two or three times as much for scopes in the past that aren’t even close to as good as these ones (as far as features).

The optics market has been absolutely flooded with good, great and outstanding products that cost half or less than what I used to pay for good rifle scopes a decade or two ago. You can bounce over to Optics Planet and pick this scope up for a mere four-hundred and eighty-five dollars. And if you use my discount code coldbore at checkout you can even save an additional 5%.

Pros and Cons

There is plenty to like about this scope, as I’ve already mentioned. There is one drawback to this scope, and for some its a big one. A huge majority of optics are being manufactured overseas and much of them in China. For some of you that might be a deal breaker, and for others it may not be. Rest assured though, the Chinese have upped their game significantly .

vector optics, continental, 3-18x50, adjusting windage turret,

As if all the things I’ve already mentioned about this scope weren’t enough, the added value is incredible. You can buy these same included scope rings for $20 on Optics Planet, which seems really cheap. But I must say they are great looking cheap scope rings, had I not known I would have said they were at least 50-60 dollar value. And the new ones they are shipping now use the dual torx screws to secure the foot, instead of the single 1/2-inch nut. The included sunshade is also a very nice touch.

Last Thoughts

Much like my experience with my other Vector Continental scopes, this one has been an excellent experience. I could see myself putting this scope on any of my hunting rifles as you’ve seen here, or on a precision rifle that can take full use of its faculties. The medium power magnification of the Vector Continental 3-18×50 gives dexterity in use, without giving up long-range features and sharp imagery. I look forward to putting this scope to work, and I will update it as my experience continues.

-CBM

Check out other Vector Optics, as well as other scope reviews here

Inexpensive or Cheap? The DiscoveryOpt HD GEN II 5-30X56

April 8, 2026Optics, Product review5-30x56, discovery optics, discoveryOpt, gen II, hd, riflescope, scope, scope reviewcoldboremiracle

Preface

Today we are taking another look into riflescopes from DiscoveryOpt Optics. Our topic today is their DiscoveryOpt HD Gen II 5-30X56 Riflescope, not a new scope but it is to me. Having had a good experience with another similar scope from DiscoveryOpt, I was curious to see how this model compared. These optics are manufactured in China, which brings a bit of a double edged argument. On one hand, they are very affordable when compared to better known manufacturers. But they are affordable because they are made in China which some folks might find distasteful at best. I have been impressed at how Chinese made optics have improved even in the short time I have been paying attention to them, so let’s get into this scope and see if its worth your time and consideration.

The DiscoveryOpt HD Gen II 5-30X56 Rifle Scope

My very first impressions of the HD Gen II scope were not unsimilar to the last riflescope I reviewed from DiscoveryOpt. Good packaging accompanied the scope on its arrival, and some included accessories that would be very nice.

discoveryopt, discoveryopt optics, HD, Gen II, Gen 2, 5-30-x56, riflescope, ffp, long-range, precision, rifle scope, unboxing, accessories,

In addition to the scope itself, I found they had included a set of 34mm scope ring (the rings are available at additional cost) As well as a 56mm sunshade, and some of the little things most scopes come with like lens cloth, tools and stickers. Also were some nice flip caps that look like a clone of the expensive kind from Tenebraex.

Like the last DiscoveryOpt scope I got, this one has some very standout features like very large turrets. They also included a throw lever on the magnification ring which is nice, and it appears to be removable too. I didn’t remove it for reasons I’ll go into later. At 38 ounces, this beast is NOT lightweight. As soon as you lift it from the box you can tell it is heavy, which comes as no surprise when you come to terms with its physical size. These scopes are built big, bigger than the rest I would say. Every other 56mm scope I have easily fits inside the 56mm objective of this scope.

discoveryopt, discoveryopt optics, HD, Gen II, Gen 2, 5-30-x56, riflescope, ffp, long-range, precision, rifle scope, unboxing, turrets, magnification ring, throw lever,

The large turrets are quite nice, moving 10 MRAD per rotation which I consider the minimum these days. The clicks are both audible and tactile, and the turret is easily zeroed loosening four tension screws around the top. Underneath the turret you will find the zero-stop lock ring. It is also secured by four tension screws that lock it to the hub of the turret. And the ring engages a machined in post on the housing base, it is easily set once the scope has been zeroed to the rifle.

discoveryopt, discoveryopt optics, HD, Gen II, Gen 2, 5-30-x56, riflescope, ffp, zero-stop, zero, turret hub, — here you can see the zero-stop lock ring, and the post it stops against

Specifications

Magnification– 5-30X

Focal Plane– FFP(First)

Objective– 56MM

Tube Diameter– 34MM

Iluminated– Red, 6 Brightness Settings

Length– 15.0in(380mm)

Weight– 38.1 oz(1080g)

Click Value– 0.1 MRAD | 0.25 MOA

Turrets Functions– ZERO-STOP

Elevation Adj. Range– 33 MRAD | 116 MOA

Windage Adj. Range– 17 MRAD | 60 MOA

FOV– 25FT(7.6m)~4.0FT(1.2m)/100YDS

Exit Pupil– 9.3-1.9MM

Eye Relief– 3.5 in(9.0cm)-3.4 in(8.6cm)

Parallax– 25-∞ YDS

Recoil Rating– .50 BMG

Fog Proof– Nitrogen Purged

Waterproof– IP67

Battery– CR2032

Inside the scope you will find the MRAD reticle, which uses the popular “Christmas tree” stylings. With great detail that allows you to measure and correct for all kinds of downrange eventualities. The reticle is illuminated using the control stacked on top of the parallax turret on the left side of the scope. Only the center 1-MRAD of the reticle illuminates, which I like, as well as the center dot of the reticle that I prefer. The parallax itself is adjustable down to 25 yards, which is handy for those who intend on using this scope that close.

discoveryopt, discoveryopt optics, scope rings, 34mm, — A closer look at the DiscoveryOpt rings

Mounting and Zeroing

Before I even started mounting the scope, I did find a problem. It’s hard to say whether this damage occured before or during shipment but either way it’s not good. Either the packaging foam isn’t enough for a scope this heavy, or it happened prior to shipment. For full transparency, the box showed no signs of damage.

The damage itself became apparent while trying to thread on the sunshade. After an abnormally long effort to try and thread the sunshade onto the objective, I found that the scope bell had been slightly bent (from impact I assume), this out-of-round-ness made it near impossible to align the sunshade properly and engage the threads.

discoveryopt, discoveryopt optics, HD, Gen II, Gen 2, 5-30-x56, riflescope, ffp, long-range, precision, rifle scope, damage, objective,

Mainly because I understand that things can happen, and I am hard on equipment, and also because my Saintly Mother didn’t raise any quitters; I chose to correct the issue myself. With a soft plastic hammer, I gave the objective a couple taps back in the right direction against a soft but solid surface. Once the circular geometry was reinstated, I threaded the sunshade on carefully.

I can totally understand why some folks wouldn’t have done this, and would have instead opted to send the scope back for a replacement. I guess I am a little less concerned with cosmetics and such. As long as it works as designed I am ok with making it work. Furthermore, it was quite apparent that the damage was only affecting the shade installation. As the damage didn’t even get close to the objective lens.

After correcting the issue, I decided to mount the scope to a host rifle. For that I chose one of my favorite rifles of all time. A custom Tikka T3 chambered in 25 creedmoor, and paired with a KRG Bravo chassis. You can read more about the rifle itself in the article: Operation Quarterlord.

discoveryopt, discoveryopt optics, HD, Gen II, Gen 2, 5-30-x56, riflescope, ffp, long-range, precision, rifle scope, KRG, Bravo chassis, tikka, t3x,

The included rings that came with the scope looked perfectly good, with four cap-screws and two screws for the foot. I mounted them to the picatinny rail on the rifle, and settled the scope into place to level it and adjust for eye relief.

With that done, I carefully torqued down all the fasteners, keeping an eye on the level and equal closure.

Zeroing

Later, in the field I zeroed the scope to the rifle by first bore-sighting the scope to get close, followed by making a few adjustments. Using the reticle, I measured the distance between where my first shot impacted and my point of aim. With that correction in mind, I turned the turrets a commensurate amount to bring the point of impact and aimpoint together. I fired a couple additional shots to confirm a good zero.

Shooting in the Field

discoveryopt, discoveryopt optics, HD, Gen II, Gen 2, 5-30-x56, riflescope, ffp, long-range, precision, rifle scope, KRG, Bravo chassis, tikka, t3x, tripod, two vets tripod, cole tac, suppressor, suppressed, mountains with snowy background, — shooting supported from the **Two Vets Carbon Fiber tripod**

My first trip into the field with the DiscoveryOpt HD Gen II was a visit to one of my favorite deer hunting spots. A place where this rifle and scope combination would be a perfect tool for taking a Mule deer. Ranges varied from as close as 100-yards, and as far as I dared shoot. I ended up shooting a variety of different scenarios out to around 920-yards.

As is typical for me this time of year, much of my shooting involves small white naturally occurring quarts stones. Contrasting brightly against the wet dark mountain soil as snow melts around it. The wet soil is great for spotting misses, and impacts are clear when the puff of white dust comes from the target, or it is obliterated entirely.

discoveryopt, discoveryopt optics, HD, Gen II, Gen 2, 5-30-x56, riflescope, ffp, long-range, precision, rifle scope, krg bravo chassis, tikka t3, 25 creedmoor, shooting supported from bipod across a snowy alpine canyon, — another trip into the mountains, this time sporting the **Banish Buck 30 suppressor**

Shooting different directions and angles gave plenty of opportunity to test this scope out. Dialing different corrections for different ranges, as well as adjusting focus and parallax for the conditions allowed.

Optical Quality

discoveryopt, discoveryopt optics, HD, Gen II, Gen 2, 5-30-x56, riflescope, ffp, long-range, precision, rifle scope, — A Mule deer doe seen through the scope

With big lenses like this, I expected the view to be quite sharp. And while it was certainly serviceable, I found it to have just enough aberration to irritate me. Mainly at the higher power settings like 25x plus, it seemed there was a slight fuzziness of the image. Almost like part of the image was focused and part of it wasn’t.

This phenomenon was only slightly irritating, and it was less noticeable when it wasn’t zoomed in. While I’m sure that scope snobs who are used to high end Japanese and German optics would find it unacceptable, I am less concerned. Mainly because this scope retails for $270, and at that price I think it isn’t as big a deal.

The color and image otherwise seen through the scope are above average at this price point. Like other scopes in this ballpark, it could also do a little better in twilight. But again, using this scope for normal daytime shooting at anything other than maximum power is still fine.

Usability

Using the controls on the HD Gen II were simple and intuitive. The larger turrets are easy to grip, and you can both feel and hear clicks when adjusted. The sweep of the magnification ring is pretty broad since this is a 5-30 power scope. But the added throw lever makes short work of adjusting the zoom.

I did find that the parallax adjustment was a bit touchy. You can focus as close as twenty-five yards, it then goes up to fifty, then one and two hundred. The final increments are 500 and infinity, but there is very little adjustment between even the two-hundred and infinity. This makes the parallax adjustment very short across the range of adjustment where you need it most.

I like the reticle, it has enough subtensions to be very useful without overcrowding the scope making it hard to see. The illumination only lights up the center MRAD, which is a nice touch. A couple other features that are icing on the cake, are the zero-stop, flip caps, and the included scope rings.

Reliability

Testing the values of this scope were easily done with this rifle, and its well known predictability. Measuring the movement of the reticle against the turret values proved to be accurate enough for long-range shooting. Using data from previous engagements gave good accurate hits.

The only thing left to see as far as durability, is how this scope stands up to weather, use and abuse. I intend on giving it a great workout during this spring and summer. So check back later as I will update this story in the future.

Pros and Cons

Pros

Very affordable price point
large objective for good image gathering
10 MRAD Turrets
Zero-stop feature
included accessories (caps, rings, shade, throw lever)

Cons

Heavy construction and bulky size
Very tight parallax adjustment
Optical aberrations (particularly at high power)

My Conclusion

All in all, I think the DiscoveryOpt HD Gen II is a good scope. I have certainly had much worse over the years, and paid more money for them as well. Its truly hard to believe you can get a scope like this for so little. While there are some deterring things about the scope, I think they are comepletly subjective to the end user. For some folks the drawbacks I mentioned might not even be a concern, especially considering the price for this scope. While I do like this model, I think I prefer the other DiscoveryOpt scope I have, its only a little more, and worth it in my opinion.

-CBM

If you are looking for great inexpensive riflescopes, click here to see more.

Reviewing the Nutrek Optics Silvermark ED 1.7-10X40 Riflescope

February 26, 2026Optics, Product review1.7-10x40, enjo sports, lpvo, nutrek, nutrek optics, riflescope, scopecoldboremiracle

Foreword

Recently I have felt like a broken record, introducing ever more new and unheard of rifle scopes. But in the interest of both curiosity and a desire to shoot and share, I am here at it again. Today I bring you another fresh review of a previously unknown to me brand and product. Todays scope is from a company called Nutrek Optics, another obvious import from the far east. And the product we are reviewing today is the Nutrek Optics Silvermark ED 1.7-10X40 Riflescope. A low power variable optic (LPVO) with a non-typical 40mm objective. Unless this is your first time reading, you know I am a sucker for LPVO’s, so I wasted no time to see this one.

The Nutrek Optics Silvermark ED 1.7-10X40 Riflescope

Nutrek is a brand from a company called Enjo Sports, and they have quite the spread under their brand. Making everything from red dots to spotting scopes and everything in between. Like most optics manufacturers, Nutrek has several lines and the Silvermark line is where we are starting for now.

nutrek optics, silvermark, 1.7-10x40, riflescope, — the Nutrek fits nicely on my custom 22, seen here in a **KRG Bravo chassis** and using an **Anechoic suppressor**

The Silvermark 1.7-10 is built on a 30mm tube, which has become the new standard. The relatively compact scope has a 40mm objective, which is bigger than most 1-10 LPVO scopes. It looks like the traditional 3-9×40 hunting rifle scope, but hiding inside is a six power zoom.

nutrek optics, silvermark, 1.7-10x40, riflescope, turrets, adjustment, — the uncapped turrets, very clean and easily read and adjusted, and MRAD for a touch of class

Capped windage and elevation turrets keep them from being inadvertently adjusted. But when caps are removed they are easily finger adjusted 1/10th of MIL per click. There is a parallax adjustment on the left side of the erector housing, and stacked on that is an illuminated reticle rheostat control.

nutrek optics, silvermark, 1.7-10x40, riflescope, parallax, focus, — adjusting the parallax, also note illumination control left

Inside the scope we find the second focal plane reticle, for those wondering that means; the reticle stays the same regardless of magnification setting. If you have more questions about that, go read this when you’re done here. When illuminated, only the very center of the reticle lights up, like a dot. I do like that the reticle has some holdover and windage subtensions you can use for corrections.

the Nutrek’s reticle, note the illuminated center

In the box you’ll find the typical cheesy flip caps to cover the scope lenses, as well as a nice little screw in throw-lever.

Specifications

Nutrek Optics Silvermark ED 1.7-10X40
Magnification Range	1.7-10X (6X)
Tube Diameter	30mm
Reticle Focal Plane	Second Focal Plane
Reticle	Illuminated Glass etched
Click Value	0.1 MRAD
Field of View	73.7 Feet at 100 Yards
Parallax Setting	Side Focus Adjustable
Length	11-Inches
Weight	23.5 Ounces
Battery	CR2023 coin cell

Initial Impressions

As I lifted the scope from the box, it only took a few moments to find out some things I had serious questions about. First of all was the weight, it was impressively heavy for such a small scope. For comparison, I have several large scopes in the 5-25 range that weigh only a few ounces more. That said; I like heavy things, they are usually valuable.

I then turned my attention to the controls, the magnification and parallax were both quite stiff out of the box but quickly became softer after working some lubrication around inside the scope. The illumination knob was also very stiff, so stiff in fact that I had to carefully adjust the brightness trying not to unscrew the battery compartment.

nutrek optics, silvermark, 1.7-10x40, riflescope, KRG, Bravo chassis, throw lever, cattail, installation, — installing the included throw-lever

These concerns were quickly subdued when I lifted the scope to my eye as I peered down the street. I was quite impressed with how good the image was, even at max power. The scope was very bright and clear, I expect this is because of the ED (low dispersion) lenses. Furthermore, adjusting the parallax for various ranges show great focus and parallax removal. Suddenly I was in a hurry to get this scope mounted and on a range.

Mounting and Shooting the Silvermark 1.7-10

My custom 10/22 currently needs a more permanent scope option, so I figured this would be an easy choice. I mounted the scope using a set of Leupold Open Range 30mm Low rings, which made the scope fit so close you’d swear it was touching the base-rail. Not only did it look sharp but it worked great, I screwed in the throw-lever because I still wished the power ring had less resistance. After torquing it all down, I stuck the battery in the scope, and grabbed some ammo.

On the Firing Line

In just a few shots I had the scope and rifle zeroed, a testament to how accurate this little rifle is. It happened so fast that in no time we were blasting every conspicuous point on the range. In a very short time I had figured out the drop holdovers for a hundred yards and further. For the remainder of the morning we kept the little rifle in action.

Since then we’ve made several other trips into the mountains giving the little rifle and scope a work out. Both myself and the kids have had a great time smacking little targets one after another.

Optical Performance

My initial impression of the glass quality hasn’t changed, I still quite like the look through this scope. Shooting the rifle in bright sunny afternoons as well as overcast snowy days gave variety in conditions that make me feel pretty good about this scope.

I love 1-10 LPVO’s, and I suppose I use them differently than most people. This is one of the few LPVO’s that actually has adjustable parallax, which is a big deal for long-range shooting. But who does long-range shooting with a 1-10 you ask? Me, I do, right here. And I quite like having the option of removing parallax from an image. This is a surprising feature for a scope like this, and greatly enhances the optical performance at further distances.

Reliability

I mentioned the controls already, a little stiffer than I’d like. The turrets on the other hand are an absolute joy to function, making easy corrections for zeroing. Both the parallax and mag-ring could use a friction diet in my opinion. And it doesn’t end there, I also seemed to detect a touch of slop in the magnification ring. It feels like the ring turns ever so much before you feel the resistance of the internal zoom. I saw no other flaw as a result, so I suppose no foul inflicted.

I am tempted to mount this scope to a longer range compact rifle. Adding to the recoil impulse will give the scope more of a workout. And using the turrets for corrections at further range will also prove its potential.

Value

At the time of publishing, these optics are only available ordering directly from the manufacturer. And I have heard the MSRP is $529, though it would surprise me if they actually sell for that price on the street.

nutrek optics, silvermark, 1.7-10x40, riflescope, KRG, Bravo chassis,

That price point for this scope is a little steep methinks. I like the scope, but I can come up with other imported Asian scopes that offer more for the same price or less. If this scope showed up in US optics retailers for 200-300 dollars from a well-known manufacturer I think it would be a slam dunk. But without any name behind it, I think it might be a hard sell for that price, especially weighing this much. If it was a little lighter I’d for sure have it on one of my hunting rifles to give it a challenge. As it sits, I’ll probably keep searching for the perfect rifle to add it to.

Final Thoughts

I am not so ignorant to think something is junk just because it comes from China. But I’ve also learned to be skeptical of such things. In the very recent past, I have seen quite a few good products come from overseas. And those things have begun to sway my opinion for the positive. The Nutrek Silvermark scope isn’t perfect, but I still like it more than expected. And depending on what it will cost on the US market it could be a great option for a compact riflescope. With a little refinement, and a diet on both its weight and resistance, this scope would serve many purposes very well. I don’t expect it will be long before I bring you another scope review, but I will continue shooting with this one and update how it goes.

-CBM

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Winchester Supreme Optics 6-18×50 Riflescope

November 29, 2025Optics, Product review6-18x50, riflescope, scope, winchester, winchester supreme, winchester supreme opticscoldboremiracle

Preface

Winchester Supreme Optics is on a mission to grow the famous brand once again, and today we are taking a look at one of the products doing the work. Our topic today is Winchester Supreme Optics 6-18X50 riflescope, built on a 30mm tube and with a second focal plane reticle. Offering a variety of quality features at an affordable price is part of the program here, and I was curious to see how this scope stood up to my biases.

Winchester Supreme Optics

Winchester Supreme Optics looks to bring back the quality and standard of the Winchester name. Our first look at this riflescope proved to impress me, so I am looking forward to seeing how the rest of their products perform.

Besides the scope tested here today, Winchester Supreme Optics also makes other products like binoculars, rifle scopes, thermal optics as well as spotting scopes. I have also been able to test and evaluate Winchesters 10×50 binoculars, you can read all about that here. And I look forward to seeing additional products from the brand, as so far I am impressed.

Specifications

WINCHESTER^® SUPREME^® RIFLESCOPE	6-18×50 mm SFIR(Side Focus Illuminated Reticle)
MAGNIFICATION RANGE	6X-18X
OBJECTIVE LENS DIAMETER	50 mm
OBJECTIVE OUTSIDE DIAMETER	57.5 mm
OCULAR LENS DIAMETER	35.5 mm
OCULAR OUTSIDE DIAMETER	44 mm
BODY TUBE DIAMETER	30 mm
LENGTH	352 mm / 13.8 in
WEIGHT	659.5 g / 23 oz
CONSTRUCTION MATERIAL	A6063-T6
BODY CONSTRUCTION	1 Piece
COLOR / FINISH	Black Matte
WATERPROOF	YES
FOGPROOF	YES
SHOCKPROOF	YES
SIDE FOCUS	YES
PARALLAX ADJUSTMENT	YES
PARALLAX ADJUSTMENT RANGE	10 y – ∞
PARALLAX SETTING	100 y
ADJUSTMENT TURRET TYPE	Low Turret-Finger Adjustable
WINDAGE ADJUSTMENT RANGE	70 MOA
HORIZONTAL EFFECTIVE RANGE	±30 MOA
ELEVATION ADJUSTMENT RANGE	70 MOA
EFFECTIVE VERTICAL ADJUSTMENT RANGE	±30 MOA
CLICK VALUE	0.25 MOA
RETICLE TYPE (ETCHED / WIRE)	Etched
RETICLE DESIGN	Illuminated
EYE RELIEF	109-93 mm / 4.3-3.6 in
EXIT PUPIL	8.33 mm – 2.77 mm
FIELD OF VIEW (FOV)	19.2 ft – 6.4 ft
FOCAL PLANE	Second (SFP)
DIOPTER COMPENSATION	+2/-2.5
BATTERY	CR2032
ZERO STOP	NO
RESETTABLE TURRET	YES
IP RATING	IPX7 (1m/30min)
FULL MULTICOAT TYPE	Winchester WINcoat™

Winchester 6-18×50 Features

Building on the quality, Winchester kept within well known boundaries to guarantee success. And at the same time they pushed their own advancements to improve their products. Time would tell if this made this scope an exceptional value or just a marketing ploy.

One of their claims to quality is based off of quality lenses and coatings. Their proprietary WINcoat™ claims to reduce glare, and aid in light transmission while protecting the lens from things like fingers and dirt. Lens coatings have become standard these days, so I would look to see if there was a discernible difference to similar priced scopes.

The large 50 millimeter objective promises to compress details of your target into a bright image for your observation. That paired with the 30mm tube gives a pretty standard construction for long-range precision riflescopes. The 30mm tube allows wider range of adjustment internally than smaller sized scopes.

winchester supreme optics, 6-18x50, riflescope, winchester, CVA, CVA Cascade, Cascade SB, 6.5 Creedmoor — the Winchester 6-18 scope isn’t heavy, making for a very agile rifle

A reticle in the second focal plane (SFP) means that the reticle stays the same regardless of magnification power setting. Most of us likely learned to shoot on SFP scopes so this should be nothing new, though I will say I tend to prefer the first focal plane (FFP) that seems to be more common among precision shooters. If you’d like to read more on the subject, I go into more detail on selecting FFP vs. SFP here.

Inside the scope we also found some more traditional features. The turrets are 15 MOA per revolution and can easily be set to zero using a tool or coin. The parallax is user adjustable and can go as low as 10 yards, which could come in handy if you mount it to a rimfire.

Unboxing, Setup and Mounting

The packaging for the scope was handsome, and right to the point. By that I mean there wasn’t a lot to it, a polymer clamshell holding the scope, bikini covers, lens-cloth and owners manual. I’m not complaining about it, as for the most part people just toss packaging. And it’s that much less cost involved which keeps the price lower.

After opening the box and inspecting everything, I installed the battery into the illuminated reticle rheostat housing. After which I snugged down the lid using a coin.

winchester supreme optics, 6-18x50, riflescope, winchester, battery, cr2032,

I chose to mount the scope to my CVA Cascade SB, an eighteen-inch 6.5 Creedmoor hunting rifle. The Winchester would make a good companion for it. I used a simple set of Vortex rings to attach the scope, followed by torquing it all down. My tradition of boresighting the rifle was quick and easy on the kitchen table. All that was left was a few more accessories.

A Harris bipod would make both field and range shooting easier. And because I like some variety, I also threw on a PVA Jetblast muzzle brake for when I wasn’t using the Banish Buck 30 suppressor.

On the Range

My first trip into the field with the rifle and scope combo would be into the early winter in the Rocky Mountains. With a few cow elk tags in our party, I thought it might be handy to have a potent little rifle like this along. And if we didn’t see any elk, I could engage in one of my favorite pastimes of picking out targets in the windswept canyons. Either way I was sure to find out how this little Winchester scope performed.

shooting supported from the **Two Vets Tripod**

My initial impressions were positive, the scope had a very bright image with excellent clarity and detail. The magnification range was a touch shorter than I am used to, but I don’t see anything particularly wrong with it. I can’t think of one of my typical hunting scenarios where 6X would have been too much, and 18X wouldn’t have been enough.

As it was, we engaged targets as far as 900 yards with the Winchester scope. The known dope for the rifle crossed over perfectly to the turrets of the Winchester, allowing for near first round hits at that range if it wasn’t for the wind.

Quality

The optical quality of this little scope was great, I dare say punching above its weight at this price point. Regardless of power it felt like the image was fantastic and clear, though the eye-box felt a bit touchy at higher power.

Adjusting the turrets gave a nice audible and tactile click, this would come in very handy should you need to make adjustments while on the scope. I am a bit more fond of MRAD than MOA, but it seems that the hunting public seems more accustomed to MOA. The 15-MOA per turn turrets would certainly do for most purposes I planned on with this rifle. But it wouldn’t hurt my feelings if it was a 30-MOA turret instead.

Inside the scope, the duplex-dot reticle is a nice combination for hunting. The illumination only affects the center dot, giving you a bright aimpoint in low light conditions. It’s been a while since I used such a simple reticle, and I found it a little refreshing. That said, if long-range shooting is in your future it might be harder to evaluate wind corrections without any reference points.

winchester supreme optics, 6-18x50, riflescope, winchester, reticle

Durability

The mechanical simplicity of this scope in nice, there are fewer things to go wrong I guess. I look forward to using it over the next year or two to give it a good workout. Make sure you follow along as I will update this story in the future as time passes.

During the course of my testing. we ran the turrets on this scope up and down constantly. Moving the turrets and magnification from extreme to extreme was part of the daily routine. Additionally, I ran the scope up and down against a yardstick. This was to see how consistent the movement of the scopes erector was, and how accurate the movement was compared to the indicated turret travel.

Junior’s WSO Binoculars are safely secured inside a **Cole-TAC Bino Harness**

Using the scope in the ice cold air of the winter Rocky Mountains didn’t affect its operation. And the image was pristine looking through the crisp winter landscape.

Value

There are many layers of quality and value in the optics market. Bottom tier optics like the kind manufacturers give away in a rifle package are often barely worth the trouble of zeroing them. Some might assume because of the Winchester name, that these scopes are in that class. But that would be a big mistake. While this scope is priced under $300 on Optics Planet, it is definitely above average compared to the three hundred dollar scopes I am used to. Though to be honest that is changing rapidly. The optical quality of this scope, its turret operation, and sharp focus stand out against other similarly priced scopes.

CBM Junior is seen here using the **WSO 10×50 Binoculars** which are another great buy if you’re interested

Pros and Cons

Let’s start out with the negatives on this one, just to get them out of the way. First of all a couple of design features; the illuminated reticle control has only one “off” position on the zero out of eleven settings. This is a bit of a minor thing I’ll admit, but everybody else has been able to make various off settings on comparable scopes. I’d also like some kind of zero-stop, its very easy to get lost in the rotations without one. To be fair, zero-stops are typically for scopes priced higher than this.

On the optical performance I found a couple things to knit-pick as well. While the overall imagery through this scope was very good, I did find the eye relief to be a bit picky at 18X. With the scope at max power it required you be very consistent with your positioning on the rifle to get the best view. This wasn’t a deal breaker for me or anything, but something to note. Additionally, most parallax adjustments go from something like 100, 300, 500, 600, 700, etc. The parallax adjustment on this scope is much more course, with a broad close range spanning from 10 to 100 yards. But then goes from 200 yards to infinity, making it a very small amount of adjustment range when shooting at longer ranges. This was a small inconvenience, and I had no problem focusing the reticle on targets as far as 900 yards away.

After evaluating those drawbacks, I can still say I like this scope for a variety of shooting purposes. With its price point and market presentation, I think this scope is optimal for a typical hunter who might be after big game, predators or varmints. It might not be optimal for longer range shooting such as 600 yard plus shooting, but it is a great affordable option for inside that distance.

The bright dot illuminated reticle is great for fast target acquisition, or making good shot placement in dark woods. The second focal plane is consistent and simple for those who like that. The turrets are accurate in their travel, and easy to reset at zero. I am more of an MRAD fan, but there is nothing wrong with MOA. All the scopes controls are easy enough to adjust from the shooting position, and not too easy to either. This helps avoid inadvertent adjustments when brushing against packs and other gear while hiking. And the crisp image through the scope is more impressive than the pictures I can take through it.

My Conclusion

If you are one of those who likes to look down their nose at lower priced optics, you might find yourself surprised by the Winchester Supreme Optics 6-18X50. I think this scope would be a great addition to a hunting rifle, a definite upgrade from the cheap giveaway scopes that come preinstalled on some rifles. I am certainly not an elitist when it comes to optics, but I don’t typically use scopes in the 200-300 dollar range. But I was more than happy to go hunting with this one mounted on my rifle, and felt perfectly comfortable chasing big game through rough country with it.

I’m happy to see the famous Winchester name making a comeback, and with good products like this at an affordable price I expect the brand will grow. I will continue my pursuits through these mountains, and this little Winchester will be by my side. Follow along to see how it stands up over time.

-CBM

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Arken Optics EPL-4 6-24×50 Riflescope

October 22, 2025Optics, Product review6-24x50, arken, Arken Optics, epl-4, riflescope, scopecoldboremiracle

Preface

Among the many brands of optics available to you now, Arken Optics is one of the more affordable options. Toting their Japanese made lenses and other great features, Arken is well known for happy customers. We’ve seen some of their other scopes before like the EP5 model, which led me to get into this Arken Optics EPL-4 6-24×50 riflescope. I was looking for a good scope that wouldn’t cost an arm and a leg, it would be going on a custom rifle for a family member. It wouldn’t take long to figure out if I’d made the right selection.

Arken Optics, EPL-4, 6-24x50, riflescope, scope, unboxing, NIB, Arken

Unboxing the Arken Optics EPL-4

In my experience, Arken Optics come with a pretty no nonsense kind of packaging. Everything you need and nothing you don’t. The scope included a thread-on sunshade, which I really like. As well as an inexpensive bikini lens cover. Adequate instructions and a battery for the illuminated reticle were all there. There was little needed other than a pair of rings to get this scope mounted and on the range.

For that I chose a simple pair or Warne 30mm medium rings. They set the scope close to the bore, and allowed proper eye relief for the scope. They also offer some custom flip caps for this model that I will have to get later.

remington 700, 25-06, 25-06 remington, two vets tripod, cole tac, carbon fiber, arken optics, epl-4

A Rifle to Match

This scope would be married to a custom Remington 700 chambered in 25-06. Together I hoped they’d sing a beautiful and accurate song. Using the above mentioned rings, I mounted the scope to the picatinny rail, and adjusted it for level and eye relief. Once that was done, I torqued everything down evenly.

Then it was time to boresight the scope at the range. I centered the target in the bore of the supported rifle. And carefully adjusted the reticle to the same location. You can read more about how its done here.

It only took a few shots to get the rifle zeroed, and I was quite happy with the consistency. After shooting several groups to confirm, I set to zero the turrets of the EPL-4. This was easy following the directions. I loosened the turret set-screw, and turned the turret to zero carefully paying attention that no clicks were felt or heard. Once on zero, I retightened the set screws. The windage turret uses a hand tightened cap, that doesn’t need any tools. And it can be either capped or used openly.

Zero-stop

After checking everything for proper function, it was time to set the very easy zero stop. The stop functions using a screw that when set in place hits an internal stop, preventing the turret from being turned past zero in the down direction. The hex-bit screw is in the top of the turret, and it is secured by a second set screw that goes in the side of the turret.

You loosen the set -screw, then you can tighten the zero-stop screw in from the top until it stops. It should engage when you dial the turret down to zero, and should stop hard on zero. Once you’ve got that done, tighten the set-screw, and you are ready to go.

mule deer, deer hunting, remington 700, 25-06, arken optics, dead air, nomad, suppressor,

Field Shooting with the EPL-4

As with other Arken scopes I’ve used, I found the optical performance to be great. Considering the price of these scopes I think they punch above their weight. Using the scope in the big country of the Rocky Mountains gave ample opportunity to evaluate the scopes performance. Later, we would take the rifle on a deer hunt in the deserts of Southern Utah.

Quality

I would say this, you can tell Arken Optics are made to meet a lower price point. I think they are going after a portion of the shooting market where people want a great performing scope for under 500 dollars or even less.

Focus adjustment, as well as parallax was smooth and precise. Tension and clicks of the controls were exactly what I’d want. The illumination and its control was easy on the eyes, and having an off setting between brightness.

remington 700, 25-06, arken optics, dead air, nomad, suppressor, Arken EPL-4, 6-24,

That’s not to say the scopes aren’t built well, you can just see that they focused hard on making the features most shooters want. And they did it without spending an exorbitant amount on many of the components, keeping price reasonable. All that said, I believe your average shooting enthusiast upon unboxing and looking through an Arken scope, would be happy with their purchase.

Durability

While this particular scope is just getting started (and its off to a great start), I have several friends who have been running this and similar Arken scopes for some time. I look forward to seeing how this scope continues to stand up to our use, and I will update this as we build history with it. But based on my experience and those I trust, I expect this scope will far outlast my expectations.

Value

Value seems to be a massive part of Arken Optics operation. It wasn’t that long ago that I would have expected to pay well over a thousand dollars for a scope with these features. The optical performance is even comparable to scopes that cost triple the price as little as 10-15 years ago. When I first got started in this game decades ago, a three to four-hundred dollar scope for a precision rifle would have been taboo. Most would have considered it junk at that price, but today I find myself quite happy with them.

Last Thoughts

Once again, I find myself impressed with how well a relatively inexpensive rifle scope performs. Like other Arken Optics I’ve used before, this one seems to be a great buy. There are scopes with much more bells and whistles. But if you are looking for a quality scope with most of the features like FFP, Milling reticle, 8 MRAD turrets, zero-stop, and so on, these scopes are a great option.

-CBM

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US Optics SXR 1-6 LPVO

October 9, 2025Uncategorized1-6x24, lpvo, riflescope, scope, sxr, us optics, USOcoldboremiracle

Introduction

I have grown quite fond of low power variable optics (LPVO’s), and they have worked their way into my gun collection nicely. Today I am taking a fresh look at a relatively new LPVO from US Optics, it’s called the US Optics SXR 1-6. I have had several US Optics LPVO’s over the years and have been very happy with them, you can read about the TS Series of LPVO’s here. But today its more about the new stuff, and the newest line of scopes from US Optics is the X-Series of scopes. The SXR 1-6 is the smallest member of that family, but does this scope punch above its weight?

US Optics SXR 1-6

Upon inspecting the US Optics SXR I was very pleased with its presentation. The scope is available in either a second focal plane option or a first focal plane. The option we are testing today is the FFP version, with the SRM MRAD reticle. I like this version a little more than the other alternative as I’m not a big horseshoe reticle kinda guy.

The first thing to stand out to me was the robust 34mm tube which is bigger than most LPVO’s. Typically I prefer 34mm tubed scopes, but for LPVO’s I am still deciding if I prefer them over 30mm. The larger 28mm objective lens certainly does offer more collection of imagery.

With capped turrets you can use the reticle of the SXR to hold over for any distant shooting. Though the turrets do appear to be quite useful uncapped as well. The finger adjustable turrets are 1/10 MRAD per click, and have a total of 10 MRAD per rotation. This is great on many scopes, so I found it particularly welcome on this little scope.

US Optics, SXR, 1-6, lpvo, USO, low power variable optic, — If you like the Desert Tech WLVRN, you can read more about it here

Adjusting the power magnification is done at the rear, I was glad that US Optics had incorporated a removeable throw lever to the magnification ring as well. This makes it easy to blindly grab for and adjust your scope in a quick shooting scenario.

Specifications

Magnification:	1-6X
Focal Plane:	First Focal Plane (BDR5556, SRM) \| SFP (SFP MIL)
Eye Relief:	3.5 in
FOV @ 1x:	119.16ft @ 100y
FOV @ 6X:	19.86ft @ 100y
Parallax:	Fixed @ 100y
Illumination:	Red
Tube Size:	34 MM
Objective Diameter:	28 MM
Ocular Diameter:	39.92 MM
Elevation Adjustments:	1/10 MIL
Windage Adjustments:	1/10 MIL
Length:	11.835”
Weight:	22.265 oz

For mounting the SXR to a rifle, I used the ZRO Delta 34mm cantilever mount. This would make it easy to mount on most rifles with the proper amount of eye relief. The first rifle I would mount the scope to would be my Desert Tech WLVRN chambered in .223. It was a great companion for this rifle, as it does very well at short and medium ranges.

US Optics, SXR, 1-6, lpvo, USO, low power variable optic, ar15, ar

On the Range

My first trip to the range was to zero the SXR on my WLVRN. I zeroed the rifle at 100 yards, which was quite easy using the finger adjustable turrets. After confirming a good zero, I set to zeroing the turret. This was easily done using a coin to loosen the turret cap, then setting the turret to zero and reinstalling the cap.

US Optics, SXR, 1-6, lpvo, USO, low power variable optic, turret, — resetting the turret to zero after pairing with the rifle

After zeroing the scope, I did some additional shooting at both 100 and 200 yards using the reticle to hold over. I found the reticle to be perfectly serviceable for precise shooting within the limits of the six power magnification. And at lower magnification particularly with the reticle illuminated it gave a great field of view. Bracketing targets in red made shooting fast up close.

Quality

This is the highest quality US Optics LPVO I’ve used, at least recently, it reminds me of the old SN and SR scopes they made. The optics are top notch, giving and incredibly clear picture at all power settings. The sharp reticle is great for hold overs, and isn’t overbearing for a short range optic.
The Turrets are also fantastic, whether you choose to run them exposed or cap them. They feel very tactile, and you can hear each click. they are also low profile to keep them from snagging on everything.

Durability

While I believe durability is best tested over the course of a year or so, I feel this scope is very robust in structure. And based on my experience with other similar scopes from US Optics, I expect it will stand up to my typical routine. Switching the scope from rifle to rifle, and mount to mount. Be sure to follow along, as I will update this article in the future with additional feedback on durability.

US Optics, SXR, 1-6, lpvo, USO, low power variable optic, ar15, banish speed k — the SXR mounted to an AR with a **Banish Speed K suppressor**

Value

In a market flooded with LPVO scopes, it might be hard to stand out. The under $500 market is packed, and there are plenty of good options. The $500-$1000 market is a little more competitive, and the SXR is on the lower end of that spectrum.

The US Optics SXR 1-6 is in good company, comparing to other brands like Eotech and Trijicon. And available for less depending on where you buy it, of course if you use my %15 promo code shown here you can get the best price.

My Summation

Having spent some time shooting with the SXR scope, I have become quite a fan. It is a big step up over previous LPVO’s in the TS line from US Optics, and it gives users a high quality product for a good price. The large lenses give fantastic clarity and high definition of targets and their surroundings. The overbuilt turrets are great for dialing if you choose to use them so. The SXR SRM reticle is a great dual-use reticle, it can be used for fast target bracketing up close or for more precise work. Using its graduations allows you to make accurate holdovers and corrections should you use the scope for precision shooting.

I am a big fan of 34mm tubes, especially on precision optics. It makes sense that for some folks the 34mm tube may be a bit much, and adds both bulk and weight. But so far it hasn’t bothered me at all.

Little add-ons like the built-in throw lever and the easy to adjust turrets add more value and usability to the scope. It may be a step up in cost, but I think the scope punches above its weight. And it compares well to scopes that cost more. I would love to see another variant of the SXR in a 1-10 with adjustable parallax.

-CBM

Vector Optics Continental 6-36X56

August 9, 2025Optics, Product review34mm, 6-36x56, continental, riflescope, scope, vector continental, vector opticscoldboremiracle

Intro

Without a doubt the US sport optics market has been inundated over the last decade, with a plethora of manufacturers and importers. One of the many companies doing an impressive job at it is Vector Optics. I have had an opportunity to review a couple of the optics now, and I’ve been impressed. So today I bring you a fresh look at another riflescope, the Vector Optics Continental 6-36×56.

The Continental 6-36×56 Rifle Scope

Like the rest of the Continental strain, this one uses a 34mm main tube. The large 56mm objective lens is the standard for long-range precision optics. And the Continental comes with other features that have become the gold standard for precision shooting optics. Exposed adjustable turrets with 10 MRAD per turn, adjustable side focus/parallax, an illuminated milling reticle and more.

Specifications

Magnification	6-36x
Objective Lens Dia	56 mm
Focal Plane	First Focal Plane
Eye Relief	100 mm / 4.0 in
Lens Coating	Fully Multi-coated
Linear Field of View @ 100 yd	21.6 – 3.6 ft @ 100 yards
Linear Field of View @ 100 m	7.2 – 1.2 m @ 100 meters
Angular Field of View °	4.13 – 0.69 °
Reticle	VEC-MBR2

Tube Dia	34 mm
Side Focus	15 yards to Infinity
Click Value	1/10 MIL
Turret Function	Zero Stop, Turret Lock
Elevation Adjustment Range	≥ 31 MIL
Windage Adjustment Range	≥ 18 MIL
Diopter Compensation	-3 to +2
Illumination Setting	11 brightness settings, On/Off between each
Battery Type	CR2032
Waterproof	IP67
Fogproof	Nitrogen Filled
Shockproof	1000 G
Housing Material	6061-T6 Aluminum Alloy
Finish	Matte Black
Length	404 mm / 15.9 in
Weight	861 g / 30.4 oz
Items in the Package	User Manual, Plastic Wrench, Cleaning Cloth, Sunshade, Flip-up Caps, Spare Turret, 34mm Picatinny Rings, etc.

desert tech, srs m2, vector optics, continental 6-36x56, prs, competition, snipers hide cup, — after many months of hard use and even some competition, the Continental continues to perform

Also like other Continental scopes, this one comes with some added value items as well. Things like a sun shade and Vector 34mm rings. While based on the price I suspect they are fairly simple rings, but they are perfectly suitable for this scope, and don’t look like the cheap throwaway option often included. The packaging also is high quality, giving a great impression.

Vector optics, continental 2-12x44, riflescope, rings,

Another nice thing included with the scope is an extra elevation turret. The second turret doesn’t include the zero stop feature, which allows a full sweep of the erector.

Vector optics, continental 2-12x44, riflescope, turret, — the **Continental 2-12×44** uses the same turret system

Mounting the Continental 6-36

I chose to mount the Vector Continental in an Area 419 scope mount. Not that the rings weren’t suitable, I just like the Area 419 mount significantly more. With a snug fit, the Continental was then attached to my Desert Tech SRS M2. A rifle I use quite frequently.

Adjusting the mounting location to set the proper eye relief, gave a nice comfortable fit and clear image. I adjusted the diopter at the rear to get the best image of the reticle, and also added the sun shade. This is something I often do if for nothing else, to keep things away from the lenses of my scopes.

Zeroing the Scope and Zero-Stop function

My Desert Tech SRS M2 rifle has a 30 MOA cant built into the picatinny rail, this is by design to allow zeroing the scope closer to its mechanical zero. This required me to dial the elevation turret below its centerline.

the zero-stop system is easy to set and robust in design

The zero-stop feature is built into the elevation turret. It uses an indexable stop that also actuates an indicator pin on the top of the turret. When the turret is rotated past its first rotation (10 MRAD), a red pin pops up on the top of the turret. And when it is rotated past the second rotation (20 MRAD) the pin pops up a bit further exposing a silver ring under the red. This allows both a visual and tactile indication of which rotation of the scope you are on.

Since I had to zero the scope below its factory zero-stop setting, this required me to dial back the zero-stop. This is done by removing the elevation turret, and underneath there is a small pin that you push in, and then rotate against the indicated direction approximately the distance you need.

I could then boresight the scope and rifle per my traditional practice, prior to taking the rifle to the range for zeroing. Once the rifle was zeroed, I could reset the zero-stop feature. By again removing the turret, and rotating the inner ring (in the indicated direction) until the pin pops into its stop hole. And then set the turret back on the scope lining it up with zero.

Shooting with the Continental 6-36

I use my SRS for quite a bit of shooting, which makes it very familiar to me. Shooting the rifle with this Vector Optics scope would be an exercise in repetition. I’ve run a variety of very nice scopes on this rifle, so seeing how the Vector stood-in would be a good comparison.

My first shooting experience with this scope was shooting paper targets at a mere one-hundred yards. The impressively bright image through the scope made for some very easy shooting. Using the fine points of the reticle was great for precise placement of shots.

vector optics, continental, 6-36x56, long-range riflescope, ffp, mil, mrad, illumination — initiating the reticle illumination shows that only part of the reticle is illuminated. This helps avoid having too much light when looking into darkness

The majority of my shooting takes place in open country at high altitude in the Rocky Mountains. I do a lot of varmint hunting and long-range shooting, which would also make an excellent task to test the legs of this scope.

One of the benefits of using this rifle, is that I have some very established drop data. This allows close evaluation of the scope compared to others I’ve also used.

**this rifle** and scope combination is great for shooting from my **Two Vets Tripod**

Optical Clarity

Vector Optics uses Schott lenses from Germany, which is likely responsible for the impressive clarity. Looking at small animals and other details even at long-distances gave very definitive identification. As well as spotting impacts, things like dirt flying and bullet splash were quickly identified through the scope.

desert tech, srs m2, vectore optics, continental 6-36x56, prs, competition, snipers hide cup, — I recently used the **Continental 6-36** on my **Desert Tech SRS M2** chambered in 6GT for the Snipers Hide Cup match

Across the broad magnification range, the scope kept its clean image. As is typical, at maximum magnification the brightness of the scope is reduced somewhat. I have experienced this phenomenon with almost every scope I’ve used, it’s normal and simply something to be aware of. The beauty of these higher magnification scopes is that if you run them at slightly less than maximum power, they look fantastic and still have adequate zoom.

vector optics, continental, 6-36x56, long-range riflescope, ffp, mil, — the magnification adjustment ring is smooth, with a 180 degree turn

I also noticed another anomaly that I have seen on some scopes; When using a canted scope base for long-range shooting, the scope’s erector is typically moved closer to its limit of travel. At the low end of the magnification spectrum, this can sometimes result in a crescent shaped shadow appearing along the top of the image. So far as I can tell it has no effect on performance, and isn’t visible when you zoom the scope in even a little bit.

vector optics, continental, 6-36x56, long-range riflescope, ffp, mil, mrad, — installing the CR2032 lithium battery

Parallax Adjustment

Removing parallax from the image is done using the side focus turret. It is labeled for various distances and as usual they are more of a guide than an exact amount. I did notice that parallax balance was easy to achieve at nearly any distance I tried. This is an important feature for any rifle scope used for long-range shooting, if you are curious about why you should read all you need to know about parallax.

Turret Function & Tracking

One of my favorite features of the Continental scopes is the turrets. The turrets have ten MRAD of elevation per rotation, and are labeled with whole and 1/10 graduations. The turrets are locked using a push/pull feature, when pushed down they snap into a locked position. Pulling them up unlocked them allowing adjustments to be made.

Once the zero-stop feature had been engaged, the turret has a hard stop at zero. This allows you to dial your scope back to zero without even looking at it. The audible clicks also allow you to make small adjustments by simply feeling each click or hearing them.

After zeroing my rifle and setting the zero-stop, I found the Continental still had a total of nearly two-and-a-half turns of elevation. That is 28.5 MRAD of elevation, which is plenty for most long-range shooting scenarios. This is also in part because of my 30 MOA canted scope base.

Testing the values of the turret clicks closely matched the amounts measured with the reticle. Additionally, the known shooting DOPE for the cartridges I was shooting matched up in the Continental.

Reticle

Speaking on the reticle; the VEC-MBR2 reticle has a great deal of features. It uses what many have called a Christmas tree shape, because of the familiar shape of the holdover grid. While I am not as big a fan as other of this type of reticle, I can surely see its utility. With the ability to quickly hold-over your target, or measure corrections easily, this reticle gives you options. With a ranging bracket and several open spots with tiny center-dots it gives you precision where you want it.

Pros and Cons

There is a lot to like about this scope. If the bright imagery and clarity aren’t enough to get you excited, then robust turrets and their function should. This scope envelops most if not all of the popular features for long-range shooting and it still comes in well under the $1000 price point. With great included accessories and all these features the Vector Continental 6-36×56 is a great deal. And they come with a great repair or replace warranty that matches the standard for quality optics.

vector optics, continental, 6-36x56, long-range riflescope, ffp, mil, mrad, Desert Tech, SRS M2, anechoic, anechox 35 suppressor, — besides the Continental scope, this rifle incorporates an Anechoic 35 suppressor, and **Atlas Bipod**

If there is a downside to these scopes, I suppose many would say it is it’s source. As Americans we like to buy products from our fellow compatriots, or at a minimum from our friendly allies. Vector Optics come from China, which might be reason enough not to buy them for some. If you don’t mind the spawn-point, you will find an affordable option with excellent performance. After months of use and comparing the scope to others like Kahles and Nightforce, the optical quality isn’t quite as good. But that is no surprise considering those optics cost four or five times more.

vector optics, continental, 6-36x56, long-range riflescope, ffp, mil, mrad, Desert Tech, SRS M2,

Concluding Thoughts

I have been very happy with this line of riflescopes, and I expect to keep them busy for years to come. It is very impressive how much value you get from these scopes, and it definitely has shown how the Asian optics manufacturers have upped their game. Had I not known where these scopes came from, and if they’d had the branding of a European scope, I might have believed they came from Germany or something. So if you have filet mignon taste, but a bowl of rice budget, you might find these scopes fit right into your shooting plans.