Field Tests & Studies

Update: The field test is now complete, and all the results are published. Click here to view the overall results and ratings for each scope! I wrapped up the testing portion of the scope field test last night!!! Although I significantly underestimated how much time this would require, I committed to do it … and now the hard part is over. I did get some great data that may offer new insight, and help fellow shooters see what they’re paying for. I’ve already started crunching the data, and plan to start publishing results within the next 2 weeks. Instead of analyzing all of the ...

Update: The field test is now complete, and all the results are published. Click here to view the overall results and ratings for each scope! Several have asked how the scope field test was going, so I wanted to give a quick update. Here is the original schedule I was targeting back in January when I was planning this, along with an update on where I’m currently at: April through May – Collect data. This is where I’m at right now. Although a few manufacturers didn’t get me scopes until mid-April, and its taken me twice the man-hours I originally estimated … I’m still hopeful to be ...

Update: The field test is now complete, and all the results are published. Click here to view the overall results and ratings for each scope! The 2014 High-End Rifle Scope Field Test is officially underway, and I’ve already collected pages of data. Here is a photo from Day 1 of testing at the range. The quality of glass on that bench is striking. This could be the finest collection of rifle scopes ever assembled. The 18 scopes in the pic total up to about $60,000 worth of optics! Thanks so much to everyone for the feedback on the tests! I got a ton of great tips that will make these field tests ...

Update: The field test is now complete, and all the results are published. Click here to view the overall results and ratings for each scope! Around April 14th, I’ll begin a massive field test focused on high-end tactical rifle scopes. A lot of companies have entered this space in the past 2-3 years, and I’ve assembled 18 of the most popular models in the $1500 and up price range. Here is the line-up: Bushnell Elite Tactical 3.5-21×50 Bushnell Elite Tactical 4.5-30×50 Hensoldt ZF 3.5-26×56 Kahles K 6-24×56 Leupold Mark 6 3-18×44 Leupold Mark 8 3.5-25×56 March 3-24×52 FFP Nightforce NXS 5.5-22×50 ...

Welcome to the largest and most comprehensive field test & review of laser rangefinder binoculars ever conducted. I tested virtually every pair available in a variety of real-world scenarios, to see which had the best performance in the field in terms of both optical clarity and ranging capabilities. This post is the executive summary of the results. I’ve already written other posts in this series of articles, which include exhaustive details about the ranging tests and results, as well as the optical tests and results. But, I’ll try to hit the highlights here. These results are based on over 10,000 ...

Not long ago, I helped build a 2,000 yard range for long-range, precision rifles. That range seems like the ideal facilities for a field test. It doesn’t get more real-world than this. Remember this isn’t a laboratory test … it is a field test. Although I was meticulous to ensure each model was tested in the same exact way and under the same exact circumstances, the targets and ranging scenarios varied just like they would in the field. By that, I mean the target shape, exact size, and surroundings were not identical at every range … just like they would ...

This is one of a series of posts about the results of field tests on rangefinding binoculars. Here are the models included in the test: Leica Geovid HD-B 10×42 (View Full Review) Leica Geovid HD Classic 10×42 Zeiss Victory RF 10×45 (View Full Review) Bushnell Fusion 1 Mile 10×42 (View Full Review) Bushnell Fusion 1600 10×42 Vectronix Vector 23 (View Full Review) Vectronix Terrapin (View Full Review) Leupold RX-1000i I hear so many people claim there is no way to objectively test optical clarity, because everyone’s eyes are different, so you just have to look through each pair for yourself. ...

Welcome to the largest and most comprehensive field test & review of laser rangefinder binoculars ever conducted. I tested almost every pair available in a variety of real-world scenarios, to see which had the best performance in the field in terms of both optical clarity and ranging capabilities. The results are based on over 10,000 data points collected from the field over 3 months of testing. I shoot in long-range rifle competitions, and some have known distance targets and some are unknown distance. For example, in the Steel Safari competitors have to locate, range, and engage 6 targets within 5 ...