Magnify optic sales: beyond hunters and shooters, dealers are focusing on a diverse customer base

Shooting Industry, July, 2002 by Roger Combs

Leica

For 2002, the 8 12x42mm Duovid binoculars offer 8-power magnification. In the spotting scopes, Leica has four new models with plenty of optical clarity but less weight. Magnification options range from 16x to 48x.

Leupold & Stevens

Leopold & Stevens Mark 4 CQ/T 1-3x144mm riflescope received the 2002 Shooting Industry Academy of Excellence Optic of the Year award. The company's VX-I is aimed at the first-time buyer, as well as the more experienced shooter who wants a less expensive but high quality scope.

Meopta

The company's top seller is the Artemis 2100. The magnification is 3-12x50mm, offering a wide field of view even at ranges as close as 40 feet. For those who hunt early and late, the scope has a lighted red dot in the center of the crosshairs.

Millett

The two rifle-scope models from Millett are the Buck Gold Series and the Buck Silver Series. The Gold Buck scopes are available in 1.5-6x44mm and 3-9x44mm powers. New for 2002 is Millett's Varmint Target scopes in 1-inch and 30mm tube models.

Minox

The 6xl6A Monocular multi-function tool is a pocket-size device with a six-power monocular, clock, altimeter, thermometer and stopwatch, all in one package weighing less than 4 ounces Hikers, birders, boaters, climbers and mountain bikers, as well as hunters, will find this tool useful.

Nikon

New models include the compact Wide View Sportstar III binoculars in 8x25 and 10x25. Moving up into the mid-price range are the Monarch ATB (All Terrain Binocular) 8x42 and 10x42 models. Each will focus down to 8 feet and are waterproof, fogproof and shockproof.

Steiner

The Steiner Police binocular models in 7x50 and 10x50 are designed to provide surveillance in almost any weather situa tion. Waterproof, fogproof and shockproof, the Steiner Police binoculars. are housed in a black rubber-armored shell They are sold only to law enforcement, public safety agencies, and distributors.

Swarovski Optik

New Swarovski spotting scopes are lightweight and compact, with powerful optics. The ATS 65/ATS 65 HD (angled eyepiece) and STS 65/STS 65 HD (straight eyepiece) models are lighter in weight, smaller in size, and cost less than larger 77mm to 85mm spotting scopes.

Trijicon

Those dealers with military, security or law enforcement customers will want to take a look at Trijicon's new ACOG (Advanced Combat Optical Gunsight) rifle scope in its 5.5x50mm TA55 model. The TA55 combines fiber optics and self-luminous tritium.

Zeiss

Four new Victory binocular models are the 10x40mm, 10x56mm and 8x56mm. The Victory models feature a new four-element Superchromat objective lens system for color fidelity and a patented integrated focusing system. Grabbing attention for 2002 is Zeiss's new Diascope spotting scope.