Attention! The accuracy of the information and the results of the ranking is subjective and is not an advertisement.
Top 10 optical and collimator sights
Man, you got it!
Author: Stepan Kagner
Of course, you can hit the target with a normal open sight, Simo Hayha will not lie. But a man would not be a man if he did not strive to do anything faster and more conveniently. And this means that a good sight will not be a useless element of a body kit if you choose it competently and be able to use it. Moreover, it should be borne in mind that a good sight is not only high-quality optics, a convenient adjustment mechanism, and so on, but also corresponding resistance to shock loads. Particularly well, oddly enough, the owners are not familiar with firearms, but with powerful spring-air rifles: from a sharp blow of the piston on the bottom of the cylinder there, over time, even sights that perfectly survive much more powerful, seemed to would, “boomed.” We present you the ranking of the best optical and collimator sights as of the end of 2018 - the beginning of 2019.
Each type of sight has its own purpose, and not all options can be considered on the scale of a single article. For example, it makes little sense to discuss in our realities which optical sight is better suited for firing at distances per kilometer: there are not many places where we can check such weapons in action. But with the most sought-after applications of sighting devices it is worth unambiguously finding out.
| Category | A place | Name | Rating | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| The best riflescopes for rifle | 1 | Leupold VX-R | 9.8 / 10 | 60 000 |
| 2 | Nikon Monarch M3 | 9.6 / 10 | 23 790 | |
| 3 | Pilad 4x32 | 8.9 / 10 | 6 800 | |
| Best rifle scopes | 1 | Nikon Monarch 7 1-4x24 | 9.7 / 10 | 46 000 |
| 2 | Hawke Endurance 30 WA 1-4x24 | 9.4 / 10 | 28 000 | |
| 3 | Pilad PV1-7x25ML | 8.9 / 10 | 20 700 | |
| The best collimator sights for sport and recreational shooting | 1 | Aimpoint Comp C3 | 9.8 / 10 | 35 000 |
| 2 | DOCTER sight III | 9.5 / 10 | 25 000 | |
| 3 | Holosun Paralow HS403B | 9.3 / 10 | 14 000 | |
| The best collimator sights for hunting rifles | 1 | Pilad PFO1x25 | 9.4 / 10 | 3 200 |
The best riflescopes for rifle
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Leupold VX-R
60 000 (4-12x50 option, FireDot 4 grid)
In this section of the rating, we will not speak about a specific model of the sight, but about the entire manufacturer's lines. Such an approach is more fair: the range of multiplicities, the type of the reticle and the diameter of the lens are better chosen for your needs and budget, and it is more logical to compare the key features of the rulers as a whole.
The history of the company Leupold has more than a hundred years, and she, we should note, was very lucky with a “registration”: where, if not in the USA, could the market provide steady and high demand for various small-scale optics throughout the 20th century? Having become one of the world leaders, the Leupold brand has long not required submissions. Suffice it to say that it was here that they created the first waterproof optical scope with filling with an inert gas, which never mists up. The range of Leupold VX-R sights includes more than one and not two models, each available with different types of grids. All of them are distinguished by high luminosity due to the high-quality lightening of the lenses, additionally coated with a special layer of DiamondCoat2 - another company chip that provides excellent scratch resistance of the lenses. A housing filled with an argon-krypton mixture with improved sealing can tolerate “bathing” and sudden changes in temperature. The precise work of the amendment drums, stability and durability are already enough reasons to pay attention to Leupold, a brand tested by both hunters and snipers. Not without hi-tech: here the fiber-optic system of illumination of the center point of the aiming grid, supplemented by a motion sensor, is used. Not turned off in time, the backlight turns off on its own, saving battery power. The choice of sighting nets for the VX-R is designed primarily for hunters: this is the FireDot 4 pendent, which is most convenient at small distances by the standards of rifle weapons, and designed for the further work of Duplex and Ballistic FireDot. Well and, naturally, it is impossible not to remind that a lifetime warranty is offered on all Leupold sights. Main advantages:
Minuses:
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 9.8 / 10
Rating
Reviews
Excellent hunting sight without "tactical" excesses, and it does not kill the price, like Zeiss and Swarovski. |
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Nikon Monarch M3
23 790 (option 3-12x42, mesh SF Duplex)
If in the field of photographic equipment, Nikon has a “eternal rival” in the face of Canon, then with their optical sights in Japan no one strongly competes. Keeping a more or less decent price level, which in our time cannot be ignored either, the Monarch M3 series is definitely worth recommending for its quality and usability.
When hunting at dusk, you can appreciate the “Nikon's” enlightenment of Ultra ClearCoat lenses, which provides excellent luminosity, contrast and image clarity. The aiming grid in this ruler can be chosen for any needs: the hunter will prefer the usual “cross”, for fans of diving targets at a great distance, nets with marks of corrections will suit. Moreover, as befits a “variable” with a developed grid, modifications of the sight are available, in which it is installed in the first focal plane, that is, when the scaling changes, the angular value of the division of the correction scale does not change. The drums are equipped with a quick reset mechanism to zero with high accuracy. Main advantages:
Minuses:
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 9.6 / 10
Rating
Reviews
The best riflescope for hunting for sane money. At 308 caliber is fine, you can shoot at dusk without problems. |
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Pilad 4x32
6 800 (parabola grid, without backlight)
"Nikon" is, of course, good, but what to do when it seems expensive too? It is not necessary to look towards the Asian neighbor, although in China there are quite high-quality optical sights for hunting. But now we will pay attention in the direction of Vologda: it is here at the VOMZ plant that they let out even nondescript ones externally, but the sights already checked by arrows. It is also important that with some problems the sight can be sent to the factory for repair without problems. With an imported target, repair or warranty replacement can now nervously ruffle, especially if your American-made optics. Therefore, let us say the sanctions “No!” And take the domestic four-time student - why not? Immediately, we note that the applicability of these scopes is quite limited: the powerful impact on them affects significantly. That is, at 7.62x39 he will live a long time, but from 7.62x54 problems have already been noted. On the other hand, hunting for a large rifled caliber is not so much for us, that is, the sight completely falls into its segment “inexpensive weapon - inexpensive sight - cheap cartridge”. What exactly we attribute to the shortcomings, so this limited light transmission - only 80%. Compare with 94% for Lupolde ... Although yes, almost a tenfold difference in price will be more important to many than 14% of the world. Main advantages:
Minuses:
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 8.9 / 10
Rating
Reviews
A good sight for "Saiga". You can, of course, buy a sight more expensive than a carbine ... but why is this when firing the Barnaul seven? |
Best rifle scopes
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Nikon Monarch 7 1-4x24
46 000 (performance without backlight)
Continuing our ranking of the best optical sights for hunting Nikon Monarch 7 1-4x24. First of all, for the "pen" the sign of quality is "honest edinichka", when at the minimum multiplicity it gives exactly the multiplicity 1, and not 1.2 or 0.8. In this case, the sight works almost like a collimator, allowing you to quickly perform an accurate shot offhand at the slaughter site, which is important for a driven hunt. But the possibility of increasing the multiplicity will not be superfluous if the prey is found far away, that is, a good pen target for many hunts in Russia will become a real wagon. And one of the best in this class, having a range of “honest” multiplicities 1-4, which is traditional for driven optics, is undoubtedly the “Monarch” 7 series sight.
Durable 30-mm aluminum alloy tube that combines lenses and the amendment mechanism into one, is completely sealed and can withstand severe loads. The sight is famous for its "indestructibility" and is able to survive the elephant-recoil of a heavy 12-gauge magnum bullet - and given the fact that bullet shooting from a smooth-bore weapon is quite common with us when hunting a large beast, this is definitely not superfluous. The grid here is installed in the second focal plane, and this is also the optimal choice for the pen - when shooting at a “one”, it is clearly distinguishable. Good width of the field of view, high luminosity, clear and contrast image for top-end "Nikon" - things are taken for granted. Is that the maximum removal of the pupil of 96.5 mm is too small when firing caliber with a high impact, so be careful with the eye and train the tab! Main advantages:
Minuses:
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 9.7 / 10
Rating
Reviews
The best pen target in the Nikon lineup, and, in my opinion, the best overall. |
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Hawke Endurance 30 WA 1-4x24
28 000
The wide field of view, combined with high luminosity, provided with 18-layer optics enlightenment, can interest large game lovers. The L4A Dot mesh used in this sight is one of the most convenient for the driven sights: the thin central lines of the cross do not interfere with the eye, and at the same time its center is easily guessed due to the increased thickness of the cross along the edges. Well, if you turn on the backlight, then a red dot in the center will allow you to quickly shoot offhand at the minimum magnification; it will also be useful on the Quartet. The point itself has a width of 3.5 angular minutes.
Correction entry low profile drums are comfortable with clear clicks. The reserve of amendments horizontally and vertically is 140 MOA, and for weapons with a heavy bullet and a relatively low muzzle velocity, where the trajectory becomes “mortar” already to a hundred or two meters, this will definitely be useful. Main advantages:
Minuses:
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 9.4 / 10
Rating
Reviews
I like this. Convenient and on postrelushkah, and hunting. Settings do not get off, on one, you can aim with two eyes without problems. |
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Pilad PV1-7x25ML
20 700
The pioneer sight of the Vologda dweller with a “edinichka”, and even a maximum multiplicity of 7, is an interesting proposal, although at a price that is already approaching foreign brands. At the same time, the manufacturer indicates that with calibres more powerful than 7.62 (by the way, hmm ... x39 or x54?) You should not use it.
But with the removal of the exit pupil, the manufacturer did not lose - from 125 mm at the maximum multiplicity to 135 at the minimum. That is, this is a full-fledged long eye relief, and how lacking is the guarantee from the factory for working with large calibers! Main advantages:
Minuses:
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 8.9 / 10
Rating
Reviews
The sight is interesting if you do not build yourself a sniper with mildots and a ballistic calculator under the pillow. Convenient, well assembled, I liked. |
The best collimator sights for sport and recreational shooting
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Aimpoint Comp C3
35 000
Opens the ranking of the best collimator sights Aimpoint Comp C3. The robust, yet quite compact, closed-sight scope can be securely fastened to the bar using a 30-mm ring. Low weight reduces the risk of “floating” the attachment under the effect of recoil.
The aiming mark is a point with a diameter of 2 MOA, which is most convenient for a rifled weapon, and shooting from a smooth barrel at harmless poppers does not make it difficult. The manufacturer allows installation on both a 12 gauge and a sufficiently powerful rifle, with the exception of “rifles used in long-range shooting” (again, this vague definition, like that of the Nikon). However, no one will use a collimator for this. The sight is very economical: it can work up to 50 thousand hours on one battery, according to the manufacturer. And these words should heed, Aimpoint has a well-deserved reputation. Brightness adjustment - with 9 positions. Main advantages:
Minuses:
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 9.8 / 10
Rating
Reviews
A convenient sight, especially for a forgetful person - do not forget to turn off. |
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DOCTER sight III
25 000
The German sight managed to become famous for two things, and the first of them is its almost legendary “indestructibility”, the recoil of the gunman rather than the collimator itself will collapse from recoil. The second one is the famous “Docker's” cap, which not only protects the sight, but also controls the brightness of the aiming mark: it goes out when the cap is worn, and holding the magnet embedded in the cap is on the side of the “shoe” and makes the mark brighter or dimmer . That is, there are no mechanical switches and regulators here at all. The sight is open, therefore it is convenient in aiming, despite the small size of the mirror: the thin frame practically does not limit the field of view. But here lies the obvious disadvantage - unlike sealed closed collimators, the light emitter is open and can easily “catch” the dirt or just a drop of rain. The shooting is not so convenient either - if the closed collimators have drums that are usual for optical sights, then you have to turn the screws with a screwdriver with a special limb. Main advantages:
Minuses:
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 9.5 / 10
Rating
Reviews
In the third generation "Docter" is still convenient and reliable. Now you can adjust the brightness yourself - I didn’t really like the automaton in the second generation. |
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Holosun Paralow HS403B
14 000
California-based Holosun Technologies has only five years of history, but the quality of its collimators is more than decent at attractive prices for the "firm". The price is not surprising - despite the American registration, sights are made in China (and in this regard, the strong external resemblance to Aimpoint Micro is especially noticeable).
. The classic design of the closed collimator is supplemented with an electronic brightness control, for this there are two sealed buttons at the top of the sight. For auto-on, motion detection with adjustable sensitivity is used - you can safely carry a carbine on your belt, and the scope will turn on only when raised to the shoulder. The label is a point with a diameter of 2 angular minutes, with 9 brightness settings for the day and two for collaboration with the NVD. There are two mounts in the kit - the usual low Weaver / Picatinny rail and a “house” that allows you to raise the sight higher, which is important primarily for the AR platform with its horizontal butt axis in line with the barrel. Main advantages:
Minuses:
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 9.3 / 10
Rating
Reviews
An interesting sight - at first he dragged him to airsoft, now he shows himself well at IPSC shny trainings. |
The best collimator sights for hunting rifles
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Pilad PFO1x25
3 200
What is the main problem if there was a desire to equip a collimator sight not so beloved by the “tactically preoccupied” arrows “Vepr”, but a regular gun? In fact, there are even two of them. Firstly, there is simply no place to put a collimator on breaks, and on hunting semiautomatic devices the maximum will be “swallowtail” on the receiver. Secondly, any collimator that is closed, which is open, will unwittingly raise the aiming line, breaking the tab: well, the ergonomics of the classical hunting weapon are not designed for this, it is not calculated at all. So it is necessary also to “collective farm” the podschechnik.
In this regard, the light-guided collimator from the same VOMZ is undoubtedly interesting. It is put, like the Swedish EasyHit (from which it was copied) to any weapon with a ventilated aiming bar, that is, semi-automatic, and vertical-tipping. In this case, the line of aiming is as low as possible; there is no noticeable deterioration of the tab. And the price is three times lower than that of the “Swede”. The source of light for the collimator's mirror is an optical fiber that collects the ambient light and directs it with its front end. That is, in fact, we are confronted with a hybrid of a collimator and a light guide fly, which does not need batteries. But the minus of such a scheme is obvious: in the twilight the label of the collimator can be seen already badly. It is inconvenient and in the shooting, will have to tinker with a screwdriver. Main advantages:
Minuses:
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 9.4 / 10
Rating
Reviews
For Vertikalki - one of the few options without the "farm". Keeping a hold, the tab is convenient. |
Which sight to choose?
Each sight has its own purpose. It is foolish to put the "fiftieth" ten-man on the gun, and the collimator does not make sense on a long-range rifle. In many ways, one of the most versatile sights is the paddock: with them you can quickly shoot offhand, setting the multiplicity to a minimum, and at medium distances they have enough multiplicity reserve. Due to the possibility of fast aiming and low sensitivity to the tab (slight parallax on the “working” distances), collimators are becoming more and more popular, but the lot of high-multiplicity optics is still thoughtful accurate shooting.
The main thing - do not forget about return. That is why we refused from the originally conceived section of the rating “Sights for Pneumatics”: there is no return on PCP and carbon dioxide pneumatics, and even extremely cheap “Chinese” will work without problems. But even brand optics designed for firearms fly apart on powerful PPP rifles. For rifles and shotguns, the choice is simpler - manufacturers usually at least tentatively indicate on which calibers you can confidently use a specific sight. It does not hurt to study and experience people already exploiting your favorite sight model. Have a good shopping!
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Updated: 27.02.2019
Rating in categories:
