22 P E T E R S E N S H U N T I N G . C O M | N O V E M B E R 2 0 1 7 N O V E M B E R 2 0 1 7 | P E T E R S E N S H U N T I N G . C O M 23

FIELD TEST

Mike Anschuetz

TRACT TURION T-PLEX 3-9X40

Founded by a couple of optics-industry vets, Tract turns the traditional

business model on its head with a direct-to-consumer website. By

eliminating all the middlemen, the company can build feature-laden,

high-quality optics at value-driven prices. The Turion features Schott

HT glass that transmits maximum amounts of light through the optical

system for clean, clear, bright imaging. Its aluminum 1-inch tube is

argon purged and O-ring sealed for weatherproof performance. On the

downside, a lengthy ocular housing and oversize focus ring limits mount-

ing adjustment to just two inches. $424; tractoptics.com

WEIGHT: 1 lb. PROS EXTENDED EYE-RELIEF, T-PLEX RETICLE CONS HEAVY

VANGUARD ENDEAVOR RS 3-9X40

Vanguard is not new to the optics world—it has been making tripods

and binos for years—but the Endeavor series is the company’s initial

venture into the riflescope market. For a street price well under $300

bucks, hunters get the benefit of extra-low-dispersion glass

that’s multicoated throughout the optical system. This results in a level

of brightness and clarity that punches above its price tag, although

edge-to-edge sharpness is lacking. The 1-inch aluminum tube is

durable, with an oversized zoom ring that, unfortunately, adds several

unnecessary ounces. $210; vanguardworld.us

WEIGHT: 15.75 oz.PROS BRIGHT OPTICS, WEATHERPROOFCONS FUZZY AROUND THE EDGES

GPO PASSION 3X 3-9X40

This scope’s European-grade glass isn’t surprising, considering it

comes from a company called German Precision Optics, but what is

surprising is the quality of the scope given its entry-level price. For

about three Benjamins hunters get a solid scope built on a 1-inch,

machined-aluminum tube. The optics, with proprietary coatings and

multi-laminated lenses, produced adequate clarity during our low-

light tests, though brightness suffered at the top of the zoom range.

Another surprise for an inexpensive starter optic is a full, no-fault

warranty for life. $300; gpo-usa.com

WEIGHT: 14.5 oz. PROS PRICE, LIFETIME WARRANTY, GENEROUS EYE RELIEF CONS STIFF ZOOM ADJUSTMENT

STYRKA S5 SH-BDC 3-9X40

You’re going to pay a couple hundred more dollars for this scope, but

the return on investment might be well worth it. What you get for

those extra bucks is a serviceable side focus wheel that adjusts

parallax from 10 yards to infinity and a ballistic drop reticle, albeit

set on the second focal plane. Still, that versatility gives budget-

conscious hunters aiming solutions at extended ranges up to 600

yards. Inside the one-piece aluminum tube, fully multicoated optics

are bright and clear, delivering decent low-light visibility at dawn

and dusk. $480; styrkastrong.com

WEIGHT: 1 lb., 2 oz. PROS BDC RETICLE, ADJUSTABLE PARALLAX CONS HEAVY, LIMITED MOUNTING RANGE

From ride-sharing services to retail shopping hacks, the way the world does

business is being disrupted by small, savvy start-ups. Once dominated by

a few big names, the optics industry also is entering a brave new world as

companies pop up on the market each year. Here are four new riflescopes—

all with friendly price tags—from optics makers you may not have heard of.

start-up DAVID DRAPER

Want a quality scope without breaking the bank? Try these new companies on for size.

scopes