Comments on: Pentax’s Ultimate Zoom Hunting Scope.

By: Charles R. Shawley

Charles R. Shawley — Fri, 06 Aug 2010 21:57:45 +0000

I thought I would add my opinions to Marco’s question.

1) Keith is correct in saying that space is an issue. With higher magnification comes more lenses, which means tighter spacing and more cost. It also means less light transmission as there is light scatter and back reflection on each lens surface.

2) Keith is also correct in saying that the 3-9×40 is the most common scope in the states. However, that statistic is rapidly changing. People are moving toward higher overall magnification such as 4x or even 5x (meaning 4-16x or 2-10x).

3) Once again, Keith is right. An 8-32x would be much heavier and would require a larger diameter objective lens than a 3-9x.

However, I would like to add a #4 to this line of reasoning. Usually, scope manufacturers make their first offering in a low magnification range to give the most people a chance to be drawn to it. for example, if the first introduction was a 8-32x, then people would automatically say it was for varminting. When you stay at a low power range (and hence a low price point), you let the market decide what the best fit will be. This is a powerful marketing research tool that will allow Pentax to see where this scope and its features fits within the market. The next scope in the line will be the result of what the marketing department thinks will sell best within the market that is identified through sales of this initial product offering.

Just my two cents.

By: Keith Drain

Keith Drain — Fri, 06 Aug 2010 14:48:15 +0000

Hi Marco,
I think why most companies don’t go for the high magnification scopes when introducing new tech is for a few reasons:
1) Space, Higher magnification scopes I would assume need more internal parts that take up more space as well as things like target turrets and Adjustable paralax dials.
2) Most people use 3-9×40 type scopes especially in the US. There are more deer hunters in the US than any other type of hunter and new products are always aimed at the huge US market.
3)Size, an 8-32 scope is usually massive so adding even more weight and bulk to it is probably unappealing to the shooter.

The price was $349USD I don’t know who brings Pentax scopes into Aus.

By: marco

marco — Fri, 06 Aug 2010 14:32:44 +0000

Andrew i see you point as well as Keith’s as i like the range finder built in idea even more.

when optic companies come up with new tech why is it they first release a
a low to minimum power first, whats wrong with releasing an 8-32×50???? or
similar?

anyway Keith whats the devastation? $$$

By: Keith Drain

Keith Drain — Fri, 06 Aug 2010 14:26:56 +0000

Great point Andrew I didn’t even think about that. Your idea is certainly a good application of this tech!

By: andrewk

andrewk — Fri, 06 Aug 2010 10:24:28 +0000

I think its a good idea for the varminter/spotlighter. Find your game at low power and zoom in while still keeping visual contact through the scope.

Who’s lost game before fiddling with the zoom ring and then not finding it after making the adjustment??