Riflescopes, red dots, binoculars and rangefinders: how they work and how to compare them.
5 pages
Guide · Scopes and Optics
The numbers on binoculars tell you magnification and objective lens diameter. For most handheld hunting and wildlife watching, 8x42 and 10x42 are the first sizes to compare because they balance reach, brightness, field of view, and steadiness.
Guide · Scopes and Optics
To sight in, or zero, a rifle scope, shoot from a stable rest at a known distance and adjust the scope until point of impact matches your chosen point of aim. Start with safe setup, bore sight to get on paper, fire groups at 25 yards, adjust windage and elevation using your scope’s click values, then confirm at 100 yards or your chosen hunting zero distance.
Comparison · Scopes and Optics
Reflex red dot sights and holographic sights both give a non-magnified aiming point, but they create that aiming point differently. In the maker examples cited here, red dots generally show much longer stated battery life, while holographic sights emphasize holographic reticles, fast circle-dot patterns, and magnifier behavior.
Comparison · Scopes and Optics
MOA and MIL are two angular systems used for scope reticles and turret adjustments. Neither is automatically more accurate, so the best choice is usually the one that matches your reticle, turrets, ballistic data, and shooting partners.
Comparison · Scopes and Optics
First focal plane scopes keep reticle measurements usable across the magnification range because the reticle and image scale together. Second focal plane scopes keep the reticle the same apparent size, so reticle holds and ranging marks generally apply at a designated magnification listed by the maker.