Scope Resale Value

Jim Kellogg said:

Arken is a good rifle scope, for the money. But when we are shooting at below zero, Arken scopes will not always dial correctly. We have many members who use Arken scopes that this happens too! Sometimes in the single number temperatures, same thing, will not dial to changing scope zero. Go Figure

Click to expand...

That sucks! I got one to test on a 300rum . Glass is OK till your up on the mag but I haven't had to much time to shoot and see where it goes. Seems to be on par with some of the vortex line or better with a better turret for the money. Can't put tt315's or nightforce on everything . The wife would have alot to say about that.LOL

You can usually find a nice used NX8 on here in the classifieds for $1250-1350 if you're patient. If you want though the Athlon Ares ETR is hard to beat at this price! I've been thoroughly impressed with mine on a 270WSM! Glass is impressive and tracking exceptional.

allcheck said:

My wife and kids gifted me a Springfield Waypoint in 6.5prc for Christmas. The eventual goal is to top it with a Nightforce NX8 2.5-20, but I have to squirrel money away for awhile to get there.
Maybe you guys can point me in the right direction for the time being. I am looking for a mil scope with a tree reticle, ffp, exposed elevation turret, and illumination for under $1000. Any suggestions for a scope with a 3-4 lower and 15-20 upper end for under $1000. So far I am looking at the vortex pst 3-15, primary arms glx 3-18, and maybe something in the burris xtr line.
My question is, among those choices, or any other options you might suggest hold their value best on the used market? Thanks

Click to expand...

IMO, figure out a way to get the NF you want now and you'll be money ahead in the long run. 0 or low interest card and regular payments, or wait til you have the money saved. Being impatient cost money.

TGVet said:

I used to be in the mindset, you have to have optics in excess of 1500.00. Of course that was several years ago now before the whole optic industry got to where it is recently. To think, I have a small fortune invested in optics (NF,Valdada,Leica,Leopold,Burris,Meopta,Trijicon,Vortex,Zeiss) over the last twenty years nearly makes me ill. It's an obsession, like an addiction. You do not need a $2,500.00 plus scope nowadays. Spend a little time doing some youtube search and you'll see side-by-side analysis/comparisons against the top-tier 2500+. Look for Arkan Optics. Under $600.00
I wish I could sell all my high dollar optic for .10 on the dollar but no one wants five, ten to twenty year old glass nowadays even though, mine are crystal sharp, they don't have newest reticles new shooters feel they need.

Hope that helps.

Click to expand...

I still use my older scopes and don't have problem with them (leupold) with duplex. Most a low power. I learn a long time ago to range with the duplex without a rangefineder. I held to 500yds and never had a real problem hitting what I was shooting at. I just order out a nightforce scope for $2.500.00 plus rings for another $300.00. I do use a rangefinder now, but don't have too. I found in hunting from a blind it was easiers to range to difference areas and remember what those ranges are to I know where to hold at.
The was in Africa there was person that had all the latest scope. The funny part of that was we only shooting not much over a hunderd years at anytime. He wounded an animal and would range the animal as it moved and adjust his scope to shoot again. He never made another shot, and the animal walked out of sight a few minutes later. he kept adjusting his scope. Don't ask me why. Sad but true. Except for the animal being wound and that being bad, I have to laugh about.

These work well. A new, high quality manufacturer

osok-1k said:

I have a Crimson Trace Tactical 3-18 made in Japan which is an actually fairly good that I would sell for $600. Look at DLO's review of it.

Click to expand...

I had the same scope and after one day at the range it went back. Total garbage. It wouldn't track or hold zero. Maybe it was a lemon but it left a bad taste in my mouth.
I have some lesser brand scopes than NF that are serving me well, namely a Vortex Diamondback, Viridian Lyxa and Arken EPL-4.
I like them all but I really like the Arken. I only wish I would have gotten one with more magnification than the 4-16x.

Clem Bronkoski said:

I had the same scope and after one day at the range it went back. Total garbage. It wouldn't track or hold zero. Maybe it was a lemon but it left a bad taste in my mouth.
I have some lesser brand scopes than NF that are serving me well, namely a Vortex Diamondback, Viridian Lyxa and Arken EPL-4.
I like them all but I really like the Arken. I only wish I would have gotten one with more magnification than the 4-16x.

Click to expand...

Must have been a lemon as those Gen1 CT scopes, the CTL-5318 and CTL5324, are excellent and extremely well built and made in Japan with ED glass. I have 2 of them and would put them up against many top tier scopes that sold and currently sell for much more. Crimson Trace then bought out Nikons factory when Nikon exited the scope business, now made in the Philippines and now they're junk. The original Gen1 scopes are excellent though!!

Here's the review on the big brother 5324.


Now, this would not be my choice of Optic for purchase today as their too many other fine choices out there.

berger21 said:

I have the Nightforce NXS and also the SHV for half the price. It is an excellent scope. The SHV was purchased because the Vortex Viper (new) would not hold zero. Each time the turrets were rotated and put back to zero, the point of impact would move about 2MOA. Not with the SHV.

Click to expand...

Another vote for the SHV. I've got 3 of them that all perform well. They hold value. Check out on EBAY. One on my grandkid's 6.5 Creedmoor has been in the field for about 5 years repeatedly making one shot kills. The gun and the scope shoot 1 hole groups at 100 yards.

FEENIX said:

@allcheck, this is why I never ask what scope to buy, just like my stance when building or buying a rifle.

Good luck, and enjoy your Christmas gift from your loved ones!

Click to expand...

Well said

Couldn't agree more with "buy once/cry once." Getting stuck with scopes that you don't really want will cost you much more in the long run. Shop EuroOptic after SHOTShow they will have LOTS of what they call "Demo" models that have never been mounted at excellent prices. Be patient and find the deal you want. In the meantime, take something off another rifle and go shooting. And, I would endorse Eotech's new line of optics. I replaced a Schmidt Bender 5-25x with a 3.5-18x Eotech Vudu. I needed less magnification as I no longer shoot PRS, but wanted something that was close/mid range workable and long-range capable. The Eotech line is excellent re: clarity, FOV and robust construction. And, I found this scope for under $1200 after waiting for the right deal. NF is an excellent optic, and I think you'll find Eotech is not far short of their construction and quality level. At the upper end, the real defining criteria is how the optic "looks" to your eyes. Eotech would fit your requirements and be on your rifle pretty quickly - IF it looks good to you. Do check them out.

243ai said:

These work well. A new, high quality manufacturer

TORIC UHD 30mm 4-20X50 FFP MRAD PRS Long Range Rifle Scope

The TORIC 30mm FFP 4-20X50 MRAD Long Range Rifle Scope is specifically designed for the shooter looking to maximize the performance of his cartridge.

tractoptics.com

TORIC UHD 30mm 2.5-15X44 FFP Illuminated MRAD/MRAD Hunting Rifle Scope

TORIC UHD 30mm 2.5-15X44 FFP Illuminated MRAD/MRAD Hunting Rifle Scope Featuring an Illuminated reticle and fully multi-coated SCHOTT high-transmission

tractoptics.com

Click to expand...

Yes, made in Japan in the same factory as NF scopes. Sold direct to consumer without distributor/ wholesale and retail markups. Absolutely fantastic customer service, with me it was directly with one of the co-owners.

I'll throw out one that hasn't been discussed - SWFA SSHD 5-20x50. I have 2 and love them as much as my NF and Trijicon. If you watch the classifieds and eBay, they pop up for less than $1000. They are tough as nails, hold zero, RTZ and track well. Made in Japan. The only downside is that you need $2 in nylon washers from the hardware store for a zero stop.

Get the least expensive one, if you must, and later it will become you back up scope. Throw it in your Hunting clothes bin when you go on a trip. Just in case. a Trip, a slip , a fall ect, You hunt will not be over . Also have you seen the used Redfield scopes, on E bay. Some in excellent condition for $175 to $350 dollars??

Athlon Ares ETR 4.5-30x56 FTW!