The great riflescope and binocular fading light test! (A bit of fun)

[TSG]

It would have been interesting to have a Meopta meostar R1 in the mix as they sell for about same money as Delta.
I would put my money on Meopta, add 30years waranty as well

 

[ChesterP]

It would have been interesting to have a Meopta meostar R1 in the mix as they sell for about same money as Delta.
I would put my money on Meopta, add 30years waranty as well

Funnily enough, that was on my wish list and I did look at one with a 4c ret which I thought was too coarse. I'm reliably told that the 4k is better though. However, it didn't have as wide (and therefore as useful) a zoom range, the eye relief was a little less and a little more fussy, and FOV at 12 times was a little less than the Delta's when zoomed to 12 times. Optically, it was very good indeed though but certainly no better. The manufacturer's data shows it to match the Delta on light transmission at a respectable 93%. A lot boils down to the quality and type of coatings used these days as light transmission on its own only tells part of the story. I preferred the ret on the Delta too. Whilst the (unilluminated) dot is stated as 11.4mm at 10x mag at 100m, it's closer to 7mm at 15x mag, and when illuminated on its lowest setting, the illuminated part seems smaller than that, and as that's what you pick out, it effectively reduces the aim point to a really useful fine dot for longer distance work. If 12x mag does all you need, then the Meostar is certainly in the running, but for me, the Delta's features and additional zoom range won out.

 

[Cyres]

I do have a Meopta Artemis 2100 7x50 illum but whilst it is v good glass the central illum dot is far to big for precision shooting. The dot on the Delta is nigh on the same as the Zeiss and it is tiny and thats why it is soo good.

D

 

[Hales Smut]

The dot being big or tiny isn't that important, at least what I think, for deer/boar shooting. I would say that a slightly bigger one is better as it's better visible. Certainly if the eyes get worse with age.
Not arguing the results here, I have a very bad experience with Nightforce. A few years ago I was out with an English friend/keeper. I had his rifle in my hands ( nightforce scope) the moment a muntjac became visible under an hedge at last light. I told me to shoot it. Although I still could see the moving muntjac, the reticle was completely gone. No possibilty to shoot. The next outings I had his other rifle with a traditional n°4 reticle and this is much better in low light.

 

[ChesterP]

The dot being big or tiny isn't that important, at least what I think, for deer/boar shooting. I would say that a slightly bigger one is better as it's better visible. Certainly if the eyes get worse with age.
Not arguing the results here, I have a very bad experience with Nightforce. A few years ago I was out with an English friend/keeper. I had his rifle in my hands ( nightforce scope) the moment a muntjac became visible under an hedge at last light. I told me to shoot it. Although I still could see the moving muntjac, the reticle was completely gone. No possibilty to shoot. The next outings I had his other rifle with a traditional n°4 reticle and this is much better in low light.

My Nightforce uses an illuminated ret so no problems at all with shooting at dusk. As mentioned in the write up, an illuminated ret has the advantage over just about any non-illuminated ret (if done properly) when the light fades.

The comments RE large dot being better for boar...I agree, if you shoot boar. You want something which draws your eye immediately to the target. Maybe I hadn't explained well enough. The Delta allows a fine dot, like the Zeiss, or you can turn up (or off) the illumination and benefit from a larger dot. It's a clever design as the illuminated bit is smaller than the un-illuminated central dot which you lose towards darkness. As the intensity is turned up, the dot size increases. It's also daytime visible which I do find handy for extra precision. However, whilst with the low 2.5 time mag, and fully illuminated dot would work well for driven boar, I think that a majority of shots going that route would opt for a smaller lighter scope more suited to the task, and not something with a 56mm objective. Traditionally, iron sights or 1.5x to 4x scope seem to be more the norm for Boar shooting although trends do change.

 

[Hales Smut]

Don't get me wrong. It doesn't have to be a huge dot like on an Aimpoint. For practical stalking purposes it doesn't have to be tiny neither. Range shooting will be different.

 

[ChesterP]

I was a very good exercise prehaps Chester can post a picture of what we were observing.

I do agree that alot depends on your individual eyes and although I have fairy good/excellent vision according to my optician however I know at night it is no where near as good as my shooting partner or my sons.

It was actual very revealing to see how things performed in real life. My Optima is probably 20+ years old and the Zeiss was made in 2014. The Optima cost £225 S/H off this site, and currently I cannot find the original list price. The Zeiss was nearer £2k!!!

For the money the Delta is a fantastic piece of glass and the bonus is the huge FOV and mag range. If I was in the market for a varriable general purpose scope then look no further. Also if not already mentioned the Delta's illuminated dot is tiny very comparable to the Zeiss and thus offers a very precise aim point and indispensible for night work. Also dare I say it but the PA adjustment is just sublime precise and crisp (better than the Zeiss).

Lets hope Delta don't hike up their prices but in case get one while you can.

D

Good idea, sorry it's taken so long...busy with other things!

Here's a daytime shot viewed through the Delta at 15x mag with the daytime illumated ret centre dot just visible. This is the fencepost we used which I think was about 150 or 160 yds:



This is what it is mounted on:

 

[mak]

You're quite right...my bad. Just re-checked and they're Leica Binoculars (Ultravid?)....I have Zeiss on the brain! Needless to say, they weren't my pair (I had the Steiners). I have corrected the previous posts.

The rifle scope is definitely a Zeiss Victory...It is a Victory FL...I think 4-16 x 50T* IR scope (just enlarged one of my other photos from last night to get the detail!). Would I be right in assuming this was also called a "Victory Diavari"?

The 4-16x 50 was from the FL range. Diavari is variable magnification riflescope, Diatal was fixed. The FL was from the Victory series.

 

[ChesterP]

The 4-16x 50 was from the FL range. Diavari is variable magnification riflescope, Diatal was fixed. The FL was from the Victory series.

Clarified on post#29

"the Zeiss is a 6x24x56 Diavari with illum 60 ret"

 

[Tarquinius]

I know it’s an old post but I’ve been having a play with a friends Delta this evening and it’s incredible for the money.

 

[Cyres]

Yes they are everybody who has looked through mine has been very impressed. It an absolutely excellent stalking scope and at low power the FOV is huge.

D

 

[Everlong]

Yes they are everybody who has looked through mine has been very impressed. It an absolutely excellent stalking scope and at low power the FOV is huge.

D

I took a fallow doe (the first non-paper target since swapping my old Leopold for the Delta) with mine in very low light on Thursday evening - OUTSTANDING perfeormance for the price! HIghly unlikely to have been able to take the shot with the leupold as I doubt the reticle would have been visible. The red dot was absolutely SPOT ON!

 

[Cyres]

Glad you also approve, yes the red dot is tiny and good illumination control its on par with the Zeiss dot. You can't fault them and I have one of the very earliest to UK market so had a very good deal cf current price.

D