Optics test fixture

[MULEPACKHUNTER]

If your ever questioning the quality of your optics build and want some hard numbers. I am developing a clarity test, tracking, reticle subtensions and can set the level to your rings if you know where they set for your rifle. 
regardless I’ll post some info on upcoming tests. 
leupold mark 5, Riton conqueror, razor, Burris, leupold mark 4, vortex viper, Athlon Cronus, DNT the one, Arken, and some lower end options. 

[PRDATR]

Not sure I understand what you are trying to show.

[MULEPACKHUNTER]

Then you for sure have no need for it. 

[dmoto]

I'd be interested in seeing the results. Lots of tests like this out in the camera lens world. Anytime I'm in the market for a new lens on my full frame mirrorless, I go down a rabbit hole with these types of videos. Experts in the field typically test out sharpness, chromatic aberration, vignetting, etc. Definitely helps before making a decision whether to buy or not.

I can see how this would translate into the world of rifle scopes. Which we're all in the market for at one time or another.

[Viper]

This would be a more precise way of checking tracking, rather than shooting at a target, especially useful for "tall target" test.

[PRDATR]

21 hours ago, MULEPACKHUNTER said:

Then you for sure have no need for it. 

What is the criteria of the test you are going to perform? Unlike Lance I have lower end to what I would say are midrange scopes. Nothing over $2K. 

[MULEPACKHUNTER]

Myself I think 600 is high end, from what I have seen lately the 1200.00 seems to be the sweet spot unless you want top of the line. If you have any inside info on the optics world you notice the business model is to have a couple Japan or US made high end scopes and then order all your low end models from China and it seems that a lot of companies get everything from one or two makers there and slap their brand on them. Doesn’t mean they are bad it’s just how it’s done. 
Now when your talking older models it’s a little different I’m sure as most things older were built better. 
as far as testing I’m not going high tech, calibrated grid at 100 yards for Mil and Moa, for optics with reticle meant for hold overs you want to see that they line up with the correct marks for each Mil or Moa. Then you have tracking obviously on turret models so you can tall target test or just check that the clicks move as intended. Of course going from 15 mils you should line up at 15 mils on the test target and then going back to 5 mil it should land on 5 not 5.2. Back to zero should repeat as well. The big one I see is the reticle being slightly off radially to the housing so if you use level on the scope you will see a cant in the reticle when the rifle is level. I always level my gun on the mounting rail and level the reticle on an outside object in the distance like a plumb bob or laser line. As for the clarity I think I’m going to use a decent camera and en eye chart and just get the image as clear as possible then snap a photo and compare what eye chart line gets blurry on each optic. I’ll compile any error in excel for future use. This set up is more for comp guys just to check their 3000.00 plus optic and have the confidence that it’s on the money for any scenario. Production has flaws and you can end up with a small flaw and not realize it. 

[AzDiamondHeat]

this looks like an awesome idea

[HuntHarder]

Are you going to do a durability test to?  Or simply check for tracking, RTZ, true moa or mil and level?  Either way, more info/ testing is always a good thing.  

[CatfishKev]

Interested. I follow backfire, he's done some similar tests and I was surprised to see some of the results especially on tracking.  He recently last few months had a video where he suspected some lower and higher end scopes were made by the same factory. That in itself isn't troubling because I think this is done all the time on endless products. I've always assumed that the builder/buyer is paying for tighter machining tolerances even if the exterior tube is identical.  Definitely looking forward to see where this rabbit hole takes you.