Flatline Ops. Inc. ACCU/LEVEL Scope Level Review

[ADMIN]

I recently had the pleasure of reviewing an innovative new product for the long range hunter on a recent deer hunt in the Bighorn Mountains of Wyoming, and an elk hunt near the Flattop Wilderness of Colorado.

The ACCU/LEVEL from Flatline Ops. Inc. is an ultra precision, articulating scope level. Its design is well thought out and at the leading edge of the scope level industries. Honestly, it blows everything else out of the water.

I received a phone call from Chuck McCoy, owner of Flatline Ops. Inc. Chuck had an ACCU/LEVEL ready to ship for a product review 2 weeks before my 1st fall hunt, and with the rifle still in the process of being barreled, I thought, "Hey, what the heck. I'll try out this newfangled level."
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This is a thread for discussion of the article, Flatline Ops. Inc. ACCU/LEVEL Scope Level Review, By Jim See. Here you can ask questions or make comments about the article.

 

[HUAINAMACHERO]

Interesting read.
It looks like a helpful tool for long range hunting.
Any idea of its cost?, and for what scope tube diameters is it made?
Thanks.

 

[Len Backus]

Here you go

 

[midnightmalloy]

i am kinda in a shock at how much these two tools will cost. once you add up a ACI at $110 a ACI mount at $59 and the ACD and ring for $129 thats over $300 with shipping! you can get the defensive edge one for $200 and that even seems hi. am i crazy or something here? these seem like an aluminum scope rings that hold a $4 level and a incline/decline level thats $30? im just not understanding the price. im not cheap but im not one to overpay either.

 

[fishboy]

I think when you spend as much as you typically do on a sound LR rifle set up this is a small investment to become a more accurate shooter. Yeah, you can get cheaper systems to mimic what this does, but if you want a solid bulletproof product that not only can perform good but look as good on your rifle as this does, its kind of a no brainer. It definitely is the Ferrari of accessories, I want it on my set up, I don't want the cheaper versions... these guys are making the BEST stuff on the market, the thing is like right out of Terminator.....

 

[midnightmalloy]

I think when you spend as much as you typically do on a sound LR rifle set up this is a small investment to become a more accurate shooter. Yeah, you can get cheaper systems to mimic what this does, but if you want a solid bulletproof product that not only can perform good but look as good on your rifle as this does, its kind of a no brainer. It definitely is the Ferrari of accessories, I want it on my set up, I don't want the cheaper versions... these guys are making the BEST stuff on the market, the thing is like right out of Terminator.....

if you want to look cool then do so and pay way too much. i worked in the largest fireams store in washington state and sold hundreds of thousands of dollars of product in a year and have been in a naval special warfare and eod unit for 3 years. if you want guchi then pay for guchi, most of that stuff they issue to us is just not essential or even at a reasonable price. gun people pay way too much for some stuff. personally i think thats a huge reason the sport on a whole is hurting. an ACI is no more than an aluminum housed level and the ACD IS a bubble level. go to home depot and see what these things cost in the raw. a good laser rangefinder is $450 (leica 1200) and you are willing to pay 2/3 of this for a couple of levels? doesnt seem right to me.

 

[fishboy]

Wow, you have great experience in the industry, i'm impressed. I value your opinion as well, and mine. thats what makes this thing such a beautiful item, some people will buy it, some won't. I think its cool that a company is developing (or improving) products for this growing market. but again, it comes down to an individuals choice, some people care about quality and precision and "new" or improved gadgets, some don't... thats why some people drive high end sports cars and super duty pick-ups and some drive cheap rigs or junkers, they will all get you from point A-B, just depends how comfy and fast you wanna get there?

on another note - special props to you for serving for this great nation!

 

[ken snyder]

Folks do not understand that they are not paying for the part, they are paying for the removal of material. Set up, tooling and labor to do so accurately. I think they have their thinking hat on and its not on backwards either. I do have 1 question about the sensitivity of the vial itself, not adjustability, are they comparable to a machineist or engineering levels vial -- my spellering might not be so good, but what the heck!

 

[midnightmalloy]

Folks do not understand that they are not paying for the part, they are paying for the removal of material. Set up, tooling and labor to do so accurately. I think they have their thinking hat on and its not on backwards either. I do have 1 question about the sensitivity of the vial itself, not adjustability, are they comparable to a machineist or engineering levels vial -- my spellering might not be so good, but what the heck!

I understand what your saying but there are a lot of things in the gun industry in general that are much over priced. Much of it to me seems like bragging rights. Its like the guys that have the biggest coolest trucks with the best off road lift kit and tires but would crap themselves if there truck got dirty. I just dont think they are going to sell a lot. There is just not enough competition in this part of the industry yet (ACI's and ACD's) that a competitor will come in and drive the price down. Its an item that a lot of guys think that they can do without for the price. I would love one but I think at over $300 for the set up that its just not worth it to me yet. if someone brought this same idea to a machine shop that could mass produce a couple thousand, especially a shop that isnt doing much buisiness with the economy then the price would definatly go down.

 

[rub]

excellent idea but will fail in the marketplace. nothing new technology wise just putting together some pieces. good product wrong price in an economy in the crapper. OK at $99. of course as stated could put a dancing horse on the hood and see if anyone salutes.

 

[Coyboy]

Folks do not understand that they are not paying for the part, they are paying for the removal of material. Set up, tooling and labor to do so accurately. I think they have their thinking hat on and its not on backwards either. I do have 1 question about the sensitivity of the vial itself, not adjustability, are they comparable to a machineist or engineering levels vial -- my spellering might not be so good, but what the heck!

Ken, the housing that holds the vial is hinged. When opened or closed it rest on the point of a SS set screw. Via the screw, the level can be adjusted for perfect horizontal alignment, in the open and closed position. The quality of the components that make up this system are second to none.


I completly understand the objections about the price, but when considering the prices charged for just the standard made clamp on levels, anywhere from $30-$50 bucks. Then deal with the features that are not user friendly, set-up and actually precisly leveling such a unit, blocks the view of the turret or turret blocks the level.

Actually handling the Accu-Level, there is no comparison, USA made quality, strong, finely machined, superbly anodized, SS hardware, 100% user friendly all the little things that cost money to produce. I think this level may not fill the entire market, but there definetly is a place in the market for this unit. Serious LRH who strive for perfection in their set-ups and shooting are going to be all over this thing. I was a little skeptical, but after using the Accu-Level, I definatly see the justification in the price. It is as good as it gets.

 

[ken snyder]

Thank you coyboy. I can tell it's a high quality set-up just by looking at the pictures and your description verifys that and it is obvious that high quality vials are used. Would it be possible for you to express the vial sensitivity in machineist terms. I know this is an apples and oranges comparison qustion, but here it is-- If I were to stick a piece of note book paper under 1 side of your rifle, how far will the bubble move. 1/4 of a bubble, 1/2 or gone.

 

[Tikkamike]

Thank you coyboy. I can tell it's a high quality set-up just by looking at the pictures and your description verifys that and it is obvious that high quality vials are used. Would it be possible for you to express the vial sensitivity in machineist terms. I know this is an apples and oranges comparison qustion, but here it is-- If I were to stick a piece of note book paper under 1 side of your rifle, how far will the bubble move. 1/4 of a bubble, 1/2 or gone.

Well put! I am very interested in this level but your question is one I have definatley overlooked. How sensitive is the thing if that's a bad example jim?

 

[Coyboy]

The level is not so sensitive that it would show one pc of paper under the bipod leg. If it were, actually leveling the gun could be quite dificult. I was messing with it today and what I did was lock the bipod and just twist the rifle grip with my right hand, as I was in a shooting position. Doing this without lifting the bipod legs the bubble would sway rt or left to the outer edges of the lines with each respective twisting motion. Without rigging up some type of bench secured compass/ gun secured needle device. I'm not sure how to put an accurate degree reading on the bubbles movement between the lines.