Testing Optics at the store

[jtmoose]

Being somewhat new to optics, I was having a hard time telling the quality apart at the store. The charts they have hanging at the store weren't that helpful either. Looking into shadows in the store wasn't very useful either. I could tell when I would take it home and look into the shadowy forest at dusk though.

Then I noticed a way to tell at the store. I found a sheet of paper on a far wall that had text highlighted with a yellow highlighter. Immediately I could tell the difference, the color of the highlighter in the store lighting was only visible by the quality optics. Took them home and the theory rang true in low light.

Some more expensive optics could not pick out the highlighter that cheaper ones could. It appears to be a decent in store test to compare optics. Not sure if others have experienced the same or have another test that would be better.

 

[Boman]

I usually just ask to go outside with the optic but thank you for the great tip. That could make things easier in a busy store.

 

[FEENIX]

I usually just ask to go outside with the optic

Same here! My LGS has a nice viewing area that I can looked through the window for miles with varying backgrounds.

 

[Sully2]

Being somewhat new to optics, I was having a hard time telling the quality apart at the store. The charts they have hanging at the store weren't that helpful either. Looking into shadows in the store wasn't very useful either. I could tell when I would take it home and look into the shadowy forest at dusk though.

Then I noticed a way to tell at the store. I found a sheet of paper on a far wall that had text highlighted with a yellow highlighter. Immediately I could tell the difference, the color of the highlighter in the store lighting was only visible by the quality optics. Took them home and the theory rang true in low light.

Some more expensive optics could not pick out the highlighter that cheaper ones could. It appears to be a decent in store test to compare optics. Not sure if others have experienced the same or have another test that would be better.

Anywhere I have bought Good Better or Best optics from were "mail order" places and I had a 30 day guarantee that if I didnt like then for any reason I could send them back for a full refund.

Ive purchased several from Camera Land that advertises right on this website!

 

[Sully2]

Cameras, Binoculars, Spotting Scopes, Rifle Scopes | Camera Land NY

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/browse/optics/ci/978/N/4294541872


Here are two that I use and there are several in/near Chicago

 

[Boman]

I've also ordered from cameraland and have had great service.

 

[dah605]

When in a store, I try to find something small as far away as possible, preferably in the shadows. Usually, this is a bolt head or screw head. You can see the resolution differences between glass fairly easily.

When I was looking at high end binos, the Vortex Razors came highly recommended. I could see bolts nice and clear in a Cabelas, as far in the distance as I could get. They looked really good until I picked up a pair of Swaros. I could see the markings on the bolts from when they were installed. I found some screws and it was a similar comparison with the Swaros having a much higher resolution.

Always good to try to get them outside at dusk as well, if they will let you.

-David