News

Oct 14, 2023

New Optics for 2023

(Author photo) Covert has certainly made their mark in the trail camera space over the past few years, and they are taking that success one step further with their Covert 8x42 and 10x42 binos. Still

(Author photo)

Covert has certainly made their mark in the trail camera space over the past few years, and they are taking that success one step further with their Covert 8x42 and 10x42 binos. Still providing the same affordability and quality Covert is known for, they feature a durable aluminum frame with a rubberized waterproof and fog proof housing for added toughness. The guts of their performance come from high-quality ED glass with BAK-4 lens system that delivers a high-contrast image with exceptional color. Additionally, the Diamond Bright multi-coated lenses enhance light transmission to ensure dawn and dusk performance.

Incorporating modes to meet the needs of bowhunters and rifle hunters alike, Sig Sauer’s new KILO3K rangefinder offers outstanding performance at a value that virtually anyone can swing. Like all Sig’s optics, the KILO3K provides exceptional clarity and sharpness, while its ability to provide accurate reading out to 3000 yards on reflective targets ensures you can easily zero in on your target. With target modes like Fog, Extended Range, first, best and last, coupled with range modes of Line-Of-Sight, Angle Modified Range, Archery, Applied Ballistics Ultralight and Applied Ballistics External modes, there’s nothing the KILO3K can’t handle.

Leupold always impresses and their new BX-4 Range HD TBR/W range-finding binocular is just their latest example. Combining the speed of Leupold’s DNA engine and ballistics range-finding software with the optical edge-to-edge performance that the BX-4 series is known for, these 10x42 gems feature a high-contrast red OLED display that delivers fast, easy-to-see readouts out to 2600 yards. Bowhunters will love their ability to ballistically calculate ranges at any angle and that are both water and fogproof. Combining these range-finding features with Leupold’s Elite Optical System and fully multi-coated, DiamondCoar 2 lens, you’ll be more than impressed with the new BX-4 Range HD’s reliably bright, dawn-to-dusk images.

Truly built with the bowhunter in mind, the new Broadhead Laser Rangefinder from Bushnell is feature-rich and delivers all the performance you’d expect from the inventors of modern rangefinders. For starters, it features Bushnell’s Full Spectrum Ranging Technology which delivers quick .0.3- yard accuracy out to 150 yards regardless of the target, as well as a max range of 1,500 yards on reflective targets; and with the all-new Activsync Display, the reticle automatically adjusts to a black or red for maximum contrast to ensure readability in any condition. Plus, targets are brighter and sharper with the Broadhead’s 50% larger objective lens and all-glass optical system, and with ARC Technology angled shots are nothing to worry about.

Hawke is another brand that offers quality glass at an affordable price, and this year they uped the ante by combining that optical experience and performance with range-finding capabilities. Dubbed the Frontier LRF Binocular, it still offers fully multi-coated lenses that produce the same high-definition images with exceptional light transmission the Frontier H7 line has a reputation for. And with range-finding capabilities that offer 6 levels of brightness with multiple distance and angle modes built into the same performance package as before, it’s sure to meet every bowhunting need. Other notable features include its water and fog-proof capabilities, accurate reading +/- 1 yard, and a ranging distance of over 2500 yards.

Continuing to make a splash in the rangefinding binocular class is the Geovid Pro 32 from Leica. Everything you’d expect from arguably one of the best optics companies on the planet, the Geovid Pro 32 is available in both 8x and 10x32 packages, and like all bearing the Lecia brand, they offer uncompromising optical performance with exceptional light transmission, color and edge-to-edge sharpness in low-light conditions. At less than 2 pounds and measuring just 6 inches, it’s extremely compact, and with a new feature made especially for bowhunters, it provides low measurement tolerance of +/- .25 yds up to 200 yards, while also adjusting for ambient parameters like air pressure, temperature and angle. Effective ranging out to 2500 yards, the Geovid Pro 32 also offers on-board GPS capabilities that communicate via Bluetooth to Leica's ballistic app and integrate to third-party mapping apps, and a unique ProTrack feature that helps hunters not only mark downed game from a distance for a quicker recovery but can also aid when planning a stalk.

Vortex is certainly a fan favorite in bowhunting circles, and the Viper HD 3000 rangefinder is just one of their latest examples as to why. Featuring its legendary HD optical, quick-reading performance, it offers solid aluminum construction with a secure, waterproof ArmorTec armor that is coupled with a crisp 7x magnification and a Red OLED display that performs flawlessly in low-light conditions. Must-have bowhunter features include modes like Line of Sight, Scan and Horizontal Component Distance among others, while also providing a max range out to 3,000 yards with the ability to range game out to 2,000 yards.

Featuring the same reticle as their popular GPOTAC FFP Tactical riflescope, GPO launches the new 15-45x60 Tactical Spotting Scope for hunters this season. At just 2.75 pounds, its compact design with variable 15-45 magnification makes it a great addition for the bowhunter looking to cut weight and pack space while also desiring a quality optic to spot game. For the rifle hunter who employs their GPOTAC FFP Tactical riflescope, having the identical reticle ensures familiarity in sight picture synergy when it’s time to drop the hammer. With its 60mm objective lens, it grabs every ounce of available light, and when coupled with GPO’s legendary optical performance, it produces the same clarity, sharpness and edge-to-edge performance you have come to expect from GPO.

Another solid performer at a value price bowhunters are sure to appreciate is the new CRF.1 rangefinder from Maven. Incorporating a compact design with the same cutting-edge technology found in Maven’s premium RF series, the CRF.1 features a 6x zoom with a ranging distance of 5 to 2400 yards. The backbone of this rangefinder is its accurate line-of-sight and angle compensation capabilities, and with its innovative Field/Forest function, you can select range modes based on the environment. Field mode allows users to zero in on smaller targets while ignoring objects, while the Forest mode ranges objects behind trees, brush, rain, snow and other obstructions.