Northern Riflethoughts on scopes, rangefinders, binoculars, spotters, and other outdoors related optics.
The low-powered variable optic (LPVO) market has exploded alongside the popularity of ARs. This unique class of scope provides the ability for fast handling up close shots similar to a red dot while maintaining the ability to use magnification at distance. These characteristics make LPVOs at home on fast handling brush guns where longer shots […]
Several years ago I began searching for a low cost full featured scope option for rimfire rifles. Unsurprisingly, there are not many options for scopes with adjustable parallax and external turrets from reputable manufacturers. This caused me to look at a class of optics that has mostly been left in yesteryear: Fixed power scopes. I […]
I recently built a new custom rifle and found myself in need of an optic to match. The rifle that was being replaced had been wearing a Leupold VX-3HD which unfortunately had had zero retention issues. This wasn’t the first VX-3HD that had issues holding zero. I have experience with a Nightforce NXS 2.5-10×42 that […]
The Trijicon Accupoint is one of the most durable lightweight scopes on the market. After multiple years of testing we look at if it is a suitable choice for a hunting rifle.
After running the Nikon Monarch 2000 for a number of years, I wanted to upgrade my rangefinder. Having heard positive reviews about Sig rangefinders I was interested to try one out. I was initially planning on trying something in the 3000-5000 yard range. However, when the Sig Kilo 2200 BDX went on sale I quickly […]
For a long time Leupold has been making lightweight riflescopes geared for hunters. In fact, my most used riflescope is an old capped-windage VX-2 3-9×40. Sadly, that particular model is no longer in production. Instead, Leupold has replaced their old VX lines with the VX-Freedom replaceing the VX-1 and VX-2. For their popular VX-3i line […]
Optics are on the short list of most important pieces of equipment for the hunter. The most useful of these optics is the binocular. Vortex Optics has a wide range of hunting binoculars which is organizes by various product lines. Their Diamondback line is touted as being adequate quality for serious hunters while remaining affordable […]
Several months ago I did a review on the Tract Toric UHD. In short, I found the scope to be excellent and an extremely practical design and feature set. However, further use has uncovered an issue worthy of a Tract Toric update. Like most of the products I review, I continue to use them afterwards […]
The affordable laser rangefinder is the innovation that has allowed the popularity of long range shooting. Not long ago, range estimation was the single biggest limiting factor to prevent long shots in the field. The laser rangefinder removes all uncertainty and frees up the shooter to judge the conditions. Wanting to extend my own effective […]
Leupold has been making capped turret riflescopes since shortly after WWII. Over the years they developed a reputation among hunter for light weight, durability, and a great warranty. In fact, the riflescope I chose for my first hunting rifle was a Leupold VX-2 3-9×40, which I still have. As such, when Leupold came out with […]