There are a lot of scopes on the market today. Some good, some junk and then there are the quality scopes that deserve a shot at being the next scope on your favorite air rifle. Generally, the scopes coming out of Europe would fit that bill as some of the best lenses have come from that part of the world. Meopta is a Czech Republic company that has been in business since 1933 producing quality optics. They also are a leading manufacturer and partner to many of the world’s finest optical brands and their catalog even reaches into the semiconductor, medical aerospace and military industries.
The sample provided to me is their MeoPro 2-10×42 model, one without all the bells and whistles in order to compete with lower-end scopes on the market without sacrificing quality and value. Others in this Optika5 line include a 3-15x44mm, a 4-20 x44mm and 4-20x50mm or 4-20x50mm with illuminated reticle. The name for the scope series is derived from their 5x magnification capability (2-10 and 4-20…).
My sample is a beautiful scope with flawless finish. The image is bright and clear with a Second Focal Plane duplex style reticle Meopta calls Z-plex. Also available in this model within the series is holdover-style stadia called the ZPlus. In the 4-20x50mm models an additional BDC 3 “Christmas Tree” style reticle is an option. Rubber armored turret knobs and magnifying ring with raised triangular cuts make it comfortable and easy to grasp and turn the knobs. The scopes come with durable rubber lens covers having sturdy rubber bands rather than the wimpy elastic cords on most provided covers to keep them in place. The one-inch, single-piece aircraft grade aluminum tube makes for a strong scope body and is coated with a special abrasion -resistant matte black anodized finish that helps reduce glare. The turrets are zero-reset types that can be adjusted using a coin and the click adjustments for windage and elevation are in ¼-inch MOA. Proprietary advanced lens coatings provide true color representation and unsurpassed low-light performance in its class including MeoBright, the anti-reflective coating that provides up to 91% light transmission while cutting glare. All external optical surfaces are also coated with MeoShield anti-abrasion coating, plus a special hydrophobic MeoDrop coating to repel water, grease and dust. All Optika scopes are Nitrogen purged and waterproof. Additionally, these scopes are engineered to withstand heavy recoil and are built tough enough to handle the extreme bi-directional recoil of spring piston air rifles. A removeable throw lever is included with the scope and an optional sun visor is available.
Generally, European scopes run on the higher priced side of things. Because Meopta saves their costs by not advertising in magazines, etc., they pass those savings on to the consumer. As mentioned earlier, this Optika5 model is pretty much bare bones to keep its price point low so this unit does not have a side wheel parallax adjustment, but there is a version called the 2-10x42PA, with the “PA” standing for Parallax Adjustable. Additionally, the 4-20x50mm model comes in a version with an illuminated reticle.
The Owner’s Manual is printed in eight languages, which indicates the reach of Meopta’s market. Being made in a country that is part of the European Union, even instructions on how to handle the scope for recycling “after its useful life” are included because the EU is heavily committed to recycling. However, with reasonable care, this scope is sturdy and should last a long, long time. Costs are also saved on packaging as the box the scope comes in is entirely of heavy cardboard with corrugated supports to hold the scope in place. No foam or Styrofoam is used in the packaging of the scope. I suspect this is just a much because of the aforementioned EU recycling consciousness as it is for cost savings.
This unit will add 20.8 ounces to your setup and is just over 12 inches long. Its MSRP on this model runs $350, and that includes a Lifetime Transferrable Warranty for all Meopta optics sold in the U.S.; another indication of a quality product for the cost when a manufacturer stands behind their product with a lifetime warranty.
While it is not yet showing on AofA’s Meopta web page, a quick call to my friends there should have you on your way to receiving one of these beauties on your doorstep.
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