Monthly Archives: March 2024

Shooting Sports

Discovery ED-PRS Gen2 5-25×56 FFP

While testing the new Gen2 ED-PRS Discovery Optics sent me to review, I was filled with deja vu. It felt like I had just reviewed the ED-PRS though that was a year ago. Visually the Gen 1 and the Gen 2 are nearly identical save for slightly bolder font on the turrets.

The Gen 2 comes in a slightly smaller box than the Gen 1. Discovery scopes come with a ludicrous amount of accessories including high-quality scope rings, a scope base leveler, a lens cleaning cloth, a lens cleaning brush, and sun shade. Missing are the two additional 3″ sun shade tube sections present in the Gen 1.

The size and weight of this scope are hard to forget at nearly 4lbs and over 16″ long; over 19″ with the sun shade attached. One important difference with the Gen 2 is its greater range of adjustments, doubling the Gen 1’s numbers. The Gen 2 is also 4 oz heavier.

The ED-PRS has huge turrets. It’s like they looked at Arken’s turrets and said, “Hold my beer”.  That said, the turrets are quite audible and tactile-positive with no slop. The elevation turret has a ring and cog tooth style zero stop.

The Gen 2 sports Japanese ED glass. Optically the image is quite bright and clear, with a slight warm tint but with little chromatic aberration; noticeably less than the Gen 1. The sharpness and resolution were quite impressive.

The only disappointing aspects is the Gen 2’s unforgiving eye box (which it shares with other Discovery scopes I’ve tested) and illumination. The maximum illumination isn’t visible in shaded daylight but is sufficient for low light. Neither of these issues is a deal breaker.

Then Gen 2 has excellent features and performance, a plethora of quality accessories, and an Amazon price of $400 If you need a long-range scope and weight and size aren’t an issue, the Gen 2 is arguably the best value scope. Period.

BUY

Available from Discovery. Use coupon code Moondog-ED5-25 and save 20%
https://www.discoveryopt.com/products/93

In Canda you can order one from https://www.CDNprecision.com

RESOLUTION

Group -1 / Element 6

SPECS

ED PRS Gen 2
5-25×56

Magnification: 5-25X
Reticle Position: First Focal Plane
Max Elevation adjust range: 36MRAD
Max Windage adjust range: 17MRAD
FOV: 24.6 FT(7.5 m)-4.9 FT(1.5 m)100YDS
Exit Pupil: 11.2-2.2 mm
Eye Relief: 3.4 in(8.7cm)-3.3 in(8.5cm)
Click Value:0.1MRAD
Objective lens diameter: 56mm(2.2in)
Tube diameter: 34mm(1.34in)
Length: 415mm (16.34in)
Weight: 1255g (44.3oz)

KEY COMPARISON

GEN1
Max Elevation adjust range: 15MRAD
Max Windage adjust range: 8.7MRAD
Weight: 1156g (40.8oz)

GEN2
Max Elevation adjust range: 36MRAD
Max Windage adjust range: 17MRAD
Weight: 1255g (44.3oz)

Shooting Sports

New Athlon Binos and Spotter

Athlon has revamped their Midas binoculars and Cronus spotting scope. These are Athlon Optics top tier field scope models. Their binoculars have been updated with a bevy of ergonomic and usability enhancements including a redesigned diopter for better functionality.

Their flagship optic, the Cronus spotting scope now features a tandem fast and fine focus dials instead of the single barrel focus ring. I tested a Cronus tactical spotting scope earlier this year and it was a super clean and bright. This high magnification model promises to be every bit as sharp.

Midas binoculars are available on Amazon through this affiliate link: https://amzn.to/49zuSyC

Cronus G2 spotter is available on Amazon through this affiliate link: https://amzn.to/48t5mtI

Shooting Sports

Hi-Lux CMR LPVO First Look

Hi-Lux is known for making vintage style optics, They make the Malcolm, possibly the best reproduction Unertl style scopes on the market. They also make modern tactical optics; last year I tested their PR5 long range scope and found it a solid long range tactical optic if a tad heavy.

At SHOT Show this year, they showed me their new 1-8x LPVO the CMR1. This utilizes fiber optics to achieve a daylight bright central point like a red dot. I hope to get a sample to see how good it performs optically.

Shooting Sports

Monstrum Archangel 1-6x FFP LPVO

At SHOT Show, Monstrum showed off a concept optic named the Archangel. This LPVO has the internals of their upcoming 1-6x Panzer FFP LPVO but with a radically different body. It has a very angular futuristic body design that reminds me of video games like Halo or Mass Effect. Their Marketing Director told me they took inspiration from Vortex’s Next Generation Squad Weapon system optic being developed for the US Army and Marine Corp.

This is still a concept design. I am puzzled by the utility of a piggy back red dot on an LPVO? This would be more practical on an MPVO. Post a comment in the YouTube video if you would like Monstrum to move forward with producing this eye catching optic.

Shooting Sports

5.11 EDC gear for 2024: SHOT Show

5.11 got its start making rock climbing pants and is known as an outdoor and tactical outfitter. So its a natural evolution that they would develop knives and tools. Their offerings include folding knives, sheathed knives, and hatchets. At SHOT Show they literally opened up their drawer and let me see their product line.

I’ll be posting a review of their new Braddock DP EDC knife soon. The striking orange knife you see in this video is the Fero knife and is available on Amazon https://amzn.to/49trjul

Shooting Sports

UTG Ambidxtrus AR Receivers

At last year’s Industry Range Day, I had the opportunity to test fire UTG prototype AR receivers. This year I had a chance to see the production model of UTG’s true ambi upper and lower receiver. It has a number of thoughtful design features, as lightening cuts that also improve ergonomics. Its aesthetics are not quite my cup of tea but its stylish and well thought out.

Best of all all UTG Leapers products are made in Taiwan (the good China) and their UTG Pro line is made in the good ol’ USA. So you don’t have to feel un-patriotic when you’re looking for a good value.