Tag Archives: Schott glass

Vector Continental 1-8×24 Fiber

Vector Optics’ Continental line is their top-of-the-line model. They feature higher-quality construction, design, and components, such as extra-low-dispersion Schott glass, typically found in more expensive European (hence “Continental”) models. This 1-8×24 LPVO delivers daylight-bright illumination via a fiber-optic thread inside the reticle crosshairs.

The fiber dot is as bright as a red dot and its illumination dial has an OFF setting between each numbered setting, but stops at 11 and does not continue back to 1. I believe this is to prevent the user from accidentally turning to the 1, which is quite dim. One additional oddity is the inclusion of a replacement turret top, which only has a 0 printed on it. This turret top does not have a zero stop, so I believe this aids in “returning” their original zero when momentarily adjusting for longer range shots?

Optically, the image was flat, bright, and color accurate owing to the quality of the Schott glass. A viewer posted a comment on my previous Continental LPVO video that I was wrong about the German origins of the Schott glass, intimating that Schott has glass factories in Asia.

I asked Vector Optics about this, and they informed me that they sourced their Continental glass from Germany, which is why it’s more expensive than their other scope lines. In my research, I found Schott does have factories in Asia, but those only produce glass for labs and pharmaceutical manufacturing. The precision optical Schott glass is made at their factory in Germany. If anyone can find evidence otherwise, let me know.

In other aspects, I found the Continental 1-8×24 to be a superb example of a high-quality fiber optic LPVO. At the time of posting this video, Vector Optics will be lowering its prices for Black Friday week promotions. The discount code they’ve given me will apply to those lower promotion prices, so you’ll get an even better deal. They’ve also offered to let me give away a Continental 1-8×24 Fiber LPVO at the start of 2026. Be sure to subscribe to my YouTube channel so you can be updated when I post details about that free contest.

BUY

Vector Optics Website: https://vector2007.com/Moondog
Discount Code (10% off): MOONDOG

Amazon: https://amzn.to/49DsKch

RESOLUTION (50y)

Group -1 / Element 2

SPECS

CONTINENTAL

Magnification: 1-8x

Objective: 24 mm

Tube.: 30 mm

Reticle: Fiber Optic SFP

Eye Relief:  95 mm / 3.8 in

FOV @ 100 yd: 123-15.38 ft

Click Value: 1/10 MIL

Elevation Adj: 40 MIL

Windage Adj: 40 MIL

Battery: CR2032

Weight: 500g / 16.7oz

Waterproof: IPX6

Tract Toric UHD 27-55x Spotting Scope

Tract was started by Jon Allen and Jon LaCorte, two former scope guys who used to work for Nikon USA (before Nikon exited the sporting optics market). Tract made a name for themselves in ELR competition shooting. I was pleasantly impressed when I tried their Tract Toric 4-25×56 rifle scope a few months ago and I was eager to test out their Toric UHD spotting scope. Their Toric line of rifle scopes that are built in Japan (known for its high engineering and manufacturing standards) and utilizing German Schott glass for clarity and low-light performance.

This spotter is rugged with a rubberized armored skin over a fully sealed body that is Argon purged and IPX7 rated; meaning it can withstand full water immersion down to a 3m depth for up to 30 minutes. IPX7 is remarkable because the scope also features a user-replaceable 27- 55x eye piece. The Toric UHD is compatible with Vortex eye pieces and Tract also offers MOA or MRAD reticle eye pieces. The body features a built in retracting sunshade, indexing eye cup, and an indexing 1/4″ tripod mount ring.

The Toric UHD offers a rather basic 2x magnification ratio, chosen to reduce both weight and price. Unfortunately its low end is 27x which is rather narrow and zoomed. This limits this scope’s usability for hunters wanting a wide field of view for scanning. Lacking a wide field of view could also be a problem if you’re spotting for a buddy that needs help seeing where their shots are landing.

At max 55x, the image is still quite crisp and bright. There was a modest amount of chromatic aberration at 55x but this did not effect its practical clarity for target spotting. I could easily make out .22cal holes on paper at 100 yards. The Toric UHDs performance on the USAF-51 resolution chart easily matched or surpassed 60x scopes I have tested.

Tract keeps costs down by using a direct to consumer model so these scopes aren’t available at big box sports stores or optics companies.

BUY

Tract website https://tractoptics.com/toric-uhd-27-55×80-angled-spotting-scope

Amazon https://amzn.to/47MHz8L

RESOLUTION

Group: +1 / Element: 1

Product Specs

TORIC UHD 27-55X80 Angled Spotting Scope
Magnification: 27-55X
Objective Lens Diameter: 80mm
Eye Relief (mm): 17-16mm
Angle of View: 2° – 1.4°
Field of View (@1,000 yards): 105/73
Eyecup Material: Latex Free Nitrile Rubber
Eyecup Function: Twist Up Multi Position w/ Click-Stop
Ultra High-Definition (ED) Glass: Yes
Fully Multicoated Lenses: Yes
Phase Correction Coated Prisms: Yes
Eyepiece Lens System Construction: 7 elements 5 lenses
Objective Lens System Construction” 5 elements 4 lenses
Chassis Construction” Aluminum/Polycarbonate
Body Covering” Fully Rubber Armored w/ Tactile Texturing
Body Armor Material” Elastomer
Waterproof Rating: IPX7 – 1 meter for 30 Minutes
Internal Gas Purged: Argon
Height: 5.5
Width: 3.75
Length (inches): 15.5
Weight (ounces): 67
Operating Temperature Range:158°F to -1.4°F
Tripod Adaptable: Yes
Country of Origin: Japan