Slightly OT for the African Hunting forum but I thought this post would get more visibility here and that some forum members might find it interesting.

Although it happened back in 2002, I just recently found out that Meade Instruments purchased Simmons Optics.

On 25 October 2002, Alliant Techsystems (ATK) agreed to sell Simmons Outdoor Corporation to Meade Instruments Corp. in an all cash transaction. ATK sold Simmons for about $20.8 million. The Simmons acquisition gives Meade an immediate in to a riflescope market that Meade estimates is worth about $150 million at wholesale. This adds Riflescopes to the Meade inventory for the first time. "This acquisition is a watershed event in the history of our company and positions us well to compete in the $300 million sports optics market," Diebel commented. "Our purchase of Simmons should firmly establish Meade in the riflescope market and should also significantly expand our opportunities in the $175 million binocular market, one in which we have an emerging presence.
http://www.company7.com/meade/history.html

Although I wasn't there, a friend of mine (a FFL dealer and gunsmith) stopped by the Simmons booth at the recent NRA convention here in Houston. He learned that Simmons is bringing out a new Master Series of rifle scopes. He was very impressed with the optical quality of the Master Series products they had on display. And, he said the price was going to be very reasonable though he didn't have any exact retail prices yet. Said it looked like Simmons was going to give Leupold "a run for their money".

Info on the new Simmons Master Series can be found here:
http://www.simmonsoptics.com/page10_11/SimmonsPage10_11.html

Meade Optical Engineers Build Superior Performance into Simmons Optics
All Simmons Master Series riflescopes feature high-quality optical glass. But, when you add Meade Instruments’ superior lens coatings you get superbly performing scopes high in light transmission, contrast, glare control, and clarity. As the world’s leading manufacturer of telescopes and optical equipment, Meade’s expertise, knowledge, and hands-on supervision help produce a truly remarkable riflescope, delivering optical performance and light transmission that is equal to, or better than, anything in their class.

Considering that Meade Instruments is a very respected company when it comes to astronomical telecopes, I was wondering if anyone has had a chance to handle or use any of the new Simmons Master Series scopes yet. (I'm not even sure if they are on the market yet.)

-Bob F.

hadn't heard of this yet. thanks for the heads up

Meade can't hurt Simmons with the buy out and the quality of the optical coatings is sure to be a plus but can they make the mechanical systems?
A friend bought two Simmons scopes for a 30.06 and a 243. The tracking and repeatability of the clicks on both scopes were non-existent. Two clicks would move the group 1/2" and the next two clicks would move it 1.5", two clicks back would move it 1/4", ad nauseum. I even tried the old "move 4 clicks, then two back and whack the scope with the heel of the hand" trick and I could never get either to move with any consistency. Through sheer trial and error we got him printed 2" high at 100 with both of them and I told him to super glue the adjustments in place and never touch them again.

Simmons Prohunt Master Series:
4-12x44 WA SF Matte - $147.95
6-21X44 SF Matte - $159.95
6-21x44 SF Matte w/TT - $159.95
6-21X44 SF w/TT MILDOT - $159.95
2-7x32 WA Matte - $74.75
3-9x40 WA ILL. - $113.85
6-24x42 SF MILDOT Matte - $166.75
3-9x40 WA Silver - $86.25
3-9x40 WA Matte - $86.25
3-9x40 WA Gloss - $86.25
4-12x40 SF Matte - $124.95
6-18x40 SF Matte - $136.95
6-18x40 SF Target Grey - $136.95

Simmons AETEC Master Series:
2.8-10x44 WA Gloss - $142.00
2.8-10x44 WA Matt - $142.00
2.8-10x44 WA Silver - $142.00
2.8-10x44 ILL. Matte - $164.00
4-14x44 WA SF Matte - $159.60
4-14x44 WA SF ILL. Matte - $186.00

The above are U.S. dealer prices.
Add approx. 25% for retail store price and 10 to 15% for internet purchases.

Rustam

Simmons needs a lot of refinement IMO.....the optics are one thing but to claim they are going to give Leupold a run for it is just a very long ways off.

quote:

Originally posted by vapodog:
.....but to claim they are going to give Leupold a run for it is just a very long ways off.

I was just repeating what my friend told me. I'm a long-time Leupold user. I'm skeptical too about Simmons. I've always perceived Simmons scopes to be low end scopes, IMHO. But on the new Master Series, the connection with Meade is what got my attention.

I realize this is just advertising copy but I found this interesting:

The New Simmons Master Series Riflescopes Showcase the Very Best in American Engineering. Drawing from the expertise and resources of its parent company, Meade Instruments, Simmons optical engineers and designers in America took on the challenge to develop the most reliable scope on the market today. They addressed every major aspect of riflescope design and performance, presenting their results in the new Simmons Master Series scopes.
from: http://www.simmonsoptics.com/page10_11/SimmonsPage10_11.html

It looks to me that the new Master Series may be the first line of scopes to come out from Simmons that Meade had a hand in designing. I was just wondering if anyone had seen one or used one yet.

-Bob F.