Hi, my recent red stag hunt in Poland taught me that my otherwise very good Leupold 3-10x50 with his fine duplex crosshair is unsuitable for late afternoon/evening hunting. Since I cannot afford to buy a Zeiss or a Swaro, I'm considering a Meopta, may be the 3100 or the Meostar 3-12x56 ill. dot. Does anyone has experience with recent production Meopta scopes and especially with said models? Thanks.

I have a 3-12x50 Meopta on my 6.5x55 tikka and aso used it on my .308 winchester. 1st class scope! just as good as S&B!!

Lorenzo,

There's nothing to be ashamed about realizing personal financial constraints; here a coupla alternatives to consider albeit the Meopta scopes are garnering an apparently well-deserved reputation as a very servicable, lower-price optic.

1. Return your Leupold scope to them for a recticle upgrade - a pain in the Ass from Europe with Customs, shipping, handling & all.....if you're interested take a look at the Leupold website, they've some very good Heavy Duplex recticles that may just meet your needs.

2. Try http://www.kaps-optik.de/english/index.htm
They are also a currently an outstanding German scope at resaonbable price (also for their Illuminated range).

Thanks Gerry, you had an excellent idea! I've just dropped a mail to the Leupold service point in Germany. Let's see...

wildboar,

I have used the Leupold Germany repair centre and the service was very good. I had a cracked front lense after dropping the scope. Sent it to the service centre in Germany and it was returned repaired within about a month, free of charge. This was approximately 4 years ago. Good service. Thought you might like the feedback.

- stu

Gerry, you gave me a fantastic hint; the german Leupold repair point has just replied me, after ONLY 2 hours and I appreciate fast replies a lot; the cost of the crosshair replacement is only 57.5€ plus postage, VERY reasonable. I will certainly send them the scope.

Stu C, your post confirms me in my intention.

Thanks and for both!!!

why don't you sell your leopold scope and buy one of their illuminated reticle models.

probably best is the circle dot. forget the german reticle from them - it is too cluttered.

also check out akah in germany. they have some priceworthy illuminated reticle scopes

akah = albrecht kind gummersbach

I sent a Leo back and had them put a German Nr. 1 in it. Reticles are personal, I do not care for any circle dot types. The only difference is the reticle is in a different plane, so it remains the same size thru power adjustments. Just an FYI.

But having said that, and since I use an illuminated dot, they are vastly superior compared to any non-illum reticle for late dawn, dusk, night hunting, Waidmannsheil, Dom.

The kdot on Meoptas Meostar R1 1-4x22RD looks fine (it is a daylight scope tho)