New Optics from SHOT Show 2025

[J.Baker]

Spent a good part of my weekend vegging out in front of YouTube watching vid's from the SHOT Show. Wasn't really all that impressed with much as far as new firearms are concerned, but seems a lot is happening in the optics world.

- Athlon is updating 4 of their existing scope lines (Ares ETR Gen2, Ares BTR Gen3, Midas Tac Gen2, and Argos BTR Gen3). They have also revamped and added to their line of thermal scopes and clip-ons, and will be coming out with a Garmin-like dopler chronograph later this year.
- Burris has totally redesigned their FullField line of scopes, there's a new XTR PS line of long-range tactical scopes featuring their PEK technology and onboard HUD, and there's a new enclosed emitter reflex sight dubbed the FastFire E.
- GPO has two new spotting scopes in the Passion APO 16-48x65mm and the Passion APO 20-60x85mm.
- Revic has a new Radikl series of smart scopes with a HUD.
- Swarovski has two new lines of rifle scopes, the Z5+ annd the Z5i+.
- Kahles of course has their new K540i 5-40x56 which everyone has been raving about.
- Leupold has updated their VX-6 HD linewith a new Gen2 version (Gen1 version will still be sold as well).
- Tangent Theta has a few new models in their SAI line, a 1-10x24 LPVO and a Mini Red Dot.
- Zeiss has a new line of V8 NA rifle scopes, and a couple new Conquest V4 models as well. There's also a new Conquest HDX LRP 15x56mm rifle scope which is highly specialized developed specifically for competitors in PRS and NPR.

Haven't seen or heard anything about new stuff from Bushnell, Sightron, NightForce, Arken, or Vortex at this point.

[want2ride]

I have a few Burris Veracity PH with the HUD and they are really nice scopes. I have two of the original gen 1 4-20's and that was enough to make me order the new "japanese glass" V2 in 3-15x50. while i am not liking the reticle as much as i thought i would, it is still just fine and easily visible at low light even at low magnification. I took the chance on the V1's after my brother had won a REVIC off of one of the prize tables at a PRS match years ago and i got to use it a bit. The Burris version doesn't have the ability to do onboard calculation adjustments for temp and pressure changes so if conditions change you have to re sync with your smart phone to upload more current conditions, and i am not sure that XTR PS is or not able to do it without pairing.... BUT it is still pretty awesome! i am still on the original batteries and it is showing more than half. I don't know how anyone wouldn't consider the Veracity PH for a long range hunting option... i like it a LOT better than my Zeiss V4, for about the same price. I am not in the market for another target scope at this time, but i would be at least looking at the XTRPS as long as i have the assurance that the glass is better than the 3.3-18 XTR3 that i have, My 5.5-30 XTR3 is just spectacular and IMO better than the XTR Pro that i had.

As far as Athlon, I really like my Ares ETR a LOT and just wonder what they improved on the new version as the one i got last summer is super solid. My gen 1 Ares BTR and gen 1 Midas Tac were all just fine, but glad they are coming out with hopefully better versions. I was really hoping to see a newer version of the Helos 2-12 as the turrets are about the only thing that didn't impress me much.

Thanks for compiling the list!

[J.Baker]

It's been years since I've had a Burris scope...think my last one was a 3-12x handgun scope that I had on my Striker back in the day. I did set up a good friend with a Burris FullField E1 6-20x for his .22-250 a few years back, mostly because the ballistic reticle was perfect for 50-55gr factory loads out to 500 yards. He doesn't reload and doesn't get into guns and shooting like many of us do - he just wanted a accurate and reliable optic for taking out groundhogs on his farm without breaking the bank. The FullField E1 checked all those boxes and has proven to be a very nice scope for the money.

What's really surprised me in the last week or so when looking for a new scope was that it's darn near impossible to find a good mid-priced LPVO that doesn't have one of those goofy horseshoe/chevron AR-oriented reticles in it. 1-4x's are almost extinct at this point, 1-6x's and 1-8x's are all tailored for the AR market, and the only 2-7x's I've been able to find are either for handguns or scout rifles with extended eye relief. Apparently the industry as a whole has abandoned low-power hunting scopes. 1-4x's with a simple duplex or German #4 reticle were the go-to for a dangerous game optic, but now they don't exist. A fixed 4x optic was the standard for a squirrel rifle - they are nearly extinct outside of the Leupold FX-1 4x32mm. A quality fixed 6x optic was for decades the go-to deer rifle optic - they don't exist anymore. 2-7x's were a long time favorite for slug guns and muzzleloaders - but they no longer exist. What's next? Are 3-9x's and 2.5-10x's with basic reticles going to disappear in a few years as well? At this rate it's totally plausible.

It's not that I'm against modern reticles as many of my current scopes have them, and they have their place. However, I don't like busy reticles for my dedicated hunting rifles.

[Mcrider55]

I have no idea why scope manufacturers seem to think we need endless information before us. I'm a computer, guy, it was my profession for 40 years. I understand geeks dig info, but damn, on a rifle scope? Some of the new digital stuff might as well go Heads Up Display, and I don't think it will be long until some system like that appears.

[Robinhood]

I wish Sightron would go back to their SII Big Sky hunting scopes. Durrable, great glass, locking turrets on the newer models with a simple reticle. A tad on the expensive side but a good value all things considered.

[J.Baker]

I have no idea why scope manufacturers seem to think we need endless information before us. I'm a computer, guy, it was my profession for 40 years. I understand geeks dig info, but damn, on a rifle scope? Some of the new digital stuff might as well go Heads Up Display, and I don't think it will be long until some system like that appears.

That's basically what these new Burris scopes are - rifle scopes with a HUD.

[J.Baker]

I wish Sightron would go back to their SII Big Sky hunting scopes. Durable, great glass, locking turrets on the newer models with a simple reticle. A tad on the expensive side but a good value all things considered.

Always liked the Sightron SI and SII hunting scopes. The SIII target scopes are very nice as well, but years ago I purchased one with the fine target dot reticle and found it to be too small and hard to see so I sold it soon after getting it. Think that was the last Sightron I had purchased.

[Romey]

It's been years since I've had a Burris scope...think my last one was a 3-12x handgun scope that I had on my Striker back in the day. I did set up a good friend with a Burris FullField E1 6-20x for his .22-250 a few years back, mostly because the ballistic reticle was perfect for 50-55gr factory loads out to 500 yards. He doesn't reload and doesn't get into guns and shooting like many of us do - he just wanted a accurate and reliable optic for taking out groundhogs on his farm without breaking the bank. The FullField E1 checked all those boxes and has proven to be a very nice scope for the money.

What's really surprised me in the last week or so when looking for a new scope was that it's darn near impossible to find a good mid-priced LPVO that doesn't have one of those goofy horseshoe/chevron AR-oriented reticles in it. 1-4x's are almost extinct at this point, 1-6x's and 1-8x's are all tailored for the AR market, and the only 2-7x's I've been able to find are either for handguns or scout rifles with extended eye relief. Apparently the industry as a whole has abandoned low-power hunting scopes. 1-4x's with a simple duplex or German #4 reticle were the go-to for a dangerous game optic, but now they don't exist. A fixed 4x optic was the standard for a squirrel rifle - they are nearly extinct outside of the Leupold FX-1 4x32mm. A quality fixed 6x optic was for decades the go-to deer rifle optic - they don't exist anymore. 2-7x's were a long time favorite for slug guns and muzzleloaders - but they no longer exist. What's next? Are 3-9x's and 2.5-10x's with basic reticles going to disappear in a few years as well? At this rate it's totally plausible.

It's not that I'm against modern reticles as many of my current scopes have them, and they have their place. However, I don't like busy reticles for my dedicated hunting rifles.

I always thought Burris was underrated in many of their lines they are near Tier 2 glass. My Brother has Burris LVPO (with no circle of death btw) mounted on several of his SBR rifles and the eye boxes are excellent with better then average glass for the cost. We both come from being used to the Chevron because of Acogs but he prefers a dot on his LVPO where I don't mind the Chevron on circle of death still.
Returned veterans are why the market is strong for those reticles.

[J.Baker]

I always thought Burris was underrated in many of their lines they are near Tier 2 glass. My Brother has Burris LVPO (with no circle of death btw) mounted on several of his SBR rifles and the eye boxes are excellent with better then average glass for the cost. We both come from being used to the Chevron because of Acogs but he prefers a dot on his LVPO where I don't mind the Chevron on circle of death still.
Returned veterans are why the market is strong for those reticles.

I think it has more to do with the fact that I turned 50 last fall and am now an official member of the "Grumpy Old Curmudgeon" club.

Back in my day.....

[Robinhood]

Always liked the Sightron SI and SII hunting scopes. The SIII target scopes are very nice as well, but years ago I purchased one with the fine target dot reticle and found it to be too small and hard to see so I sold it soon after getting it. Think that was the last Sightron I had purchased.

The Big Sky line, in my humble opinion was Zeiss glass or better and very durable to boot. They were a lot pricey(er) than most of the competition but worth it in my opinion.

[Rimfirenut]

New user here, that really dig optics, especially Athlon. With that being said, Athlon's updates on the Midas Tac and Ares ETR are in the convenience area rather than in the glass. There are some GREAT deals out there in the 2024 models, if you don't need the screw-in throw levers on the newer model. I've bought 3 (an Ares ETR 4/5-30x56 and two Midas Tac 6-24x50) and will probably buy another of each.

[J.Baker]

New user here, that really dig optics, especially Athlon. With that being said, Athlon's updates on the Midas Tac and Ares ETR are in the convenience area rather than in the glass. There are some GREAT deals out there in the 2024 models, if you don't need the screw-in throw levers on the newer model. I've bought 3 (an Ares ETR 4/5-30x56 and two Midas Tac 6-24x50) and will probably buy another of each.

As my recently published review on the main page notes, I've been really impressed with the Ares ETR I've been using the last 5-6 years. I also have another Athlon review that will be coming soon for a model in the Argos BTR line, though it didn't tickle my fancy quite like the Ares ETR. It's not a bad scope, it just fell victim of trying to offer too much magnification with the lower grade glass they had to use to hit the price point for that line resulting in a "milky" image quality when in the upper 1/3 of the available magnification range.

[aziroc]

I have 4 Sightrons scope, so I'm alittle bit of a fan boy. Most recent was their ED glass. It's actually pretty good upgrade over their regular glass (which i feel is already amazing).

The only thing that pissed me off is they came out with the s8 which has a A TON of nice features...but it's ment for airgun