Konus Hunting Riflescopes
Konus is an Italian company, based in Verona, Italy since 1979. They have a broad line of scopes, primarily manufactured in People's Republic of China. Their scope line, along with a huge mix of other products, are designed for international distribution as the ten to twelve languages set of instructions suggest. Their website, http://www.konus.com/index.php is best considered a work in progress as quick location of product while not insurmountable, isn't easy. Right now, it features a particularly obnoxious YouTube based video of O'Neill Williams talking as if to second-graders, blubbering about the greatest warranty in the world and carrying on about unbreakable reticles. Replacement warranties are often offered when the scopes themselves aren't worth repairing and the invasive gush about engraving a reticle has nothing to do with the primary job of a riflescope, which is to hold its zero. When you have reticle float, it is of no comfort to know your reticle is still there. It well may be, it is just that it is in the wrong place which can prevent you from hitting what you are shooting at. Had Mr. Williams actually bothered to look through the scope he is making soap with, he would have discovered that the “engraved reticle” isn't fully engraved at all: only the center X-hairs could be, the rest is flattened wire like most scopes.
The two scopes we are taking a look at are the #7264 “Konuspro 3-9 x 40 Zoom Riflescope and the #7272 “Konuspro Plus 3-10 x 44 mm” that features a dual color illuminated reticle.
Both scopes claim fully multi-coated lenses and crisp metal on metal 1/4 in. at 100 yard click adjustments. Both scopes have the familiar 30/30 reticle that is etched, or as Konus puts it, “engraved.” Following are the Konus specifications to give you the general idea.
#7264 KONUSPRO 3-9x40 ZOOM - BLACK
30/30 engraved reticle
Nitrogen purged, 100% waterproof.
Shockproof.
Fogproof.
Multi coated optics.
Finger adjustable turrets.
Field of view at 100m/yds: 9.9m/32.4ft at 3x - 3.8m/12.4ft at 9x.
Weight: 450gr/15.8oz.
Length: 320mm/12.5"
Eye Relief: 76mm/3"
Exit Pupil: 13.3mm at 3x - 4.4mm at 9x.
Click value 1/4 M.O.A. (7.25mm).
Adjusting range at 100m/yds: 1.3m/52.4"
Mounting length: 140mm/5.53"
#7272 •
3-10x44
RETICLE: 30/30 blue/red illuminated
FIELD OF VIEW AT 100MT/YDS: 11.7m/35.4ft.at 3x - 3.6m/10.9ft at 10x
WEIGHT: 545gr/19.2oz
LENGTH: 335mm/13.1"
EYE RELIEF: 76.2mm/3"
EXIT PUPIL: 14.6mm at 3x - 4.4mm at 10x
CLICK VALUE MM AT 100M - IN AT 100 YDS: 1/4 M.O.A. (7.25mm).
ADJUSTING RANGE M AT 100M - IN AT 100YDS: 1.45m - 52.4"
MOUNTING RANGE: 144mm/5.6"
Both scopes are clearly targeted at value-priced scopes, with the 3-9 x 40 selling for $70 or so street price and the 3-10 x 44 illuminated reticle model going for $134 at Buds Gun Shop to cite but one source. I happily admit that I have no prior experience with Konus product, so I really can't comment on longevity or customer service based on experience. Neither scope is as advertised as mentioned earlier: they don't have engraved reticles, but a combination of flattened wire with an etched center section. In the case of the 3-10 x 44 IR model, only the illuminated portion is etched. If you want to compare these scopes to models with properly etched reticles, check out a Burris Fullfield E1 and you'll find the difference to be obvious.
First, let me make a few comments about the KonusPro 3-9 x 40. The image quality is surprisingly clear and crisp throughout the zoom range. The click adjustments are crisp and audible, exceptionally good. The scope is a bit on the heavy side and the eye relief of three inches is what some might find a bit too cozy for significant recoil applications at higher magnifications. Reticle focus is by moving the entire ocular end secured by a locking ring, a long way of saying it lacks quick diopter focus. The zoom ring operated very smoothly and the threaded adjustment caps were well-done, easy to remove and replace.
The Konuspro Plus 3-10 x 44 mm adds more weight and diopter quick focus, along with an included threaded sunshade. The adjustments are also very crisp, this time you turn the entire knob inside the adjustment caps as opposed to a smaller insert. In both scopes, the adjustments are finger adjustments but the full knob, called “new style” by Konus, found on this KonusPro is easier to grip. In the scope I evaluated, there is a little speck of dust on the glass inside the scope. Not in a particularly bad area, but still a sign of improper purging and quality checking after assembly.
At
these very low price points, there isn't much to kick about notwithstanding
the misrepresentation of the allegedly engraved reticle that isn't. The
image quality is better than I anticipated, to be sure, but the bulk,
weight, skimpy eye relief, and modest internal adjustment range may well
drive you into a higher level of scope, particularly if the application
has significant recoil. This type of scope is in a crowded field, running
up against the more established Hawke Sport HD series and Bushnell Banner
series of economical riflescopes.
Copyright 2011 by Randy Wakeman. All Rights Reserved.
