Archived Posts » 59,859,448
Zeiss Orion 80 I question
8/26/2011 5:16:45 PM
OK, I broke down and purchased one of these from Cope's Dist. Scope is my first (and probably only) NV. I live in a state where night hunting is not allowed and will probably use it for a novelty (plus I'll be the only 64 yr. old kid on the block to have one if SHTF, our cops only have 3) on a AR upper and for observing game at night in areas I hunt (off gun) so that I can pattern them. My question concerns the auto lens cap on the rear. I wear glasses so the idea of pressing up against the cap to open the "shutters" is less than appealing. Is there anything wrong with permanently opening them and just using a lens cap of the appropriate diameter to cover the end? I've only had it out in the front yard and while it seems to have reasonable range (100+ yds) for resolving items, I won't know how well it suits my needs until I take it out into the country. Any info from users appreciated.
Thanks
Thaine
Thanks
Thaine
8/26/2011 7:05:45 PM
My rear lens cover just "pops" off.
8/26/2011 7:29:00 PM
I just bought 1 as well from the same place. How is the quality of the units exterior and and overall quality? Are all of the items in the case in good shape as well? I hope Vic looks @ this thread cuz I'm also wondering what it would cost to replace the tube w/ something about the same optical quality and will hold up to .30 cal recoil. Let the flaming 
begin
begin8/26/2011 8:33:59 PM
Since you are only using it as a spotter, remove the rubber cap. As mentioned above, it most likely just pops off. I run my PVS-4 without the cap because of the eye glass issue as well. I am not going into harms way, so it is not an issue for me.
If you do want to hide the glow, try a PVS-14 style rubber eye guard. You will most likely have to modify them to work. But they are much softer and flex easier with eye glasses. They also have the ear/wing to it that cups around my eye glasses.
If you do want to hide the glow, try a PVS-14 style rubber eye guard. You will most likely have to modify them to work. But they are much softer and flex easier with eye glasses. They also have the ear/wing to it that cups around my eye glasses.
8/26/2011 8:58:38 PM
A little extra IR light and you should have some good range with those cascade tubes. In Arkansas, they consider coons, rats, pigs, possums etc as nuisance non hunting animals and its legal to shoot them at anytime with anything you want. Check you local game and fish regs a bit deeper, you may get lucky..
ETA: Those are considered one of the best cascade scopes along with the Odelft. They are built for war and tough as nails.
ETA: Those are considered one of the best cascade scopes along with the Odelft. They are built for war and tough as nails.
8/26/2011 9:38:21 PM
Originally Posted By bwp777:
I just bought 1 as well from the same place. How is the quality of the units exterior and and overall quality? Are all of the items in the case in good shape as well? I hope Vic looks @ this thread cuz I'm also wondering what it would cost to replace the tube w/ something about the same optical quality and will hold up to .30 cal recoil. Let the flamingbegin
I just bought 1 as well from the same place. How is the quality of the units exterior and and overall quality? Are all of the items in the case in good shape as well? I hope Vic looks @ this thread cuz I'm also wondering what it would cost to replace the tube w/ something about the same optical quality and will hold up to .30 cal recoil. Let the flaming
beginIT should withstand it, it was made for the HK91.
8/26/2011 10:01:26 PM
"I just bought 1 as well from the same place. How is the quality of the units exterior and and overall quality? Are all of the items in the case in good shape as well? I hope Vic looks @ this thread cuz I'm also wondering what it would cost to replace the tube w/ something about the same optical quality and will hold up to .30 cal recoil. Let the flaming begin"
Quality appears fine as I would expect for a product wearing the Zeiss name ( I am very familiar with their cameras/lenses and binoculars). Condition is vg. scratches and wear on the paint, but every thing functions and it is just a case of learning how to use it for me. Everything was in my kit (including 2 batteries) except the manual. I gleamed enough info off the web to figure out how they work and what does what. I would not worry about using it on a 308. As one poster said, it was set up for the G3 and MG42.
I have popped the eye piece off, that will probably be the route I go, unless I can get an extra eyepiece and modify it for a cap. Will have to check on the other eye pieces.
Our hunting regs are pretty screwy, and I will have to check more. It seems we can't hunt with a light (unless with a permit and they are time limited from what the application says), but a non game animal with a passive device might be a different matter. Hate to pose the question to G&F, but it may be worth a try.
I am sure I will enjoy it and get my monies worth. Sure wish I had one 40 yrs ago when we used to light up the back roads in SW Texas calling coyotes!
Thanks again for the replies.
Quality appears fine as I would expect for a product wearing the Zeiss name ( I am very familiar with their cameras/lenses and binoculars). Condition is vg. scratches and wear on the paint, but every thing functions and it is just a case of learning how to use it for me. Everything was in my kit (including 2 batteries) except the manual. I gleamed enough info off the web to figure out how they work and what does what. I would not worry about using it on a 308. As one poster said, it was set up for the G3 and MG42.
I have popped the eye piece off, that will probably be the route I go, unless I can get an extra eyepiece and modify it for a cap. Will have to check on the other eye pieces.
Our hunting regs are pretty screwy, and I will have to check more. It seems we can't hunt with a light (unless with a permit and they are time limited from what the application says), but a non game animal with a passive device might be a different matter. Hate to pose the question to G&F, but it may be worth a try.
I am sure I will enjoy it and get my monies worth. Sure wish I had one 40 yrs ago when we used to light up the back roads in SW Texas calling coyotes!
Thanks again for the replies.
8/27/2011 1:56:52 AM
Originally Posted By Thaine:
"I just bought 1 as well from the same place. How is the quality of the units exterior and and overall quality? Are all of the items in the case in good shape as well? I hope Vic looks @ this thread cuz I'm also wondering what it would cost to replace the tube w/ something about the same optical quality and will hold up to .30 cal recoil. Let the flaming begin"
Quality appears fine as I would expect for a product wearing the Zeiss name ( I am very familiar with their cameras/lenses and binoculars). Condition is vg. scratches and wear on the paint, but every thing functions and it is just a case of learning how to use it for me. Everything was in my kit (including 2 batteries) except the manual. I gleamed enough info off the web to figure out how they work and what does what. I would not worry about using it on a 308. As one poster said, it was set up for the G3 and MG42.
I have popped the eye piece off, that will probably be the route I go, unless I can get an extra eyepiece and modify it for a cap. Will have to check on the other eye pieces.
Our hunting regs are pretty screwy, and I will have to check more. It seems we can't hunt with a light (unless with a permit and they are time limited from what the application says), but a non game animal with a passive device might be a different matter. Hate to pose the question to G&F, but it may be worth a try.
I am sure I will enjoy it and get my monies worth. Sure wish I had one 40 yrs ago when we used to light up the back roads in SW Texas calling coyotes!
Thanks again for the replies.
"I just bought 1 as well from the same place. How is the quality of the units exterior and and overall quality? Are all of the items in the case in good shape as well? I hope Vic looks @ this thread cuz I'm also wondering what it would cost to replace the tube w/ something about the same optical quality and will hold up to .30 cal recoil. Let the flaming begin"
Quality appears fine as I would expect for a product wearing the Zeiss name ( I am very familiar with their cameras/lenses and binoculars). Condition is vg. scratches and wear on the paint, but every thing functions and it is just a case of learning how to use it for me. Everything was in my kit (including 2 batteries) except the manual. I gleamed enough info off the web to figure out how they work and what does what. I would not worry about using it on a 308. As one poster said, it was set up for the G3 and MG42.
I have popped the eye piece off, that will probably be the route I go, unless I can get an extra eyepiece and modify it for a cap. Will have to check on the other eye pieces.
Our hunting regs are pretty screwy, and I will have to check more. It seems we can't hunt with a light (unless with a permit and they are time limited from what the application says), but a non game animal with a passive device might be a different matter. Hate to pose the question to G&F, but it may be worth a try.
I am sure I will enjoy it and get my monies worth. Sure wish I had one 40 yrs ago when we used to light up the back roads in SW Texas calling coyotes!
Thanks again for the replies.
Someone said they found a manual hidden under all the padding in the top of the box, did you take all the foam out of it, you just might find one.
8/27/2011 8:19:12 AM
b_rogers. Are you in AR? Shoot me a PM. I'm in Conway
8/27/2011 9:35:48 AM
Originally Posted By bwp777:
b_rogers. Are you in AR? Shoot me a PM. I'm in Conway
b_rogers. Are you in AR? Shoot me a PM. I'm in Conway
Yep. Im in LR, PM sent.
8/27/2011 12:21:51 PM
"Little Rock's a fine town."
I wonder if they're out of the Orion again?
I wonder if they're out of the Orion again?
8/27/2011 1:55:47 PM
"I wonder if they're out of the Orion again?"
Lady told me they had 48 for the last shipment, a little over 100 for the first.
I too had read about the manual under the foam, no such luck for me.
Just a heavy ass box. 
LOL
I have a PDF copy a buyer was gracious enough to email me (German) and I am slowly (read that very slowly) translating it using Google translate. I have to do it in small bits of text and then am pasting it into a word document. Copy pics over and then translate more text. I got a whole 4 pages of 108 done Friday. It will make a workable copy, not a word for word translation. It obviously doesn't recognize some of the terms and once I am done, I will compile a list of those and send it to a friend in Germany and ask them for a translation of them. My 50 year old High School German classes didn't last this long and sure didn't include the terms I am finding.
Right know it reads a lot like a 60s Japanese motorcycle manual for those of you old enough to have experienced that. Figure at the rate I am going it will take a month (spare time deal) or so to get it done.
Thaine
Lady told me they had 48 for the last shipment, a little over 100 for the first.
I too had read about the manual under the foam, no such luck for me.
Just a heavy ass box. LOL
I have a PDF copy a buyer was gracious enough to email me (German) and I am slowly (read that very slowly) translating it using Google translate. I have to do it in small bits of text and then am pasting it into a word document. Copy pics over and then translate more text. I got a whole 4 pages of 108 done Friday. It will make a workable copy, not a word for word translation. It obviously doesn't recognize some of the terms and once I am done, I will compile a list of those and send it to a friend in Germany and ask them for a translation of them. My 50 year old High School German classes didn't last this long and sure didn't include the terms I am finding.
Right know it reads a lot like a 60s Japanese motorcycle manual for those of you old enough to have experienced that. Figure at the rate I am going it will take a month (spare time deal) or so to get it done.
Thaine
8/27/2011 2:40:26 PM
Originally Posted By tenOC:
"Little Rock's a fine town."
I wonder if they're out of the Orion again?
"Little Rock's a fine town."
I wonder if they're out of the Orion again?
Dont listen to Dan, its the space behind Satan's nuts.
8/27/2011 5:36:30 PM
I'll shoot you an email soon Brent.
8/27/2011 6:20:18 PM
Originally Posted By godrilla47:
My rear lens cover just "pops" off.
My rear lens cover just "pops" off.
Yup you should be able to pull the rear cover off.
8/27/2011 6:21:56 PM
Originally Posted By bwp777:
I just bought 1 as well from the same place. How is the quality of the units exterior and and overall quality? Are all of the items in the case in good shape as well? I hope Vic looks @ this thread cuz I'm also wondering what it would cost to replace the tube w/ something about the same optical quality and will hold up to .30 cal recoil. Let the flamingbegin
I just bought 1 as well from the same place. How is the quality of the units exterior and and overall quality? Are all of the items in the case in good shape as well? I hope Vic looks @ this thread cuz I'm also wondering what it would cost to replace the tube w/ something about the same optical quality and will hold up to .30 cal recoil. Let the flaming
beginYou will likely not be replacing the tube. Good luck finding one. Last I soucred these tubes they were in the 1k range for replacement.
On the plus side from what I heard most of these weren't used too hard, so the tubes are likely good for near their 1k hour rated life.
8/27/2011 9:58:31 PM
I had the same concern about the rubber eye cup, it just pops off and is "dummy corded" to the base so you don't lose it. The controls are simple and easy to use, and the resolution is very good. It seems to be best designed for non-urban as you do get a lot of flare from streetlights and such.
8/27/2011 10:41:30 PM
1K hours on the tubes???????
I didn't realize it would be that short.
Why would another type of tube not fit? Design difference?
I didn't realize it would be that short.
Why would another type of tube not fit? Design difference?
8/27/2011 11:16:54 PM
The tubes are "cascade" which is three gen1 tubes fiber optically tied in series for crazy gain. This gives true passive use in starlight without using a illuminator, keeping you invisible to others with NV. Theres just not an easy way to swap a tiny tube where a foot long one was.
1,000 hours is quite a bit of scope time, you would be suprised.
They are the size of a pringles can too.
1,000 hours is quite a bit of scope time, you would be suprised.
They are the size of a pringles can too.
8/28/2011 8:41:13 AM
Got it.
8/28/2011 10:58:44 AM
I'll mess around long enough and they'll be out of them and I won't have to worry about it.
Just thought it'd be nice to have a Pringles can and a PVS head mounted.
Yeah, Lt Dan to Gump and Bubba.
You blew my mind for a moment. I had to draw a mental picture of that area before it sunk in. Duh.
Just thought it'd be nice to have a Pringles can and a PVS head mounted.
Originally Posted By b_rogers:
Dont listen to Dan, its the space behind Satan's nuts.
Originally Posted By tenOC:
"Little Rock's a fine town."
"Little Rock's a fine town."
Dont listen to Dan, its the space behind Satan's nuts.
Yeah, Lt Dan to Gump and Bubba.
You blew my mind for a moment. I had to draw a mental picture of that area before it sunk in. Duh.
8/28/2011 12:07:26 PM
Originally Posted By bwp777:
1K hours on the tubes???????
I didn't realize it would be that short.
Why would another type of tube not fit? Design difference?
1K hours on the tubes???????
I didn't realize it would be that short.
Why would another type of tube not fit? Design difference?
Because gen1 cascade tubes are like a foot long, while G2, G3 tubes are more like 1-3" long. Enjoy it for what it is. And the defintion of the 1k hours is that at 1k hours the tube will typically produce 50% of the gain as it did when new. Exposure to bright lights will eat up the tube much faster however.
There are reasons people typically recommend buying G2 unit at least and tube life and being able to deal with bright lights better are 2 of them. But you wont find a gen2 rifle scope for 500 bucks. So enjoy what you have as it is one of the best first gen scopes made.
8/28/2011 12:40:35 PM
Originally Posted By tenOC:
I'll mess around long enough and they'll be out of them and I won't have to worry about it.
Just thought it'd be nice to have a Pringles can and a PVS head mounted.
Yeah, Lt Dan to Gump and Bubba.
You blew my mind for a moment. I had to draw a mental picture of that area before it sunk in. Duh.
I'll mess around long enough and they'll be out of them and I won't have to worry about it.
Just thought it'd be nice to have a Pringles can and a PVS head mounted.
Originally Posted By b_rogers:
Dont listen to Dan, its the space behind Satan's nuts.
Originally Posted By tenOC:
"Little Rock's a fine town."
"Little Rock's a fine town."
Dont listen to Dan, its the space behind Satan's nuts.
Yeah, Lt Dan to Gump and Bubba.
You blew my mind for a moment. I had to draw a mental picture of that area before it sunk in. Duh.
Lol..
OP, how much "fisheye" or geometric distortion is there? I THINK these are corrected tubes?
Also im sure these scopes are like any other Gen1, even when turned off they still glow for a while and are still able to be damaged if exposed to bright light. Remember to put the lens cap on and give the scope a few minutes to fade before getting around bright areas.
8/28/2011 12:51:26 PM
Does the tube continue to degrade past 50% after the 1k hours?
8/28/2011 2:35:56 PM
Originally Posted By bwp777:
Does the tube continue to degrade past 50% after the 1k hours?
Does the tube continue to degrade past 50% after the 1k hours?
Yes. From the moment you turn it on the very first time it will steadily loose the ability to intensify light so within the first 1k hours you will loose 50%, the next 1k hours you will loose another 50% (so 25% of the orinal and so on). The 1K hours is a number thats commonly thrown around as an average for the Gen1 units. In reality it really depends on how much you use it and particularly around well lit areas, which will wear out the tube much faster. Also realize these units probably already have some "time" on the tube, and unless yours came with a rigorously maintained logbook, you will never know how much time that is.
To put 1k in perspective for you: if you use your sight 365 days a year every day for 3hrs a night you will hit 1k in 1year... I don't think you are going to use it that much are you? For a bit of perspective I have had Gen1 units which have lasted me nearly 2 decades at this point with moderate use. So I wouldn't be that worried.
8/28/2011 9:10:50 PM
The fact that they have been used gives me pause about the units. If they were new or documented then it would be a non issue. Since the military has been using them and they are probably '80's or '90's issue then they very well could be near the end of their life.I really don't see any military dumping "like new" or "new old stock" night vision like hot potatoes. From my understanding there were approximately 10k built. I'm also sure that there are few countries that they can export to.
Now I'm not so sure
Now I'm not so sure
8/28/2011 10:37:39 PM
The technology is very outdated as far as military use goes. It works well, but the latest stuff really outperforms it by a huge margin. Not only does the new stuff have better performance, it is also much lighter and has a longer life. So it isn't because these are at the end of their life that they are being sold. It is at the point where even third world nations have better NV units in service.
8/29/2011 3:43:47 PM
Originally Posted By ihon:
The technology is very outdated as far as military use goes. It works well, but the latest stuff really outperforms it by a huge margin. Not only does the new stuff have better performance, it is also much lighter and has a longer life. So it isn't because these are at the end of their life that they are being sold. It is at the point where even third world nations have better NV units in service.
The technology is very outdated as far as military use goes. It works well, but the latest stuff really outperforms it by a huge margin. Not only does the new stuff have better performance, it is also much lighter and has a longer life. So it isn't because these are at the end of their life that they are being sold. It is at the point where even third world nations have better NV units in service.
This is pretty much it. Actually from a military point of view they were largely obsolete on a modern battlefield the moment gen2 devices came into common use in the early 80's. The British in the Falklands had some serious issues using their Gen1 IWS sights (very compareble to the Zeiss in terms of performance) against the Argies who had PVS-4's. One of the main problems with all Gen1 devices are the blooming/streaking/shutdowns that occur in the presence of bright lights (like you might encounter from tracers/explosions/gunfire). Gen0/2/3 devices deal with this far better than Gen1 devices.
8/31/2011 11:45:32 AM
Well FedEx just showed up and dropped off my case full of night vision. I hope to look through it tonight. No manual, the scope itself looks in decent shape (dusty) the case has been moved around alot cuz most of the painted nomenclature has rubbed off. If the scope is half as tough as the case then this thing could be used to club someone after the tube has failed. I will check back later
8/31/2011 12:23:32 PM
Originally Posted By bwp777:
Well FedEx just showed up and dropped off my case full of night vision. I hope to look through it tonight. No manual, the scope itself looks in decent shape (dusty) the case has been moved around alot cuz most of the painted nomenclature has rubbed off. If the scope is half as tough as the case then this thing could be used to club someone after the tube has failed. I will check back later
Well FedEx just showed up and dropped off my case full of night vision. I hope to look through it tonight. No manual, the scope itself looks in decent shape (dusty) the case has been moved around alot cuz most of the painted nomenclature has rubbed off. If the scope is half as tough as the case then this thing could be used to club someone after the tube has failed. I will check back later
Awesome, keep us posted! Try and avoid bright streetlights and such and you will get the best results. I gotta ask, I havent seen it posted whats the weight on these?
8/31/2011 2:41:33 PM
Not sure about the weight. I turned it on (w/ the day cap on) and everyhting seems to be operating properly. I guess the 3 dimensional view will not be as pronounced when looking into the distance. The focus seems to work good down to about 10ft or so but it looks like everything comes in 3's. There are a few specks but nothing major and not near the aiming spots which get VERY bright. All the switches work and the finish on the gun has no wear marks except on the focus ring @ the eyecup. I was hoping to get the mount today but maybe tomorrow. If you are looking into NV, then this would be a very very good optic to start with. This scope blows the old Russian piece out of the water.
8/31/2011 3:08:52 PM
Originally Posted By bwp777:
Not sure about the weight. I turned it on (w/ the day cap on) and everyhting seems to be operating properly. I guess the 3 dimensional view will not be as pronounced when looking into the distance. The focus seems to work good down to about 10ft or so but it looks like everything comes in 3's. There are a few specks but nothing major and not near the aiming spots which get VERY bright. All the switches work and the finish on the gun has no wear marks except on the focus ring @ the eyecup. I was hoping to get the mount today but maybe tomorrow. If you are looking into NV, then this would be a very very good optic to start with. This scope blows the old Russian piece out of the water.
Not sure about the weight. I turned it on (w/ the day cap on) and everyhting seems to be operating properly. I guess the 3 dimensional view will not be as pronounced when looking into the distance. The focus seems to work good down to about 10ft or so but it looks like everything comes in 3's. There are a few specks but nothing major and not near the aiming spots which get VERY bright. All the switches work and the finish on the gun has no wear marks except on the focus ring @ the eyecup. I was hoping to get the mount today but maybe tomorrow. If you are looking into NV, then this would be a very very good optic to start with. This scope blows the old Russian piece out of the water.
With the pinhole aperture it will be kinda close focused..Should be way better about 10pm
How bout some pics of the beast?
8/31/2011 3:32:48 PM
Iwill post some when I get it mounted. When you gonna come up and take a peek
through it?
through it?8/31/2011 7:13:54 PM
Originally Posted By bwp777:
Iwill post some when I get it mounted. When you gonna come up and take a peek through it?
Iwill post some when I get it mounted. When you gonna come up and take a peek
through it?Probably have time this weekend, got a raccoon invasion im gonna "help" a buddy with Sunday night.
8/31/2011 7:37:41 PM
Originally Posted By b_rogers:
Awesome, keep us posted! Try and avoid bright streetlights and such and you will get the best results. I gotta ask, I havent seen it posted whats the weight on these?
Originally Posted By bwp777:
Well FedEx just showed up and dropped off my case full of night vision. I hope to look through it tonight. No manual, the scope itself looks in decent shape (dusty) the case has been moved around alot cuz most of the painted nomenclature has rubbed off. If the scope is half as tough as the case then this thing could be used to club someone after the tube has failed. I will check back later
Well FedEx just showed up and dropped off my case full of night vision. I hope to look through it tonight. No manual, the scope itself looks in decent shape (dusty) the case has been moved around alot cuz most of the painted nomenclature has rubbed off. If the scope is half as tough as the case then this thing could be used to club someone after the tube has failed. I will check back later
Awesome, keep us posted! Try and avoid bright streetlights and such and you will get the best results. I gotta ask, I havent seen it posted whats the weight on these?
Its about the same size and weight as PVS-4 or 1pn51. Maybe a bit longer I haven't looked at mine side by side with the 4. Its definately smaller than a pvs-2 or 1pn34/58. And it weighs less than the PVS-2 IIRC.
8/31/2011 8:24:32 PM
I'm gonna be on the Buffalo all weekend. I hope you wax the coons. We will keep in touch and find a 
time that works for the both of us.
time that works for the both of us.10/24/2011 3:31:26 PM
Back in stock if anyone is interested
10/25/2011 10:40:52 PM
Based on what the Bundeswehr used these for, shouldn't they take 7.62x54R recoil?
10/26/2011 2:12:40 AM
The actual scope weighs around 4.5 lbs, it is about the same size and weight as a PVS-4
10/26/2011 11:36:51 AM
Originally Posted By ODA_564:
Based on what the Bundeswehr used these for, shouldn't they take 7.62x54R recoil?
Based on what the Bundeswehr used these for, shouldn't they take 7.62x54R recoil?
I would assume so, but have not tried it. I'm curious as to how you plant to mount it to a 7.62x54 rifle though. It definitely works with 7.62x51.
10/26/2011 4:28:09 PM
Originally Posted By Dawg180:
The actual scope weighs around 4.5 lbs, it is about the same size and weight as a PVS-4
The actual scope weighs around 4.5 lbs, it is about the same size and weight as a PVS-4
I think I just posted that above...
Honestly these are some of the best Gen1 TC units out there (better than the ex-sov units and PVS-2). And the price is very competitive to other Gen1 TC units these days.
10/26/2011 4:32:48 PM
Originally Posted By Harlikwin:
I would assume so, but have not tried it. I'm curious as to how you plant to mount it to a 7.62x54 rifle though. It definitely works with 7.62x51.
Originally Posted By ODA_564:
Based on what the Bundeswehr used these for, shouldn't they take 7.62x54R recoil?
Based on what the Bundeswehr used these for, shouldn't they take 7.62x54R recoil?
I would assume so, but have not tried it. I'm curious as to how you plant to mount it to a 7.62x54 rifle though. It definitely works with 7.62x51.
I WECSOG'd a picatinny rail on a spare, sightless feed tray cover for my semi-automatic PKM. I have a M145 MGO on it. I'd mount one of these the same way using the WECSOG'd picatinny mount others have made - if I can convince myself I need the toy.
It would be great for nightime helicopter hog hunting. If I lived in Texas and could hunt hogs from a helicopter (at night).
10/26/2011 4:41:23 PM
Originally Posted By ODA_564:
I WECSOG'd a picatinny rail on a spare, sightless feed tray cover for my semi-automatic PKM. I have a M145 MGO on it. I'd mount one of these the same way using the WECSOG'd picatinny mount others have made - if I can convince myself I need the toy.
It would be great for nightime helicopter hog hunting. If I lived in Texas and could hunt hogs from a helicopter (at night).
Originally Posted By Harlikwin:
I would assume so, but have not tried it. I'm curious as to how you plant to mount it to a 7.62x54 rifle though. It definitely works with 7.62x51.
Originally Posted By ODA_564:
Based on what the Bundeswehr used these for, shouldn't they take 7.62x54R recoil?
Based on what the Bundeswehr used these for, shouldn't they take 7.62x54R recoil?
I would assume so, but have not tried it. I'm curious as to how you plant to mount it to a 7.62x54 rifle though. It definitely works with 7.62x51.
I WECSOG'd a picatinny rail on a spare, sightless feed tray cover for my semi-automatic PKM. I have a M145 MGO on it. I'd mount one of these the same way using the WECSOG'd picatinny mount others have made - if I can convince myself I need the toy.
It would be great for nightime helicopter hog hunting. If I lived in Texas and could hunt hogs from a helicopter (at night).
That sounds pretty awesome actually. Honestly I'm 90% sure you won't have any problems from the recoil, these older tubes+housings are generally good to go. TVS-2's were routinely mounted on .50's and they have the same basic tube design. As it stands they used these on MG3's so I imagine the recoil from a semi 7.62x54R isn't going as bad as that.
As for WECSOG, I think arms (yes I know the arf-hate of arms) makes a stanag->picattiny adaptor.
Helicopter hawg hunting using a PKM(semi)... You should post a video of that if you ever do it.
10/26/2011 9:10:17 PM
Does the ARMS #7 mount for sure work for mounting these to a pic rail? Also, what sort of reticle is in the unit? I read that there is very little adjustment range which is worrisome, anyone know if this is truly the case? I'm actually considering picking one of these up since weapon mounting my MUM on a 308 is a no go. The video on youtube really paints these in a good light but I can't tell what kind of reticle is in it.
10/27/2011 7:45:48 AM
ARMS #7 will work fine to attach the scope to a Picatinny rail. For comfortable viewing on a bolt action you will need some sort of rear extension on your rail (2.5-3 inches).
I am considering IOR Valdada's Lo Pro Extension Riser turned around?
I am considering IOR Valdada's Lo Pro Extension Riser turned around?
10/27/2011 10:08:21 AM
Originally Posted By fordkicksass:
Does the ARMS #7 mount for sure work for mounting these to a pic rail? Also, what sort of reticle is in the unit? I read that there is very little adjustment range which is worrisome, anyone know if this is truly the case? I'm actually considering picking one of these up since weapon mounting my MUM on a 308 is a no go. The video on youtube really paints these in a good light but I can't tell what kind of reticle is in it.
Does the ARMS #7 mount for sure work for mounting these to a pic rail? Also, what sort of reticle is in the unit? I read that there is very little adjustment range which is worrisome, anyone know if this is truly the case? I'm actually considering picking one of these up since weapon mounting my MUM on a 308 is a no go. The video on youtube really paints these in a good light but I can't tell what kind of reticle is in it.
Yeah unfortunately they rumor about limited adjustment range is correct, there doesn't seem to be a ton of adjustment in the unit, mine worked fine mounted on my G3sg1 since since it was designed to do that, but I can't comment how well it might work on others.
10/28/2011 12:15:33 AM
Reticle is basically a Christmas tree with three strata corresponding top to bottom for 1) .308, 2) Lafette, 3) Grenade It is fairly basic, but I like it.
There is another thread where someone has kindly represented the reticle graphically and I recall there were photos somewhere of the reticle.
Less useful in urban setting where streetlights and cars are around.
Reticle brightness is adjustable from off to interferingly bright.
The fact that it is mountable onto an ARMs 7 stanag to weaver and the fact that it has a reticle and was made by Zeiss made it kind of a no brainer for me. Have been eyeballing lower priced passive scopes for a while, and most of the "affordable" stuff sounded like it just wasn't worth much.
While I would love to spend $15K on thermal and $3.5K for Gen 3 from TNVC, it just isn't happening at this juncture in my life.
This thing I can mess around with and not grind my teeth too bad if something craps out or I do something Klink like fall on my face with the scope.
Does anybody know what the mount lugs on the top of the scope are for? I assume it is for an illuminator. Did the illuminator have its own power source or did it connect to the 2X C-cells powering the Orion.
Thanks, and also thanks for this very informative thread
There is another thread where someone has kindly represented the reticle graphically and I recall there were photos somewhere of the reticle.
Less useful in urban setting where streetlights and cars are around.
Reticle brightness is adjustable from off to interferingly bright.
The fact that it is mountable onto an ARMs 7 stanag to weaver and the fact that it has a reticle and was made by Zeiss made it kind of a no brainer for me. Have been eyeballing lower priced passive scopes for a while, and most of the "affordable" stuff sounded like it just wasn't worth much.
While I would love to spend $15K on thermal and $3.5K for Gen 3 from TNVC, it just isn't happening at this juncture in my life.
This thing I can mess around with and not grind my teeth too bad if something craps out or I do something Klink like fall on my face with the scope.
Does anybody know what the mount lugs on the top of the scope are for? I assume it is for an illuminator. Did the illuminator have its own power source or did it connect to the 2X C-cells powering the Orion.
Thanks, and also thanks for this very informative thread
10/28/2011 11:47:35 AM
Originally Posted By Ustulina:
Reticle is basically a Christmas tree with three strata corresponding top to bottom for 1) .308, 2) Lafette, 3) Grenade It is fairly basic, but I like it.
There is another thread where someone has kindly represented the reticle graphically and I recall there were photos somewhere of the reticle.
Less useful in urban setting where streetlights and cars are around.
Reticle brightness is adjustable from off to interferingly bright.
The fact that it is mountable onto an ARMs 7 stanag to weaver and the fact that it has a reticle and was made by Zeiss made it kind of a no brainer for me. Have been eyeballing lower priced passive scopes for a while, and most of the "affordable" stuff sounded like it just wasn't worth much.
While I would love to spend $15K on thermal and $3.5K for Gen 3 from TNVC, it just isn't happening at this juncture in my life.
This thing I can mess around with and not grind my teeth too bad if something craps out or I do something Klink like fall on my face with the scope.
Does anybody know what the mount lugs on the top of the scope are for? I assume it is for an illuminator. Did the illuminator have its own power source or did it connect to the 2X C-cells powering the Orion.
Thanks, and also thanks for this very informative thread
Reticle is basically a Christmas tree with three strata corresponding top to bottom for 1) .308, 2) Lafette, 3) Grenade It is fairly basic, but I like it.
There is another thread where someone has kindly represented the reticle graphically and I recall there were photos somewhere of the reticle.
Less useful in urban setting where streetlights and cars are around.
Reticle brightness is adjustable from off to interferingly bright.
The fact that it is mountable onto an ARMs 7 stanag to weaver and the fact that it has a reticle and was made by Zeiss made it kind of a no brainer for me. Have been eyeballing lower priced passive scopes for a while, and most of the "affordable" stuff sounded like it just wasn't worth much.
While I would love to spend $15K on thermal and $3.5K for Gen 3 from TNVC, it just isn't happening at this juncture in my life.
This thing I can mess around with and not grind my teeth too bad if something craps out or I do something Klink like fall on my face with the scope.
Does anybody know what the mount lugs on the top of the scope are for? I assume it is for an illuminator. Did the illuminator have its own power source or did it connect to the 2X C-cells powering the Orion.
Thanks, and also thanks for this very informative thread
Hi, Ustulina
Like I said these scopes are among the best triple cascade first gen scopes that have come around in a long while in terms of image quality. Certainly far better than any of the crap commercial gen1 scopes you see for the same price. The downsides of it are IMO, the reticle which I don't really like and the limited adjustment range. But almost all of the various gen1 scopes have some of these drawbacks, either the image quality wasn't great (example 1pn34) or the mounting system sort of sucked (outside of what it was designed to mount to, ex all of them) or the adjustment system wasn't great (example PVS-2) etc etc. And then there are the known issues of shorter tube life and problems dealing with bright lights in the FOV that are "features" of all gen1 TC scopes. But thats the price you pay for "oldtech" the scopes are certainly usable within their limitations for recreational purposes or hunting (if its permitted in your area) for a very reasonable cost.
The mount lugs on the top the scope are indeed for an illuminator but I have never seen one for sale here, it was similar (maybe identical) to the ones the Germans used on their older Gen0 scopes and IIRC the illuminator did have a power lead either to the scope (maybe need an adaptor for the orion) or an external box, B8V IIRC was the model of the older scope. Personally I would just skip this illuminator since its huge and use a commercial illuminator LED or laser of some sort if you think you need it.
10/28/2011 4:45:34 PM
I have had one of these for a while and I am quite pleased with the $ 500 plus night scope,, I bought it for my second home in case of an emergency or sthf scenerio
I have sighted it in on my Ar-15 carbine yah its little heavy but i can 't afford the 3k gen 3 stuff, and to the posters who are knocking this scope who can afford a 3k NVD why are you commenting here
well anyway
I have the german language manual for all who need it ,it was given to me for free and I have been giving it out for free on numerous other websites. so feel free to ask, as it is my way of paying back the info others have shared with me in the past
e-mail me at captainjack692@aol.com
Jack
I have sighted it in on my Ar-15 carbine yah its little heavy but i can 't afford the 3k gen 3 stuff, and to the posters who are knocking this scope who can afford a 3k NVD why are you commenting here
well anyway
I have the german language manual for all who need it ,it was given to me for free and I have been giving it out for free on numerous other websites. so feel free to ask, as it is my way of paying back the info others have shared with me in the past
e-mail me at captainjack692@aol.com
Jack
10/28/2011 6:27:05 PM
Originally Posted By jacksprat:
I have had one of these for a while and I am quite pleased with the $ 500 plus night scope,, I bought it for my second home in case of an emergency or sthf scenerio
I have sighted it in on my Ar-15 carbine yah its little heavy but i can 't afford the 3k gen 3 stuff, and to the posters who are knocking this scope who can afford a 3k NVD why are you commenting here
well anyway
I have the german language manual for all who need it ,it was given to me for free and I have been giving it out for free on numerous other websites. so feel free to ask, as it is my way of paying back the info others have shared with me in the past
e-mail me at captainjack692@aol.com
Jack
I have had one of these for a while and I am quite pleased with the $ 500 plus night scope,, I bought it for my second home in case of an emergency or sthf scenerio
I have sighted it in on my Ar-15 carbine yah its little heavy but i can 't afford the 3k gen 3 stuff, and to the posters who are knocking this scope who can afford a 3k NVD why are you commenting here
well anyway
I have the german language manual for all who need it ,it was given to me for free and I have been giving it out for free on numerous other websites. so feel free to ask, as it is my way of paying back the info others have shared with me in the past
e-mail me at captainjack692@aol.com
Jack
Jack, did you have any problems zeroing it on your AR? I'd like to pick one of these up but several have people have indicated that it has a rather narrow adjustment range. Since it's on your AR, is it mounted via the ARMS #7 stanag adapter or were you able to do it some other way? A picture would be fantastic if you have one.
10/29/2011 10:46:14 PM
Is there a great difference in the condition of these units? I see them in one place for $575 saying condition varies and another for $800 saying they are A grade.
