Vector Optics Continental 5-30x56 Tactical

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Vector Optics Continental 5-30x56 Tactical

Post by mikejay » 22 Jan 2020, 10:19 am

Hi Guys,

For a newbies take on the Vector Optics Continental 5-30x56 Tactical, read on. I have one, it's my main scope, it's actually my only scope now.

Vector Optics Continental 5-30x56 tactical Unboxing and Review

The Packaging

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Packaging is adequate, but it is by no means Apple level. Vector Optics do themselves such a disservice with their packaging.

They don’t seem to realise that when you buy one of their high-end products, you expect better packaging, better materials and better presentation.

I would have expected an upper and lower clamshell foam design or at least full depth foam for the scope, peel off film on the lenses and dials set to the lowest settings instead of just some random position.
I would have expected a thin box or envelope containing your welcome documentation, manual, freebies, and warranty card.

It’s a high-end scope, I want to keep my packaging for that just in case eventuality.

By the same token when you’re looking at the box, you’ve more than likely already bought the scope, there is no need to carry on with the loud design as though it’s still advertising to you.

Accessories

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From left to right we have warranty card, a multi-language product manual, a fridge magnet, a lens cleaning cloth, a bumper sticker, a casino style discount chip, and a set of medium rings.

The Specifications

• Turret click value:1/10 MIL
• Adjustment Range:17.5 MIL
• Elevation Range >17.5MIL
• Windage Range >17.5MIL
• Turret Type: Tactical Lock (Done=Locked)
• Illumination: 6 Levels
• Parallax Setting 15 Yards to Infinity
• Magnification 5-30x
• Objective Lens Dia. 56mm
• Lens Diameter. 42mm
• Tube Diameter. 30mm Monotube
• Ocular Lens Length 54mm
• Exit Pupil 9.5-1.9mm
• Optics Coating: FMC VePRO
• Field of View 24.9-4.2 Feet@ 100 yards
• Field of View 8.3-1.4M@ 100 meters
• Eye Relief 100mm
• Length 400mm
• Weight: 725g / 25.6 ounce
• Parallax Setting 100 yards
• Side Focus 15 Yds to infinite
• Reticle: Etched glass VCT-20
• Illuminated reticle battery: CR2032 (not included)
• Distance between objective lens part and middle turret: 72mm (2.8 inch)
• Length of middle turret part: 38mm (1.5 inch)
• Distance between middle turret part to power ring: 58mm (2.3 inch)
• Shock tested to 750g
• Fully nitrogen purged to eliminate any fogging of the lenses internally
• Turret lock system with zero reset.
• High quality 6061 T6 aircraft grade aluminium
• Focus mark: 15, 20, 30, 50, 75, 100, 200, 300, 500 and infinite
• Dioptre compensation for fast-focus eyepiece (+2 to -3)

The Specifications are legit, turret tracking is perfect in a box test. Turret click is precise and loud enough to hear with hearing protection on.

I haven’t tested the side focus distances vs real life distances, but they seem accurate out to at least 100m and yes it really does focus down to 15 yards.

The Look

Image

Image

The scope looks really good, they’ve matched the black coatings on the various parts quite well, graduation marks are very distinct, clear and easy to read. There are no manufacturing mistakes or unfinished edges anywhere.

Holding it in your hand you’d be hard pressed to find this level of quality fit and finish on scopes in its price range, it compares very favourable to the look of scopes double its price or more.

Materials

The Materials are top notch and appropriate in terms of quality and what is made of metal what is made of plastic. The only complaint I have is that they could have done a better job with the colour of the turret grub screws, I would have liked them to be black instead of raw metal, possibly even recessed a bit more and rubber capped.

Build Quality

It’s hard to believe this scope is made in China, but then again China is fast losing its low-quality image especially in light of their decades long foray into building many of our most coveted consumer products, this just has to translate to a general increase in the quality of manufacturing. This scope reflects some of the best build quality components I’ve seen on a scope at any price.

Turrets, Zoom, Side Focus and Illumination

I did the box test a few times at different numbers of clicks each time, the reticle landed exactly where it began …. every time.

Lifting the turret has a very positive feel and sounds loud enough to hear through ear protection, while not as loud the turret clicks are also precise.

Closing the turret back down allows landing on any click as opposed to cheap scopes where you need to wiggle the cap a little to push it down.

The Zoom ring feels nice and tight so you won’t get accidental movement but loose enough not to kick the rifle over as you adjust the zoom, the grips on the various rings feel positive on your fingertips and look tactical.

The Magic

You’ll see in the documentation and the Vector Optics website a few acronyms being thrown around FMC, VePRO and LaREE. All these acronyms basically translate to Vector Optics have gone out and looked at how the Germans and Swiss make their glass and coating, put in a few years of R&D and now do their own glass grinds and coatings.

Their glass tech is the LaREE bit, FMC is an industry stand term and stands for Fully Multi Coated and it’s what the big boys do.

Vector Optics have gotten very good at it and called it VePRO. How good? I’d easily put the clarity, light transmission and image quality up there with the best of the US and Euro offerings at a price range several time greater than the Vector Optics.

Conclusion

I absolutely love this scope, it punches way above its weight and I’d be happy to recommend it to anyone looking for a good scope, especially at its price point.
mikejay
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Re: Vector Optics Continental 5-30x56 Tactical

Post by SCJ429 » 22 Jan 2020, 10:50 am

If you think the packaging is a bit ordinary, you should see the box you get your Schmidt & Bender in. Flimsy white card box.
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Re: Vector Optics Continental 5-30x56 Tactical

Post by flutch » 22 Jan 2020, 7:41 pm

I have 2 vector scopes and I rate them very highly, one has endured hundreds of shots from my 300win and hasnt budged even a fraction of a poofteenth of a sweet FA, theyre super clear, reticles arent painted on by a 3yo with a fat black texta like most of the leading brands (cough cough vortex, cough cough bushnell, cough cough hawke) and theyre neat, cheap and the company has surprisingly good follow up support...

theyre great for the money, and even great compared to things 3 times their price.
Guns:
Rossi S/S 410
Lanber U/O 12 gauge
Adler B220PG 12 gauge
Ruger 22lr
Remington 270 win
Howa 223
Weatherby 300 Winmag

Bows:
G5 Quest Drive
G5 Prime Defy
flutch
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Re: Vector Optics Continental 5-30x56 Tactical

Post by SCJ429 » 22 Jan 2020, 9:19 pm

What follow up support have you needed?
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Re: Vector Optics Continental 5-30x56 Tactical

Post by mikejay » 04 Feb 2020, 12:27 pm

An addendum to my review, I've since found out the glass lenses are imported German Schott glass.
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Re: Vector Optics Continental 5-30x56 Tactical

Post by flutch » 04 Feb 2020, 4:11 pm

SCJ429 wrote:What follow up support have you needed?


Freight issue, immediately resent a second scope
Guns:
Rossi S/S 410
Lanber U/O 12 gauge
Adler B220PG 12 gauge
Ruger 22lr
Remington 270 win
Howa 223
Weatherby 300 Winmag

Bows:
G5 Quest Drive
G5 Prime Defy
flutch
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Posts: 447
Western Australia

Re: Vector Optics Continental 5-30x56 Tactical

Post by SCJ429 » 04 Feb 2020, 6:22 pm

mikejay wrote:An addendum to my review, I've since found out the glass lenses are imported German Schott glass.

Did it say that in the literature that came with the scope? Are you able to post a picture of the page that states this?
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Re: Vector Optics Continental 5-30x56 Tactical

Post by mikejay » 04 Feb 2020, 11:10 pm

SCJ429 wrote:Did it say that in the literature that came with the scope? Are you able to post a picture of the page that states this?


In the literature and website it says German Optics System HD Glass, I asked the manufacturer what does that mean and I got a reply from the founder Stephen Shen, the glass lenses are imported from Germany.
mikejay
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Re: Vector Optics Continental 5-30x56 Tactical

Post by SCJ429 » 05 Feb 2020, 6:36 am

The mystery deepens, I cannot find any company called German Optics System. Did Mr Shen say what company made the glass?
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Re: Vector Optics Continental 5-30x56 Tactical

Post by Sergeant Hartman » 05 Feb 2020, 6:57 am

Ahh seriously it's a Chinese company making knockoff albet decently high quality scopes the glass is made in China somewhere. If it works for you why do you care where the glass is made
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Re: Vector Optics Continental 5-30x56 Tactical

Post by mikejay » 05 Feb 2020, 8:31 am

Ziad wrote:Ahh seriously it's a Chinese company making knockoff albet decently high quality scopes the glass is made in China somewhere. If it works for you why do you care where the glass is made


I actually do believe the glass is German, I know for a fact VO was in Germany last year and the year before, visiting suppliers and gun manufacturers. They actually did some shock testing of their scopes at Heckler and Koch while in Germany.

On their "News Centre" pages they actually state...

https://www.vectoroptics.com/about/view/id/21.html

"HD & ED Optics System with German lens, which are designed for professional & perfectionist hunters."

One of the things I find VO to be really bad at is their marketing, specifically highlighting the features the English speaking market likes to see in clear enough language.
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Re: Vector Optics Continental 5-30x56 Tactical

Post by mikejay » 05 Feb 2020, 8:42 am

Something of note, Schott has been manufacturing glass for the optics and scientific industry, in China since at least 2006.

https://www.photonics.com/Articles/Related_Schott_Opens_Optics_Business_in_China/ar25397
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Re: Vector Optics Continental 5-30x56 Tactical

Post by SCJ429 » 05 Feb 2020, 8:27 pm

Ziad wrote:Ahh seriously it's a Chinese company making knockoff albet decently high quality scopes the glass is made in China somewhere. If it works for you why do you care where the glass is made


I agree, if you are happy with it, that is what matters. If it is Waxi Chinese glass with a parent company based in Germany they make glass of an acceptable quality. At least they make better boxes than Ziess or Schmidt and Bender. :drinks:
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Re: Vector Optics Continental 5-30x56 Tactical

Post by SCJ429 » 16 Feb 2020, 8:29 am

I would be concerned about spending a grand on a scope made by a company that may not be around in ten years. Also the resale on these things are not good. The OP tried to sell one on here and not a single bite.
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Re: Vector Optics Continental 5-30x56 Tactical

Post by Sergeant Hartman » 16 Feb 2020, 8:47 am

Lol, i bought a nightforce 12x42 for 1k last year i recon if i sell it in 5 years i will still be able to sell it for 1k. Probably in 10 years be still very close to 1k. If i try hard i might even sell it for a little more as i got it for a steal. Same with a leupold vx3 8.5x25x50.

A China scope probably won't be able to sell, esp with no warranty. Cuz in 1 year another company will be selling this same scope brand new for 50% of what it cost you now. So then ppl will offer you 50 bucks for your $500 scope.
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Re: Vector Optics Continental 5-30x56 Tactical

Post by bladeracer » 16 Feb 2020, 9:36 am

Ziad wrote:Lol, i bought a nightforce 12x42 for 1k last year i recon if i sell it in 5 years i will still be able to sell it for 1k. Probably in 10 years be still very close to 1k. If i try hard i might even sell it for a little more as i got it for a steal. Same with a leupold vx3 8.5x25x50.

A China scope probably won't be able to sell, esp with no warranty. Cuz in 1 year another company will be selling this same scope brand new for 50% of what it cost you now. So then ppl will offer you 50 bucks for your $500 scope.


I guess that might matter to somebody who buys things with the intention of selling them, but not so much to those of us that buy things to keep. I don't think about what I might be able to get back on something when I finish with it, I think about how much it will benefit me as a person while I own it. More like good food, or study, or books, or travel, you are investing within yourself, not your financial position.

There are a few ways to look at bang for buck.
If I buy a $300 scope, and use it for a year before I damage or lose it, I just need to decide whether I got $300 worth of enjoyment out of it. If I did then why would I care what I might be able to sell it for?

I could look at it based on time - was it worth $25 a month to me? I know people that drink more than $25 worth of beer every week.

I could base it on cost-per-shot - if I used it to fire 100 rounds, that's three-dollars per shot (probably more expensive than the ammo), if I fired 30,000 rounds it's only one-cent per shot.

If I went shooting ten times in that year, did I get $30 worth of value out of it each trip?
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Re: Vector Optics Continental 5-30x56 Tactical

Post by SCJ429 » 16 Feb 2020, 9:48 am

How much would you buy this scope for Blade? Is it worth a grand to you?
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Re: Vector Optics Continental 5-30x56 Tactical

Post by flutch » 16 Feb 2020, 12:21 pm

bladeracer wrote:
I guess that might matter to somebody who buys things with the intention of selling them, but not so much to those of us that buy things to keep. I don't think about what I might be able to get back on something when I finish with it, I think about how much it will benefit me as a person while I own it. More like good food, or study, or books, or travel, you are investing within yourself, not your financial position.

There are a few ways to look at bang for buck.
If I buy a $300 scope, and use it for a year before I damage or lose it, I just need to decide whether I got $300 worth of enjoyment out of it. If I did then why would I care what I might be able to sell it for?

I could look at it based on time - was it worth $25 a month to me? I know people that drink more than $25 worth of beer every week.

I could base it on cost-per-shot - if I used it to fire 100 rounds, that's three-dollars per shot (probably more expensive than the ammo), if I fired 30,000 rounds it's only one-cent per shot.

If I went shooting ten times in that year, did I get $30 worth of value out of it each trip?



Precisely, and for me personally when I bought mine off them, I purchased the Forester 3-15X50 scopes, they came in at $150 each, I was more than happy to take a gamble at that price, and it has since paid off in droves, I have had other name brand scopes not even come close to it in clarity and durability.
Guns:
Rossi S/S 410
Lanber U/O 12 gauge
Adler B220PG 12 gauge
Ruger 22lr
Remington 270 win
Howa 223
Weatherby 300 Winmag

Bows:
G5 Quest Drive
G5 Prime Defy
flutch
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Re: Vector Optics Continental 5-30x56 Tactical

Post by SCJ429 » 16 Feb 2020, 2:15 pm

So we are saying that if you bought a Nightforce BEAST and took it out hunting more than 134 times, it would have cost less than $30 per trip, bargain. Mad to have bought anything else really.
:drinks:
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Re: Vector Optics Continental 5-30x56 Tactical

Post by SCJ429 » 16 Feb 2020, 2:20 pm

I have owned a few scopes from Leupold, Ziess, Schmidt and Bender and Nightforce. Only one had an issue, a 30 year old Leupold failed. I sent it in for a free repair and she is good to go. I hope you have the same experience with your Vector.
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Re: Vector Optics Continental 5-30x56 Tactical

Post by Sergeant Hartman » 16 Feb 2020, 2:28 pm

Hey i can see both point of views. As long as the scope doesn't break and you never want to sell it and it actually works as described you are ahead. And if it works and it's your money who really cares.

Same logic is why kmart is doing so well, get cheap stuff and sell lots of it... make the society used to being disposable.
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Re: Vector Optics Continental 5-30x56 Tactical

Post by SCJ429 » 16 Feb 2020, 2:51 pm

flutch wrote:

Precisely, and for me personally when I bought mine off them, I purchased the Forester 3-15X50 scopes, they came in at $150 each, I was more than happy to take a gamble at that price, and it has since paid off in droves, I have had other name brand scopes not even come close to it in clarity and durability.


I agree with you Fluch, if this Vector was $150 it would be worth a punt but for $1,000 you are so close to being able to afford some decent scopes.
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Re: Vector Optics Continental 5-30x56 Tactical

Post by bladeracer » 16 Feb 2020, 4:33 pm

Ziad wrote:Hey i can see both point of views. As long as the scope doesn't break and you never want to sell it and it actually works as described you are ahead. And if it works and it's your money who really cares.

Same logic is why kmart is doing so well, get cheap stuff and sell lots of it... make the society used to being disposable.


The rapidly expanding price of labour and rapidly reducing pool of skilled labour are what is making us a disposable society.
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Re: Vector Optics Continental 5-30x56 Tactical

Post by bladeracer » 16 Feb 2020, 4:43 pm

SCJ429 wrote:How much would you buy this scope for Blade? Is it worth a grand to you?


I really doubt it, but I have no interest in it so haven't examined the specs. I have very little interest in any scope over $500 or so, to throw a grand at one it would have to fit a very specific purpose, long-range competition, or spotlighting perhaps.

I'm certainly not going to pay a premium to have a "free transferable lifetime warranty" (a ludicrously brilliant/stupid idea, depending on who's paying) I'm unlikely to use, you're paying extra to cover the costs of the company refurbishing all those scopes bought cheap off Ebay and sent in under the warranty to bring it back to new spec. Here in Oz we already have decent consumer protection laws.
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