Rifle Scopes US Optics Foundation series

Yeah, I was just about to post about this. Honestly, while I love the classic USOs, their recent efforts are too little, too late. Their prices are still outrageous in comparison to most other optics, unless they’ve made some Earth-shattering changes. I don’t see too many folks paying $2000 for a fixed 10x, $2900 for a 3.2-17x, or $3500 for a 5-25x. If those are MSRP prices and they retail for significantly less, they may stand a chance, but the market is so saturated anymore that you really have to be something special to get that much retail these days...

UPS Will be glad to know business it going to increase due to USO returns for repair!

rth1800 said:

UPS Will be glad to know business it going to increase due to USO returns for repair!

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What did USO do to you to make you harass them like you do? There are plenty of scope manufactures I’ve used that have been awful, but I’m not going to bash them on every post with their name in it.

Just curious

I had 3 USO SCOPES none of which ever worked long enough to even get them mounted on a rifle. I would simply go through the adjustments and they would fail. Lock up, lose focus, something come loose inside etc. I sent them back countless times. Literally incurred hundreds in shipping. They finally told me they had no idea how to fix them.
I wasted a couple of years fooling with them.

I'd like to know that the changes are because they look exactly the same as the previous B series, I wish they would get rid of that double taper on the bell, makes for an ugly look.

I hope they succeed for them and us as consumers.

It looks like new turrets and they capped the windage. It looks like it might be a winner. All my problems with USO have been with the elevation turret. Hopefully this fixes it.

Looks like they got rid of the locking turret. If they can keep the same feel with the new turrets a nice bonus.

Edit. Looks like poorboyr beat me to it.

Wonder if they can bring in some new engineers and get the design refined and improved a little.
-Less tunneling
-better illumination controls and not illuminating the larger bars on the reticle
-possible improved or refined optics formula
-fire the idiot who continues to mix moa/mil for reticle measurements on their site

Wonder if they could retrofit the turrets onto a B series scope.

5x25 usable elevation is pretty dismal.

rth1800 said:

UPS Will be glad to know business it going to increase due to USO returns for repair!

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They are like boomerangs hehe

rth1800 said:

I had 3 USO SCOPES none of which ever worked long enough to even get them mounted on a rifle. I would simply go through the adjustments and they would fail. Lock up, lose focus, something come loose inside etc. I sent them back countless times. Literally incurred hundreds in shipping. They finally told me they had no idea how to fix them.
I wasted a couple of years fooling with them.

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Wow that sucks!

USO had a decent summary of the B to Foundation changes on social media.
The last bullet is a little vague.


Re-quoting from USO:

"The Foundation Series models implement key features/changes
that improve the performance and versatility of each optic. The main differences are as follows:

-FDN models feature a 180 degree magnification throw to facilitate rapid adjustment from low to high power. B-Series models feature a 250 degree throw.
-The FDN models are 100% waterproof. B-Series models are water resistant.
-The FDN ER3K elevation knob provides 11 mils of travel per revolution to allow for quick corrections.
-The FDN ER3K elevation knob offers a true Zero Stop feature.
-The FDN models offer rising elevation and windage knobs with revolution indicators.
-The FDN models offer a capped windage knob.
-Optimized and improved optical system"

Midwestside said:

-The FDN models are 100% waterproof. B-Series models are water resistant.

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So the B series shouldn’t be taken out in the field if your anticipating rain? Wow

You can find that in the manual except um... USO never did get around to making a manual for any of their scopes that I am aware. That should be a clue.

Poorboyr said:

All my problems with USO have been with the elevation turret.

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Hahahahahaha, it’s only the most important turret......

Midwestside said:

-Optimized and improved optical system"

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?

Sorta seems like an odd generality with the specific other changes. "We made the scope gooder!"

Been out of shooting sports for a while. Surprised to see people still buy this shit.

I remember when I was a broke college student and could only dream of a precision rifle - back in those days US Optics were the fancy boutique scopes. For rifles the biggest names were TacOps, GAP and AI.

My, how times have changed. Never did get a US Optics, but did get my dream TacOps rifle after college (also have/had a GAP as well).

It's too bad US Optics has had so many issues. Would be nice to see them back in the game.

I bought a used USO back around 2009 the reticle was so thick that i sold it. I would however buy an mst100 if I could find one.

Well, I've had a few uso scopes in the last 5 years. While everyone is entitled to thier opinion, I have had nothing but good luck with them. All of them have tracked perfect, glass has been very good and I have even shot numerous matches in the pouring down rain(like dumping water out of mags before you shoot, raining) with my er25 I had, and it still worked great for over a year afterwards. Lr17 was actually even better imo. Loved that one.

Everyone has thier own opinion and experiences with gear though. I wouldnt own a fucking thing that says American Rifle Co on it, but lots of people love them.

yeah, the one i had was built like an anvil and worked flawless. but the reticle..... it seemed as thick as an oak tree

rth1800 said:

I had 3 USO SCOPES none of which ever worked long enough to even get them mounted on a rifle. I would simply go through the adjustments and they would fail. Lock up, lose focus, something come loose inside etc. I sent them back countless times. Literally incurred hundreds in shipping. They finally told me they had no idea how to fix them.
I wasted a couple of years fooling with them.

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So you bought all three at the same time or are you just a dumbass and bought two more after the first one went tits up and never made it on a rifle?

I do agree that anyone who owns a USO scope is a dumbass. How many do you have? ?

Palmetto-Pride said:

So you bought all three at the same time or are you just a dumbass and bought two more after the first one went tits up and never made it on a rifle?

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Really? So your way of thinking is if you have one problem with any scope manufacture then you will never buy another or give them another chance? If most people were that way then nobody would own anything. Everything fails......

I guess I need to quit shooting because every scope manufacture I've used has had an issue. Some are just less severe than others.

Poorboyr said:

Really? So your way of thinking is if you have one problem with any scope manufacture then you will never buy another or give them another chance? If most people were that way then nobody would own anything. Everything fails......

I guess I need to quit shooting because every scope manufacture I've used has had an issue. Some are just less severe than others.

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Yeah I get what you are saying. The guy I quoted claims he never had even one make it to being mounted on his rifle and he is going to go and buy two more high dollar scopes after Not even getting one to be mounted and be used on his rifle get the fuck out of here with that bullshit.

rth1800 said:

I do agree that anyone who owns a USO scope is a dumbass. How many do you have? ?

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I’m not a dumbass that went and bought three of them after not being able to get the first one to work.......lol

Palmetto-Pride said:

Yeah I get what you are saying. The guy I quoted claims he never had even one make it to being mounted on his rifle and he is going to go and buy two more high dollar scopes after Not even getting one to be mounted and be used on his rifle get the fuck out of here with that bullshit.

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No, I agree. It's kind of crazy to have three high end scopes not work straight out of the box.

rth1800 said:

I do agree that anyone who owns a USO scope is a dumbass. How many do you have? ?

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Well I guess I'm a dumbass x4 because I have an LR17, an ER25, a 1-8x and an observation scope. I got 'em all for good deals on here and they all work fine. If it weren't for already owning four and just wanting some different gear, I'd consider the B10.

Clear, crisp, tracks, subtends properly and still shoots under 1MOA too...


lk

Palmetto-Pride said:

Yeah I get what you are saying. The guy I quoted claims he never had even one make it to being mounted on his rifle and he is going to go and buy two more high dollar scopes after Not even getting one to be mounted and be used on his rifle get the fuck out of here with that bullshit.

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Perhaps its that not too many years ago, there were not many options.

I liked the features. I liked the Made in USA factor.
I normally buy in quantity. I ordered one. It arrived and I liked what I saw. Ordered two more. As I began closely looking them over things started going wrong. One would lock up when rotated to highest power. One the internal level came loose inside. One would not focus. It was all downhill from there. I was never able to get an instruction manual.

When I received my first S8B Ultra short I ordered 6 more and 6 more after that. None have broken after years of use.

I have never had an issue with NF or S&B.

I cannot imagine wishing a company to stay in business that has such a history. It’s like praying for the future of syphilis.

kthomas said:

I remember when I was a broke college student and could only dream of a precision rifle - back in those days US Optics were the fancy boutique scopes. For rifles the biggest names were TacOps, GAP and AI.

My, how times have changed. Never did get a US Optics, but did get my dream TacOps rifle after college (also have/had a GAP as well).

It's too bad US Optics has had so many issues. Would be nice to see them back in the game.

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you have the same exact "history" I do

like most little guys, stick to what your good at and improve on that

the forearms industry /customer seems to be willing to wait forever and pay a few more bucks if the result meets 75% of the hype.

Damn. Not much love for UsO. I guess I’ll be one of the guinea pigs for the FDH-25. I had an order in for a B-25 and they just asked me today if I wanted one of the new ones instead. I said sure whatever.

We’ll see how it goes.

DrDrillgood said:

Damn. Not much love for UsO. I guess I’ll be one of the guinea pigs for the FDH-25. I had an order in for a B-25 and they just asked me today if I wanted one of the new ones instead. I said sure whatever.

We’ll see how it goes.

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Definitely report back with your impressions. I'm a fan of USO scopes. I have an older st10, and will likely get the 1.8-10 variable within the next couple years.

rth1800 said:

I liked the features. I liked the Made in USA factor.
I normally buy in quantity. I ordered one. It arrived and I liked what I saw. Ordered two more. As I began closely looking them over things started going wrong. One would lock up when rotated to highest power. One the internal level came loose inside. One would not focus. It was all downhill from there. I was never able to get an instruction manual.

When I received my first S8B Ultra short I ordered 6 more and 6 more after that. None have broken after years of use.

I have never had an issue with NF or S&B.

I cannot imagine wishing a company to stay in business that has such a history. It’s like praying for the future of syphilis.

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Whatever you do for a living is what I want to be when I grow up. Are you hiring? I’d hate to have the problem of being able to order $20K worth of scopes at a time lol.

So its essentially a B series scope without that whore of a tool less rezero knob. Honestly going back the erek knob is brilliant as the old knob failed on everyone I know who used one (including me 2x). I sold both of mine so fast my head spinned.

The prob is...are we going to give them a second chance? The only reason I would is USA made. I love that. But ive moved on.


GL
DT

D_TROS said:

So its essentially a B series scope without that whore of a tool less rezero knob. Honestly going back the erek knob is brilliant as the old knob failed on everyone I know who used one (including me 2x). I sold both of mine so fast my head spinned.

The prob is...are we going to give them a second chance? The only reason I would is USA made. I love that. But ive moved on.


GL
DT

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You are the only person I’ve ever heard complain about the Erek knob. Every USO scope I’ve had with the Erek has been excellent.

Poorboyr said:

You are the only person I’ve ever heard complain about the Erek knob. Every USO scope I’ve had with the Erek has been excellent.

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I actually love the erek and am glad they switched back. Should have nvr left. The erek is who they are and people love it.

"Honestly going back the erek knob is brilliant as the old knob failed on everyone..."

I meant old (like 2 yrs lol) as in the B series tool less rezero knob. That knob is crap crap crap. If it hasn't slipped on you it will.


A winning scope for them would be erek, 14" long, 5-25 and 180* throw. 2/3 isn't bad.
They need to reengineer that long beast...even tho after I think of it I nvr had a problem with length while shooting it...or even noticed it.


Sorry wasn't clear

Regards,
DT

I have 2 and like them both. very reliable and hell for stout optics. my b 25 is a long bastard but it has never been an issue for me.

ken226 said:

Definitely report back with your impressions. I'm a fan of USO scopes. I have an older st10, and will likely get the 1.8-10 variable within the next couple years.

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I’ll let you know when I finally get it in my hands, which stands to be a while (estimated to be into March). I’m not a scope snob but I’ve got a razor gen ii, k624i, and minox zp5 to compare it to.

I had an order in for a B17 when this news dropped. I switched to the FDN17 immediately. Their revamped news release said that all foundation scopes get the optical upgrade. This scope is replacing a Vortex razor hdlh. I went with the MGR reticle because this is for hunting and I really like floating dots for hunting. When mine gets here (Feb/March) I'll have it and my vortex HDLH to compare it to. If it's as sharp as my other scope I'm gtg. For the price I'll be shocked if it isn't. Also, how come everyone bashes US optics tunneling but never posts pictures of it? Posting this here to keep up on other reports. Oh, it's going on a Browning long range hunter bedded into a Boyd's Heritage stock. 20moa tally rail with the bubble level and a something something scope mount... skyline. Warne skyline mount. Torque speced etc etc. 220 grain eldx with 77gn (I think) of retumbo. 2" @500yds.

D loop darrell said:

Also, how come everyone bashes US optics tunneling but never posts pictures of it?

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The tunneling people whine about is real. But its a minor annoyance in my opinion.

My understanding of the internal mechanics of a scope is that low magnification tunneling is a natural consequence of variable scopes. The wider the range between its lowest magnification and highest magnification, the more tunneling youd have at the low settings. For example, a 1.8-10 would have more than a 3-9.

Most manufacturers use a disk known as a mask to mitigate the tunneling. The downside of the mask, is that it reduces performance at the higher magnification settings.

According to US Optics FAQ, they chose not to use a mask, and put up with the tunneling in order to improve the performance at higher settings. Field of view being most effected.

I can say I don't like hearing this many negatives about US Optics. I was looking for a lpvo and I've been looking at us optics, Steiner, and trijicon in the $700 range. Maybe I should wait alittle more until shotshow 2020 comes out.

@Foxtrot2November - it's right here (SHOT) so you may as well wait. Granted, whatever is shown at shot likely won't be available for months; but you can make a more informed decision (in theory...probably more confusing).

Foxtrot2November said:

I can say I don't like hearing this many negatives about US Optics.

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I dont either. But here's why I rolled the dice on them. None of the bashers have photo proof. Its always some user (idk about on here but in other comment sections) that has some sketchy story about a box of scopes or sent one back 800x or some other pretty unbelievable story. All the posts from actual owners are basically "On par with other top tier scopes I've used" or "Loved my b17 still works great". Their new tool less erek2 knob did apparently come lose on a few folks. I think the new cap has set screws to secure things better. If I bought a $2,800 scope and it tunneled so bad that I just couldn't use it, I'd have photos all over the place like "LOOK!". My Vortex RZR HDLR tunnels ar max magnification. It isnt horrible but it's a clear change. I can still count the lines on the tinn roof of the old barn that's 1200yds behind my house. Am I bashing Vortex for it? Hell no. But if I was, I'd upload photo proof. Imo, most US optic bashers are just other scope brand loyalists. We'll see. I should be one of the first people to have a FDN17. I have no brand loyalty. I also got a good veteran discount ?. They even contacted me over an old post and are making my scope logo free.

Strykervet said:

Well I guess I'm a dumbass x4 because I have an LR17, an ER25, a 1-8x and an observation scope. I got 'em all for good deals on here and they all work fine. If it weren't for already owning four and just wanting some different gear, I'd consider the B10.

Clear, crisp, tracks, subtends properly and still shoots under 1MOA too...
View attachment 7205497

lk

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I see business has been good for you.

Let them make their changes and roll the scopes into the market place, it genuinely looks like they are trying to improve and listen to the customer. I will always want a US owned Made in America company to do well, don't know why people immediately jump on board with bashing and trolling a brand when it seems they are trying to get better. All the trollers must be absolutely perfect at their jobs and never make mistakes in their line of work....geeez grow a pair and I have so news for you "you are not perfect either".... Let's all hope that USO upgrades are just what they need to get back in the game.

Walker TR said:

Let them make their changes and roll the scopes into the market place, it genuinely looks like they are trying to improve and listen to the customer. I will always want a US owned Made in America company to do well, don't know why people immediately jump on board with bashing and trolling a brand when it seems they are trying to get better. All the trollers must be absolutely perfect at their jobs and never make mistakes in their line of work....geeez grow a pair and I have so news for you "you are not perfect either".... Let's all hope that USO upgrades are just what they need to get back in the game.

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That's how I feel. I own a leupold mk4 4.5-14x50 and love it, just wish it had a zero stop for the turrets. Just bought a PA gl4 4-16, few months ago. Have Aimpoint & Eotech. I want to buy a US made lpvo. I like the Ts1-6 & Ts1-8 lines for $ but as we know they did that buy being made in Asia but are still tested here for reputation per say. Might just have to bite the bullet if I don't see anything interesting enough from shot show.

Walker TR said:

Let them make their changes and roll the scopes into the market place, it genuinely looks like they are trying to improve and listen to the customer. I will always want a US owned Made in America company to do well, don't know why people immediately jump on board with bashing and trolling a brand when it seems they are trying to get better. All the trollers must be absolutely perfect at their jobs and never make mistakes in their line of work....geeez grow a pair and I have so news for you "you are not perfect either".... Let's all hope that USO upgrades are just what they need to get back in the game.

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pretty ironic for a company to name themselves “US optics” then buy chinese internals to use. Same garbage different wrapper