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Rifle Scopes "HD Glass" - really... what is it?

jtb33

jtb33

Full Member
Full Member
Minuteman
Jun 15, 2010
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PHX, AZ - USA
So I've got to ask: "HD Glass"... what is it REALLY? I'm gathering that it's basically a marketing name to allude to "High Definition" [TV/Monitor, etc].

I'm also guessing that it's to insinuate an analogy likening "regular" scope glass to a regular TV, and "HD Glass" to a High Definition TV/Monitor.

So it that it; just a marketing term?

Or is it code for "Schott Glass" or is "HD Glass" made by some other specific company? Or am I just way off on all counts here?
 
Re: "HD Glass" - really... what is it?

Good question. Is it actually some sort of low-dispersion glass with good anti-reflective coating?

Anyone know?
 
Re: "HD Glass" - really... what is it?

I'm not sure as how it applies to glass. But in monitor tv, true HD is a native res of 1920x1080 progressive and then there are res's above HD such as 2560x1600. I would like to know the very question the OP asked though just because it would be interesting as to how it applies to vision and fov.
 
Re: "HD Glass" - really... what is it?

I'm aware of what "HD" means in TV's and monitors, but glass doesn't have pixels, so it can't very well fit that definition unless it's a marketing analogy as I mentioned above.

Hopefully someone in the know who uses the term "HD Glass" will be able to chime in.
 
Re: "HD Glass" - really... what is it?

It's a special treatment on the glass.
 
Re: "HD Glass" - really... what is it?

By the way Dogtown, I completely agree with this:

* When you refuse to sell to CA gun owners you HURT the only people who are fighting the gun laws here and AID the very people who promote them *
 
Re: "HD Glass" - really... what is it?

I am not sure exactly how it pertains to scopes but in camera lenses like Nikon ED glass or in Cannon case "L" series glass it has to do with low dispersion and lense coatings like Mickg states above.
 
Re: "HD Glass" - really... what is it?

I believe in order to be considered "HD" it has to have a super secret Bertrillium-Zantitium coating....
 
Re: "HD Glass" - really... what is it?

Oh boy. Someone just had to go there
 
Re: "HD Glass" - really... what is it?

smile.gif
I actually am curious why SWFA and Vortex market their scopes with "HD" glass...consider the CS reference as a tag....
 
Re: "HD Glass" - really... what is it?

HD glass in riflescopes stands for <span style="font-weight: bold">H</span>ighly <span style="font-weight: bold">D</span>eadly.
 
Re: "HD Glass" - really... what is it?

Swarovski's definition:
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Quote:</div><div class="ubbcode-body">In units with the HD (high definition) designation, a glass which undergoes a particularly sophisticated and complex machining process is used in the objective lens. As a result, even the very small remnants of chromatic zonal aberrations are prevented and the image is reproduced with even greater colour fidelity. HD is not a specific term and is frequently used incorrectly. Simply using HD lenses alone is not a guarantee for better image quality. For this, the whole optical concept must be fine-tuned.</div></div>
http://www.swarovskioptik.us/en_us/products/spotting-scopes-observation-telescopes-80mm
 
Re: "HD Glass" - really... what is it?

it depends on the manufacture, but swarovski and zeiss use the term to describe the fluoride crystals in the glass. it give you better color, contrast, clarity, lowers chromatic aberration/distortion and color fringing. in swarovski's case, the hd glass, known as the swarovision glass is also ground flatter than most other lens glass for a wider field of view which is clear even to the very edge of your view.

basically it depends on the company, i'm sure with some it's a marketing hype, but for swarovski and zeiss, having the hd optics have some big advantages, in fact, we only carry the hd scopes from swarovski because the difference in the optics is that dramatic.
 
Re: "HD Glass" - really... what is it?

In Astronomy, we would call it apochromatic objectives.

For mass market scopes, that is usually Ohara FPL-51, FPL-53, or Lanthanum glass.

Since the magnification of riflescopes doesn't go that high, I'm guessing most use a FPL-51 doublet.

Here is a link to various APO and semi APO telescopes. Look at the specification of the glass they use:
http://www.williamoptics.com/telescopes/telescopes_main.php
 
Re: "HD Glass" - really... what is it?

Regardless of who uses it (Swarovski, Zeiss, SWFA, etc), I'm gathering that it's a generic marketing term for a myriad of non-specific [but real] lens improvements that is used to appeal to the general scope-buying public by alluding to "High Definition [TV]".
 
Re: "HD Glass" - really... what is it?

Uhh...ok.

Light is made up of a combination of different colors. When the light passes through glass, it tends to split up. So HD or APO glass's purpose is to bring the colors back together again. This improves contrast, definition, and image quality.

In a cheap scope, you will often see color fringing. This bleeding of colors (due to the colors separating) result in you not seeing as much fine detail because the color bleed tends to smudge out the fine details like a pencil eraser.

Vortex actually came out and said in their original marketing materials for the Razor HD that their objectives uses APO glass.
 
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Re: "HD Glass" - really... what is it?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: jtb33</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Regardless of who uses it (Swarovski, Zeiss, SWFA, etc), I'm gathering that it's a generic marketing term for a myriad of non-specific [but real] lens improvements that is used to appeal to the general scope-buying public by alluding to "High Definition [TV]". </div></div>

Pretty much. The glass is better, but using the term "HD" to describe it is clearly a marketing strategy attempting to drawing parallels to the television world. With HD tv being so popular these days and everyone knowing HD, in terms of televisions, means better clarity, etc., it makes sense.
 
Re: "HD Glass" - really... what is it?

I have been seriously thinking over the same question.

Surprised noone from SWFA has chimed in. The few responses so far have me wondering......... Thinking it really is just a bit of reality with a heap of hype.
 
Re: "HD Glass" - really... what is it?

If my rifle was made before HD glass came out do I need to get a digital to analog converter box?
 
Re: "HD Glass" - really... what is it?

Marketing.
"HD" has become way overused and is directed towards the uninformed.
 
Re: "HD Glass" - really... what is it?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Hbus1300</div><div class="ubbcode-body">If my rifle was made before HD glass came out do I need to get a digital to analog converter box? </div></div>

Nah you just need to upgrade your HDMI cables.
 
Re: "HD Glass" - really... what is it?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Wanderlust</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Hbus1300</div><div class="ubbcode-body">If my rifle was made before HD glass came out do I need to get a digital to analog converter box? </div></div>

Nah you just need to upgrade your HDMI cables. </div></div>

don't forget to go with at least 1.4 to pass 3-d. and on that when, when will we be seeing 3d scopes? i wonder if that would aid or hinder mildot rangefinding.
 
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