• Watch Out for Scammers!

    We've now added a color code for all accounts. Orange accounts are new members, Blue are full members, and Green are Supporters. If you get a message about a sale from an orange account, make sure you pay attention before sending any money!

Element Theos the new turret king...kinda?

Sako man

profesional dilettante
Supporter
Full Member
Minuteman
  • Sep 7, 2012
    3,165
    3,050
    Galactic Sector ZZ9 Alpha Xray Plural.
    I am going to preface this opening statement by saying that I can only find 25 mills of internal elevation in dialing, not sure if the norm is to include stadia in that elevation equation. So glean what you will from that statement. That said here is what I think, IMHO.

    The Element Theos has the easiest turrets I have ever used, the feedback is nice and crisp, the second rev indicator is awesome, tracking seems on point, and above all else it's a completely tooless design. Even the zero-stop is tooless and integrated into the design with - .5 mils of travel for corrections. The cap simply screws off with finger pressure and is re-set at the Zero of your choice. The windage turret is capped for set it and forget it.

    The glass from edge to edge is as clear and equal optically to my Zeiss S3 and my ATACR scopes, the Theos only trails slightly behind my Vortex HD G3 6-36. The eyebox on the Theos is forgiving even past 30x, that said I probably wouldn't use the optic past 30x. The field of view is fairly wide, not sure on the exact dimensions of the FOV but it's good enough for me. It's very equal to most of the optics that come out of the LOW factory.

    The reticle is great, at least I like it, it's fine and does not get in the way at any magnification, the stadia is de-marked at just the right positions for the shooting I do. I have not used the illumination yet, that's because I don't have any need for it, but it seems ample in twilight conditions.

    The build quality is top notch, it's seemingly very rugged and nicely designed, of course and once again this will play out over time to see if it ever craps out. Once again it's seemingly on par with anything that comes out of LOW in Japan. Personally I would probably trust Japanese made optics above European or US...sadly.

    The concept of purchasing this optic was for a switch barrel rifle (SRS or AIAX..etc..), where you could record the offsets and simply go back and forth between those settings easily and without tools. We will see if that can play out as theorized in practice over time.

    I will update this post if I get any new and meaningful data when using the optic.

    Turrets.jpeg
    Theos.jpeg
     
    This is one of the next scopes I intend to try out next time they go on sale for under $2000. The light weight is what interests me and if they are indeed made by LOW I shouldn't have to worry besides the warranty (will they still be in business 5 years to 10 years from now to still honor the warranty???) from a still relatively new and unknown company other than the the owners and designers of this company are air gun enthusiasts not scope engineers. I really think their other lines of scopes are overpriced for what you actually get compared to better competition so IMHO best to buy them only whenever they go on sale for close to half price or at least 35% off.
     
    • Like
    Reactions: Sako man
    ILya has looked at this scope at least initially. He seems to like the turrets a lot but he still said that the Gen3 Razor is the one to beat and is the best bang for the buck in the sub $3K range in this scope category.
     
    I like Theos a lot and out of the current crop of Japanese 6-36x scopes, I think Theos has the best turret feel.
    Image quality is very good. It would be interesting to see how it compares to Zeiss S3, but I suspect they are pretty close.
    I think Razor Gen3 does have a better eyepiece, but Theos is no slouch.

    ILya
     
    • Like
    Reactions: Modoc and Sako man
    Off topic as far as the thread goes, but how those rings are mounted worries me. There is no gap in the rings at the top, which from my understanding of that particular ring design there probably should be. The two bottom screws on each ring need to be tightened first and can be a fairly high torque value as they shouldn't be squeezing the scope. And then the top screws should be torqued to the recommend torque by the scope or mount manufacturer. Just my two cents.
     
    Off topic as far as the thread goes, but how those rings are mounted worries me. There is no gap in the rings at the top, which from my understanding of that particular ring design there probably should be. The two bottom screws on each ring need to be tightened first and can be a fairly high torque value as they shouldn't be squeezing the scope. And then the top screws should be torqued to the recommend torque by the scope or mount manufacturer. Just my two cents.
    Only Burris Signature XTR rings for me thank you. Keeps the scope tube completely pristine condition and blemish free with zero indication the scope had ever been mounted. The ability to optically center the scope as well as their ability to add additional MOAs is and whenever needed are also a huge plus.
     
    The more I get behind this optic the more i'm impressed. It's very light for it's size, glass is impressive, and it focuses down to 10 yards. I hope we can get some other reviews and opinions on this optic. I have a feeling it's going to take off once people get wind.
     
    The more I get behind this optic the more i'm impressed. It's very light for it's size, glass is impressive, and it focuses down to 10 yards. I hope we can get some other reviews and opinions on this optic. I have a feeling it's going to take off once people get wind.
    I'm not a fan of Element Optics solely based on what they previously offered that I already had a chance to check out for myself (value, quality for money charged not too good IMHO) but the Theos is one I'll probably pick up myself next time it goes on sale for under $1900. It appears to be the lightest in it's class and I really like lighter than normal weight scopes.

    I'm very concerned about dust and debris getting into that rev indicator opening below the turret though and how it may affect its reliability and function.
     
    I'm not a fan of Element Optics solely based on what they previously offered that I already had a chance to check out for myself (value, quality for money charged not too good IMHO) but the Theos is one I'll probably pick up myself next time it goes on sale for under $1900. It appears to be the lightest in it's class and I really like lighter than normal weight scopes.

    I'm very concerned about dust and debris getting into that rev indicator opening below the turret though and how it may affect its reliability and function.
    You will be plesantly supprised. The Theos is a very monolithic device meaning in that all the controls glide and feel the same, no rough edges, the machining is fantastic, the tracking seems very good, and the mechanical and optical qualities punch higher then it's price point. Of course, and once again I believe the turrets to be the best of any high end optic and truly 100% tooless. Even the TT you have to set the zero stop with a tool I believe. I have owned a lot of premium optics from SnB, Kahles, NF.. etc... this is right up there.
     
    • Like
    Reactions: pgk and Scopeye
    Picked up a Theos used on here and have it mounted side by side with the razor gen3. Im really impressed.

    Now do I sell the razor and get another Theos or sell the Theos and get another razor.
     
    • Like
    Reactions: Sako man
    Picked up a Theos used on here and have it mounted side by side with the razor gen3. Im really impressed.

    Now do I sell the razor and get another Theos or sell the Theos and get another razor.
    What do used Element Optics Theos scopes go for? Their sale prices really seem to fluctuate a lot and it's currently just over $2100 at DVOR and previous recent sales were under $2000 and $1900 from several dealers.

    I mentioned I was looking for a used one less for under $1800 on another Theo's related thread and got a PM and the seller changed his mind and gave me a price friendly dealer's phone number who never even bothered to return any of my phone calls and voice messages couple of weeks ago.

    My biggest concern is the actual longevity of the company and warranty since it's financier, FX Sweden just had a major falling out with USA based partner, FX USA who is currently insolvent.
     
    I
    What do used Element Optics Theos scopes go for? Their sale prices really seem to fluctuate a lot and it's currently just over $2100 at DVOR and previous recent sales were under $2000 and $1900 from several dealers.

    I mentioned I was looking for a used one less for under $1800 on another Theo's related thread and got a PM and the seller changed his mind and gave me a price friendly dealer's phone number who never even bothered to return any of my phone calls and voice messages couple of weeks ago.

    My biggest concern is the actual longevity of the company and warranty since it's financier, FX Sweden just had a major falling out with USA based partner, FX USA who is currently insolvent.
    I've been watching the markets for these for a while. There aren’t alot of them out there so I think that keeps the price a little higher. $1850 and up to $2000 seems to be the price I’m finding. A few people have bought them at their full price and seem to think $2200+ is a fair value, it’s a great scope and would probably be worth that if some dealers weren’t $2100 new.
     
    • Like
    Reactions: Scopeye
    I

    I've been watching the markets for these for a while. There aren’t alot of them out there so I think that keeps the price a little higher. $1850 and up to $2000 seems to be the price I’m finding. A few people have bought them at their full price and seem to think $2200+ is a fair value, it’s a great scope and would probably be worth that if some dealers weren’t $2100 new.
    When the newness starts to get old like their other models some dealers have slashed their prices across the bird on the brand. I don't think Cameraland buys them as cheap as other dealers who can offer them for much cheaper prices though. Like how Scott at Liberty used to get the G3 Razors for a lot cheaper than all other dealers.

    I have some friends who have connections with FX Airguns and Element Optics dealers who offer them really cheap discounts even half price or in some instances even for free to shill for the brand. I haven't tried to participate in selling my soul like that though. I can be proud to state I've never been bought and never been given any free stuff to shill for any brand.
     
    @Scopeye , man, just buy a Japanese vortex scope and bathe in that perfect warranty you so desire. You can buy a used Vortex and if it fails, a new replacement will be waiting.

    Think of all of the painstaking comparisons you won’t have to do anymore. I’m not making fun of you, just saying what might help you along.
     
    Last edited:
    @Scopeye , man, just buy a Japanese vortex scope and bath in that perfect warranty you so desire. You can buy a used Vortex and if it fails, a new replacement will be waiting.

    Think of all of the painstaking comparisons you won’t have to do anymore. I’m not making fun of you, just saying what might help you along.
    The only reason I have a hard on for this Theo's is due to it's lightest in class weight.

    I do know Element Optics likes to screw over their customers regarding denying warranty as well and sending defective scopes right back to customers stating nothing wrong just like how Riton does but after they get blasted on the forums they change their tone and take care of that customer. Power to public forums.
     
    @Scopeye , man, just buy a Japanese vortex scope and bath in that perfect warranty you so desire. You can buy a used Vortex and if it fails, a new replacement will be waiting.

    Think of all of the painstaking comparisons you won’t have to do anymore. I’m not making fun of you, just saying what might help you along.
    Customer service of Vortex is unmatched! That is one concern I have with Element, Vortex will be here in 10 years and will replace my razor. Will element?
     
    Last edited:
    • Like
    Reactions: Scopeye