Rifle Scopes Why are some scope options so expensive?

[ToddM]

First let me say this is not a complaining post. However, I am curious to understand why companies charge so much for certain options. Certainly for things like illuminated reticules, zero stop, larger tubes and objectives etc. there are larger lenses/extra parts/technology involved that costs more. Mostly I'm curious if it actually costs more to produce these options or if it's the company simply charging more because the market will accept it or because they produce less of that model.

For example

Leupold charges over $100 in many scopes to have a mildot/tmr reticule -vs- a plain duplex. Is it really that much harder/expensive for them to do that? However they don't charge extra for their "metric" turrets.

NF charges to get mil turrets, but doesn't charge more based on reticule option.

Many scope companies charge $500 or more to get front focal plane. Is the production of a front focal plane scope cost that much more money than a second focal plane, or are they simply taking advantage of the fact that people have equated FFP with a higher price.

The amusing part is in the case of larger objectives many companies charge the same amount as the smaller version.....now a larger hunk of glass up front has to be more expensive yet the cost is the same, but if you want a mildot reticule, mil turrets, or FFP you pay through the nose for it.

 

[The King]

Re: Why are some scope options so expensive?

^ +1 Its the same metals and glass machined on the same machines with VERY slight differences.

It's not like there is a hunk of diamond in the metric model.

 

[One-Eyed Jack]

Re: Why are some scope options so expensive?

The high "cost" of the mil dot from Leupold is simply to keep the price high that they charge the US Government for scopes with this reticle. IIRC, they have the patent on the mil dot, so they are getting as much money as they can from the design, even though it doesn't cost them anymore to produce it. They aren't the only ones who charge extra for a military-related item.

 

[abersfelderami]

Re: Why are some scope options so expensive?


"Many scope companies charge $500 or more to get front focal plane. Is the production of a front focal plane scope cost that much more money than a second focal plane, or are they simply taking advantage of the fact that people have equated FFP with a higher price."


In Europe the SFP very often cost more than FFP.

 

[MAX100]

Re: Why are some scope options so expensive?

They don't sale as many FFP scopes so the production cost is higher because they don't produce as many at one time.

The fact is government contracts are good for companies and bad for the consumer. They drive prices up for the civilian market.

Aimpoint, Trijicon ACOG, Leupold, NF Optics to name a few that government contacts have increased prices. If Aimpont had never received a very large ongoing contact with the government their basic ML2 would probably be selling for around $250.


GC

 

[Rafael]

Re: Why are some scope options so expensive?

I beleive that FFP reticles also have to be much smaller than RFP reticles, though I may have that backwards. This means much finer markings; be they etched or deposited.

 

[858]

Re: Why are some scope options so expensive?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: One-Eyed Jack</div><div class="ubbcode-body">The high "cost" of the mil dot from Leupold is simply to keep the price high that they charge the US Government for scopes with this reticle. IIRC, they have the patent on the mil dot, so they are getting as much money as they can from the design, even though it doesn't cost them anymore to produce it. They aren't the only ones who charge extra for a military-related item. </div></div>

Isn't it the TMR? It used to be the TMR cost more than the MilDot but now they are the same price...$100 more than a few years ago.

 

[300WSM]

Re: Why are some scope options so expensive?

aren't all upgrades on just about anything expensive?

 

[mavrick10_2000]

Re: Why are some scope options so expensive?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: 300WSM</div><div class="ubbcode-body">aren't all upgrades on just about anything expensive? </div></div>

Yes. But not nearly as expensive as upgrading your wife.

 

[general_purpose]

Re: Why are some scope options so expensive?

As long as there are people willing to pay the price, there will be people willling to charge those prices

 

[johnAE308]

Re: Why are some scope options so expensive?

Not all scope mfrs are expensive. As we speak, Burris is changing my XTR624 turrets from 1MOA elev and 1/2MOA wind to .25MOA on both: $80 total.