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Fieldtester looks deeper, so you choose smarter

Optics

Ree Sutton’s deerstalking kit

5 October 2026

Gamekeeper’s wife and deerstalker Ree Sutton runs through her essential stalking kit – rifle, scope, moderator, ammo, backpack, binoculars and knife. Watch our film about Ree’s mission to cull an old roebuck here YouTube.com/watch?v=z9hxtqCVb5M Tikka rifles Sako.global/tikka HIKMicro HIKMicro.co.uk Wildcat moderators WildcatModerators.co.uk Federal ammo VikingShoot.com/products/ammunition/federal Vorn backpack Vorn-Equipment.com Vortex binoculars

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Digi-scope vs old-fashioned glass scope?

23 July 2025

Ian Hodge from Cornish and online gunshop Ian Hodge Fieldsports sells a lot of optics. He says what’s happening to the markets for modern day/night vision and thermal scopes compared to traditional glass riflescopes. For more from Ian Hodge Fieldsports, click here To watch all of Fieldsports Britain, episode 817,

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Zeiss LRP long-range scopes for target and hunting

12 June 2024

Robin Shedden of Cluny Country reviews the Zeiss LRP range – illuminated reticle riflescopes that are great for both hunting and target shooting. They are designed for long range shooting, although equally good at 100 yards, and even have parallax adjustment down to 15 metres. Optically they are the equivalent

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Swarovski STC and ATC 17-40x compact spotting scopes

3 April 2024

Traditional spotting scopes are heavy, bulky, and need a tripod to give the best results. Swarovski has launched two new lightweight, compact spotting scopes, the STC and ATC, with 17-40x magnification. Cluny Country’s Robbie Shedden says this means you can have high magnification on the move, transforming your stalking experience.

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Maven B1.2 10×42 binoculars

21 February 2024

Maven Optics has released a new, upgraded version of its flagship binoculars, the B1.2. Ryan Charlton of Highland Outdoors has been testing a pair in the popular 10×42 specification, in eyecatching grey with orange detailing. He is impressed with their ergonomic feel and handling, and superior optics, delivering superb low-light

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GPO Spectra 1x 7.5x50i riflescope

13 December 2023

If you’re looking for a riflescope with excellent performance at a reasonable price, you should definitely take a look at the GPO Spectra 1 7.5x50i. This scope is lightweight and compact, with fixed magnification and parallax, excellent optical performance and an illuminated G4i reticle. Ryan Charlton of Highland Outdoors runs

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Tim tests Swarovski Z8i+ scope

25 October 2023

‘Circle, red dot, kill’ – that’s what you want a scope to do for you, says Tim Pilbeam, and the Swarovski Z8i+ does it. He is out on his range in Sussex with local deerstalkers and a gunsmith to put the scope through its paces and see what the advantages

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Tier One Quick Detach scope mount

13 September 2023

Tier One are renowned for their precision Monomount scope mounts – but what if you want to swap your scope to another rifle? Their new quick-detach mount is the answer. “It’s got all the bnefits of the Monomount,” explains Ryan Charlton of distributors Highland Outdoors. “It’s made from a single

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Maven RS4 5-30×56 riflescope

12 July 2023

Click here for 10% discount offer for Fieldsports Channel viewers – use the code FSTV at checkout by James Marchington Ryan Charlton from Highland Outdoors, which imports the new RS4 5-30×56 scope from Maven Optics in Wyoming, USA, says why he likes it. “The company’s philosophy is founded on no-compromise

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GPO Passion ED 8×32 binoculars on test

21 June 2023

As a keen rifle shooter and deer stalker, Ryan Charlton of Highland Outdoors has used a lot of binoculars, and he’s particularly impressed with the latest offering from German Precision Optics: the GPO Passion ED 8×32. The first thing that catches his eye is the packaging. “It’s all recyclable, which

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Best scope for airgun hunting 2023

7 June 2023

What’s the best scope to put on your airgun for hunting, and maybe a bit of HFT competition? James Head, from Newton Abbot, Devon, and online airgun specialists Crackshot UK, says that two models stand out as the most popular in 2023: the £279 Hawke Airmax, and the £295 MTC

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Steiner Ranger 8 4-32×56 riflescope

22 March 2023

Deer stalker Ollie Williams is a sponsored Steiner user, and he’s been using the Steiner Ranger 8 4-32×56 riflescope. He acknowledges that it’s probably more scope than he needs. “I rarely shoot anything over 100 yards,” he says. “I zeroed it once, maybe six months ago, and never had to

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Why use Steiner LRF binoculars for hunting?

22 March 2023

Steiner is the brand of binoculars that the UK government chooses for the British Army. That says a lot about their quality and ruggedness. But are they suitable for hunting? Deer manager and sporting agent Ollie Williams reckons they are. He’s a sponsored Steiner binoculars user, and uses Steiner’s Ranger

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Pulsar launches new Merger LRF XL50 thermal binoculars at 2023 Shot Show

18 January 2023

Night vision and thermal imaging specialist Pulsar has launched new top-of-the-range thermal imaging binoculars, the Merger LRF XL50, at the 2023 Shot Show in Las Vegas. The company say the new binoculars are true all-rounders. They feature a wide field of view for scanning and target acquisition, and high image

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Mark Ripley tests the HIK Micro Alpex scope from Scott Country

21 December 2022

Mark Ripley, or 260Rips on YouTube, is best known for shooting foxes at long range on the Sussex Downs. Today, though, he’s after rabbits, testing the HIK Micro Alpex day-night scope on an old CZ .22 rimfire. The Alpex sits well on the rifle. It’s the same shape and size

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Paul Childerley tests Zeiss SFL 10×40 binoculars

26 October 2022

Paul Childerley is a professional deer manager at home in Bedfordshire, so when he went staking red stags in Scotland he knew what he needed from his kit. He chose to carry the Zeiss SFL 10×40 binoculars, for their great performance-to-weight ratio – the SFL stands for SmartFocus Lightweight. “They

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Zeiss V8 2.8-20×56 riflescope tested on the hill in Scotland

26 October 2022

When you’re stalking red stags on the hill in Scotland, you want gear that performs impeccably in any conditions, and is light to carry. That’s why professional deer manager Paul Childerley chose to take the Zeiss V8 2.8-20×56 scope on his Sako rifle. “It’s a no-brainer,” he says. “It’s a

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Is it time to switch to a thermal riflescope?

26 October 2022

youtu.be/yHqho9Jp9W0 Many shooters have adopted thermal technology for spotting, but still have a night vision or day-night scope on the rifle. With practice, it can be an efficient combination, allowing you to find your quarry easily with the thermal spotter, then take the shot with night vision. In the early

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Pulsar Merger LRF XP50 thermal binos – on test

31 August 2022

youtu.be/dhseNtUWUa0 Professional deer manager Tom Davies of Dartmoor Deer Services has swapped his Pulsar Accolade for the new Pulsar Merger LRF XP50 thermal binoculars – and he’s impressed. “It’s the shape of traditional binoculars which makes it easy to use,” he explains. “It has an automatic standby mode, so when

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Leupold VX-6HD 3-18×50 riflescope – tested in the field

5 July 2022

youtu.be/1BvUZ3XiuU0 Owen Beardsmore of Cervus UK is a professional deer manager and stalking guide, who demands a lot of his kit. He needs a scope that will work flawlessly in all conditions – and he loves his Leupold VX-6 3-18×50 scope which he’s been using for the past year. “The

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Leupold BX5 Santiam 10×42 binoculars – review

5 July 2022

youtu.be/2_nDCIaMktQ Owen Beardsmore of Cervus UK spends most of his time out in the woods, either hunting professionally or guiding stalkers. “I give my kit a lot of stick,”  he says, “and I really rate these Leupold BX5 Santiam binoculars.” “Whether it’s out in the British woodlands, pouring rain out

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Leupold GR4 12-40×60 spotting scope – review

5 July 2022

youtu.be/GL7g_Rwo-kE Owen Beardsmore of Cervus UK demands the best kit in his job as a professional deer manager and stalking guide – and he’s a big fan of Leupold’s GR 12-40×60 spotting scope. “What a piece of kit this is!” he says. “I’ve been using it on the hill in

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Leupold RX-1600i rangefinder – pro stalker review

5 July 2022

youtu.be/sc0V-KSHMMM As a professional deer manager and stalking guide, Owen Beardsmore demands the best kit. He’s been trying out the Leupold range of optics, and is particularly impressed with the RX-1600i rangefinder. “I wasn’t used to using a rangefinder, but this is a lovely bit of kit,” he says. “It’s

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Meopta MeoPro Optika6 3-18×56 riflescope

1 July 2022

youtu.be/1WamXNj3UAA OIlie Williams talks to former editor of SA Hunter, Johan Van Wyk, about the Meopta Optika6 3-18×50 riflescope. It comes with a 4C reticle and RRP in the UK is £617. The pair agree that this isn’t a scope for African plains game. It’s too big and complicated, when

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Leupold VX-5HD 3-15×56 riflescope reviewed by Jason Doyle

24 November 2021

Jason Doyle has been using this Leupold VX-5 scope for two years, so he’s had plenty of time to give it a really thorough test – and he loves it. “Every now and then something comes along that suits you down to the ground. The VX-5 does everything I want

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Zeiss launches latest generation V8 rifle scopes

17 November 2021

Zeiss has launched its latest generation of V8 rifle scopes, with outstanding optical performance and featuring the world’s finest illuminated red dot which covers less than 3.5mm on a target at 100m. They are scheduled to reach UK dealers at the beginning of December 2021. There are four new models

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Swarovski launches 2-in-1 thermal spotter and scope add-on

13 October 2021

Swarovski has moved into the thermal market. Its new TM35 is an add-on that mounts on the front of your scope, and doubles up as a standalone spotter. Swarovski calls it a two-in-one device, offering both observation and shooting. The TM35 will be available from spring 2022 at a retail

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Swarovski EL Range TA binoculars with rangefinder and Tracking Assistant

13 October 2021

youtu.be/uNAEaoDemjQ These are the latest, most technically advanced hunting binoculars from Swarovski, allowing you not only to range your quarry but also to ‘pin’ its location, working together with the Swarovski app on your mobile phone via Bluetooth. That can be a game changer for planning a stalk in difficult,

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Eyeskey Eaglet HD 10×42 binoculars – review

12 October 2021

youtu.be/32MnRgOaTec Can budget Chinese 10×42 binoculars be any good? James Marchington was sceptical – but he was surprised when he tried the Eaglet HD binos from Eyeskey. “These binoculars sell for under £70 so I wasn’t expecting much, but I’ve been very impressed,” he says. “It’s a fraction of what

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Eyeskey Seeker Pro 10×42 monocular – review

12 October 2021

youtu.be/dxfviIBRueI If you want the power of binoculars but don’t want the bulk and weight, a monocular could be the answer. It’s basically a small telescope you can slip in your pocket – half a pair of binoculars if you like. James Marchington has been looking at the Seeker Pro

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Eyeskey Lightning Mini 10×25 pocket binoculars – review

12 October 2021

youtu.be/KE9ZREPiRFk Have you ever decided to leave your binoculars behind, and then wished you hadn’t because you spotted something that really deserved a closer look? That’s why James Marchington likes to slip a small pair of binos in his pocket at all times. “They weight very little and don’t take

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Budget binoculars vs secondhand Swaros and Zeiss

21 August 2021

youtu.be/alyXKAQYJ_g Looking for sub £1,000 binos? The choice is between secondhand good-quality brands such as Zeiss, Swarovski and Leica, and some of the new glass coming out of China. Charlie Jacoby talks through what to look for and tests some of the available binoculars. Find secondhand binos on eBay.com –

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Bushnell Nitro 3-18×56 rifle scope – review

18 August 2021

youtu.be/18p9bwDBFBA The Bushnell Nitro 3-18×56 is a dedicated hunting scope that offers tremendous low light performance thanks to its specification, superior optics and illuminated reticle. The Nitro’s G4i reticle combines a familiar duplex style reticle with an illuminated centre dot, which Edgar Brothers’ Ben Mcilwain reckons gives you the best

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Bushnell Engage DX 12×50 binoculars – review

18 August 2021

youtu.be/k8aubWs4hrM If you need a good solid pair of binoculars but don’t want to spend a fortune on one of the top brands, Bushnell is definitely worth a look. Take their Engage binoculars for instance. Most popular is the 10×42 X model, which delivers quality glass in a lightweight package,

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Bushnell Legend Tactical 15-45×60 spotting scope

17 August 2021

When you’re shooting in competition, whether rimfire or centrefire, accurate communication between spotter and shooter is crucial. That’s where a purpose designed spotting scope like this Bushnell Legend Tactical 15-45×60 can be invaluable. Ben Mcilwain from distributors Edgar Brothers explains “This scope is first focal plane and has a mil

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Bushnell Match Pro 6-24×50 rifle scope – review

17 August 2021

youtu.be/lf8wrD7cAo8 If you’re looking for a riflescope for match shooting, hunting, or maybe a bit of both, then the Bushnell Match Pro 6-24×50 is definitely worth a look. Ben Mcilwain from distributors Edgar Brothers fitted one to his rimfire rifle, and reckons it’s hard to beat for versatility and value

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Eyeskey Hyperion ED 10×42 & 8×42 binoculars – unboxed

10 August 2021

youtu.be/IaOcEC9e4o4 Now here’s something unusual – an ‘expensive’ pair of ‘cheap’ Chinese binoculars. The Hyperion EDs are at the top end of the range from Chinese brand Eyeskey, selling for around £250 here in the UK. Charlie Jacoby is impressed from the moment he opens the box. “These are the

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Eyeskey Captor ED 12×50 binoculars – review

10 August 2021

youtu.be/8ss1pqcv4Lg We’ve been impressed with the quality of inexpensive binoculars coming out of China these days – and these Eyeskey Captor ED 12x50s are no exception. “The build quality feels good, nice and strong. I think they’d take a bit of a beating in the field,” says James Marchington. He

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Eyeskey Sky Trek HD 12×50 binoculars – first look

9 August 2021

youtu.be/xJM4SONfeUc The big thing about these binoculars is they’re Chinese – which means they’re very cheap, says Charlie Jacoby. These are the Eyeskey Sky Trek 12x50s, which sell for a remarkable £136.95. “That’s less than a quarter the price of a good quality pair of second-hand Zeiss binoculars for instance.”

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Eyeskey Dreamer HD – 10×42 binoculars for under 100 quid!

9 August 2021

youtu.be/iJqQAWsXHT4 What would you expect to pay for a decent pair of 10×42 binoculars? You could easily pay close to a grand for something from one of the big names in optics. But these Chinese-made binoculars from Eyeskey cost well under £100 – and their performance is nothing short of

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iRay Clip CH50 thermal clip-on for your rifle scope – review

28 May 2021

youtu.be/LfHUuOj9f1w The iRay Clip CH50 is a thermal device you can clip on the front of a regular daytime rifle scope to turn it into a thermal scope – ideal for switching from daytime hunting to night-time pest control, without the need to change scopes and re-zero. As well as

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iRay Rico RH50 thermal riflescope

21 May 2021

youtu.be/Bx8E3eUZCzg When you’re serious about pest control, only the best will do – and iRay’s flagship Rico RH50 riflescope offers outstanding quality. “I’ve used just about every unit that’s available, and this is the best image I’ve seen on a thermal riflescope so far,” says Ryan Charlton from distributors Highland

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iRay E3n thermal spotter

20 May 2021

youtu.be/x0EJjq02hOU iRay UK offer a range of thermal spotters and scopes – their E3n featured here is an entry level spotter, priced at £1,169.95. It’s pocket sized with a compact and handy design, and offers serious performance with a typical battery life of around seven hours. “This model has a

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