Hi, I am Jerry Miculek., and I’ve dedicated the past two decades to testing and evaluating firearms optics. As a hunting guide and firearms instructor, I’ve had the privilege of seeing firsthand how optics perform in the most demanding real-world conditions. This isn’t just a hobby or side project – it’s my passion and profession.
What started as personal research for my own hunting needs has evolved into a comprehensive testing program that helps thousands of shooters make informed decisions about their optics investments. Through years of field experience and systematic testing, I’ve developed a methodology that combines rigorous technical evaluation with practical, real-world performance assessment.
Why Trust My Reviews?
The answer is simple: I test everything myself, with my own funds, under real hunting conditions. This isn’t about quick bench reviews or regurgitating manufacturer specifications. Every scope review on this site represents hundreds of hours of hands-on testing across multiple seasons and varying conditions.
When I say I’ve tested a scope in harsh conditions, I mean I’ve personally used it in Michigan’s freezing deer seasons, through Texas summer heat, and in the pouring rain of mountain hunts. Each review draws from extensive field notes, systematic testing data, and real hunting experiences.
My Testing Philosophy
I believe that meaningful scope testing requires three key elements: time, variety of conditions, and systematic evaluation. Here’s what sets my testing process apart:
- Extended Testing Periods: I typically test each optic for multiple hunting seasons or at minimum several months of intensive use. This allows me to evaluate not just initial performance but long-term reliability.
- Real-World Conditions: From the dense forests of Michigan to the brush country of Texas, each scope faces the same challenges you’ll encounter in the field.
- Systematic Evaluation: While field testing is crucial, I also conduct rigorous bench testing and environmental stress testing. This provides quantifiable data to support field observations.
- Independence: I purchase every scope through regular retail channels, just like you would. This ensures complete independence in my evaluations.
My Complete Testing Process
Initial Bench Testing
Every scope evaluation begins with comprehensive bench testing. This isn’t just about shooting groups – it’s about understanding the scope’s fundamental capabilities:
- Tracking Accuracy: Extensive box tests at multiple distances, with at least 20 adjustment cycles to verify consistency.
- Resolution Testing: Using standardized targets in controlled lighting conditions to measure optical resolution across the entire magnification range.
- Mechanical Testing: Every adjustment, turret click, and moving part is tested for consistency and reliability.
- Zero Retention: Multiple cycles of adjustment and return-to-zero testing under various conditions.
Environmental Testing
My environmental testing goes beyond basic weatherproofing checks. Each scope faces a series of real-world challenges:
- Temperature Testing: Exposure to temperatures from 20°F to 95°F, checking for internal fogging, zero retention, and adjustment functionality.
- Weather Exposure: Extended testing in rain and varying humidity levels, evaluating not just waterproofing but practical performance when wet.
- Impact Testing: Controlled drop tests and impact resistance evaluation to simulate field accidents.
- Long-Term Durability: Extended use in field conditions to reveal construction quality over time.
Field Testing
The heart of my testing process occurs in actual hunting conditions:
- Dawn/Dusk Performance: Extensive testing during critical low-light periods, documenting target identification capability.
- Quick-Acquisition Testing: Practical drills simulating real hunting scenarios, including awkward shooting positions.
- Brush Country Evaluation: Testing in dense cover to assess scope length and practical field of view.
- Extended Range Sessions: Multiple range sessions in varying conditions to verify consistency.
My Scoring System
Each scope receives a detailed score across five key categories, totaling 100 possible points:
Optical Quality (30 Points)
Glass clarity, light transmission, and edge-to-edge sharpness form the foundation of any scope’s performance. I conduct extensive dawn and dusk testing, measuring resolution with standardized targets and evaluating real-world target identification in challenging light conditions. This score reflects not just optical quality in perfect conditions, but practical performance when it matters most.
Durability (25 Points)
A scope must maintain zero and clarity through rough handling, weather exposure, and repeated recoil. My durability testing includes weather resistance evaluation, impact testing, and long-term reliability assessment through extensive field use. This isn’t about surviving a single drop – it’s about maintaining performance through a lifetime of hard use.
Usability (20 Points)
This category covers the practical aspects of scope use: eye relief, eye box forgiveness, and ease of adjustment. Testing includes quick-acquisition drills and shooting from various field positions. A scope needs to perform not just from the bench, but in real hunting situations where perfect form isn’t always possible.
Value (15 Points)
I evaluate overall performance relative to investment, considering long-term durability, feature set, and practical functionality. This isn’t about finding the cheapest option – it’s about identifying scopes that deliver meaningful performance for their price point.
Features (10 Points)
While I prioritize core performance over bells and whistles, I evaluate the practical utility of features like reticle design, adjustment systems, and special coatings. Points are awarded for features that genuinely enhance field performance, not just marketing additions.
How This Site Is Funded
I believe in complete transparency about how I operate and fund my testing:
- I purchase all test scopes through regular retail channels using my own funds
- The site generates revenue through affiliate links
- When you make a purchase through my links, I earn a small commission (typically 1-4%)
- This commission comes at no additional cost to you
- Affiliate income helps fund future scope purchases for testing and keeps the site ad-free
Disclosure & Transparency
My commitment to honest, unbiased reviews is absolute. Here’s my pledge to readers:
- I never accept paid reviews or manufacturer-supplied test products
- All testing data and field experiences are documented and verifiable
- Affiliate relationships never influence my recommendations or ratings
- If I ever receive a product for testing (which hasn’t happened yet), I will explicitly disclose this in the review
- My reputation and your trust are worth more than any commission
Beyond the Numbers
While my scoring system provides a structured way to compare scopes, I believe the real value in my reviews comes from the detailed field observations and practical insights. These are things you can’t quantify with a simple number – how a scope performs when you’re trying to make a quick shot in fading light, or how reliable the adjustments are with cold, wet hands.
My Commitment to Readers
Your trust is my most valuable asset. That’s why I maintain complete independence in my testing and reviews. While this site does generate revenue through affiliate links, my recommendations are based solely on performance and value. I’d rather lose a commission than compromise my integrity or mislead a reader.
If you ever have questions about my testing process or need advice on choosing the right scope for your needs, don’t hesitate to reach out through my contact page. My goal is to help you make informed decisions based on real-world testing and honest evaluation.