[shooterscott]

Hello all,

New to the site here and was hoping to add some value as a noobie. Have a pretty good link for best optics and outdoor gear voted on by experts in the industry and the general public:

http://www.opticsplanet.com/brilliance-awards.html

 

[hans471]

Hello all,

New to the site here and was hoping to add some value as a noobie. Have a pretty good link for best optics and outdoor gear voted on by experts in the industry and the general public:

http://www.opticsplanet.com/brilliance-awards.html

Sorry, but that sure looks like an advertisement for Optic Planet to sell you what they want you to buy. I would better trust an independent source for real results.

 

[MarkCO]

Based on sales primarily. So that is a combination of price and marketing, not actual performance. There are 3 groups of "industry experts"; media, executives, top level shooters.

What you have to understand is the the vast amount of the media can't shoot well. I have spent days at Media events, including at SHOT, and VIP range parties for media working for sponsors. Much of that time is teaching media how to shoot. Then I read their articles and I would swear it is not the same person. The Executives for the most part don't shoot much, and are pretty piss poor at it in general as well. The top shooters are mostly sponsored, so what they say has to be balanced against their entire history as a shooter and what they endorsed prior to the current.

Also, any brands they don't carry...don't even get a nomination. That is not to say there are not good products in their winners, but realize it is marketing first and foremost.

 

[IamScotticus]

Thanks for the effort. On coupon daze, OP and MUSA are the best prices around. And 10% any time, if you know how to get it. Usually a secret coupon code or a call to SC.

And to be totally honest, WM can have good prices.

 

[haertig]

Based on sales primarily.

With the Vortex Razor HD receiving "product of the year", it is highly unlikely that is based on sales. Do you know how frigging expensive the Razor HD is? I imagine it's a very small percentage of shooters that can afford one. It is an excellent scope, I have used one that a friend owns (but I'm not rich enough to own one myself!) I can't imagine they sell very many of them.

"MOAR - Reticle of the year". That can't be based on sales either. Like the Razor HD, not many shooters can afford a Nightforce scope either. Which probably equates to a very low percentage of shooters having ever seen a Nightforce MOAR reticle.

The two things above are excellent, but I don't see any way that they could be in this "best of" list based on sales numbers. Top notch quality and design, yes, sales numbers, no.

Other things on the list, I'd say are definitely based on sales. "Plano - gun case of the year". Say what? But I'll bet they sell tons of them, simply because they are cheap.

"Cold Steel - Knife brand of the year", "Glock - Pistol manufacturer of the year". Must be based on sales. There is nothing special or exciting about Cold Steel or Glock. They are both decent enough, but certainly not "best of" anything. Except maybe total sales.

 

[MarkCO]

It is sales in their market segment. Glock still outsells their arguably better competitors, that is why they are rated higher. Same with the Vortex...they outsell the competition in their market segment.

It is the same way the auto industry ranks vehicles...in their class.

 

[haertig]

Or the way stores advertise the "Lowest price of the season", when there are no less than 365 "seasons" every year.

 

[BrentDong]

Hello

Sorry, but that sure looks like an advertisement for Optic Planet to sell you what they want you to buy. I would better trust an independent source for real results.

I agree with hans471. I am also a new bie here. I from US. Looking forward to know more about the forum and you people.

 

[VegasSub2K]

Marketing does play a major role in what people buy and Optics Planet does a great job in that re: the products they carry. However, the almighty dollar does speak and the products that don't pass muster don't sell. Ultimately, any product's popularity is usually based on trial and error and expectations from the consumer so if it is selling well, there is some truth to it's value. It's kind of like the first night of your honeymoon. Success is based on your experience and expectations.