ALL ABOUT OPTICS
Optics are a broad category in the gun industry, commonly referencing anything that you use with your eye.
These are just some of the products that will be listed under the term "optics":
- Binoculars
- Iron sights
- Range Finders
- Thermal Optics
- Lase Sights (in various colors)
- Holographic Red Dot Sights
- Night Vision Scopes
- Spotting Scopes
- Scopes
A basic scope, technically a telescopic sight, is a gun accessory that is based on an optical refracting telescope.
Originally, a refracting telescope from the Netherlands caught the attention of Galileo Galilei in 1609 and he made a version of it that helped make some scientific breakthroughs. However, the modern refracting telescope has become one of the best gun accessories ever designed, and used to make some of the longest shots known to man. Most modern scopes have a reticle (a graphic image) on the lens that gives the shooter an accurate aiming point.
Scopes are used with all types of systems that require accurate aiming. Not all artists work in paint, some work in windage, velocity, high powered scopes, and lead.
Take a look at some of the fun stuff they train you for at Rob Furlong's Marksmanship Academy in Canada.
Scopes have now been adapted to handguns, shotguns, and crossbows. You can even find some on shoulder mounted rocket launchers.