Would you buy this scope?

I agree with others, a modest, no refundable deposit like $100 that goes towards the purchase price seems like a good plan.

I would also be happy to be part of an initial group that could serve as a “beta-test” for the first order of scopes. Given the price is already great, no further discount needed. Just let us buy one from the initial batch and let the reward for “beta-testing” be getting to use a likely great scope earlier than others.
 
$100 deposit is minor for scope that can be dropped 45 times lol. Sign me up for the preorder
 
@Formidilosus

There has been a lot of good suggestions thus far. Some are suggesting “do it right” (whatever that could mean), others have suggested simulated tests, and others just want to buy it now. My take is that you prefer to have it thoroughly tested, you know how to do this, and it is going to take time.

Of course, since you are dealing with such a diverse audience, there may be something you haven’t thought of or there just isn’t enough time to explore all the variables that can exist. What I have not seen, or missed, is a suggestion laying out specific criteria to statistically analyze the product with a set of variables normally encompassing too much time to perform; at least too much time by one individual.

Here is an example, if you don’t like this idea, then ignore it. If it doesn’t suck too badly use whatever part(s) you like:
  • Have LOW produce a sampling number to your liking 6; 25; 100; whatever sampling amount you believe is sufficient.
  • Interested participants send in a “resume” meeting with certain criteria (examples):
  • Must specify what caliber and what action the scope will be mounted.
  • Must keep an accurate record and must be on XXXX (Excel, for example).
  • They are hand-picked and must purchase the scope.
  • Criteria – Variable (examples)
  • Criteria: Must document scope mounting procedure – Variable: How was it mounted.
  • Criteria: Torque to 18 to 25 in-lbs. – Variable: Document the torque.
  • Criteria: Must shoot XXXX number of total rounds. – Variable: They choose how many rounds for each session.
  • Criteria: They must ride or drive XXXX times with scoped rifle each week. – Variable: Horse, mule, ATV, UTV, pickup truck, as well a terrain, i.e., trails, gravel, cow pasture.
  • Criteria: Must hunt with scope. – Variable: blind, spot and stalk, norther cold, desert, etc.
You get the idea. You can’t do everything and simulate all the variables. This way you have a team, and they might do some crazy things or have (no!!) situations along with data. Just a thought, and for everyone wondering, no, I do not wish to be one of the testers.

Not everyone will be happy waiting. However, testing will be more comprehensive with a larger sampling and will be completed more quickly than just one person trying to do everything.
 
My best guess on demand --- one for everyone who has commented or liked a post on this thread. Some people will want multiples and others don't want any. This is a terrible group to gauge real world demand. What this scope is is intended to do is what most people think their existing scopes will already do until they have a failure. Outside of this group, sales are going to be hard to gauge because your sales pitch is that most of the scopes out there, including ones that sell well, will let you down.

Good luck.
I think the sales pitch is the reticle. I mean sure, durability is good. But other scopes are durable.

Nobody else has a reticle that will work at all ranges, for hunting and target. Some kind of catchy videos showing how good the reticle is, thats the sale, thats the road to sales outside the "bubble".

At least imho.
 
LOW knows how to make a scope that passes the test, if asked. Form knows how to test scopes quickly. That's the easy part...

Estimating how many to order is a much harder question.
Are these only going to be available via S2H? ie is the order quantity only determined by you guys or is Zerotech going to be ordering there own stock? I ask as id like to know what I do to ensure some end up in NZ as we miss out on lots of options available in the US and its still not clear if the company being Aus based will help us or not.
 
Im in agreement with what others have stated regarding the $100 deposit. I hope you guys really go the extra mile to market the shit out of this thing. I have far too many conversations on a frequent basis regarding scopes and holding zero, design elements, etc. The vast, vast majority of the population is ignorant.

If there was marketing material put forth showing this reticle at 3x and a "competitors" reticle at 3x that alone could go a long way. Idk if theres an easy way to show people that their scopes don't hold zero or not, but if there is that would be awesome too.

@Ryan Avery, regarding your comment on slim margins...I cant express how grateful I am for you all collectively bringing a proper scope to market and theoretically making less per unit than you would be able to. I foresee this being a product that starts slow as far as sales go and continues to build momentum once word of mouth spreads towards the large percentage of people that have never even heard of rokslide. I know alot of hunters that will buy a $2k+ rifle but cringe at the thought of a $1500 scope. Falling into that $999 price and having one less digit on the price tag will pay dividends over the long haul I presume.
 
Are these only going to be available via S2H? ie is the order quantity only determined by you guys or is Zerotech going to be ordering there own stock? I ask as id like to know what I do to ensure some end up in NZ as we miss out on lots of options available in the US and its still not clear if the company being Aus based will help us or not.
I'd also be in for a group order, we know @Dobermann will be in, @199p has expressed an interest, with you that's a minimum of 4 scopes straight off the bat
 
I'd also be in for a group order, we know @Dobermann will be in, @199p has expressed an interest, with you that's a minimum of 4 scopes straight off the bat
Whether from S2H or the company assisting bringing this to market, these will be available. A group order may not be in everyone's interest, as would likely attract additional import costs.
 
Yes. I do not expect to have any issues.
The real decision is that there is a 6 month lead time once the go ahead is given, and the order is placed. So- it’s a catch22. If we give it enough to fully vet them to a level I would want- they won’t be here by hunting season. On the other hand, we can say yes to whatever order number in a week or two, and have a high confidence factor that the scopes are good.

I’m not sure what the answer is.
I’m pretty sure that they didn’t just make 3 of them, the parent company is down here with ties to NZ too, there are a few on here with the runs on the board to give them a fair workout within a couple of weeks, spread the load.
 
So first off, while it would be cool to get them this year, having it for hunting season is not a massive deal. I can kill just fine with what I have now. Overall getting it right is key in the end.

But if 3 is not enough to test and feel really good more have to be ordered to really test. Opening testing up to a pool from here to get more real world feedback seems reasonable though I also totally get an argument to vet who is getting one so you get more clear signal vs noise. If it was opened more broadly people would need to clearly be aware and agree this is a full price beta test and no bitching if there are some issues.

I am not going to pretend I would be a hard core tester and put several thousand of rounds through it, I might, but how much I can shoot varries from year to year. I could commit to having it rattle around in a side by side a bunch though and put 1k or so over a summer.

I would also be open to a deposit or even full price down at order time (which is kind of immaterial to me, I trust they will show up even if late).

I wont wine either though if you get a batch out to a good group of testers + S2H course and I dont get an option to order until next summer.

Anyway looks really cool, excited for when it really comes to market. Very much appreciate all the work to bring this thing a step closer to reality.
 
Back
Top