Deon March 10-60x52 BR Review

[RobF]

Ok, this will be a work in progress because the box has just only hit my desk. So i'll add bits as I go.

I'll be using a Deben 10-50x56 IR as a comparison for dimensions. In this case the scopes will be naked, and won't carry any sidewheels, custom top turrets or sunshades (in part because the March sunshade hasn't arrived yet).

Firstly, weight. On my postal scales, which measure up to 3kg's, the March scope weighs 700g exactly. In comparison, the Deben weighs just under a 900g, or 884g to be precise. (edit: for reference a Leupold Competition is 576g)

Length: The March is 415mm long and for comparison, the Deben is 470mm long (remember this is with both minus a sunshade)

So, so far so good. Lighter and smaller than what I normally use (assuming the Hakko Walther/Tasco custom shop is close to the Hakko Deben, which outwardly it appears to be)

[RobF]

So, looking at the controls...

Everything is super smooth to turn. It's not as light as the controls on a leupold in reference to the parallax or zoom, but no where near as firm as a Hakko offering. There's no sensation of feeling any mechanics inside, it just turns.

The parallax wheel is a tad smaller than a Hakko, and slightly thinner. I reckon it won't take too much modification of a couple of wheels of mine to fit, but i'll have a play with the optimum sidewheel size before selecting one.

The parallax wheel is marked from infinity, down to 10 yds (or metres, being a bloke i haven't read the manual), and there's a gap of about 8mm between the 30 and 50 markers, suggesting plenty of meat for ranging. It's about 30mm diameter.

One nice bonus is that the wheel turns past the 10 mark, and comes down further. I'm not sure of the length of my office, I can't remember if it's 7 or 8m, but it will come down closer than that (on 60x), suggesting that a close focus adapter is not going to be needed for an 8yd target.

The turrets arrived zero'd and they have 1/8th MOA clearly marked on them. Clicks are very positive, better than a luep (which I can find a little vague on some turret options). The turrets have large clear numbers on them, even an "up" arrow on the side, rather than the top, which may prevent some turning the turret the wrong way more than if it was written on the top of the turret. The turret looks to be easily removable, so it would appear easy to customise with a different turret should you wish, but I haven't delved deeper into that.

The turret has 10 MOA in one revolution. I'll have to dig out my numbers to see whether I might need more than one turn, but I have to do that at the moment for very close targets, so i'm not that fussed. There is a clearly readable revolution marker underneath the turret to remind you where you are.

The duplex crosshair I had placed especially in it I think was the right move. It's very similar to those used in the Tasco Custom shops, visually similar in thinkness terms to the leupold duplex you find in 20-50's, but with a wider gate where the finer x-hair is. (I havent seen the target dot or other rets, but knowing it's target orientated i would say they would probably be too thin, if you are like me in finding them a tad on the thin side for FT work... but that's your preference)

So far so good. No negatives and a few positives over current kit in terms of spec. It's probably going to take me a few days before I can get it on a range, so bear with me on that... but i'll fill in as i find things

[RobF]

Actually reading the manual, the scope comes optically centred.

It also shows a picture of a sidewheel as an optional extra, so i'll see if i can get my mitts on one of those

[RobF]

Ok I couldn't resist... but this is by no means scientific... largely because this is me balanceing the scopes on a pile of books and looking through a rather dirty dirty double glazed window which I can't open.

But, without the sidwheel I could repeat range a 50m/50yd object with ease, and it really snaps. That may change with a wheel on, but it left no doubt... it didn't feel like I was even focusing. I picked up the Deben (which is a good one), and where as the Deben could see the same paint peel that I could with the March, the March was able to distinguish another level of detail. I could see paint peels with the Deben, I could see ripples and folds in the paint peels with the March. Not scientific, but it's looking very good. And unlike a leup it just seems to snap in very well... I always found leups needed fine control to find the absolute focus, but this just seems to snap in. However, it's not on a gun, doesn't have a wheel, and it's not scientific... but couldn't resist a peek

[Siy-co]

Rob........ you lucky wotsit... have been looking at these for ages....... if these scopes do cut it they are a definite alternative to the S&B and 20x50 (2nd hand £950)............. did you say the gap between 30 yds and 50 yds was 8mm.. was this on the small parallax adjuster on the scope or on an added wheel

Simon

[RobF]

That was on the small pa adjuster knob... which is 30mm diameter or thereabouts (i don't have a set of calipers)

I reckon that gives gaps somewhere in the order of slightly better than a custom shop... but until i get a wheel on it and down a range that's only a guess.

[Siy-co]

This could be one hell of a scope......... looking forward to more info over the next few weeks...

p.s have DEON really given a cash sponsorship to the BFTA?

[RobF]

I spoke to Gary and he had been in talks with those that secured the rest of the deals, and I was told so, so I guess so. But i don't know the details only what i've been told

I'll fill out the review as I find stuff. On reflection, I think i'll wait to see if I can get a March wheel first... then it's a more complete review of the offerings. I'm not expecting to use it in anger yet, but the temptation to do so is very strong

[Siy-co]

Rob..sidewheels for March scopes

http://www.deon.co.jp/kelbly-page/

this might help

[RobF]

Cheers for that. Looks like the one in the manual... i'll get Gary on it tonight.