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Posted: 11/24/2009 1:24:35 PM EDT
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Hello everyone. I going to attempt a mini review of the Konus M30 1-4X24 CQB scope.
This scope has a purchase price of $219.99 and after shipping came to $227.50 from Midway USA. The one thing i noticed when purchasing this optic is that the manufacturers website lists the model number different from some of the online websites. So I wasn't completely sure if the pictured scope was actually the one i would receive. With all that aside let me give you my intended purpose for this optic. I am a user of Nightforce, Leupold, Nikon, Zeiss, and Trijicon ACOGs. I also own a Horus Hawk which I reviewed sometime back. This optic was intended to go on a 16" AR .223 and "well not replace the ACOG TA31F" but give me a variable optic instead of a fixed. I didn't not want to spend alot for this project so this scope fell within budget. 
Upon opening the Konus box I received one Konus optic (the right one), a set of flip caps similar to Falcon menace type caps. Warranty card and Multi-language standard for all Konus M30 type scopes intruction booklet. Also a cleaning cloth. Once I unwrapped the scope from the bubble wrap I noticed it to be very well made and extremely sturdy. The finish was consistant of Leupold Matte Finish perhapes a touch more glossy. The scope has some decent weight which could be a plus or a negative depending how you look at it. KonusPro M30 1-4X24 was written on the objective area of the optic in gold lettering. The ocular area has a focus ring along with a lock ring to ensure the scopes focus does not come out of wack. It shows the usual marking +0- on the bell. I found the power ring to be consistantly smooth through out with indication marking for 1x 1.5x 2x 2.5x 3x 3.5x and finally 4x. The scope is a one peice tube design which no doubt will add to its durability. 
On to the turrets.....Im impressed. Some folks do not like lockable turrets and will look elsewhere due to this optic having them. This is my first optic with them and so far i like them. I see this being an advantage for those who use this optic for work and bang it around in a tactical rifle bag in the back of a trunk all day. Once locked they don't move however they do have allen key set screws to zero out your knobs as well. The mechining on the turrets themselves are nicely done, sort of a Mark 4 type. One for elevation and one for windage as well as an 11 position reostat for the illuminated dot reticle which also houses the battery. The turrets I found to be very nice. Positive tactile feedback and gave an audible click. The one thing that threw me off however is the indication reads 1 click = 1/2 MOA. This would be fine on a scope such as this but the odd thing is that 8 hash marks are represented between each designated number such as (1IIIIIII2IIIIIII3) which would be more indicative of 1 click = 1/8 MOA. I have not mounted or attempted a track with this scope as of yet to see what the representation actually does equal. One nice thing Ifound is the revolution of each turret is marked with horizontal hash marks as well. Also the standard Up and Down as well as Left and Rght markings are displayed. 
On to the Glass.....From a distance a green coating is observed and the Konus site related that they are fully multi-coated optics. One look through the glass and i found the scope to be very clear. Konus has been getting a reputation for having nice glass so this did not suprise me that much. Color rendition and clarity are on par with a more expensive scope and the image displayed is crisp on through to the edge. The reticle is what they call a 30/30 but is best described as a duplex type with a break in the center where a dot is observed. This dot illuminated blue but this i found to be completely usless in daylight even overcast as you can see in the pictures. While inside the dot can be seen in a dark room it also give offa blue halo inside the scope which probably would be annoying. The issue that i noticed is at 1x - 2.5x i get a little fisheye effect which is not easliy seen unles you move the scope such as in a scanning method. The higher powers correct this. If I were to judge the glass I would say it was around a Leupold Vari X II territory. Decent enough for this project of mine. The optic also has an anti-cant level bubble in the lower 1/8th of the bottom portion of the reticle area 
Once again this is a mini first impression review. I have not yet field tested this optic yet. I will be using a Burris Mount for this when it arrives from SWFA. Pros that i can see: 1. Lockable turrets for trunk monkey use 2. Price for experimenting with this type of set up to see if you what to buy one of the big boys in the future. 3. Glass is decent enough for use evryday. 4. Turret feedback is positive in feel and sound (hopefully the representations are correct). 5. Finish if scope is nicely done. Cons: 1. Fisheye observed at low powers when scanning with the optic 2. Blue illumination is dismal and useless 3. Bubble level. Not really a negative but it really isn't needed on a CQB optic and for me its just one more thing that could possibly break given time. 4. Folks may not like the target type Turrets on a CQB optic. All in all I do not feel disappointed in this purchase. |
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Thanks for the review. I have a few Konus scopes as I think they are a very good value. I am currently using a M30 4.5 -16 x 40 on my SPRish type AR. It replaced a Super Sniper fixed 10X as I wanted a variable. Having the two scopes side by side I believe as well as the new owner of the SS that the Konus had better glass. I am looking to do a review as soon as I get off my butt.
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| Well...Mounted the scope on a set of high Nightforce rings I had lying around. After bore sighting with a Leupold Zero point i took it to the range mounted on my 16" Sabre Defense Barrel upper. I put a quick 50yrd zero on it. I was on paper first shot. Quickly made adjustments and zeroed out the knobs. I put approx 150rds though the gun with the scope mounted. Results were perfect. Glass was nice and clear and the optic held its zero the entire time. I was grouping approx .75 MOA shooting from a standing rest at 4X. CQB wise the scope did its job. Target acusition was fast and double taps were a breeze. For the money spent I am well pleased and happy with the 1-4X set up. I had no time to perform a box test as of yet but im sure it will come through just fine. |
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I believe they are based i Italy, and supposedly they parts are shipped to China where they are assembled under the watchful eye of Konus employees.
I ordered 2 through B&H 2.5 weeks ago, and they are backordered. B&H has them for $115 each, which is almost half price of anyone else. Don't know if first or second gen, but thought I would give them a try. Now if they would only ship. |
We had a couple of Konus threads a while back, and I bought two of the M30, 1-4s about 6 months back. So far, so good. You can obviously get a better/higher end scope, but I think for glass and features, they compete with many others costing twice as much or more. They are built heavy, and maybe over built. The blue illum IS a neat choice, but not nearly bright enough in bright sun. The 1-4 is in 1/2 MOA clicks, and the level was on the plumb in both of mine. I have related my CS experience in other threads, but suffice to say it was as good as anything I have seen for standing behind them and making any replacement/swap very simple and fast. FYI, one of the two I got had a coating defect that was only visible when backlit with a light in a dark room....specifically inspecting the internal coatings. They sent pickup tags and swapped out for another one inside of three days. It's coatings were good, as was the other scope I initially purchased. I do think a switch to red (which they have supposedly added) for the illum would ensure some better usefullness for the lit portion of the reticle....but you could probably hammer in tent stakes with them and not hurt them, and they are HEAVY for a 1-4. I'd buy another Konus, anyday.
BTW, who is B&H? 
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BTW, who is B&H? B & H Photo and Video They were even a site sponsor for a few months. |
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It is true, but they're closed for a jewish holiday ALL week this week, delaying orders that could have come in this entire week.
Funny thing is, they are in NY, and I am in FL- and the Konus distributor is based in Miami, I could have drove there and picked up my scope instead of shipping it 6,000 miles just to get back to FL lol
If you guys are looking for more pics of konus scopes, I did a mini overview of ther 4.5-16x here: http://lifealist.com/2010/03/konus-m30-version-2-4-5-16x40-first-look-new-sub-300-competitor/ |
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When I emailed them earlier this week, they indicated they were backordered. I took that to mean that the distributor didn't have them in stock. They were going to contact the distributor and ask, and told me to expect a response in around 2-3 days. That, unfortunately, put it into their week off.
Trying to be patient. |
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I have a set of Burris XTR x––high rings I am going to try out. I have a feeling I will have to go to a forward cantilever type base (Burris PEPR, Larue SPR) for more eye relief though. If ordering, remember the scope is 30mm.
I threw on an old Tasco scope on some high Weaver rings just to group it, but the high rings were still too low to shoot comfortably. |
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It is true, but they're closed for a jewish holiday ALL week this week, delaying orders that could have come in this entire week. They turned their online order system back on tonight at 2045h EDT. I decided to order one of these for the excellent $114.95 price even though they show a 7-14 day wait and charge your card immediately because it is a special order. FYI: Even with their ordering turned back on, they will not actually ship any in stock items until April 6 - the end of Passover. |
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I have one "on order" from BHPhoto also and I think I want a one-piece mount. What suggestions that won't destroy my wallet (and marriage)? Thanks! Burris PEPR is $70 at SWFA, I believe. Most of the QD run signficantly higher (Larue is around $220, but very high quality). |
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I have one "on order" from BHPhoto also and I think I want a one-piece mount. What suggestions that won't destroy my wallet (and marriage)? Thanks! Burris PEPR is $70 at SWFA, I believe. Most of the QD run signficantly higher (Larue is around $220, but very high quality). Thanks! |
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Took the Gen2 out to the range today and was only able to put about 40 rounds through it (wind and rain).
Overall, I am happy with the scope. The focus is a little off for my eyes, and I didn't have the time to mess with it, but that should be an easy fix(looks like the fine thread/lock ring arrangement as opposed to the rapid twist versions that many mfgs. are coming out with. Good - bright glass; smaller, capped knobs; choice of blue or red illumination. Bad - illumination still not bright enough to use in normal lighting; little to no tactile or audible cues on adjustments (it was around 41 degrees, so if there is much grease in them, it could be thickening up to interfere with the clicks) So far, I would recommend it, just don't expect the illumination to be any use unless it is dusk/dark. |
| I received a Gen 2 scope from BH Photo. It has the blue/red dot. The dot is so weak on the blue that I can't even see it unless its on the brightest setting in the dark. It came with the battery installed already. I'm wondering if someone had returned it because of the weak dot. Did anyone elses come with the battery in the scope? The scope looks like a downgrade from the Gen 1. The turrets on the gen 1 look better. It is made in China. |
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I ordered one of the M30 6.5x25 scopes from a different source and it arrived yesterday. The battery was already installed and it came with a spare battery.
Glass is bright, the Mil dots are nice and round. All Konus scopes are made in China but the lenses are made in Japan. |
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I received a Gen 2 scope from BH Photo. It has the blue/red dot. The dot is so weak on the blue that I can't even see it unless its on the brightest setting in the dark. It came with the battery installed already. I'm wondering if someone had returned it because of the weak dot. Did anyone elses come with the battery in the scope? The scope looks like a downgrade from the Gen 1. The turrets on the gen 1 look better. It is made in China. Mine came in today. Battery was in the scope and the illumination was as posted by others. I went out and bought a new battery and it did not add any illumination. I did not get a spare battery or sun shade did yo? Scope looks good. Glass is fine. |
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snpr9696- BTW, what does this take for a battery? Konus nor any of the vendors list what it is. I'm putting in a battery order and would like to get a few for backup. Thanks. CR2032 Thanks. That's an easy (and cheap) one . Looks like my scope should be here tomorrow or Thursday. |
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Looks like my scope should be here tomorrow or Thursday. ...or not. I got an email on Monday saying it had shipped. However, when you track the Del. Conf. #... Electronic Shipping Info Received, May 11, 2010 Shipment Accepted; May 11, 2010, 8:04 pm, BROOKLYN, NY 11256 Processed through Sort Facility, May 12, 2010, 9:59 am, BETHPAGE, NY 11714 I'd say Friday if I'm lucky. |
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I mounted mine on a new 20" BM using a Brurris PEPR mount. Didn't bore sight it. I only had a half hour to shoot (range rules sundown-end) First shot a 50 yards was 2" left and 2" high. Five clicks right and five down and I was shooting sub 1 inch groups. Went out to 120 yards and it was consistantly sub 2moa. I was using AE223. I was very impressed by this scope & the new BM. I must have been having a good day beause usually I can't shoot that well with a 1K scope and good ammo. Only got to shoot 80 rounds but everyone was perfect. Didn't even have any flyers. Scope held zero. So far I love this optic. BTW, even at dusk the blue dot was useless. No big deal.
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After 3 weeks I finally received my 1-4x24 M-30 Konuspro (gen II) this past Wed. Upon inspection I noticed that the battery cap cover was already scuffed up as if it were opened w/ a tool that slightly stripped the groove (made me think was this a returned product). I didn't want something so little hold me back so I mounted it on a LT mount and sighted it in today at the range. Did fine for about 100 rounds through my 5.56 AR. When I finally got home I went straight to cleaning the rifle and again inspected the scope. I did a double take when I saw that the cross hairs were off. I double checked to see if the scope shifted in the mount and it was solid and as leveled as I could get from initial install. I took the scope off and placed it on a table top and the cross hairs were definitely not level w/ the scope. Has anyone out there experienced any of these issues>
I sent them an email today requesting for an RMA. Now should I look to getting a replacement or full refund and going w/ Millet? |
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