New March 1.5-15x42 FFP Announced

[LRRPF52]

New March 1.5-15x42mm FFP with Novel Locking Turrets design


March Scopes were unleashed 16 years ago by Deon Optical Design Corporation (manufacturer of March Scopes) in Japan with the goal of bringing new, innovative designs and concepts in riflescopes to the shooting world. We pride ourselves in being a small custom manufacturer of hand-made riflescopes, and we have worked hard to earn the customers’ trusts in our products. Though we are not a mass manufacturer, we try to develop new models almost every year. We are planning to launch a few exciting models for 2023 and we are happy to announce that one of them is 1.5-15×42 FFP scope with the new “Shuriken lock” turrets. “Shuriken” is a star shaped throwing knife used by Ninja. The new turrets are shuriken shaped lockable elevation and windage turrets. Red is locked, White is unlocked. For shooters with color-vision deficiency, it is hard to tell the difference between red and blue or green. As it is easier to tell the difference between red and white, we have decided the color of the Shuriken lock.

Light weight and compact 1.5-15×42 SFP scope equally ideal for hunting and for precision semi-auto platforms was developed listening to avid hunters in Japan in 2020. 42mm objective lens produces excellent low light performance in a compact form factor, while 1.5x low end magnification makes for fast target acquisition. The 1.5-15×42 SFP scope became very popular after its launch and soon afterwards we received many requests from shooters all over the world that we should develop the 1.5-15×42 scope in FFP. As there were multiple requests, we have decided to develop the 1.5-15×42 FFP scope and we are pleased to announce that we will be launching this scope in January 2023. A dual reticle (best of both FFP and SFP reticles) can be assembled in this scope as well. We believe that this is a scope we developed together with shooters from all over the world. We will provide more details as the release date approaches. Thank you for your continued support!


These are going to make amazing little AR-15 scopes for the Grendel.

[Zeneffect]

So much $$$... but I doubt there is a better scope on the market in the same class.

[Modoc]

Dayum, So much for my recomendation of spending 1x to 2x the price of the rifle on the optic! . March has some innovative ideas to go with quality product.

[Klem]

News about this new scope.

According to the Aussie March rep, US shooter feedback is that the illuminated dot is too fine so March are going to enlarge it, coming out in 6 months. In the meantime anyone who has already purchased can return it free for the fix - same 6-month wait. He ordered three to sell but returned them immediately and agrees the dot is too fine to use.

He says the dual reticle in the 1-10x24 LPVO Shorty is fine however. The latest 2023 release is a 34mm tube for use with unimounts we are familiar with. The earlier version has a dual diameter: 30mm tube and 33mm bell, which means it can only be fixed to the rifle in one spot behind the turret. This 34mm tube looks far more supportive and conventional.
[ATTACH=CONFIG]19873[/ATTACH]

[LRRPF52]

Are you talking about the 1.5-15x42 dot being too small, or the 1-10x24 Shorty?

I haven’t found any pics on what reticles will be available in the 1.5-15x42 yet, other than they said it will have dual reticle.

[lazyengineer]

Look forward to learning more about:
Weight
Price
Reticle

[Klem]

52,

Not the Shorty's, their reticles are fine. The Shorty's being the 1-8x24 30mm body with 33mm bell, and the 1-10x24 30mm body with 33mm bell.
[ATTACH=CONFIG]19878[/ATTACH]

There is a third 2023 release 'Shorty' with an all-34mm body. 1-10x24. I ordered this version in June but has yet to be delivered.
[ATTACH=CONFIG]19877[/ATTACH]


You are referring to one of these;
1.5-15x42 2023 release, FFP only, 34mm body, FML-4 reticle (he says this one is fine and suitable as a LPVO).
1.5-15x42 2023 release, dual FFP/SFP, 34mm body, DR-TR2 Christmas tree reticle (apparently the reticle needs improvement).
[ATTACH=CONFIG]19879[/ATTACH]

When you started this thread I sent the Aussie rep a request for info about the 1.5-15x42. It does look well suited for this calibre on a compact AR. This reply from the rep at BRT Supplies,

[INDENT]The 1.5x-15x FFP is good but.... not the dual reticle version of it. So I had some ordered. Finally got sent to me in June. Then just after sending the shipment they informed all dealers they received feedback from the USA that the Dual reticle wasn't good. It's too fine to see. Therefore they would make a new reticle thicker and would provide a changeover for free if desired. But, that could not be done for 6 months!
As soon as I received these 3 scopes I checked. Yep. reticle is horrible and also a Xmas tree type anyway. Just overpowering but too fine to see much properly. ????
So I sent all 3 back and said "give me a credit thanks". So I am disappointed to say the least. If they had put the exact same reticle as this 1x-10x in it, things would be great. But they didn't.

But, the other 1.5x-15x 42 scope model which arrived was simply FFP with the new FML-4 and it was great. It sold very soon.[/INDENT]

The FML-4 reticle on the FFP (only) version which he refers to as OK is this one,
[ATTACH=CONFIG]19876[/ATTACH]

The Christmas tree DR-TR2 reticle on the dual focal plane version, which he claims is too busy is this one,
[ATTACH=CONFIG]19875[/ATTACH]

Comparing the 1.5-15x42 with the new 1-10x24 Shorty. Both are new release March FX.
[INDENT]1-10x24 'Shorty', 34mm tube = 20.8oz and 8.5" long.
1.5-15x42, 34mm tube = 24.7oz and 10.6" long.[/INDENT]

The updated Shorty fits all standard 34mm unimounts, which to me was the deal-maker. The earlier models you have to either mount in a single spot behind the turret, or buy the dedicated cantilever unimount from March Europe (made in Czechia).

I prefer simpler reticles and solid mounting, even in higher power scopes. But if you like Christmas trees then when the reticle is updated the 1.5-15 will be a great scope. I hear March is going to permit bespoke orders and deleted SKU's so you may be able to order the 1.5-15 DMR with a simpler reticle. Now if the dual plane 1.5-15 version had a less busy reticle, that's something I would regret getting the Shorty for.

You can also get an ultra-low illum switch for use with night vision mounted behind these scopes:
[ATTACH=CONFIG]19881[/ATTACH]

Don't know what the prices are in the US, no doubt like here... an arm and a leg.

[LRRPF52]

That tree reticle is about perfect. No real complaints.

Interesting about the new 1-10x shorty with 34mm tube. Those will sell quite well I think.

The 1.5-15x42 seems to be a really ideal, compact (appears to be about 10.5” long) optic for the AR-15.

We’re getting very close to ".22LR profile with .50 BMG performance” in optics these days, which is what I’ve been wanting for decades.

That little 1-10x Shorty would be nice on the 10.5” and 12” Grendels.