Optics Score Methodology
Last updated: April 16, 2026
The Optics Score is a 0-100 rating we assign to every reviewed optic. It is the sum of five weighted components, tuned to reflect what matters most on a rifle.
The formula
| Component | Weight | What it measures |
|---|---|---|
| Glass quality | 25 | Resolution, edge-to-edge clarity, chromatic aberration, light transmission. |
| Durability | 25 | Recoil resistance, zero retention, tracking, waterproofing, temperature tolerance. |
| Reticle | 20 | Usefulness of the reticle for the optic's intended use. Illumination if present. |
| Value | 20 | Performance per dollar. A $400 optic can out-score a $2,000 optic here. |
| Warranty | 10 | Length, transferability, and the manufacturer's real-world service record. |
How to read a score
- 85+ — category leader. We would buy this with our own money.
- 70-84 — strong recommendation. Small compromises worth knowing about.
- 55-69 — acceptable for its price point; check the cons list.
- Under 55 — we would steer you elsewhere.
Why EAV-style specs?
A red dot, an LPVO, and a 5-25x long-range scope have very different relevant specs. We store specs as key/value pairs so every optic shows only the fields that apply to it — no "N/A" noise. That lets the comparison tool diff arbitrary specs across any two optics in the same category.
Re-scoring
Scores can change. If a manufacturer issues a recall, changes the warranty, or ships a revised model under the same name, we re-test and update. The review notes the re-scoring date.