Skip to main content

2018 Optic of the Year

2018 Optic of the Year
Guns & Ammo editors, contributors and staff present 2018’s pre-eminent firearms, optic, ammunition, suppressor and innovation awards. Only products made commercially available this last year qualify for nomination. Candidates that were introduced in 2018, but have yet to be shipped to retailers were excluded from our voting process.

During our roundtable discussions, products developed from the ground up and those that possessed the greatest potential impact to the greatest number of readers were given additional value when scored. When having to decide between two otherwise equally important new products, the more affordable choice typically broke the tie in our voting. This year, we have made our first exception to this rule with the shotgun category.

G&A acquired several samples of each nominee throughout 2018 for a comprehensive evaluation. Products that caused doubt in their reliability and manufacturing methods were eliminated from the list of candidates.

The winner for each category resulted from a point system once three criteria were met: First, the product must have been new and available for purchase in 2018. A line extension of an existing product didn’t earn the points as one possessing innovative features and engineering. Second, it must have demonstrated quality and reliability to a degree that met or exceeded its design objective. Lastly, the winner must offer the greatest appeal to the masses. G&A’s staff awarded points in this third principle following a survey of in-store availability and retail pricing to ensure the product exists and offers great value.

To protect the credibility of the Guns & Ammo of the Year awards, no manufacturers, advertisers or sales representatives were informed of our selection. What follows is a summary list of 2018’s best new products now offered by the firearm industry.

Winner: Leupold VX-5HD

Leupold’s VX-­5HD could become your go-­to scope. With a 5:1 zoom ratio, the VX-­5HD is currently offered as a 1-­5x24mm, 2-­10x42mm (with or without Leupold’s CDS dials), as well as a 3-­15x44mm and a 3-­15x56mm (both with CDS dials standard). Retail prices start at $910 for the low-­power range variants and only climb to $1,430 for the 3-­15X model with the biggest objective lens. If you know your optics, these are awesome prices for a scope with so many practical benefits.

As the suffix suggests, the VX-­5HD features high definition, lead-­ and arsenic-­free, calcium-­fluoride lenses, which means that clarity at any magnification level is as good as an optic costing $3,000 to $5,000. (Seriously, you have to see for yourself.)

Internally, the VX-­5HD is waterproof and fog proof, and has been coated with Guard-­Ion that sheds rain, dirt and fingerprints. The scope has been sealed with Leupold’s proprietary blend of argon and krypton gasses, which protects the scope from the effects of thermal shock, i.e., abrubt temperature changes. (This is even better than the already proven nitrogen technology that every other optic maker also uses.)

The maintube measures 30mm, which means the scope is stronger than traditional optics built on 1-­inch tubes, and the result offers greater field of view and allows for a larger range of windage and elevation adjustments.

Leupold’s new VX-­5HD lineup has everything you need and nothing you don’t.



Current Magazine Cover

Enjoy articles like this?

Subscribe to the magazine.

Get access to everything Guns & Ammo has to offer.
Subscribe to the Magazine

GET THE NEWSLETTER Join the List and Never Miss a Thing.

Recommended Articles

Recent Videos

A quick and easy way of establishing the correct eye relief for your riflescope.
Handguns

Kahr 1911s

A quick and easy way of establishing the correct eye relief for your riflescope.
Accessories

Streamlight LTR-1 HL-X

A quick and easy way of establishing the correct eye relief for your riflescope.
Rifles

Great New firearms From Smith & Wesson

A quick and easy way of establishing the correct eye relief for your riflescope.
Accessories

Winchester Accessories for Every Hunter and Shooter

A quick and easy way of establishing the correct eye relief for your riflescope.
Suppressors

Silencer Central Holiday Offer

A quick and easy way of establishing the correct eye relief for your riflescope.
Handguns

Rost Martin RM1C

A quick and easy way of establishing the correct eye relief for your riflescope.
Handguns

FN Reflex

A quick and easy way of establishing the correct eye relief for your riflescope.
Accessories

Magpul DAKA Grid System

A quick and easy way of establishing the correct eye relief for your riflescope.
Handguns

Smith & Wesson Bodyguard 2.0

A quick and easy way of establishing the correct eye relief for your riflescope.
Handguns

Canik Mete MCL and MC9LS

A quick and easy way of establishing the correct eye relief for your riflescope.
Optics

Red Dots for Rimfires

A quick and easy way of establishing the correct eye relief for your riflescope.
Optics

Setting Scope Eye Relief

Guns and Ammo Magazine Covers Print and Tablet Versions

GET THE MAGAZINE Subscribe & Save

Digital Now Included!

SUBSCRIBE NOW

Give a Gift   |   Subscriber Services

PREVIEW THIS MONTH'S ISSUE

Buy Digital Single Issues

Magazine App Logo

Don't miss an issue.
Buy single digital issue for your phone or tablet.

Get the Guns & Ammo App apple store google play store

Special Interest Magazines

See All Special Interest Magazines

GET THE NEWSLETTER Join the List and Never Miss a Thing.

Get the top Guns & Ammo stories delivered right to your inbox every week.

Phone Icon

Get Digital Access.

All Guns and Ammo subscribers now have digital access to their magazine content. This means you have the option to read your magazine on most popular phones and tablets.

To get started, click the link below to visit mymagnow.com and learn how to access your digital magazine.

Get Digital Access

Not a Subscriber?
Subscribe Now

Enjoying What You're Reading?

Get a Full Year
of Guns & Ammo
& Digital Access.

Offer only for new subscribers.

Subscribe Now

Never Miss a Thing.

Get the Newsletter

Get the top Guns & Ammo stories delivered right to your inbox every week.

By signing up, I acknowledge that my email address is valid, and have read and accept the Terms of Use