Magnification: 3-12X
Power Variability: Variable
Objective Diameter: 56 mm
Length/Weight/Tube Diameter: 13.35 inches/21.87 ounces/30 mm
Field of View: 11 - 3.4/100 meters
Eye Relief/Exit Pupil: 90 mm/14.8 - 4.6 mm
Reticle: C4, CK
Adjustment Info: 1/4 MOA/Click
Optics Coatings: Fully Multi-Coated
Finish: Black Matte
Waterproof/Shockproof: Yes/Yes
Parallax Setting: 109 yards
Airgun rated: No
Illuminated Reticle: Yes
Mounting Rings Included: No
Best Uses: Big Game Hunting, Varmint Hunting, Target Shooting, Tactical Use
Update: Unfortunately Meopta have discontinued this Meostar R1r rifle scope. For more great options from Meopta, check out our Meopta scope reviews.
Meopta MeoStar Rifle Scope Review
This Meopta Meostar R1 3-12X56 RD rifle scope is the talk of the Meopta world. It's got everything the big name scopes have for half the price. And, while this scope is potentially worth every 5 star vote and rating online that it can get, they are still yet to catch up with more reviews.
There's no doubt that there needs to be more input for a fair rating, but I have a feeling Meopta is going to become more popular by the day. Elsewhere across the board, there are great reviews on this rifle scope and everyone who tests it out, is convinced of its greatness.
This particular 3-12X56 RD model is the star of our Meopta scope reviews. Naturally, I had to feature it and highlight its benefits to consumers like you who think Meopta might be worth giving a chance. So, is it pricey? Yes. Is it worth it? Definitely.
But, don't just take my word for it. Scrutinize the Q&A to get answers to any questions and concerns that you might have about the swanky rifle scope.
Pros:
- Price
- Excellent quality glass
- Excellent coating quality
- Glass-etched, illuminated reticle
- Made in USA
Cons:
- No parallax
Meostar R1r 3-12X56 RD Rifle Scope Q&A:
Does this MeoStar have an illuminated reticle?
Yes, this MeoStar has Meopta's RedZone Illuminated Reticle System that's the champion feature of this rifle scope. The reticle features an illuminated dot that can be turned off and on between each level of the seven brightness settings. To control this feature is the convenient third turret located where a side focus would be - on the left of the scope.
The illuminated feature was designed for both day time and night time use, but its true and full potential is revealed at night. The dot, whether illuminated or not, can be kept on the image or it can be turned "off" to disappear entirely if you prefer.
This illuminated red dot reticle is very similar to the beautiful and classy #60 illuminated red dot reticle of the Zeiss Victory HT 3-12X56. If you're curious about that sexy rifle scope, our review will tell you all about the #60 reticle. But, if you'd like to save yourself about $1300 and still get the awesome quality, then keep on with the rest of this Q&A.
What illuminated reticles are available with this scope?
There are two illuminated reticles available with the MeoPro 3-12X56 - the 4C and the 4K. The 4C is what this model has and it features the red dot at the center whereas the 3 o'clock, 6 o'clock, and 9 o'clock cross hairs are heavy and taper towards the center. The 12 o'clock cross hair is fine.
Although this rifle scope is made for mid to long range hunting, the reticle will perform exceptionally well in close range low light conditions. The 4K reticle features a small "t" or cross in the center instead of the dot.
What's the difference between this R1r and the R1 Meopro rifle scope?
This model, the R1r 3-12X56 RD, isn't to be confused with the R1 3-12X56 RD, rifle scope. While optically they are the same, there are a couple of distinguishing features that sets them apart. The first is, the R1r model has a selection of glass-etched reticles for the second focal plane, unlike the R1 that has the reticle in the first focal plane.
The benefit of having the reticle in the second focal plane will be that sub-tensions will remain the same despite magnification changes. This can be extremely helpful when variations of prey, conditions, and hunting scenario changes consistently or from hunt to hunt.
The second difference is the R1r is just slightly more compact and lighter than its R1 counterpart. Weighing in at only 21.87 ounces - a full ounce less than the R1, and as long as 13.35 inches - a full inch less than the R1. While it's only a mere ounce and an inch, you tell me how picky you're going to be, otherwise, is bigger always better? Not necessarily.
What are glass-etched reticles?
The MeoStar R1r has glass-etched reticles that will be sure to last, and you'd appreciate this fact, especially if this purchase of a rifle scope is intended to be your last. A glass-etched reticle replaces the standard use of wire.
Sometimes wire reticles are prone to damage, movement, and misalignment (during manufacturing), especially during use of heavy and repeated recoil. To avoid this and to improve rifle scope quality, the reticles are actually laser etched onto the glass for more precise ballistic measurements and for ultimate protection from rust, recoil, and potential damage.
The only way to "break" these reticles is to break the lens, and you'd actually have to try really hard to break your scope. Meopta scopes and other scopes of this quality are made to take heavy abuse. Just ask the guy who accidentally dropped his rifle-scope-combo down the cliffside and there wasn't a scratch in sight. You should know one or two of those guys or you might be one of those yourself.
If you don't have a success story, then that'll explain why you're shopping for one today.
What is MeoBright?
This MeoStar has Meopta's MeoBright technology that consists of fully multi-coated lens. The coatings are made with their proprietary ion-assisted formula that gets applied to all air-to-glass lens for eliminating glare and keeping away the reflections that are good for the bathroom but bad for the woods.
With this special coating, Meopta touts an unheard-of statistic in the optics industry - 99.8 percent light transmission per lens surface. That's a whole lotta light collection and a whole lotta nothin' when it comes to image obstruction.
Combine the excellent clarity and light transmission quality with the 56mm lens, and you have the blue-ribbon low light optic for all your night hunting needs. On paper this sounds amazing, but out on the range or in the field, it could be another story. And fortunately, there's not another story.
This rifle scope has amazing reviews when it comes to its clarity and image quality.
Does the 12x56 Meostar R1 come with any accessories?
Yes! This MeoStar come with a lens cleaning cloth and a sun shade. What's a sun shade? A sun shade is a protruding accessory that typically has a screw-in installation system that provides a measure of shade from the sun during intensely sunny days, sunrise, and sunset.
This is almost always a common "throw in" accessory for many optics brands, and it's good to see this here for what you're spending on this scope. The unspoken rule about sun shades is, it's better to have one and never use it than to kick yourself because you don't have one for the moment you need it most. You don't have to keep it on there permanently.
Actually, having a sunshade on all the time might just make you look like an Xbox-gaming teenage boy who learned all he knows about guns, hunting, and tactical scopes from Call of Duty. And, that wasn't a compliment. But, go ahead, use it if you want to - I'm not judging.
Does the Meostar R1 come with a warranty?
Before forking out any cash, this is going to be something you'd want to know the answer to - and, yes it does come with a warranty. All of Meopta's rifle scopes assembled in the USA come with the North American Lifetime Transferable Warranty.
If you decide to buy a Meopta scope, make sure you register it with the optics company within 30 days of purchase or your scope won't qualify for the warranty.
- MeoBright ion- assisted multi-coatings eliminate glare and reflections and delivers an industry leading 99.8% light transmission per lens surface
- Positive Tactile and audible clicks ensure accurate Zeroing and adjustability in the field
Where is this R1 MeoStar made?
While Meopta is a Czech company with its headquarters in the Czech Republic, they also have headquarters in the USA - Long Island, NY. They are a fully-serviceable facility where they manufacture, assemble, package, and fulfill warranty services for all Meopta rifle scopes.
Noteworthy Features:
- 56 mm objective lens for maximum performance in low light conditions
- 30 mm main tube body for extreme durability and robustness
- MeoBright and MeoShield for 99.8% light transmission and scratch-proof, military standard quality lens
- RedZone Illuminated Reticle System for red dot illumination for day time or night time use
- 7 brightness settings, third turret illumination control
- Glass-etched reticle in the second focal plane
- 100% fully waterproof and fog proof
- MeoTrak II Elevation and Windage Control Turrets
- MeoQuick fast focus eyepiece for fast target acquisition
- Backed by Meopta's North American Lifetime Transferable Warranty
- Built in the USA
Our Verdict on the MeoStar R1r 3-12x56
According to the bull's-eye, the MeoStar R1r RD rifle scope has the potential to get your round to shred the bull's-eye to a million pieces. This scope is that clear, that precise, and that good. However, considering it has over 10X power, you would think that it would have a parallax correction control - nope. We're out of luck there, but the cost savings had to come from somewhere right?
No matter. While the prices are sky-rocket high, they're not as high as their equal quality competitors. The MeoPro 4.5-14X44 HTR riflescope comes in under 1000 bucks, and for the quality it sports, we expect jaw gaping reactions!
An awesome alternative in the same price range is the NightForce SHV 5-20X56 rifle scope reviewed here. If you're all about long-range shooting, hunting or competition, this NightForce will more than impress. If there's a bar for extreme optics, NightForce mountains the rest.
Meopta has the kahunas to play with the big boys. That brand can hold its own. Why? Because they know what the heck they're doing! They're dishing out quality scopes for serious hunters who appreciate value when they see it.
Update: Unfortunately Meopta have discontinued this Meostar R1r rifle scope. For more great options from Meopta, check out our Meopta scope reviews.
Further Reading
