Vector Optics has been trying to shed its “budget-only” image for a few years, and the Continental series is their tip of the spear. The 2-12×50 is a classic “do-it-all” hunting configuration. With a 6x zoom ratio, it’s low enough for close-range timber work and high enough for a 400 yard shot on the prairies.
While many shooters are wary of Chinese optics, Vector uses German Schott glass in this line to compete with the likes of the Vortex Viper or the Meopta Optika6. It’s a Second Focal Plane (SFP) scope, which keeps the reticle consistent and usable at low power—exactly what most hunters actually want.
Note: I asked Vector Optics to send me this scope for review
Specifications
- Magnification: 2-12x
- Objective Lens: 50mm
- Tube Diameter: 30mm
- Reticle: VET-10BDC (Etched German #4 style), illuminated center dot
- Eye Relief: 4.0 inches (100mm)
- Weight: 21.4 oz (605g)
- Adjustment: 1/4 MOA per click; 140 MOA total travel
- Parallax: Fixed at 100 yards
- Light Transmission: 90% (Schott glass)
- Comes with: rings, scope cover, scope caps (rubber bands between), sunshade, cleaning cloth, replacement target turret for top, plastic adjuster doohicky (I usually just use a coin or the rim of a cartridge)
Usability
In the field, the first thing you notice is the light. That 50mm objective combined with the Schott glass makes a real difference during those last ten minutes of legal shooting light. The 4 inches of eye relief is generous, meaning you won’t get “scoped” if you’re shooting a magnum caliber from an awkward position.
The turrets are capped, which I prefer for a hunting rig to prevent them from turning in the bush or when pulling out of the pack. While you can reset the dial to zero after sighting in, there’s no hard stop to prevent you from getting lost if you start spinning dials for long-range holdovers. That shouldn’t be a big deal for hunters.
The illumination is a simple dot with six settings. It isn’t “daylight bright” like a high-end red dot, but for low-light hunting, it should be enough.
Competitors
- Vortex Viper HS 2.5-10×44: More proven warranty and name, but the Vector has a wider zoom range and potentially clearer glass.
- Meopta Optika6 2-12×50: This is the closest rival. The Meopta is heavier but offers adjustable parallax on most models, whereas the Vector is fixed.
- Burris Fullfield IV 2.5-10×42: Cheaper, but lacks the optical clarity of the Continental’s German glass.
Conclusion
The Vector Continental 2-12×50 is a sleeper. If you can get past the brand name, you’re getting glass that genuinely rivals scopes that cost more. It’s lightweight for its size and built like a tank.
The lack of an adjustable parallax and a zero stop keeps it firmly in the “hunting” category rather than a “precision” tool, but for a 0 to 400 yard deer rifle scope, it’s one of the best values on the market right now.
Pros:
- Great glass for the price point.
- Wide 6x zoom range beyond a typical 3-9
- Includes rings and a spare turret.
Cons:
- No zero stop on the turrets.
- Fixed parallax (100 yards) limits its use for extreme long-range or rimfire.
- Brand recognition and resale value are lower than Vortex or Leupold.
