Konus is an Italian company, based in Verona, Italy since 1979. They have a broad line of scopes, primarily manufactured in Red China. Their riflescope line, along with a huge mix of other products, are designed for international distribution, as the ten to twelve languages in the instructions suggest. Their website, www.konus.com, is best considered a work in progress, as quick location of product isn't easy. Right now it features a particularly obnoxious YouTube based video of O'Neill Williams talking, as if to second-graders, about the greatest warranty in the world and carrying on about unbreakable reticles.

Replacement warranties are often offered when the scopes themselves aren't worth repairing and the invasive gush about an engraved reticle has nothing to do with the primary job of a riflescope, which is to hold its zero. If you have reticle float, it is not comforting to know your reticle is still there. It well may be, it is just that it is in the wrong place, which prevents you from hitting what you are shooting at. Had Mr. Williams actually bothered to look through the scope, he would have discovered that the �engraved reticle� isn't fully engraved at all: only the center X-hairs might be, the rest is flattened wire, like most scopes.

The two scopes to which we are referring are the #7264 Konuspro 3-9x40mm Zoom Riflescope and the #7272 Konuspro Plus 3-10x44 mm that features a dual color illuminated reticle. Both scopes claim fully multi-coated lenses and crisp metal on metal, 1/4 MOA click adjustments. Both scopes have the familiar 30/30 reticle that is etched, or as Konus puts it, engraved. Following are the Konus specifications to give you the general idea.

#7264 KONUSPRO 3-9x40mm ZOOM

• Reticle: 30/30
• Nitrogen purged, 100% waterproof, shockproof, fogproof
• Multi coated optics.
• Finger adjustable turrets.
• Field of view at 100 yards: 32.4ft at 3x, 12.4ft at 9x.
• Weight: 15.8 ounces
• Length: 12.5"
• Eye Relief: 3"
• Exit Pupil: 13.3mm at 3x , 4.4mm at 9x.
• Click value: 1/4 M.O.A.
• Adjusting range at 100 yards: 52.4"
• Mounting length: 5.53"
• 2011 discount retail price: approximately $70

#7272 KONUSPRO 3-10x44 ZOOM

• Reticle: 30/30 blue/red illuminated
• Field of view at 100 yards: 35.4 ft. at 3x, 10.9 ft. at 10x
• Weight: 19.2 ounces
• Length: 13.1"
• Eye relief: 3"
• Exit pupil: 14.6mm at 3x, 4.4mm at 10x
• Click value: 1/4 M.O.A.
• Adjustment range: 52.4" at 100 yards
• Mounting length: 5.6"
• 2011 discount retail price: $134 (Buds Gun Shop)

Both scopes are clearly targeted at the low-priced market. I have no prior experience with Konus product, so I really can't comment on longevity or customer service based on experience. (Our previously reviewed KonusPro 2-7x32mm scope has held up well on several test rifles. -Editor.) As mentioned earlier, they don't have engraved reticles, but rather a combination of flattened wire with an etched center section. In the case of the 3-10x44 IR model, only the illuminated portion is etched. If you want to compare these KonusPros to a scope with a properly etched reticle, check out a Burris Fullfield E1 and you'll see the difference.

Let me make a few comments about the KonusPro 3-9x40mm, which is available in black (as tested) or silver finish. The image quality is surprisingly clear and crisp throughout the zoom range. The click adjustments are crisp and audible, exceptionally good. The scope is a bit on the heavy side and the eye relief of three inches is a bit too cozy for significant recoil applications. Reticle focus is by moving the entire ocular end secured by a locking ring (American style), a long way of saying it lacks quick focus. The zoom ring operated smoothly and the threaded adjustment caps were well done, easy to remove and replace.

The Konuspro Plus 3-10x44mm adds more weight and diopter quick focus, along with an included threaded sunshade. The adjustments are also crisp, this time you turn the entire knob inside the adjustment caps as opposed to a smaller insert. In both scopes, the adjustments are finger adjustments, but the full knob, called �new style� by Konus, found on this KonusPro is easier to grip. In the scope I evaluated, there is a little speck of dust on the glass inside the scope. Not in a particularly bad area, but still a sign of improper purging and quality control after assembly. (This seems to be an ongoing problem with optics sourced from Red China. -Editor.)

At these very low price points, there isn't much to kick about, notwithstanding the partially engraved reticle. The image quality is better than I anticipated, but the bulk, weight, skimpy eye relief and modest internal adjustment range may drive you into a higher price point, particularly if the intended rifle has significant recoil. These Konus scopes are competing in a crowded field, selling against several other brands, including the well established Bushnell Banner series of economical riflescopes.