Apex Optics: A team-up between Calgary and Japan

Want a new optic, and want to buy Canadian? There's a new option for Canadian glass, sort of: Apex Optics is based in Calgary, but its scopes are actually manufactured in Japan. At this point, its first offering should be shipping to Canada within a few weeks.

Apex Optics was founded in early 2020 by a group of western shooters from a range of competitive disciplines. Their goal was to create a new optics brand for competition and long-range shooting reflecting their backgrounds (IPSC, Steel Challenge, 3-Gun, Precision Rimfire, Extreme Long Range, etc.). Several of these shooters are well-known in the west's shooting scene, with long history of competition.

Apex's first release will be the Rival 4-32x56 mm, which it's been developing for about 18 months. Apex partnered with Japan Optics to actually manufacture the scope, although it's designed here in Canuckistan. The scopes also undergo quality control testing in Japan, and a secondary round of quality control in Calgary.

This scope has some unique features due to its design process, including Apex's proprietary CLR competition reticle. This first focal plane reticle is designed for long-range matches where shooters need their scope to handle quick transitions, with top half of the reticle unobstructed. It comes with ranging marks, for scenarios where you can't use electronic rangefinders, and has six-level illuminated main stadia. You can see a full explanation of the CLR reticle design at Apex's website.

The scope also comes with elevation turret that features 15 MILs per revolution; windage and elevation adjustments are 0.1 MIL per click. The turrets are not locking, but come with mechanical zero stop and two-turn indicators (future scopes may come with locking turrets). There's a stainless steel pop-up turn indicator. Apex says it has the industry's first see-through integrated and removable throw lever.

The new Rival scope has parallax knob indicators for approximate value for 100-, 200-, 500-, and 800-yard distances. There's a proprietary hydrophobic seven-layer multi-coated lens, and other features selected to give Apex's customers top performance. The scopes are certified IP67 dustproof/waterproof, and 1200G shockproof. The Apex website lists a full page of the Rival's features here.

Currently, Apex only offers direct-to-consumer sales, with no dealers or distribution network to raise prices (a local Calgary retailer is apparently interested in carrying the line, though, so stay tuned on that). Pre-order pricing for the Rival 4-32x56 mm is $1,900, including a $200 discount. Once the pre-order period is over, pricing will rise to approximately $2,100. Obviously this is an expensive optic aimed at a customer who needs performance and doesn't mind paying for it. According to Apex itself, its glass is on par with other top industry names.

In the future, Apex plans other models, including a 3-15x hunting scope. For now, though, it's only pre-selling the Rival, with delivery to Canadian customers expected in late January, 2022. More details at ApexOptics.co.

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