Scoping out all range targets fast and easy

By Brad Allen 

ZeroTech International, founded in 2018, is an Australian company with an in-house team of optical and mechanical engineers who design, test and deliver high-quality optical equipment, currently built in China to their exacting specifications and exported world-wide. Tasco Sales Australia (TSA) is the distributor of ZeroTech scopes in Australia, so when they requested The Report to review the new ZeroTech Trace ED 1-10×24 Illuminated LPVO, I was very interested. 

During the past several years, there has been strong worldwide growth in the low power variable optic (LPVO) scope market, primarily driven by consumers in the US, where such scopes are the preferred optic on tactical style semi-automatic rifles used for hunting, competition and military use. 

I’m no stranger to the LPVO concept, as my first bolt action .223, many, many years ago was topped with a ‘Pecar’ 1.5-4x, which was a ‘first focal plane’ (FFP) scope. The scope was great to hunt with in the thick stuff on the lower settings, although I struggled with only 4x at times on the longer shots that the rifle and calibre were well capable of. I still own several such scopes, which are mainly mounted on hunting rifles intended for short- to medium-distance hunting. With modern scope manufacture, the power range of LPVO scopes has increased dramatically, making them even more versatile across a wide range of applications, from hunting through to competition and military use. Most military rifles now rely on either ‘reflex’ type optics, fixed low-power scopes or some type of LPVO. 

The ZeroTech Trace ED 1-10×24 Illuminated is a scope that will suit a specific type of rifle and purpose. With its 34mm main tube, it’s not a scope that would sit well on a slim, light bolt action hunting rifle. However, the Trace ED would be perfectly at home on AR type platform rifles, in both .223 and .308. Here in Australia, where such rifles are in short supply, they would also be perfectly at home on similar pump action, lever release (push button release) and straight pull and bolt action chassis rifles. There has been a proliferation in these action types and styles of rifles in Australia ever since semi-auto rifles were banned for general hunting and shooting back in the late 90s. 

The ZeroTech Trace ED 1-10×24 Illuminated, with its 34mm main tube, is a solid piece of ordinance, made from 6061-T6 aluminium and weighing in at 727 grams. The matt black finish is well executed, and I specifically like the inclusion of UP and R (right) markings with arrows on the rear of the turret housing, allowing shooters to make the correct adjustments without shifting from their shooting position. Also noteworthy are the precision aluminium front and rear flip up lens covers included with the scope, which lay flat against the ocular and objective housings when open. Although probably aimed more at the competition shooter, another nice touch is the removable magnification change throw lever, for fast, easy magnification changes. 

Following the online instruction manual, I placed the scope on 10x and adjusted the dioptre to suit my eyesight. The reticule was crisp and clear, and it was easy to read street signs at extended distances. At 10x, the MRAD reticule appears to be quite ‘busy’, with lots of information available to the shooter. Being a ‘first focal plane’ (FFP) scope, the reticule appears to grow as the power is turned up and, conversely, it appears to get smaller as the power is turned down. These days, most hunting scopes have the reticule in the ‘second focal plane’ (SFP), where the reticule remains the same size throughout the whole power range. The attraction of FFP scopes has increased in recent times, with the introduction of MRAD and MOA reticules, both of which rely on their internal hash marks to determine and judge both windage and elevation at longer ranges. In an FFP scope, this concept will work throughout the entire power range of the scope; however, in a SFP scope it will only work on the highest power. 

I am far more familiar with the old MOA system and have always measured my shooting distances with the imperial yards and inches. I can, however, appreciate the MRAD scope reticule system that uses metric measurements and I’m sure it would be a superior system for a shooter to use, once mastered. The MRAD scope reticule system is now the preferred system for military snipers who take shots at ranges that mere mortals would never contemplate. 

The LPVO MRAD reticule of the ZeroTech 1-10 was specifically designed for LPVO usage and should be satisfactory out to ranges that are past the capability of most shooters. ZeroTech states that the reticule remains uncluttered at low power and reveals advanced holdover and windage references as you zoom in, with the illuminated crosshair providing a clean aiming point when light is low. I particularly like the ‘circle’ around the centre point of the reticule, which assists speed of aiming at all ranges, immediately centring the shooter’s eye on target. At closer ranges, on lower powers, it’s simply a matter of putting that central circle (normally black but red when illuminated for low light) where you want the round to go and squeeze the trigger. A very desirable feature when engaging multiple and/or moving targets at close range. 

Specifications: 

Magnification Range: 1-10x  

Objective Lens Diameter: 24mm 

Main Tube Diameter: 34mm  

Parallax Adjustment: Fixed at 100 meters 

Eye Relief: 3.7” (94mm)  

Field of View @ 100 Meters: 39.1m (1x)-3.91m (10x); @ 100 Yards: 117.3ft – 11.73ft  

Turret Adjustments: 0.1 MRAD per click, 10 MRAD/revolution  

Elevation Travel: 934 MRAD 

Length: 10.35” (263.1mm) 

Weight: 25.64oz (727g) 

Illumination: Digital illumination control (push button brightness settings)     

Reticule: RMG-L (FFP) LPVO specific 

Tube Material: 6061-T6 Aluminium  

Lens Coating: Weathershield protection 

Flip Covers: Precision aluminium lens covers included 

Warranty: ZeroTech backs its optical products for the life of the product with an unconditional lifetime replacement or repair warranty, regardless of fault or reason. No paperwork or proof of purchase is required, and the warranty is fully transferable; if you sell the scope, the warranty automatically goes with it. ZeroTech calls it its ‘Any Owner, Any Problem, Always Covered, Lifetime Warranty’. A hard act to follow. 

Battery cover removed. Illumination is generated by a CR2032 battery.

Being suitably impressed with the scope so far, it was time to put it to the test. My own zombie apocalypse/pig hunting rifle is a Chimera .223 lever release, which uses the ever-reliable AR magazines. I removed my own LPVO (Leupold VXR 1.25-4×20 Illuminated) from the Chimera and replaced it with the ZeroTech Trace ED for testing. 

Although heavier than my Leupold and 45mm longer, it was still compact and didn’t upset the balance of the rifle in any way, giving the outfit a very ‘tactical’ look and feel. The extra scope power, above my usual 4x, was a welcome feature and the clarity of the glass was apparent. 

A session at the range confirmed my initial feelings about the ZeroTech. The precise elevation and windage travel and the extra scope power (up to 10x) with the clear ‘Weathershield ‘coated lenses were much appreciated on longer shots. On the lower powers (1x to 4x), where I would normally have my scope set for hunting in closer cover, the ZeroTech’s wide field of view was a distinct advantage. As I suspected, the ‘circle’ around the centre point of the RMG-L Illuminated (LPVO Specific) reticule made it fast and easy to acquire targets at all ranges, with or without the illumination engaged. 

The ZeroTech TRACE ED 1-10×24 is a solid, well-made scope specifically designed for rifles of a ‘tactical’ nature. On a fast-handling tactical rifle like my Chimera, the SCSA Taipan pump action, Warwick Wedgetail, Remington 7615 or other chassis rifles, it would work extremely well. So, if you’re in the market for a LPVO for your tactical rifle, have a closer look at the ZeroTech TRACE ED 1-10×24 Illuminated, and you too may be suitably The windage and elevation markings on the scope can be seen clearly by the shooter.impressed. At the time of writing, the recommended retail price for the TRACE ED 1-10×24 Illuminated was $1699.