Intensity Optics Scopes

Intensity Optics scopes is a subsidiary company of Federal, which is a major US ammunition producer. Federal is owned and operated by  ATK, an international aerospace and defense holding company. ATK owns  a number of sporting goods brands and companies such as Federal Ammunition, Speer, Champion, and Eagle Industries to name a few. In addition to the Intensity Optics line, ATK also owns the Simmons and Weaver Optics brands of rifle scopes.

Based out of Onalaska, WI, Intensity Optics scopes was started in early 2007 and had it’s first rifle scope offering on the market by mid-2007. Since that time, Intensity Optics has quietly gained a foothold in the less expensive rifle scope price ranges of $75 to $125. This is a market that also features well known brand such as Simmons, Tasco, Barska, and NCStar.

While the exact details are unknown, the Intensity Optics scopes are believed to be produced in the same Philippines production plan that makes the Simmons line,  and some of the less expensive Nikon scope line. Many veteran hunters and shooters compare the Intensity Optics series to the older, discontinued Simmons 44 Mag line of scopes. A side by side comparison seems to confirm that line of thinking as the Intensities look to be a rebadged 44 Mag scope. This is a good thing as the Simmons 44 Mag series was extremely popular for it’s price range and level of performance. It was certainly one of Simmons most successful scope models.

Intensity Optics scopes was offering 5 models in the following configurations:

• 3-10x44mm
• 4-12x44mm AO
• 6.5-20x44mm AO
• 2.8-10x44mm
• 3.8-12x44mm AO

Only the 3-10 model does not feature an adjustable objective. There has also been some hints from ATK that they might expand the Intensity Optics line in the future to include some additional configurations.

Having seen and shot over the 6.5-20 and the 3.8-12, these are really nice rifle scopes for the money. Is it a Leupold? No, certainly not. But, are they as bright and clear as some more expensive scopes I’ve seen? Without a doubt.

At the time of this writing (April 2012), ATK opted to suspend the production of the Intensity Optics scopes line, and close the company web site. Here are a few Intensity Optics scopes you can grab right now: