Delta Optical Stryker HD 4.5-30×56 Riflescope Review | Optics Trade Reviews

Today, I’ll discuss the Delta Optical Stryker HD 4.5-30×56 riflescope. This scope has been on the market for at least five years now. It went through several upgrades since it debuted at IWA 2017.

Delta Optical has never referred to Stryker riflescopes as being “first generation” or “second generation.” In this article, we’ll look at the third-generation Stryker HD 4.5-30×56. I’ll call it the 2020 edition. It’s a lot different from what it was in 2017. I go over the fundamentals briefly.

Interested in Delta Optical Stryker HD?

Where are Delta Optical riflescopes made?

Delta Optical is a company based in Poland. It is known for providing probably the best value for money with most of its products. Delta Optical Stryker riflescopes are made in Japan. The inscription on the scope reads “Made in Japan.”

It is very common for businesses in the United States to outsource their production. In Europe, this is less frequent. The vast majority of European optical manufacturers produce their optics within their own facilities.

Interested in Where Delta Optical Riflescopes are made?

Check out our Blog Post here

First MIL/MIL fully tactical scope on the European market

Delta Optical made a very smart decision by releasing Stryker 4.5-30×56 riflescope. They started with this American business model, but they applied it to the European market, and they know the European market quite well.

The Stryker HD is a MIL/MIL fully tactical scope. The first scope of this type from Japan on the EU market was Vortex Razor HD gen 2, 4.5-27×56. Many others have followed since then.

Delta Optical was the first manufacturer to introduce a very similar scope to the European market – at least in specifications – but with a much lower price point, almost two times lower. Because of the lower price, certain features are excluded. And the optics isn’t quite as good.

However, you’re still getting something comparable in terms of specs and paying less money for it. Delta Optical has previously done this with their other optics as well.

Watch our Delta Optical Stryker HD 4.5-30×56 FFP Riflescope Review Below

Physical Properties

The Delta Stryker HD 4.5-30×56 scope is fully waterproof and fog proof. It has a 34-millimeter tube. It’s shorter than their 5-50 model, measuring 36 centimeters in length.

The scope is filled with nitrogen. It can withstand the recoil of any caliber. Stryker 4.5-30×56 is well–made and exquisitely constructed, and you can tell it’s a high–quality item. It weighs approximately one kilogram, and the battery that powers the illumination is the normal CR 2032.

The Stryker HD 4.5-30×56 riflescope has a side focus parallax, which goes all the way down to 23 meters. On the other side, it goes all the way up to infinity.

What are the differences between the generations?

The first difference was the update of the turrets. The first generation’s turrets lacked a locking mechanism and had no zero-stop. The new turrets on Stryker scope were a significant improvement over the old ones.

What was the most significant change, from the second Stryker generation to the 2020 model, is parallax. Stryker HD parallax was previously its weakest feature, but it has been improved on this model.

The travel from 200 meters to the end was nearly undetectable. The distance from 200 meters to infinity was just three millimeters. This posed problems for some users. On the model from 2020 onward this was vastly improved.

Delta Optical is a company that is committed to evolving and listening to its customers. They developed the parallax with an extremely long travel, allowing you to fine-tune the precise parallax setting at any distance. They did an excellent job here. It’s a little less amazing that they didn’t shout about all these enhancements, at least not as loudly as they could have.

Looking for a parallax whel?

Delta Optical Stryker HD 4.5-30×56 Reticle

Let’s talk about the reticles on Delta Optical Stryker 4.5-30×56. All the reticles are in the first focal plane (FFP). The reticle subtensions are always in MIL, meaning they are paired with the turret. The click is always one centimeter.

There are three different variations of the reticle available with Stryker HD 4.5-30×56 scope:

• LRD-1T (Christmas tree type of reticle),
• LRD-1P (tactical reticle) and
• DLR-1 (tactical reticle).

All the reticles are illuminated.

Interested in LRD-1T Reticle? Watch our Reticle Subtension Video Below

Interested in LRD-1P Reticle? Watch our Reticle Subtension Video Below

Illumination System

The illumination system has 11 settings and it’s meant for low light use only. The illumination is not usable during the day, which isn’t necessary since this is not a wide-angle CQB scope. It’s a long-range technical riflescope. The illumination system is well-made. The only thing that is lighted with the DLR-1 reticle is the center dot, which is ideal.

Delta Optical Stryker HD 4.5-30×56 Turrets

The turrets on Stryker HD 4.5-30×56 riflescope have been improved, as I previously stated. They feature a locking mechanism. The turrets have 10 MIL of travel per one revolution, 100 clicks in one turn. That’s ideal for performing all kinds of calculations.

The top of the turret contains the turn indicator. It’s not a mechanical turn indicator. It’s simply a visual turn indicator.

The total elevation range is 30 MRAD or 30 MIL, which is a significant amount. The number of turns is multi-turns. Because of this, you’ll have to complete three rotations to cover the whole travel.

The zero stop is one of the features that make this scope so appealing. The zero stop is nice and produces a crisp sound. It’s a mechanical hard stop that stops exactly at zero.

Optical Performance

We’ll look at the optical performance next. The Delta Stryker HD 4.5-30×56 features a 56mm objective lens, a 6.6x zoom, and decent optics for this price range, especially considering its low cost in the category of MIL/MIL tactical scopes.

The field of view is 8.3 meters per 100 meters wide. It could have been better, but it’s not a major problem. There is no tunnel effect in the riflescope. Some scopes have a tunneling effect at low magnifications. It doesn’t exist in this one.

The apparent field of view on this riflescope is not the best. You do see a little bit of black around the image at all magnifications. Still, in this price class, it’s more than decent. But if you compare this scope with those, that cost 3000 euros or more, you will notice that the apparent field view is a little bit smaller.

The eye box is adequate, even at high magnifications. It also features a fast focus with a diopter range of -3 to +3, which is great.

Need a new bikini cover?

Delta Optical Stryker HD 4.5-30×56 Price and Warranty

Delta Optical Stryker HD 4.5-30×56 scope costs around 1750€ in Europe. It’s a good value for the money if you ask me.

It’s produced in Japan and comes with a 10-year warranty. Delta Optical is situated in Poland, so warranty claims and servicing may all be completed within Europe quickly and locally.

What’s in the box?

With the Delta Optical Stryker HD 4.5-30×56 riflescope you get:

1. a sunshade,
2. battery,
3. the lens covers, and
4. you get a small throw lever, which can be screwed in into the magnification ring.

What do I like about this scope?

To begin with, I believe that 90% of all users will get all they need from Delta Optical Stryker HD 4.5-30×56 tactical scope. Delta Optical was able to do so by producing a 1750 € tactical scope that covers most of its clients’ needs. As a result, you receive great value for your money.

I also like the improved parallax. If the parallax was a sour point on the previous generations now it works perfectly. It has a lot of travel and you’re able to adjust it nicely.

The turrets are also improved. I like the locking mechanism and the zero stop is great.

The fact that the scope is made in Japan and has 10 years warranty is a great point. 

PROS summary:

• value for money
• improved parallax system
• turrets with good zero-stop
• 10 years warranty

Need a sunshade?

What could have been done better?

I think that clicks could have been a bit crisper and a bit more audible. They’re not bad by any standard. Normally we always wish for something better each time.

I also think the weight is a bit problematic. We are seeing lately that tactical MIL/MIL scopes are getting lighter and lighter. This could also be a trend that Delta Optical could follow.

I don’t like the visual turn indicator. In my opinion, mechanical turn indicators are far superior to visual ones. For 1700 €, though, a mechanical turn indicator isn’t expected.

CONS summary:

• click sound
• weight
• no mechanical turn indicator

Final Thoughts on Delta Optical Stryker HD 4.5-30×56

The recipe for this riflescope was created by Vortex, but other companies like Delta Optical wanted to duplicate it. Delta pulled this off at the lowest price point imaginable. They’re less expensive than Athlon, Primary Arms, and all the other manufacturers.

We’re talking about the 1750 € price range scope and, for this price you are receiving more than you could anticipate. You’re getting more value for your money than you would expect.

This is also the reason why these scopes are so immensely popular. The reason why so many people buy them is that they cover 95% of all the needs of all the shooters for an affordable price point. Delta Optical Stryker HD 4.5-30×56 riflescopes are durable and don’t break down. They function well and have all the components required.

Delta Optical Stryker HD 4.5-30×56 Relevant Comparisons

Do you want to know how this product compares to others in its class? Check out the following relevant comparisons:

• Primary Arms PLX5 Platinum Series 6-30×56 FFP VS Delta Optical Stryker HD 4.5-30×56 FFP
• Delta Optical Stryker HD 4.5-30×56 FFP Vs Vixen 5-30×56 ED Tactical
• Delta Optical Stryker HD 4.5-30×56 FFP Vs Meopta ZD 6-24×56 RD
• Delta Optical Stryker HD 4.5-30×56 FFP Vs GPO SPECTRA 8x 3-24×56 Tactical
• Delta Optical Stryker HD 4.5-30×56 FFP Vs DD Optics V6 5-30×56 FFP
• Burris XTR II 8-40×50 VS Delta Optical Stryker HD 4.5-30×56 FFP
• Athlon Cronus BTR 4.5-29×56 FFP Vs Delta Optical Stryker HD 4.5-30×56 FFP