Brand Info
Optics Planet
Online Retailer
| Overview | |
|---|---|
Headquarters | Northbrook, IL |
| Tagline | OpticsPlanet is one of the largest online retailers of optics, firearms accessories, tactical gear, and outdoor equipment in the United States. Based in Northbrook, Illinois, the company carries over 2,500 brands and ships from multiple distribution centers. OpticsPlanet serves hunters, competitive shooters, law enforcement, and military customers. |
Products | |
| Key Products | What You Need to Know, Selection Breakdown, When OpticsPlanet Makes Sense, The Service Reality, The BGC Take |
Links | |
| www.opticsplanet.com | |
Optics Planet
Reference article
From The Boise Gun Club Handbook
OpticsPlanet sits in that weird spot where they have everything you could possibly want--and half the time you can't actually get it. Started in the early 2000s out of Northbrook, Illinois, they've built the largest online catalog of optics and gun accessories in the country. Over 2,500+ brands, hundreds of thousands of SKUs, and prices that make you want to click "buy now."
The catch? Their inventory system is about as reliable as a politician's promise. Items show "in stock" when they're actually backordered for weeks or months. This single issue defines the OpticsPlanet experience--massive selection, competitive prices, and the constant gamble of whether your order will actually ship.
Key facts:
- Founded: Early 2000s
- Headquarters: Northbrook, Illinois
- Specialty: Optics, firearms accessories, tactical gear, outdoor equipment
- Catalog: 2,500+ brands, hundreds of thousands of SKUs
- Model: Online only with multiple distribution centers
What You Need to Knowedit
OpticsPlanet has the widest selection of optics and accessories online--period. But their inventory accuracy problems mean you're always rolling the dice on delivery times.
The Business Model Reality
The company operates more like a marketplace than a traditional retailer. They list products from suppliers they don't physically stock, then order from those suppliers when you buy. If the supplier has it, great--ships fast. If not, you're stuck in backorder hell with minimal communication.
OpticsPlanet's drop-shipping model creates inventory uncertainty
| Shopping Aspect | Reality Check |
|---|---|
| Channel | Online only (opticsplanet.com) |
| Catalog size | Massive--2,500+ brands |
| Pricing | Competitive, especially with coupon codes |
| Inventory accuracy | Poor--"in stock" often means backordered |
| Shipping (actual stock) | Fast when items are in their warehouse |
| Shipping (backordered) | Days to months with poor updates |
| Returns | Standard 30-day policy |
This isn't a bug in their system. It's their business model.
Selection Breakdownedit
The selection really is unmatched. If you can't find it on OpticsPlanet, it probably doesn't exist--or the manufacturer went out of business years ago.
Category Deep Dive
| Category | Depth | What to Expect |
|---|---|---|
| Rifle scopes | Unmatched | Every brand from Swarovski to budget Chinese glass |
| Red dots | Excellent | Full lineups from Aimpoint, Trijicon, Holosun, EOTech |
| Binoculars | Excellent | Hunting, birding, tactical--all price ranges |
| Night vision | Very good | PVS-14s, thermal scopes, entry-level to military grade |
| Rangefinders | Excellent | Leica, Sig Kilo, Vortex, Leupold complete lines |
| Mounts and rings | Deep | Spuhr, Badger, Scalarworks, ADM--the works |
| AR accessories | Extensive | Handguards, stocks, triggers, muzzle devices galore |
| Tactical gear | Very good | Plate carriers, holsters, packs from major brands |
Reading the Inventory Signs
Items marked "In Stock & Ready to Ship" usually are actually in their warehouse and ship fast. Everything else is a gamble. "Backorder OK" means it's definitely not in stock--you're placing a pre-order and hoping for the best.
If you need something by a specific date, call and verify stock before ordering. Don't trust the website.
When OpticsPlanet Makes Senseedit
You want the absolute widest selection and don't mind playing inventory roulette. The company excels when you're comparison shopping across dozens of brands or looking for something obscure that nobody else carries.
Best Use Cases
- Browsing the largest optics catalog online
- Finding specialty items other retailers don't stock
- Getting competitive prices with coupon codes
- Research--their product descriptions are actually detailed
- Non-urgent purchases where backorder delays don't matter
Their Expert Gear Lab reviews are decent too, though take them with appropriate skepticism since they're selling the products they're reviewing.
| Need | Best Choice | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Widest selection browsing | OpticsPlanet | Unmatched catalog size |
| Guaranteed in-stock items | EuroOptic/Primary Arms | Better inventory accuracy |
| Expert optics advice | EuroOptic | Specialized knowledge |
| Fast, reliable shipping | Primary Arms/Amazon | Proven fulfillment |
| High-end glass service | EuroOptic | White-glove treatment |
| In-person shopping | Scheels/Sportsman's | Physical locations |
When to Shop Elsewhere
- You need guaranteed in-stock items--go with EuroOptic or Primary Arms
- You want expert advice on premium optics--EuroOptic has better knowledge
- You need fast, reliable shipping--Primary Arms or Amazon
- You're buying high-end glass and want white-glove service--EuroOptic again
- You prefer shopping in person--hit Scheels or Sportsman's Warehouse
The Service Realityedit
Customer service ranges from helpful to frustrating, depending on who you get. The main issue isn't attitude--it's that they often can't give you straight answers about inventory because their system doesn't know either.
Payment and Fulfillment Issues
They charge your card when you order, not when items ship. This means your money sits tied up for weeks or months on backordered items. Some folks have waited half a year for popular items during shortages.
Timeline shows why OpticsPlanet orders become a waiting game
Returns work fine if you can actually get the product first. Standard 30-day window, though you'll eat return shipping costs.
The BGC Takeedit
OpticsPlanet is simultaneously the most useful and most frustrating retailer in the firearms space. Their selection is genuinely unmatched--if you're researching optics or looking for something specific, you'll end up on their site eventually.
The inventory problem isn't going away. It's been a consistent complaint for over a decade, and they've shown zero interest in fixing it because the current system works for them financially. They get to offer massive selection without the carrying costs of actually stocking everything.
The inventory problem isn't going away. It's been a consistent complaint for over a decade, and they've shown zero interest in fixing it because the current system works for them financially.
Use them for research and for items that show "In Stock & Ready to Ship" with good coupon codes. For anything time-sensitive or expensive, shop elsewhere. EuroOptic has better service and knowledge for premium optics. Primary Arms has better inventory accuracy for tactical stuff.
The company fills a genuine need in the market--comprehensive selection at competitive prices. Just know what you're getting into before you click buy.
See Alsoedit
- EuroOptic - Premium optics with actual customer service
- Primary Arms - Better inventory accuracy for tactical gear
- Brownells - More reliable for gunsmith supplies and parts
- Quail Creek Plantation(Okeechobee, FL)
- Val Verde Gun Club(Del Rio, TX)
- Boston Firearms(Everett, MA)
- 2aHawaii(Honolulu, HI)
Loading comments...