One of my supporters purchased a GameScope Elite kit (MSRP $49.99, Amazon.com) for me to try
The GameScope is a lens made of optical-grade acrylic featuring two unique zones and a reticle which provides the user with a constant reference for aim.
In theory, the GameScope should provide the user with a competitive edge. The combination of magnification and a persistent reticle should make it easier to line up headshots.
My GameScope arrived on March 31, 2017 in a bubble mailer. The kit was contained in retail-ready packaging:
Let’s take a closer look at the GameScope Elite kit:
Contents were as described on the Amazon product page:
- GameScope
- Nine (9) restickable dots
- Hard case
The GameScope ships with a protective film covering the flat portion of the lens
The GameScope mount sticks to the screen using (what I believe are) Scotch Restickable Dots. These are very tacky, and hold well on a clean surface. Lift off is residue-free.
Design
The GameScope is divided into two separate regions. The Precision Zone (located in the center of the GameScope) provides a claimed 10% magnification, and the Reflex Zone surrounding it gives 5%.
The GameScope measures 7.8 cm across. The Precision Zone has a 3.1 cm diameter. The round portion of the GameScope’s mount measures 2.5 cm in diameter.
Reticle
The GameScope’s reticle is too busy for its own good. The center of the reticle features a prominent red dot, bordered by red half-moons. The bottom half of the lens features an inverted tree, mimicking range markers that appear on some rifle scopes. I know of very few games that feature bullet drop, and no games that account for windage.
Parallax
“In optical sights parallax refers to the apparent movement of the reticle in relationship to the target when the user moves his/her head laterally behind the sight (up/down or left/right)” (en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Parallax#Parallax_in_optical_sights)
This is a minor annoyance: the distance between the lens and the display introduces parallax. The ground truth is given by the in-game crosshair. Check out the video below to see what I mean:
The further you are from your display, the smaller the effect.
Usage Notes
- Because of parallax, it can take repeated trial and error to position the GameScope just-right for the user’s gaming position
- The GameScope takes some getting used to – the magnification results in some clipping, resulting in loss of context
- The mount, while small, will obscure a portion of the screen
I use a computer monitor in my battlestation, which means that I’ve got a front-row seat to the action, and effect 1 is quite noticeable.
Effects 2 & 3 are more severe on smaller displays.
These effects aside, the GameScope delivers on its promises, making it easier to look at each pixel on your display. Will the GameScope actually increase your K/D? It very well might because you’ll be able to pocket kills that you otherwise might not have been able to stick. I can see the GameScope being useful for landing hits on small targets, or for pixel-peeks.
My GameScope fell off in the middle of a session once, though it’d been attached to the screen for a few days.
Purchasing Options
GameScope is offered in Basic (MSRP $29.99, Amazon.com) and Elite (MSRP $49.99, Amazon.com) kits.
The GameScope Elite kit adds:
- Six more restickable dots (nine in total, versus three in the Basic kit)
- Hard carrying case (compare with soft carrying pouch in the Basic kit)
- Lens-cleaning cloth (to make up for the soft carrying pouch)
Value
At $20 less, the Basic kit is a better value for most gamers. While the hard carrying case can be used to safely store the GameScope and keep it free of dust, you won’t gain much utility from the hard carrying case unless you’re constantly on the go, or you have little monsters who will destroy your GameScope if it’s left out in the open.
The restickable dots included with the GameScope measure 2.25 cm in diameter: they are probably the 7/8″ Scotch Restickable Dots. MSRP on an 18-pack of 7/8″ Scotch Restickable Dots is $3.19.
You can learn more about the GameScope through their official website fearthegamescope.com, or support me when you buy the GameScope using these links:
- GameScope Basic Kit (MSRP $29.99, Amazon.com)
- GameScope Elite Kit (MSRP $49.99, Amazon.com)
