what Magnification is best for a "mixed mode" scope?

[-=ed]

I'm getting a pcp, and have to consider the scope

For an all-around scope, I'm thinking 8-32, as NKS has a nice one 12" long weighting 20 ounces

Theres a 10-40 that weights about 29 oz

and there is a 6-24 at about the same weight.

Would one have more advantages than the others ?

They all have side focus, which I like a lot.

Any ideas?

[daved]

Morning, ed,

You'r probably well aware of this, but just in case.  Keep in mind, the higher the power, the narrower the feild of view, the shorter and more critical the eye relief gets, and the darker the view gets, no matter how big the front objective.  I've also found that at higher powers, my little shakes and twitches become more noticeable, and I think it impacts my accuracy, even if only in my mind.  That said, I'd be a little suspicious of a 12" 20 oz. 8-32.  When you start getting into these kinds of power ranges, they're mostly considered target scopes and run more like 16" and 30 oz.  They had to take some kind of short cut to shrink it that much.  Leapers has the full size and the mini 3-12x44, about 14.5" and 10.5" respectively.  Both weigh about 21 oz.  Full size has 1/8" clicks and a wider and longer eye relief range.  I think the FOV is a little wider also.  I was doing some stuff with my scope yesterday, and in bright sun, going from 3x to 12x was like clear sunny sky to overcast.  BIG difference.  I think the deciding factors have to be the range or ranges you expect to shoot at, and how far into middle age your eyes have gotten :-).  I finally made up my mind last night to go witht a 6.5-20x44 for my new 350, since I expect to shoot it regularly at longer ranges than the CFX.  Of course, most of this is just my opinion, but hope it helps.

Dave

[rabbit]

-=ed,

     At the ranges airguns shoot, if you get much more than 12x, you're wasting scopes and money. Just think what power you do most of your shooting at now. Your eyes and body can only handle so much magnification. Don't try to correct poor vision with higher magnification scopes. Us older fellows have to focus our scopes every year or so to keep them in top working condition. Best of luck...

                                                     Rabbit      

[Gene_SC]

Dave

What would you suggest for us who have past middle age by 15 to 20 years... Just got the Simmons 6 - 18 X 40 scope and it looks very clear and does not seem to be as sensitive to my shaky ways as some of the others that I have purchased. Was thinking of buying the Simmons 4 - 12 X 40 scope. These scopes, I would be using on my new FX Cyclone and maybe my 1250.

Any comments. Educate me please.. hehe

Gene

[daved]

I mostly agree, Rabbit.  I find that with my current 3-12, I mostly use it at 7or 8x.  That seems to be the "sweet spot" between eye relief and maginfication, and works pretty well for me out to about 40 yards.  Over 40 yards I like more power, those middle aged eyes, don't ya know.  I'm hoping that my new scope, being 6.5 to 20, will have it's "sweet spot" at about 12 power or so, or right about in it's mid range.  That should be plenty for the majority of shooting I expect to do, but still give me that little bit extra when the starlings land at the far end of my front yard, 100 yards away.  Hey, a guy can dream, can't he?  Actually, I don't know if I can do it, but I think the 350 can, and still carry enough power to wreck a starlings day.  Time will tell.  So Gene, 10 or 15 years past middle age, huh?  Then that makes us about the same age, not quite 50, right :-)?  Later guys.

Dave

[Gene_SC]

LOL, I wish I was not quite 50... Learning something every day from you pros. Starting to get the hang of what is best for me now. I know Rabbit has turned me on to some nice scopes lately and I do appreciate it. Now my money can go in the right direction now..

Thanks guys

Gene

[-=ed]

.

I'm settling on the 6x24

Now the 56mm gives 50% more lightthan a 44mm, but looks HUGE

Is the extra light worth it if you're shooting in daylight?

[daved]

If weight and cost aren't an issue, I'd go with the big glass every time.  I do a lot of my shooting in the early evening, and one of the main reasons I got the Leapers was to get the 44 vs. 32 mm I'd been shooting.  That adds an easy 30 minutes to my shooting time.  And even shooting in daylight, it makes everything sharper and clearer.  Just my opinion, but I think you'll be happy with the power range you've chosen.  Good luck.

Dave

[rabbit]

-=ed,

     The quality of the scope lenses and internal workings is what determines the light handling capabilities of your scope, not objective diameter. Put a good scope on a good rifle .

                                         Rabbit        

[-=ed]

.

Light handling, light transmission/brightness, or resolution?

Transmission andresolutionare a property of the glass/coating system, and that has to do with the quality of the lense/coating system.

Light handling/geometry determines amount of light that gets handled, and manipulated by the optic system.

Bigger lenses collect more light and concentrate it as it is "shrunk" down to the diameter of the tube manipulated, and projected out the rear exit pupil.

If there were no loss, the light would be "concentrated" more in proportion to the area of the lenses

Transmission loss takes a fixed proportion of the light that travels thru the system

A bigger objective lense can partially make up for the light lost to poor quality coatings by starting with "more" light to begin with.

At least, that's what I remember learning in school.... but it could be just too much coffee.

FWIW, YMMV, YCMNR

[-=ed]

.

I agree, a good rifle should have a good scope, and I'm doing the best I can to keep my investment under 3k, and the scope was the easiest place to do this. It may not be a top-line scope, but the quality is surprisingly good for the price, and it is the easiest thing to upgrade if I have made a mistake and I'm a better shot than I thought I could be. Then I can put this one on my Gamo.

[daved]

Okay, ed, quit keeping us in suspense! Which scope is it?  And if you don't mind, what did it set you back?  Oh yeah, what sort of mount are you going to use?

Dave

[-=ed]

.

After talking extensivly with the AOA guy, I've ordered an 6-24x56 Nikko-Stirling Nighteater and BKL twopiece mounts.

If I end up needing more, I'll handle it. There are worse problems to have...

I'll just have to see.