CenterPoint 4-16x44 SF Review

[HappyHunter]

I've been searching around for a new scope in either 3-12x44 or 4-16x44 with side focus and Mil Dot reticle (preferably NON-illuminated). I had my choices narrowed down to either the Hawke Varmit or Leapers SWAT, both in 4-16x44. Then I noticed CP had a new model out, so I thought I would be the guinea pig and try one out seeing as I couldn't find reviews on it anywhere. I realize CP is "hit or miss" in regards to quality (and rightfully so), but I have had the older 4-16x40 front AO on my AR2078 HPA for 2.5 years now with no problems at all. That, plus the fact I'm on a pretty tight budget lately and the CP is looking better and better...providing it works as claimed

Picked it up just before Christmas and gave it a quick inspection (haven't even got it mounted on a rifle yet). Being a $155 (CAD), "made-in-China" scope I wasn't expecting too much from it, but I gotta admit I'm pretty impressed with it so far! Finish seems very good and uniform with no obvious imperfections anywhere that I could see and comes with flip open lens caps and a set of 1" Weaver rings. The only thing I would have liked to see it come with is a sunshade (which it doesn't) but not a huge deal. The Weaver rings won't be used as I have a set of medium height, double strapped BKL dovetails on the way.

Scope measures 13 1/8" long (without flip open caps attached) and weighs 20.4 Oz... 2.6 Oz heavier than the Hawke 4-16, roughly the same length (CP is 3/8" shorter) and $65 cheaper. Compared to the Leapers SWAT 4-16, the CP is 8.1 Oz lighter, 1 3/8" shorter and $25 cheaper.

The Mil Dot reticle is nice and crisp, not too thin or thick, just right IMO. The 44mm objective is also a nice touch. I compared it to my CP 4-16x40 right at dusk one night and as expected, the 44mm was noticeably brighter. Glass is crystal clear and even at 6-8 power still focused down to 7 or 8 yards perfectly. Side parallax knob is smooth, albeit somewhat stiff, but I'm sure it will free up a bit once it gets used some.

It's a fairly plain looking, no-frills piece (which is quite fine by me). Pics of the new glass:



 When you take the turret caps off for windage/elevation you will notice the markings are different from the older 4-16x40. In the pics below it looks like the markings are painted on, but in fact they are etched/engraved through the anodizing letting the exposed aluminum be the "paint" so to speak:



Also picked up a sidewheel for it too. Would have preferred a 3", but 4" was all that was available:



All things considered, it seems like a decent scope...time will tell once I get some range time with it though. No, it's not a Falcon T50 or the like so don't assume you are getting the same quality or features, but for someone like me who plinks/hunts and can't afford to drop $800-$1000 on a scope it will (hopefully) do just fine! Will report back with more info once it sees some range time, but seeing as it is -31*C here this morning it could be a few days yet!

[Geoff]

thanks for the images and review

[Topend Yobbo]

Good write up mate.
Looks like a nice scope.

[Monkeydad1969]

Is the reticle wire or etched glass?

Joe

[chuckinohio]

  I never even knew this model existed, thanks for shedding some light on it for us.

  I'm running 4 of the front focus 4-16 CP scopes on my 48s and 54s, and it looks like it may be time to upgrade them!!

[HappyHunter]

Is the reticle wire or etched glass?

Joe

Would have been sweet if it was etched but, sadly, it is a wire reticle.

  I never even knew this model existed, thanks for shedding some light on it for us.

  I'm running 4 of the front focus 4-16 CP scopes on my 48s and 54s, and it looks like it may be time to upgrade them!!

No problem! Glad I could actually help for a change, instead of always asking for it

PA has 'em for a good price: https://www.pyramydair.com/product/centerpoint-adventure-class-4-16x44-rifle-scope-mil-dot-reticle-1-tube?a=4997#Description

[Not The Brightest Bulb]

That link does not have a SF scope. Or did I get wrong scope.

[HappyHunter]

Oh, it's the right scope/link.

Not sure why they wouldn't state that it is a SF. It doesn't even say so on CP's site, but I can assure you that it most certainly is! . It does however say that it is a "dual color reticle" which it is NOT - go figure

This is where I bought mine from, and it does state it's a SF:
http://scopesandammo.com/storefront/product_info.php/centerpoint-optics-16x44mm-mil-dot-scope-side-parallax-p-922

[AudiS4]

If you´re a springer kind of guy, then this isn´t the scope for you. Etched glass reticle is what you need for longevity.

[Bullit]

There's nothing wrong with the wire reticle on the springers. We've been using them for years.  The Centerpoint brand got engineering support from the Leapers company, so they know about building a scope for airgunners.  We see numerous reports of failures, and bashing the entire line,,,just because his $60 scope failed on a rough shooting magnum Turk rifle.   That's not good selection, not the scope's fault.  Secondly, is poor mounting and centering of the scope.  Same goes for large mag selection for little money.  If you can buy a $100  4-24x scope of quality....everyone would be knocking down the doors to get one!
Todd...I have a Leapers UTG 3-12 SWAT, and I don't think it weighs more than 22oz with the lens caps.  Perhaps that was a misprint.   Anyway, I hope it works 4U

[Airgun.Sniper]

 My main concern is will it hold up over time? I dont like CP because it hasnt held up on any of my air rifles. Ive went through to many of them.

 Keep us posted

 Jay

[JTB530]

On PA's ad in the description it says that they are braced for the two way recoil of springers.

[HappyHunter]

Todd...I have a Leapers UTG 3-12 SWAT, and I don't think it weighs more than 22oz with the lens caps.  Perhaps that was a misprint.   Anyway, I hope it works 4U

Ahh...my bad, Sir. I should have pointed out that I was comparing the 4-16 models between the 3 brands...sorry 'bout that . Fixed my original post to reflect that . Also, I completely agree with your "nothing wrong with the wire reticle on the springers" statement. True, etched is less prone to malfunctions, but if you match the scope to whatever gun its going on you *should* be alright.

And just so there is no confusion amongst everyone- I never implied (or meant for it to seem that way) that CP is better than Leapers or Hawke. I've had all 3 brands at one point or another and to be honest, I've had good AND bad ones from all 3 manufacturers...just luck of the draw I guess. I just wanted to post some kind of a review (although I admit it wasn't much of one) for anyone who may be interested and chose to compare with similar 4-16 Leapers/Hawke as they are 2 popular brands roughly around the same price range.

[HappyHunter]

Well, I've been working pretty much 7 days a week for 2.5 months now, but eventually managed to send 1000 or so shots down the pipe of my 2260 HPA with the CP 4-16x44 SF sitting on top. Scope hasn't seen much range time I'll admit, but so far I like it a lot...no problems at all. Granted, it's on a gun with zero recoil so I'm not anticipating any problems, but until you spend some time with it one never knows what you're getting when buying a fairly cheap scope... .

Glass seems pretty clear (considering the price) even at 16x magnification and I was a bit surprised that the distance markings on side focus knob as well as the 4" (100mm) sidewheel were pretty well spot on with my 50 yard backyard range (targets measured @ 10, 20, 30, 40 and 50 yards). Haven't tried it out to 100 yards and beyond yet, but am sure it will work just fine.

Now, I'm no photographer by any means and still trying to figure out how to properly take pics while looking through a scope so I apologize for the quality of pics , but hopefully this will give you an idea on what to expect from this model.

40 yards @ 4x magnification


40 yards @ 16x magnification


40 yards @ 10x magnification...where I normally keep scope set at



Just for giggles, here is the same 3 settings @ 10 yards:
10 yards @ 4x


10 yards @ 10x


10 yards @ 16x



Pic of scope mounted on my 2260 HPA



All things considered, I would have no reservations about purchasing another one of these...at least for my PCP's. Don't know if it would hold up on a springer though. Maybe(?) it would be alright on a lower power one (12 fpe and under) , but would be leery about using it on a magnum springer myself.

Again, not much of a review, but hope it helps!

[GARY T]

Thanks

[UCChris]

Great write up on the scope mate, but more than that. That 2260 is hawt!

[ancient1one]

Great write up on the scope mate, but more than that. That 2260 is hawt!

^X2^..  Sweet set up..

[Airgun.Sniper]

 What size is that circle? one that is on paper?

[HappyHunter]

What size is that circle? one that is on paper?

I traced a dime, Jay.

I should also note that pics in post are NOT as clear as they are in reality...told ya I'm not much of a photographer . Not sure if I had wrong setting on camera, or had my tongue on the wrong side of my mouth or what but they didn't come out as clear as they should have...sorry 'bout that.

[Airgun.Sniper]

Well not trying g to correct you but I emailed centerpoint and this is suppose to be a true  mildot  scope.  That means at 100 yards each dot represents 30
.6" by just looking at the ony of the dime at 10 yards according to my calculations.  It's between 17-19 yards.  Not even a mildot and half.  Looks less than than 1.35 mils.  Not sure what's sup but I would use that scope for estimations ranges