Side vs Front AO for HFT - Looks or Function?

[t_jones98]

Is a side-focus just a gimmick to add a wheel to "look cool"? 

Is there really a difference?  Preference?

[grobe1458]

it is a preference but for me it's function. I can make adjustments without extending my arm to adjust front dial and not have to take my eye off the recticle to make adjustments.I have both but I prefer side.

[JonnyReb]

 For certain the big wheel on the side of a scope LOOKS more the part, but i've often wondered myself if the SF was really superior or if it was just hype. For general shooting and hunting i'm convinced that a front focus serves me better. And SF without the big wheel is just miserable when i've tried them, with very precise settings required and typically tiny markings.If a shooter likes the big wheel and is used to it, no doubt he'll shoot it well and like the setup..but also no doubt that another shooter well versed in his FF AO won't feel disadvantaged in the least.

[vigilandy]

I have three SF scopes -- BSA Tactical, Weaver Kaspa, and a Bushnell Legend.  The BSA scope is the only one that has a wheel.  It's also the only one that needs it.  Without the extra leverage, I would hate it because the knob was so hard to turn.  On the other hand, the Weaver and Bushnell spin much easier and more smoothly.  No need for sidewheel on those to get leverage.  May have something to do with build quality.  I'm don't have enough experience on that subject.

All my other scopes are front AO and I like them too.  It's just a bit of a longer reach, although I have one Centerpoint scope that has a real tight front AO, and that one is a pain.  I have to unshoulder the rifle to make adjustments.

The drawback of the wheel (for me), is that it has a tendency to get hung up on things. 

[rualert]

   Don't know about the gimmick, or just cool part, I also have both, several CP front AO scopes, which were where I started. I just recently decided to drop the extra 40 or 50 bucks to get a Leapers with the side AO, and the add on wheel. Like Grobe1458 said, I personally like the fact that I can simply open my left eye after focusing, and read the distance from the wheel, and choose either the cross hairs, or the specific mildot for that distance. Other than that, both work just as well for me, although, if, more like when I buy another scope for anything long range, or FT type shooting I'll get another side focus for the convenience. That may well be the difference in a nutshell, some of us find the side focus a little more convenient than the front for specific uses.

Just my Opinion,

Casey

[Scotchmo]

I find the side wheel to be more convenient for both setting and reading. The standard side knob can be a little stiff to turn. I use the 80mm Leapers side wheel and it makes the knob easy to turn without looking too out of place. In Hunter, the bigger side wheels are of marginal benefit.

In FT the purpose of the bigger side wheel is to space the farther distance markings out to get a more accurate reading. They often use labeled increments of 1 or 2 yards even at the farther distances. With the 12x scope limit in Hunter Division, you are lucky if can can differentiate 5 yards at the far targets when focusing.