GTA
Support Equipment For PCP/HPA/CO2 and springers ,rams => Optics, Range estimation & related subjects => Topic started by: dmiller on June 14, 2018, 06:56:58 PM
-
I am somewhat looking to potentially buy a new scope. ::) I have been researching common brands lately, but keep coming back to the Sidewinder, primarily because of the reticles offered. About a year ago I purchased a Hawke Panorama, which I really like. One thing though, I bought it new, having never looked through any Hawke scope before. The Panorama is a clear scope, but to be honest, not as clear as I thought it would be. My question is, are Sidewinders a lot clearer and on par with, say a Vortex Viper? or a Nikon Monarch 3 or 5? I feel somewhat bias to Hawke and would like to support them if possible, but I really need clarity above all. Are they really worth $500+? There will be no recoil factor in the gun, so a really good spinger scope is not necessary.
Also, are ffp scopes a better option over sfp? I would really like to get the right scope for whatever gun I purchase; if necessary I would rather wait a while and put the Panorama on the gun while continuing to research optics. I really appreciate all your help; I am grateful for the honesty of this forum. Thanks again, Dale. :D
-
I have the 8x32 Sidewinder, and a 6 x 24 UTG, and a Sun and I forget the power, and I am too lazy to walk out there to see. I like them in that order. The UTG is very close to the SW. VERY close, and it was less than half the price. The Sun is not as clear as the other two. It depends on what you are going to use it for. For non-competition target or benchrest, I'll take the SW. For hunting, I wouldn't use any of those three. I'd take a Nikon.
But go ahead and get the SW. Getting one is almost a rite of passage on this forum. Besides, one day you don't want to be 80 and sitting out in the rec room in that gerichair at the nursing home and have to deal with the self-loathing, "If I woulda' got that Sidewinder I would have shot much better", do ya'?
-
Dale,
If you won't be using the scope for field target and using the sidewheel for ranging, the Athlon Argos BTR 6-24x50 and the Sightron S-TAC 5-20x50, are a full grade point ahead of Hawke Sidewinder/Airmax scopes. I really liked the clarity of these scopes, but the ranging was not as nice as the Hawke series.
Good Luck!
-
Thanks for the replies, guys! The gun will primarily be used for hunting and medium range plinking. Thanks for the recommendation of the Athlon- that is one brand I wouldn't mind seeing in person. Thanks for the advice!
-
Thanks for the replies, guys! The gun will primarily be used for hunting and medium range plinking. Thanks for the recommendation of the Athlon- that is one brand I wouldn't mind seeing in person. Thanks for the advice!
I know that Cabelas carries them, and Bass Pro might too since they are now one and the same.
-
Thanks Zack! Last night I was at our local gun store looking at rifles and happened to see a gun that appeared to have a silencer. I looked again a little closer and realized that it was a Daystate Regal! It was a little exciting for me being that I have never held a pcp; after talking to their representative I found out that they also carry a limited supply of Hawke, Athlon, and Aztec! It was an exciting evening talking with someone who actually recognized airgun brands and models, not to mention being able to hold them first hand! I will have to check Bass Pro and see if they carry them. Thanks for the advice! Dale
-
I’m using an Athlon Talos 4-14 x 44 in my TX200 and I couldn’t be happier. The scope is a bargain for what you get. I love the FFP for hold over.
My first PCP will get the Argos 6-24 x 50.
Let us know finally what was your decision
-
Thanks, Erlis! As for now I am probably just going to hold off on buying a scope for the gun I will be purchasing. It comes with a Vortex Crossfire 4-12x50 30mm AO. I plan to put either the Panorama or Crossfire (whichever I like better) on the gun for now, till I can afford to get some pricier optics. Thanks for the advice; I almost bought a Talos over the Panorama but sadly lost the auction. Thanks!
-
Thanks Zack! Last night I was at our local gun store looking at rifles and happened to see a gun that appeared to have a silencer. I looked again a little closer and realized that it was a Daystate Regal! It was a little exciting for me being that I have never held a pcp; after talking to their representative I found out that they also carry a limited supply of Hawke, Athlon, and Aztec! It was an exciting evening talking with someone who actually recognized airgun brands and models, not to mention being able to hold them first hand! I will have to check Bass Pro and see if they carry them. Thanks for the advice! Dale
Not to get off subject but what gun store in Modesto? You got my interest I'm in the Bay Area and will make a run to this gun store that carries Airguns.
-
Save your money! That Vortex Crossfire will probably be fantastic. I have not looked through one but have a couple of Vortex Diamondback's and they are great.
-
if youre going to buy a sidewinder, call dave at wyvern creations,
he has prices that you cant beat for the entire hawke line.
when i got my sidewinder some years back it was under 325
-
Thank you guys for your help and advice. Roger, the store is Barnwood Arms. (https://thebarnwoodarms.com/) When I was last in there, they has 1 Daystate Regal .22, 3 Diana pcp's I wasn't familiar with, and I think 1 Ataman and a load of pellets. Thanks for the recommendation, Chris! Thanks guys!
-
I have a Sidewinder, and it is a good scope. In that price range, I prefer the Athlon Helos that I just bought. It is a FFP scope, and mine is with MOA reticle, which I find easier to use. I ordered one of the new Vortex Diamondback FFP scopes at the same time, and have returned the Vortex. I found the Athlon to be a brighter, clearer scope. As a FFP scope, the Athlon might not be well suited to FT, as the cross hair gets think at the higher power settings. For general field and informal target use, I think the Athlon is great.
-
I have a Sidewinder, and it is a good scope. In that price range, I prefer the Athlon Helos that I just bought. It is a FFP scope, and mine is with MOA reticle, which I find easier to use. I ordered one of the new Vortex Diamondback FFP scopes at the same time, and have returned the Vortex. I found the Athlon to be a brighter, clearer scope. As a FFP scope, the Athlon might not be well suited to FT, as the cross hair gets think at the higher power settings. For general field and informal target use, I think the Athlon is great.
Have you tried the Athlon Argos? They are both 6-24X50 FFP, the price is what I see different, Argos around $300 vs Helos around $500. Do you know why is the price difference?
Thanks!
-
Have you tried the Athlon Argos? They are both 6-24X50 FFP, the price is what I see different, Argos around $300 vs Helos around $500. Do you know why is the price difference?
Thanks!
[/quote]
I asked them that question last year, and there were two differences mentioned. The only one I remember, locking turrets on the Helos.
-
$200 for locking turrets is a bit too much.
-
$200 for locking turrets is a bit too much.
As I said, that is the only one I remember, it's not the only difference. But, to your point, they are the same basic scope. But, I figure the Helos is still a relatively inexpensive scope, and I believe locking turrets are worth having. I gave up trying to justify cost a long time ago.
-
I got a Sidewinder 30 3-12x scope from Amazon last week. I had a lot of trouble getting sighted in, but got there eventually. Had a little fun while it was sighted in, pinging the steel targets. Then, I tried doing a box test. Turned the elevation knob 360 degrees, and impacts went down and to the right. Turned the knob back, and the pellets continued to go into the same group. I turned the knob 3 full turns to move POI down, and the group moved a bit back to the left, but elevation was still the same. I'll cut the story there. Was not able to get the scope sighted in again. It just won't go. It's going back to Amazon.
So now I don't know whether I should go UTG/Leapers or lay out a couple hundred more for a SWFA scope. There's not a lot of options for illuminated mil-dot reticles that focus down to 10 yards in this magnification range.
-
Bought a used Sidewinder 6-24 for the Marauder, liked it so much got a used 8-32 for the Daystate Huntsman,liked it so much a new 8-32 is on the bench rest rig in the avatar. Lotsa choices. Enjoy. Tom
-
I have several Sidewinder 30 scopes. I've had excellent performance out of all of them.
-
I really enjoy my Discovery Optics VT-T 6-24x50. The glass is clear edge to edge at 24 times and for $270 with a phone cam, flip up covers, and filter I couldn’t find anything close.
-
Have you looked at the Discovery VT-T 6-24x50. Great glass, first focal plane, and comes with a phone cam for around $270.
-
Vortex has the new Diamondback Tactical in 4-16x44 and 6-25x50 FFP MOA or MRAD 349.99 and 399.99 and they look great. Going to be a player in the price point.
-
Vortex has the new Diamondback Tactical in 4-16x44 and 6-25x50 FFP MOA or MRAD 349.99 and 399.99 and they look great. Going to be a player in the price point.
Do you know who is selling the Vortex 6-25x50 FFP MOA? Cannot find it anywhere?
Thanks
-
Vortex has the new Diamondback Tactical in 4-16x44 and 6-25x50 FFP MOA or MRAD 349.99 and 399.99 and they look great. Going to be a player in the price point.
Do you know who is selling the Vortex 6-25x50 FFP MOA? Cannot find it anywhere?
Thanks
Vortex was suppose to start shipping them in mid September so they should be available very soon. Here is the Vortex part# DBK-10028.
-
Thanks!!! With the part# I was able to find it in multiple sites. Opticsplanet has it for $400
Thanks once more for sharing... I'm looking a scope ATM but Not sure if pulling the trigger for this one or the Athlon with same specs... Athlon price is better. I'll see what I'll do.
-
Thanks!!! With the part# I was able to find it in multiple sites. Opticsplanet has it for $400
Thanks once more for sharing... I'm looking a scope ATM but Not sure if pulling the trigger for this one or the Athlon with same specs... Athlon price is better. I'll see what I'll do.
I posted a review of the Diamondback here:
https://www.gatewaytoairguns.org/GTA/index.php?topic=148523.msg1513871#msg1513871 (https://www.gatewaytoairguns.org/GTA/index.php?topic=148523.msg1513871#msg1513871)
I posted a review of the Athlon here:
https://www.gatewaytoairguns.org/GTA/index.php?topic=137419.0 (https://www.gatewaytoairguns.org/GTA/index.php?topic=137419.0)
If you are not into field target, the Athlon is a MUCH better scope. Neither of these scopes are ideal for field target.
Good Luck!
-
Have you looked at the Discovery VT-T 6-24x50. Great glass, first focal plane, and comes with a phone cam for around $270.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07H3RZYL8?tag=amz-mkt-fox-us-20&ascsubtag=1ba00-01000-a0049-win10-dsk00-nomod-us000-pcomp-feature-scomp-wm-5&ref=aa_scomp (https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07H3RZYL8?tag=amz-mkt-fox-us-20&ascsubtag=1ba00-01000-a0049-win10-dsk00-nomod-us000-pcomp-feature-scomp-wm-5&ref=aa_scomp)
-
Vortex has the new Diamondback Tactical in 4-16x44 and 6-25x50 FFP MOA or MRAD 349.99 and 399.99 and they look great. Going to be a player in the price point.
Do you know who is selling the Vortex 6-25x50 FFP MOA? Cannot find it anywhere?
Thanks
Honestly, thank you all for the replies. As of now I don't need another scope anymore, but I always take suggestions for when I will need another. ;D If any of you are interested in vortex, I recommend watching Dvor's flash sales, which come and go. My brother got a $650 Viper for $430 from there- it is definitely worth watching. Not sure when they will have Diamondbacks on sale, a while ago the regular Diamondback was on for around $175, if my memory remembers right! ;) Hope this of help to some of you! -Dale
-
I have the Athlon argos 6-24 and a Swfa 3-15. If you dont mind using the retical the athlon is great, the swfa has allot better turrets. The Athlon turrets work propper, easy to sight in, just mushy and soft.