GTA
Support Equipment For PCP/HPA/CO2 and springers ,rams => Scopes And Optics Gate => Topic started by: Rallyshark on August 18, 2018, 02:50:38 AM
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I have been wanting something with a little more magnification than my fixed 10x SWFA SS(which is an awesome scope), and the Falcon M18+ 4-18x44 really hit the sweet spot for what I was looking for without being super heavy or gigantic, or majorly expensive. The only US retailer is swfa, but they only had the MIL version. That was a problem given that I'm an MOA type of guy. I had to get this MOA version straight from Falcon in the UK, which entailed a few minor paperwork hoops to jump through. So far, I'm happy to say it was well worth it for me. After it was all said and done, shipping and all, it ended up right at $400. I think that is a great price for this particular scope!
After I got the paper work needed for them to ship it from the UK(considered a military item), it was shipped on Friday and sitting at my door on Wednesday. It came in a nice cushioned Falcon box, with a detailed manual, a lens cloth, a small torx to remove and zero the caps, a lens cap for both ends, AND 2 sunshades that can be stacked if needed. I currently have it with one sunshade installed. It also came with small sew on Falcon patch, which I thought was a nice touch. Oh, and some of the few reviews I did find said it had the regular M18 manual, but that wasn't the case. This one came with a current manual for the M18+.
I haven't had a chance to do a lot of testing, but I gotta say I think it is a winner. I got the one with the MOAv reticle in FFP. The reticle is very detailed without too much clutter. Like everything on this scope, it has what I need and nothing more. I LOVE the turrets on this scope! They cover 25moa per revolution, the numbering on them is well thought out, and the clicks are precise. It doesn't have all the bells and whistles that some scopes have, but it has what I need, and it works well. There are a lot of little details that were obviously well thought out. The arrows in front of the turrets for windage/elevation is such a simple, but very useful touch. That same thought process carries over to the magnification ring too. It is raised with the number visible from the rear, simple/useful.
Here is the link to a good view of the MOAv reticle:
http://www.falconoptics.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/MOAv-FFP-Install-Diagram.pdf (http://www.falconoptics.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/MOAv-FFP-Install-Diagram.pdf)
The only minor gripe I have is the side focus not being numbered for range. That will be fixed with some tape when I get a chance to mark off some ranges. The depth of field is shallow enough that it can easily be used for minute of squirrel ranging, especially at 18x. You'll see in one of the pictures below the very blurred back ground(shallow depth of field). It will focus from 10M to infinity.
The optics are pretty sharp, and seem to be every bit as good as those of my SWFA SS 10x. It is still very sharp at 18x too. The SS is an awesome hunting scope, but it can be challenging on small targets at really long range. The area where I shoot targets at home is in the shade, and the very small bullseyes can prove to be a challenge sometimes with the SS's fine reticle and 10x. This M18+ does much better in that situation with the FFP and 18x for sure. I was pleasantly surprised by how sharp this scope is to be honest. Reviews on the M18+ are few and far between. You can find more on the older M18(non +).
Below are some pictures. The one through the scope is a cropped shot that I took with my phone, but it gives a decent representation of the clarity at 18x. The diopter adjustment was set for my eye, so the reticle didn't show that great in the photo. Trust me though, it is very crisp. I will try and take a better shot through the scope with my real camera later on. Feel free to ask any questions you may want to know about the scope! I can tell you it is good enough that my SWFA SS will be in the classified section soon I think ;)
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Okay here are a few more pics through the scope. I took them with my real camera, but it is still hard to get a good one... The pictures are all at 18X, with the exception of one which I labeled. The first two are of the same thing with one focused on the tree, and the other on the leaf in front of it. That was to show the shallow depth of field, but to be fair that one was close, so it will look more shallow than it would with a target farther away.
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I really like my Falcon scope. It's the older "Menace" 5.5x25 50mm. Falcon makes very nice scopes.
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I really like my Falcon scope. It's the older "Menace" 5.5x25 50mm. Falcon makes very nice scopes.
I got to stretch mine out today, and it is still pretty darn clear at 100 yards. The details I could see at 18x were surprising! I was able to shoot sub 1" pebbles off the top of a gate at 100 yards with pretty good consistency, and that was sitting in a chair resting on my leg. I do really like this scope a lot now. There are basically no reviews on the MOAv FFP M18+ out there, which is why I wanted to do a bit of a review :) I gotta say I do recommend it, and the magnification range and size of it are perfect for what I was looking for. I think it is hard to beat in that price range($350-400). I was going to get an Athlon, but decided I wanted to try something different, and I'm glad I did.
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Donny,
How would you rate the side focus on this scope, in relation to depth of field. I'm curious how this scope might do for hunter field target, at 16X. Us HFT shooters use the side focus to be able to estimate the range to the targets, so we want a very small depth of field (meaning the amount of the scene that is in focus from front to back). Hunters want a very large depth of field, so that it's quick and easy to get a target in focus.
Thanks!
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Donny,
How would you rate the side focus on this scope, in relation to depth of field. I'm curious how this scope might do for hunter field target, at 16X. Us HFT shooters use the side focus to be able to estimate the range to the targets, so we want a very small depth of field (meaning the amount of the scene that is in focus from front to back). Hunters want a very large depth of field, so that it's quick and easy to get a target in focus.
Thanks!
I'll give you a couple of opinions on this... (1)Falcon told me the side wheel isn't numbered, because it wasn't designed for that. I asked, because I was wondering if they offered a different side wheel for help ranging the shots. (2)That being said, I find it to have a shallower depth of field than any other scope I've had. I've never owned a dedicated FT scope, so that is subjective. My SWFA SS has a ranged adjustment, and the Falcon most definitely has a shallower depth of field.
I feel like I could range pretty effectively with a larger marked wheel on the side. Of course, I'll have to make a tape to put on there. I made a 30 yard, a 50 yard, and a 100 yard mark on the side with a sharpie Sunday when I was shooting. Every time I put it on that mark is was in good focus, but it was obvious to me when I didn't line up the marks I made. I think you could probably range relatively well with it FWIW, BUT I don't do FT either. It probably does better than most any other scope in this price range I'd think.
Long story short: Falcon says no, it isn't made for that. I says you can probably do it :D I have no doubt there are certainly better scopes out there for FT, but I think this scope would be better at it than many think.
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I did put a large Falcon sidewheel on my Falcon. It has numbers but they don't match up like I thought it might. It does have the Falcon emblem. Anyways, I could number it as it is has a nice place for a label around it. I just use it for focusing easier and not range finding.
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Donny,
How would you rate the side focus on this scope, in relation to depth of field. I'm curious how this scope might do for hunter field target, at 16X. Us HFT shooters use the side focus to be able to estimate the range to the targets, so we want a very small depth of field (meaning the amount of the scene that is in focus from front to back). Hunters want a very large depth of field, so that it's quick and easy to get a target in focus.
Thanks!
I'll give you a couple of opinions on this... (1)Falcon told me the side wheel isn't numbered, because it wasn't designed for that. I asked, because I was wondering if they offered a different side wheel for help ranging the shots. (2)That being said, I find it to have a shallower depth of field than any other scope I've had. I've never owned a dedicated FT scope, so that is subjective. My SWFA SS has a ranged adjustment, and the Falcon most definitely has a shallower depth of field.
I feel like I could range pretty effectively with a larger marked wheel on the side. Of course, I'll have to make a tape to put on there. I made a 30 yard, a 50 yard, and a 100 yard mark on the side with a sharpie Sunday when I was shooting. Every time I put it on that mark is was in good focus, but it was obvious to me when I didn't line up the marks I made. I think you could probably range relatively well with it FWIW, BUT I don't do FT either. It probably does better than most any other scope in this price range I'd think.
Long story short: Falcon says no, it isn't made for that. I says you can probably do it :D I have no doubt there are certainly better scopes out there for FT, but I think this scope would be better at it than many think.
Good explanation, thanks Donny! It sounds like it might be worth a shot for FT, especially given the clarity.
I did put a large Falcon sidewheel on my Falcon. It has numbers but they don't match up like I thought it might. It does have the Falcon emblem. Anyways, I could number it as it is has a nice place for a label around it. I just use it for focusing easier and not range finding.
Do they make a large sidewheel to fit this Falcon M18+ 4-18x44 scope?
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I suspect the large falcon wheel made for other models would fit it, but I'm not sure. You could always modify another brand to fit too I imagine. I'm sure there is a wheel out there somewhere that will fit it, I just don't know for sure which one.
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Donny,
How would you rate the side focus on this scope, in relation to depth of field. I'm curious how this scope might do for hunter field target, at 16X. Us HFT shooters use the side focus to be able to estimate the range to the targets, so we want a very small depth of field (meaning the amount of the scene that is in focus from front to back). Hunters want a very large depth of field, so that it's quick and easy to get a target in focus.
Thanks!
I'll give you a couple of opinions on this... (1)Falcon told me the side wheel isn't numbered, because it wasn't designed for that. I asked, because I was wondering if they offered a different side wheel for help ranging the shots. (2)That being said, I find it to have a shallower depth of field than any other scope I've had. I've never owned a dedicated FT scope, so that is subjective. My SWFA SS has a ranged adjustment, and the Falcon most definitely has a shallower depth of field.
I feel like I could range pretty effectively with a larger marked wheel on the side. Of course, I'll have to make a tape to put on there. I made a 30 yard, a 50 yard, and a 100 yard mark on the side with a sharpie Sunday when I was shooting. Every time I put it on that mark is was in good focus, but it was obvious to me when I didn't line up the marks I made. I think you could probably range relatively well with it FWIW, BUT I don't do FT either. It probably does better than most any other scope in this price range I'd think.
Long story short: Falcon says no, it isn't made for that. I says you can probably do it :D I have no doubt there are certainly better scopes out there for FT, but I think this scope would be better at it than many think.
Good explanation, thanks Donny! It sounds like it might be worth a shot for FT, especially given the clarity.
I did put a large Falcon sidewheel on my Falcon. It has numbers but they don't match up like I thought it might. It does have the Falcon emblem. Anyways, I could number it as it is has a nice place for a label around it. I just use it for focusing easier and not range finding.
Do they make a large sidewheel to fit this Falcon M18+ 4-18x44 scope?
I found mine by doing a search on ebay for Falcon stuff. It's been at least a year now. You just have to do some searches on the web for them.
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This is a little long, sorry :D
I wanted to add an update to this review, now that I've had the scope for a little while. Everything I said previously still applies. I do love this scope. As a matter of fact I like it so much, I ordered another one to go on my Flash!
I've searched, researched and looked all over the web trying to see if there was something else around the same price range I may want to try, before I ordered another Falcon. I wanted to make sure I wasn't missing something better in the "bargain" FFP department that met my needs. I considered the Athlons, but they're heavy, and the 44mm was only available in Mil, and I want MOA. I considered the new Vortex FFP scopes, but their parallax only goes down to 20 yards. I'm also not a fan of screen door reticles. I like the info, but not all over my field of view.
Everything kept coming back to the Falcon, which I know I like, and the 4-18 zoom is great too. So I ordered another, and that is what led me to update this. Nick at Falcon sent me an email after I ordered the second, and said he would invoice me directly, instead of going through the Ebay store. He informed me that would save me the VAT tax(coming from the UK). That made the scope come in at around $370 shipping and all. That was very cool of him/Falcon to do that, and without me asking! Another plus, is that my previous paperwork still applied, so no hoops to hop through this time. I placed that order Monday, then received the email later that day. I said cool, invoice me. I paid the invoice late Monday night, and I had the scope sitting at my door by Friday.
I didn't open the package until Saturday. Much to my shock, I found out it had been repackaged. Upon getting to the Falcon box inside, my heart sank. The Falcon box had been badly ripped, and the scope had the snot kicked out of it. The end cap was broken, the other was badly scuffed up, and the tube of the scope had a dent in it. I couldn't even make the zoom go past 6x! This thing looked like it got run over by a truck. Somewhere in the shipping process, something bad had happened. I took a couple of pictures and sent Nick at Falcon an email telling him the bad news. I only asked what I needed to do get this situation straightened out. This was on Saturday, so I figured I would get a reply Monday, and I did.
I woke up Monday morning to an email from Nick at Falcon with a Fed Ex tracking number. He literally said "that's horrible, I've never had that happen". The point is, the folks at Falcon have earned a lot of respect from me for their customer service. That means a lot, especially from a company in the UK dealing with a single individual in the US. They didn't question me once, and he also told me to just keep the other scope for spare parts(turrets, side wheel experimentation, etc.). I know they can't repair the scope, but still, it was nice not to have to ship it back. I received my replacement scope in perfect condition today, 3 days later. I don't see how I could have asked for anything more.
I still think the M18+ FFP scope is one of the best deals out there in terms of quality. Their customer service just raised that scopes value to me a bit more. I have emailed Nick at Falcon many times prior to this incident, and he always replied in less than 24 hours. I really wanted to share this little adventure with you guys, because good CS is becoming less and less common. It is very refreshing when I company does what is right, especially when they don't really have to. Falcon could have caused me far more trouble on this than they did. They actually didn't cause me any at all on their part. I now have two scopes that I really like. Just as importantly, I know they came from a good company that takes care of their customers. Oh, on that note, their warranty is international too.
Anywho, I just wanted to share, and I hope this may help others decide to consider the Falcon Optics scopes when they are looking for a decent FFP scope without breaking the bank :) Happy shooting!
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Thanks for the report on some great service from Falcon. These reports are rare. I really like my 5.5-25x 50 Falcon. It's a little more pricey, but boy do I love it. Falcons are very nice scopes indeed.
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Thanks for the report on some great service from Falcon. These reports are rare. I really like my 5.5-25x 50 Falcon. It's a little more pricey, but boy do I love it. Falcons are very nice scopes indeed.
That is exactly why I wanted to report my experience. It is nice to know when a company, especially across the pond is on top of things in the CS department. The only ones they have listed in their products now are the M18+, the T50, and the S8i. I did see one of those 5.5-25X 56s listed on ebay. It is new, but has cosmetic blemishes per the listing. Falcon is who has it listed, and it is $355 right now, BTW. Looks like a smoking deal for someone with a black sharpie ;)
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Thanks for the report on some great service from Falcon. These reports are rare. I really like my 5.5-25x 50 Falcon. It's a little more pricey, but boy do I love it. Falcons are very nice scopes indeed.
That is exactly why I wanted to report my experience. It is nice to know when a company, especially across the pond is on top of things in the CS department. The only ones they have listed in their products now are the M18+, the T50, and the S8i. I did see one of those 5.5-25X 56s listed on ebay. It is new, but has cosmetic blemishes per the listing. Falcon is who has it listed, and it is $355 right now, BTW. Looks like a smoking deal for someone with a black sharpie ;)
That's a great deal. Near half price. I wished they showed the blemishes.
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Thank you, Donny, for the detailed review of the Falcon M18 4-18x44.
I'd like to contribute -- I can't give a review of the scope yet since I haven't bought it yet, got to save up....
But I have searched high and low for a "multi-tasking scope" that has a wide field of view for hunting, low light, and close range pesting.
And at the same time, I still want to shoot out to 100 or 150 yards.
• So, for this I'd like 3x much better than 4x on the bottom end.
• And 18x is much nicer than the much more common 12x or 14x.
• And I want a 50mm lens, so that the eyebox gets bigger and more comfortable, and so that my eyes get more light (at maximum magnification, in low light, in buildings for pesting, etc.).
And here comes the new Falcon scope S18i 3-18x50 that checks all my boxes!! Even the price box.
S18i 3-18×50 FFP
FFP
Min. parralax = 10y
30mm tube
Turret MIL
Reticle MIL
Elevation Range = 27mil [=90moa]
Reticle: lots of hash marks, and numbered
Elevation turn counter!
10mil per turret turn
IR
31oz (880g)
Lens caps, sun shade included
Warranty: 10 year, for original owner, with proof of purchase
http://www.falconoptics.com/s18i (http://www.falconoptics.com/s18i)
www.falconoptics.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/A6-Landscape-S-Series-Manual-2018.pdf (http://www.falconoptics.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/A6-Landscape-S-Series-Manual-2018.pdf)
Order Code: S1801 - B24i
Price:
423$ incl. S/H from UK to US = £327 incl. S/H = £291.66 + £25.00 S/H with FedEx to USA (not paying taxes)
Order directly from the mfctr, NickWatts@FalconOptics.com
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If the 2 Falcon scopes I have are any indication, that new one should be very nice! I would still pick the current scope I have for a few reasons.
1- I wanted the smaller objective,and not the extra weight. The 4-18 is 26oz. Vs the 3-18 at 31oz. Although, the 50mm likely would be a little better in eye comfort and light gathering.
2- For all of the critters I use this scope for, I usually have it at 10x-18x. I will never use an air gun for anything large enough to need a super wide field of view. I use the 18x a lot for targets though.
3- I wanted an MOA scope, because that's just what I prefer. I know I'm an oddball there :D I don't knowi f it is the case with the new scope you're looking at, but I know their other new one is only available in MIL.
Of course, we all have different preferences though. I can tell you Falcon's customer service is top notch. They have very good glass for the $$. I also love their turret layout. If you get the one you listed I'm sure you'll like it. Just be mindful of how fine the reticle on a FFP scope will be at the lower end :)