Author Topic: Sidewinder's Worth the Dough? Or Better Options for the Price??? (Read 5466 times))

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.

Tonykarter · « **Reply #1 on:** June 14, 2018, 08:52:16 PM »

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'?

Gear_Junkie · « **Reply #2 on:** June 15, 2018, 01:01:56 AM »

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!

dmiller · « **Reply #3 on:** June 15, 2018, 10:21:42 AM »

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!

Gear_Junkie · « **Reply #4 on:** June 15, 2018, 02:34:59 PM »

Quote from: dmiller on June 15, 2018, 10:21:42 AM

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.

dmiller · « **Reply #5 on:** June 15, 2018, 08:02:22 PM »

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

Orion · « **Reply #6 on:** July 22, 2018, 09:39:03 AM »

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

dmiller · « **Reply #7 on:** July 22, 2018, 01:03:42 PM »

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!

Royale · « **Reply #8 on:** July 29, 2018, 11:37:09 PM »

Quote from: dmiller on June 15, 2018, 08:02:22 PM

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.

broachoski · « **Reply #9 on:** July 30, 2018, 12:21:25 AM »

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.

starlingassassin · « **Reply #10 on:** July 30, 2018, 12:42:00 AM »

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

dmiller · « **Reply #11 on:** July 30, 2018, 09:41:44 AM »

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!

elh0102 · « **Reply #12 on:** August 24, 2018, 08:03:34 AM »

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.

Orion · « **Reply #13 on:** August 24, 2018, 02:13:16 PM »

Quote from: elh0102 on August 24, 2018, 08:03:34 AM

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!

elh0102 · « **Reply #14 on:** August 24, 2018, 02:59:11 PM »

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.

Orion · « **Reply #15 on:** August 24, 2018, 03:27:53 PM »

$200 for locking turrets is a bit too much.

elh0102 · « **Reply #16 on:** August 24, 2018, 05:41:47 PM »

Quote from: Orion on August 24, 2018, 03:27:53 PM

$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.

Suburban · « **Reply #17 on:** September 10, 2018, 12:08:49 AM »

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.

Tricker · « **Reply #18 on:** September 10, 2018, 12:41:15 AM »

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

bandg · « **Reply #19 on:** September 10, 2018, 11:29:07 AM »

I have several Sidewinder 30 scopes. I've had excellent performance out of all of them.

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Sidewinder's Worth the Dough? Or Better Options for the Price???

Author Topic: Sidewinder's Worth the Dough? Or Better Options for the Price??? (Read 5466 times))