Hawke 6-24x44 Varmint Questions

[nunofrancisco]

.

[nunofrancisco]

.

[D14Jeff]

i got one in september and compared it to a Leapers UTG 30mm AccuShot 4-16x44 .

http://www.crosman-air-pistol-owners-forum.com/board/index.php/topic,14469.msg189883.html#msg189883

first ..... i don't know a lot about scopes or have much experience with them . i tried a bushnell banner 4-16x40AO and the centerpoint 4-16x40AO for a few days last year before deciding i liked the leapers swat 4-16x44 better . i originally wanted the varmint 6-24x44 , but couldn't afford it and the "deal" i found didn't happen so i settled for the leapers . it's been a good scope with no issues , i just want more power , LOL . i found another great deal on the hawke and it worked out so now i have the scope i wanted in the first place anyhow , i decided to share my thoughts on them and here they are .

the varmint is definitely lighter than the swat . it has a smaller 1 inch tube and no illumination circuitry so that contributes a lot to the weight difference . i never used the illuminated reticle other than to see if it works . it does , but i never needed it . comparing 16x to 16x the varmint was slightly clearer and slightly sharper than the swat . not a huge difference IMO , but better is better . it was rainy here yesterday so i figured that was a good comparison for poor lighting light use . it's supposed to rain again most of today , but tomorrow will be sunny and i'll compare them again . on 24x the varmint definitely had a larger image and still looked clear . i was a little concerned about 24x due to reading comments about them going fuzzy on 18x or higher . either that's no longer a issue or i got lucky .

the hawke reticle is probably 1/3 the width of the one on the swat , much finer , almost too fine IMO . but im sure i'll get accustom to it . the bigger dots and crosshairs on the swat are easier to see when looking in the shadows in the wood line , but the varmint isn't bad . but i do like the finer compensating points the 1/2 mil-dot on the varmint allows . BTW , i did focus the reticle on a white wall inside before going outside to look through it (under the porch because of the rain) .

the varmint power ring turns much easier than the swats . i can turn it while shouldering my gun . on the swat i have to de-shoulder the gun to get a solid grip on it and the power ring , it's still as tight as it was when i first got it . both feel solid and smooth . the side focus/parallax on the varmint is also easier to turn than the swat turret without it's wheel , with both again feeling solid and smooth . i do miss the wheel for easier fine focusing , i've been spoiled by the swat wheel i think , but i may get used to not having one . i'll probably goober up a swat wheel for the varmint at some point though , there's plenty of ideas on the web for them .

i didn't measure because of the rain , but the swat will definitely focus closer than the varmint at all equal power settings . the swat also has a more forgiving eye relief distance . i won't know if the more critical varmints eye relief will be a problem (for me) till i shoot with it . it's gonna rain here again today but it's supposed to be sunny wednesday so i'll find out then .

the turrets seem to click nice and solid . i really like the horizontal lines under them , they will be nice if i ever want to go back to factory zero and use adjustable mounts (aka compensate for barrel droop) . here's where my taste have changed ..... originally i liked bling of the swat with the big exposed turrets and the sharp white lettering . but i'll admit after a few months it started looking too busy . the more subdued look of the varmint has been appealing to me more and more and having them side by side i do like the varmints look better . i also like the covered turrets , i feel like the caps allow more protection from moisture or dust getting in them .... but i've never read of that being a problem on any leapers scope .

i've read a few comments about the smell of the lense caps . they do have a odor that isn't pleasant but it isn't strong and i didn't notice it unless i put my nose right next to them . when just shouldering the gun with the scope it's not a issue to me . the caps are see through , but i wouldn't shoot with them down . the varmint caps also don't fit as secure as the swat caps . they fit ok but do have a tiny bit of wobble with the eye cap having it more than the front cap . the swat caps feel solid with no wobble at all .

so thats my initial impression without shooting with the varmint yet . and of course accuracy is what matters most .....
BTW , i spoke to hawke last week on the phone and was told they still offer their great lifetime warranty even if someone is not the original owner but the card in mine says it's not transferable . i guess they had a gazillion of them printed and are using them up before getting new ones ....

[nunofrancisco]

.

[D14Jeff]

i've never looked through a Panorama or a Sidwinder

[Datasponge]

I have one, and I love it.

My previous experience is only with the awful Gamo scopes that come packaged with some of their guns (but better than the even worse one that came on the daisy 880) and another Hawke Sport 3-9X40.

I mounted the Varmint on my Walther LGV, and it's been a great combo so far.  The weight of the scope is nothing compared to the weight of the gun, so no issue for me there.

[Motorhead]

The Panorama EV in 1/2 dot is the SAME reticle as used in the 1/2 dot sidewinders ... very fine and quite nice.
Panorama EV has a MUCH wider FOV than others in your inquire.
The EV AO version is an Objective parallax type and Not a Side focus as the others are.

Personally have 2 Panorama EV AO 3x12x50's, one is on the Bullpup, other on the TX200 ... For the money a great scope that I would say BETTER than the Varmint series.

[Freebird]

 I have the Varmint in the 3x12x44. So far I'm loving the fine 1/2 mildot reticle and I especially enjoy the side focus.
My first one gave me a problem with the side focus binding but Hawke had me a brand new replacement on my doorstep within one week.

[JCM]

I'm in need of another scope and would buy the Varmit in a heart beat but for the AO focus. The specs say it only goes down to 15 yards and I do most of my shooting at 10 yards. For any of you that have one is that true in the field?
Judd

[D14Jeff]

the current varmint scopes have side turret parallax adjustment , not an adjustable objective . they both do the same thing but IMO using the turret is much much easier , faster and accurate .... YMMV . my 6-24 varmint will focus closer than 15 yards on lower mags . i'll go outside in a bit and measure off 30 feet and get back with the results .

[JCM]

Thanks Jeff. I have a Hawke Eclipse 6x24 and it will go down to 10meters at about 12 to 14 X.
Judd

[Freebird]

I'm in need of another scope and would buy the Varmit in a heart beat but for the AO focus. The specs say it only goes down to 15 yards and I do most of my shooting at 10 yards. For any of you that have one is that true in the field?
Judd

 My 3x12x44 Varmint looks to be very usable at 15 ft at 3x power and 25 ft at 12x power.
This was just a quick inside measure of focus.