34mm entry level scopes worth it?

[Pizzaman2976]

Hey guys, 

Is it worth it to get an entry level 34 mm scope over a good 30mm? 

Never had a 34 mm before, but am noticing they are much more expensive. So price wise, it'd come down to the choice between cheap 34mm and okay 30mm. Is it worth it? 

Thanks 

 

[stoti]

Do you need the extra elevation that a 34mm tube will give you? That’s what it boils down to.

Have a good one. Stoti

 

[Pizzaman2976]

Do you need the extra elevation that a 34mm tube will give you? That’s what it boils down to.

Have a good one. Stoti

Thanks, Stoti. If I'm being honest then no probably not. I like to pest and shoot in my backyard mostly under 50 yards. I get sucked into looking at these new scopes and getting tempted, but am wondering if it'd just be a waste realistically!

 

[stoti]

There was just another post about $1500 optics vs. $300-$500 optics that’s good and will probably get better. Lot’s of info and opinions. We are so lucky these days that there are a ton of awesome scopes in the $300-$500 price range, Some really are quite great, especially for the money. 3-4 years ago, it certainly wasn’t the case. With that said, optics are important so buy the best you feel you can afford. Have a great holiday weekend.

Stot

 

[NickNorthGA]

I like my discovery HD 34mm ffp. Can't really beat it for the price

 

[Pizzaman2976]

Thanks guys

 

[mr.grimm]

I also have a Discovery 34 mm tube and it has been a good scope. It is a heavy scope tho.

 

[Dairyboy]

I'd put my money on the new Arken Optics SH-4 Gen2 which is only $399 with 34mm tube, 6-24x50, HD glass, zero stop, 99% tracking guarantee and lifetime warranty. That'd be my choice. 

 

[Pizzaman2976]

I'd put my money on the new Arken Optics SH-4 Gen2 which is only $399 with 34mm tube, 6-24x50, HD glass, zero stop, 99% tracking guarantee and lifetime warranty. That'd be my choice.

Thanks, Dairyboy. I agree and that's actually the scope that made me start this thread!

I have the SH4 4-14 1st Gen on my Taipan Vet and love it. The only thing is i noticed the new Gen2 has 25 yard min parallax and I like it to go down to 10 yards for my short range. 

 

[JoeWayneRhea]

For me personally, and everyone will have different opinions . Tube diameter is like number 17 on my scope priorities list .Unless like Stoti said and you truly need the extra elevation a larger tube can offer ...I say “ can “ because it’s not a given that it will have it .Not all of the larger tube scopes do ..I’ve had several guys ask me why Element didn’t choose a 34 mm tube for their flagship scope the Nexus . I couldn’t answer because I wouldn’t know the answer ...But I FOR SURE would not cross it off any potential list because it’s a 30mm tube . 

 

[Odoyle]

The 30mm Discovery HD 5-25x50 FFP is great but a bit difficult to see the reticle at lower magnification and eyebox a little finicky. The FOV appears to be very good as well. A SFP version of this would be ideal for me IMO.

Warranty however may only be 3 years and it is best to research Warranty conditions thoroughly first and a Lifetime Warranty would be ideal if no receipt is needed research research research best to do your research first before buying anything.

 

[Pizzaman2976]

Thanks guys. Great input. Appreciate it. 

 

[boscoebrea]

This sort of stuff about dia.of tube ,like bigger is batter gets my damper open,first off it ain't the dia. that is important.

Ok no....but I am old now,back then it wasn't about Dia. or power or length or this or that it was about good optics.

Chit!!! why not put a spotting scope on your rifle!!

Sorry,I will close my damper and keep all my hot air in.ps this was not about you,but the false notion that bigger is better,and this is from the Italian sausage guy.

 

[Peskådot671]

Like Stoti said, if you need more elevation, then go for it. You could also use adjustable rings or a fixed base with +MOA. One downside of a 34mm tube is the weight especially if you carry it out in the field and do a lot of off hand shooting when you hunt. If it's a bench gun, it doesn't matter so much.

 

[frank320]

For all my hunting rifles where weight is a factor, I use 30mm scopes on them. All my long range precision rifles have 34mm scopes, where weight is less of a factor for their use case. Bear in mind also that 34mm scopes not only costs more, but the scope mounts also cost and weight more.... it adds up.

 

[Pizzaman2976]

Thanks for all the feedback guys. I think I'll be sticking with my 30mm scopes based on the input. I like to carry my guns around and shoot off hand and dont want to be bogged down. I didnt realize they were so heavy. 

 

[mercado]

Dairyboy ..The be aware that the $399 arken 6x24x50 is not HD glass in this version....that's why the other arken 6×24×50 are $599 ... but I don't mind as soon my 2 ep4 arrives...I will be buying 2 of the $399 version if they are as good as the 4x14 - they will be great..

as for me I dont mind the weight because they will be used on custom condors or Texans...or a big bullpub like the .25 cricket..bench guns anyway...for any other purpose the 4x14 should be just fine..

 

[Dairyboy]

Good info on those! Yeah I prefer 30mm tubes but if I wanted 34mm Arken would be the way I'd go.

Also the SH-4 and SH-4 Gen2 have HD glass which I found the 4-14 to have amazing glass but there EP4s have ED glass which is supposed to be better. I'd love one of the 4-16x50 EP4s with the SHR reticle

 

[mercado]

In their website I found ..that in the description of the sh gen 2 it has not changed it still appears like a ED glass offering..they have a new 34mm one piece mount with 20moa I think for the price is great..

 

[Odoyle]

I received this one the other day and boy what a BIG BIG BIG DISAPPOINTMENT!!!

WHAT A CRAPPY $400 34MM SCOPE!

It's only good and clear until around 18x-19x max and it's a 30x scope! It's just as bad as the MTC VIPER PRO that can't focus clear past 20x being also a 30x scope!

Heres what I bought that was a MAJOR MAJOR bummer for me...

Better off buying this $999.99 JAPAN 10 yard focus 5-25x50 for $224 from SUPCASE over on EBay with free shipping. Offer him $175 he may counter $185 or $200. It is damn clear! Don't offer to buy his $455 listing it's the same scope! Ask how I know!

THIS ONE will be very very very hard to beat at any price with a 10 yard focus made in JAPAN that normally sells for $999.99. If you like the SWFA SS then this one is the cherry on top of the ice cream with a much better eyebox and higher magnification in a SFP Mildot. Many of the best Japanese scopes are SFP BTW. This BARRA seems better than the 25 yard focus Bushnell TAC 4.5-30x50 at least clearer when compared side by side at full magnification.

Buy it then don't like it? Sell it on Craigslist for possibly even more than what you paid. Its a $999.99 scope you paid only $200 or less for!

THIS ONE is very very very hard to beat no matter the price!!!