NEWB Scope Advice/Variable vs Prismatic

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tcb4ep

Member
Feb 4, 2022
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Arizona, United States
Greetings , I am totally new to the airgun world but not to shooting. This will be a fun plinker in the Az desert and/or an occasional Iguana hunt in Florida. Ive settled on a Brocock XR Sniper (bullpup) to fill my needs but can't figure out an optic. On my AR15's I am using 3x or 5x Prisms and am extremely happy as they suit my needs. However I notice most airgun shooters use VARIABLE scopes , but as I stated , Prismatics seem to be MY sweet spot of clarity and needs. With that said , when using your variables , are you usually zoomed out to you max most of the time or do you really have a need for the variable factor. I have looked at 10x and 14x AIrgun prismatics and am just wanting input as to whether to just stick with the Fixed Magnification and just "point and shoot", or would I really have a need for the Variable (4x14)



thanks for your insight
 
I have an Gen 1 Athlon Helos 6-24x50 FFP on my Bantam Sniper HR. Having the option of picking the magnification that suits conditions is important to me. I don't even consider fixed powered optics other than binoculars. BTW, good choice on the Sniper XR. My Bantam has been stellar from day one, 29 months in and I'm still impressed with it.
 
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I shoot squirrels with my scopes set on about 6X. The shots are around 25 yards and that much magnification helps with placement. More and they are harder to find quickly in the scope. I shoot targets with the scope dialed up, however. I have a 4-14, 4-16, 6-24, and a 2-7. I can see the holes in the target better at 25 or 33 yards but I actually shoot groups about the same size with the 2-7.

I straight 6X would work but might be a bit low if you get any longer shots. 5X versus 6X is a small difference. All you would give up is possibly shooting at paper targets precisely and that is questionable in my opinion if the distance is short. Plinking and a little hunting 5-7X will work fine.
 
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the way i look at it variable gives alot of options but theyre big .. on a serious 'action' target specific pesting gun i want it as small and simple as possible in the mag that lends itself to the fastest wasting of aforementioned pest .. no time for adjusting dials and illumination and focus etc and trying to find fuzzynuts in the scopr over by the coop harassing my chickens .. it needs to be a lightening quick reaction sightin and shot or he likely walks .. small fixed is what works ...now if im jerkin around in the window just 'murdering' something at 60 out by the front fence yeah a 12 or 16 works better for that lol .. not in the other role though .. really you need both setups ...
 
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Both optic types have their inherent pros and cons, as has been said its a choice of right tool for the job. I live in the hills of east TN and typically use a high magnification scope on my old Login Domin8r (aka SSM = squirrel smacking machine). This is so I can place each shot right where I want it on a given critter at longer yardages with my eyesight limitations.
 
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I am a big fan of both. I would get an swfa ss in 6x with a mil dot reticle and limit my shots to 50 at the very farthest. Generally I try to keep my shots inside 35 yards and for that it's perfect. I've seen guys here that can shoot ethically at 100 yards. If that's you go for the variable power. I used a 4x luepold for squirrel for years and years. Now that I'm getting older I appreciate having at least 6x but it all really depends on your hunting style or target needs. That gun will be able to reach out so if you envision yourself doing alot of work past 50 then a 4x14 seems like an excellent choice. I would steer clear of fixed magnification past 6x tho. I used an swfa ss 10x for a long time but lost some game to not having the field of view I needed. Even with a variable power scope I imagine 80 percent of the work I'd do is at 4x or 6x. It's alot of fun to dial up and do some target work tho. Like I said it all depending on what you want to do. 
 
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Like Raden1942 I have both Prismatic and variable scopes.

Love my variables at 25 power for seeing my shots on paper at 100 yards. But, in the same breath, I love the lightweight prismatic 10x40 for most anything at less than 100 yards.

Both have the same clarity and nice reticles. 

I seldom change the power on my scopes as I usually use them at 100-200+ yards.
 
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Greetings , I am totally new to the airgun world but not to shooting. This will be a fun plinker in the Az desert and/or an occasional Iguana hunt in Florida. Ive settled on a Brocock XR Sniper (bullpup) to fill my needs but can't figure out an optic. On my AR15's I am using 3x or 5x Prisms and am extremely happy as they suit my needs. However I notice most airgun shooters use VARIABLE scopes , but as I stated , Prismatics seem to be MY sweet spot of clarity and needs. With that said , when using your variables , are you usually zoomed out to you max most of the time or do you really have a need for the variable factor. I have looked at 10x and 14x AIrgun prismatics and am just wanting input as to whether to just stick with the Fixed Magnification and just "point and shoot", or would I really have a need for the Variable (4x14)



thanks for your insight
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I no longer leave variable powered scopes at a set magnification like I often did when I was younger. I do appreciate being able to spot and follow prey on lower power and then dial up if necessary.

However, I did get to spend some time behind an Immersive Optics 5x30 recently and that field of view is about the same as basically all of my variable powered scopes are at 3x. Unfortunately I didn't get a chance to use the Immersive in the field but I think I'd really enjoy the simplicity of hunting and plinking with one.

My only hunting rifles are Classic Leshiys and low eye relief scopes are not ideal for them. I tried to get it to fit with the longer rail and it just wasn't working out. Otherwise I'd own one already. The fact that the 10x24 and 10x40 Immersives have a FOV within just a few yards of the 5x30 is crazy to me. 

I would assume that fitting these to a semi-bullpup like the Brocock would be much easier. Given you already have familiarity with prismatics on your centerfires I think they're a great place to start with your first PCP.
 
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Prism scopes are usually more durable as they have less parts then a fixed power scope , also fixed power scopes have better image quality then a variable scope set at same magnification again due to less lens so less amount of distortion ,

I use prisms and re dots from 1x to 10x and for a compact light set up for close to mid range hunting they are great ,

I would also suggest buy the best glass as possible , scopes are not a place to cheap out , what seems to happen alot is people buy lower quality scopes at first only to upgrade , then wont pick up the cheaper less premium glass again .

If you got $300 to spend Radeon gav a great hunting scope the SWFA 6x durable great field of view , good glass for money this would be a great choice ,

If you had say double to spend the look at variables like SWFA 3x15 great scope for money , or even ARKEN ,

If more of a budget Id go for an eotech red dot and a 3x magnifier this is a solid set up I use the XPS3-4 and G33 3x magnifier ,

now for prisms , you can go with dedal 6x edgun west has them or on here guys sell times to time used , all mentioned scopes are very good for money , Id stick with lower power scope if you not target shooting small targets long ranges , because when you go hi power cost goes up with good glass and to be honest u cant really use a 25x in many situations hunting with an airgun ,then they bulky and heavy to carry ,

their are also cheap prism scopes on Amazon like immersion they have from 5x to 14x with mount included very compact with illumination , glass is fair not as good as swfa these go $260 to $325



LOU
 
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i think everything is a compromise between the field of view desired and precision required, and that is based on what kind of shooting you're doing.

a lot of shooters do mostly target shooting, to challenge the accuracy and consistency of their rifles or their skills, and field of view is not a big priority for shooting stationary paper/steel targets at fixed ranges. others do more hunting and so a larger field of view is desired for spotting their targets, but they might also require a degree of precision when their prey is tiny.

i use a combination of fixed and variable scopes in normal firearms (fixed on a hunting rifle, variable on a long range precision gas gun), and because i do a variety of shooting with the airgun i recently bought, i chose an lpvo for the primary option. the 1x is great for steel arcade fun, but i can still challenge myself (and the gun) with tiny targets at longer ranges.

i rarely use the top end of a variable scope's range except for spotting hits (for myself or others). even shooting 600+ yards, i am rarely above 12x except to make wind calls.

for opportunistic hunting of troublesome lizards, a prism sounds like a good option.
 
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UPDATE : Just an update on the Immersive Optics 10 x 40 Prismatic. I received it and mounted it , BUT I just could not make it work FOR ME. The Clarity and FOV were outstanding but the SUPER SHORT Eye Relief would just not work for me. I wear glasses and I just could not get an eye relief to where my glasses were not at least touching the occular. I do have 3x and 5x Prismatics on my AR15's and absolutely love them , but the short eye relief for a 10x could not be overcome with wearing the glasses. I tried with my normal Progressives , bifocals and single vision but "I" could not make it work for "me." Ended up having to return it. Thank you for all your help and responses
 
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UPDATE : Just an update on the Immersive Optics 10 x 40 Prismatic. I received it and mounted it , BUT I just could not make it work FOR ME. The Clarity and FOV were outstanding but the SUPER SHORT Eye Relief would just not work for me. I wear glasses and I just could not get an eye relief to where my glasses were not at least touching the occular. I do have 3x and 5x Prismatics on my AR15's and absolutely love them , but the short eye relief for a 10x could not be overcome with wearing the glasses. I tried with my normal Progressives , bifocals and single vision but "I" could not make it work for "me." Ended up having to return it. Thank you for all your help and responses
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If you watch some of the YouTube videos from the 2022 British Shooting show they mention some of their models getting greater eye relief, up to 80mm in the 5x models according to one video.

I should comment that the eye relief numbers for an entirely new optic they're developing were not consistent in the two videos I watched so we'll all have to wait and see what the actual numbers are.


 
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Yes , the 5x gives ALOT of eye relief , and Great FOV as I use them on my AR's with no issue. The higher magnification just requires so much less eye relief, with my glasses I can't make work
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What I mean is that they're increasing the eye relief on some models. Supposedly from 45mm to 80mm for the 5x, for example.

No word on the 10x or 14x but is worth keeping an eye out for the new specifications.
 
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I have been anguishing over which scope to get for my Leshiy 2 for back yard plinking and pesting. I want something compact and don’t need a lot of magnification. I have found that nearly all of the LVPOs and Prism sights have fixed parallax at 100 yards. Can anyone shed some light on how that will look at 15-30 yards?

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Not horrible with a 24mm objective, especially if you stay below full power. Not as bad outdoors as indoors to my eyes.

I do have a Styrka S7 illuminated with side focus. If you can live with a duplex reticle and capped turrets I think they're acceptable scopes if you can find one for under $250.

If you can live with fixed power the Immersive 5x30 I demoed is actually useable at 15 yards due to the wide field of view. If they were easier to fit to a Classic Leshiy I'd have one of the 5x24's for sure. Much preferred the Immersive 5x30 over the Vortex Spitfire 5x I mounted but returned. Longer eye relief versions are rumored to be coming out.

I also have a Dedal Stalker 6x which is a great combination of eye relief, eye box and field of view. But not as useful at 15 yards as the Immerisive.

Other LPVOs with side focus are...

Athlon 1-4.5x24

A few of the March scopes (very expensive)

White Oak Armament 1-4.5x24 (odd reticle, IMO)






 
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Forgot to mention a couple of things. 

Dvor had the Athlon 1-4.5x24 on sale recently. I think 30% off. I doubt the sale is still going on but worth checking if you can live with 4.5x and below.

And speaking of Athlon, there was a Gen2 BTR 1-8x24 in the Classified section recently. I believe with a mount.

Former user @Chuck used to tout this scope for airguns due to its 50 yard fixed parallax and reticle.

Chuck accidentally deleted his account so tough to search for his comments on that scope. 

[EDIT] Just checked and Amazon lists this scope as having 100 yard fixed parallax, for what it is worth.

I have one and am not 100% convinced about the 50 yard parallax so maybe email Athlon before buying that one from the classifieds. 

It is a compact LPVO. Maybe a tad heavy.
 
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