Parallax problem

[nitrowoodtic]

So I have a couple scopes with the same problem.
I set up the eye piece (retical) as instructed against a white background. Set up targets at 30 and 50 yards. Adjust AO for sharp focus on target and check for parallax shift. Lots of shift in aim point! Adjust AO until there is minimal shift in aim point and the target is extremely out of focus.
This particular scope is an Athlon Argos 6X24X50.
Any ideas on what’s wrong?

One scope I have (UTG 4X16X56) is pretty close with focus and no parallax.

 

[Centercut]

Focus on maximum power at the minimal distance that the scope is designed for, or a couple yards further. Adjust AO until you have no parallax. Now adjust ocular so that the picture is clearly in focus. The reticle will also be in focus. Now whenever you focus the AO to the clearest picture you should be parallax free. 

 

[nitrowoodtic]

Tried that. Not enough adjustment in the eye piece to compensate. Did the same thing to another scope and once focused the aim point shift was back. That one is a Mantis 3X9X32 AO (cheap scope). Overall though the Mantis is only slightly out of focus when adjusted for no shift in aim point.

any other ideas?

 

[DellaDog]

It’s an inherent problem with inexpensive scopes.

Even some higher priced scopes will exhibit this to some extent. I have 2.5-10x42 Nightforce NXS that will be slightly out of focus when completely parallax free. 

Not so with my March 3-24x52. 

Sad, but true, with many scopes. 

 

[nitrowoodtic]

Actually my cheaper scopes are better as far as parallax shift goes. My deinition of cheap and yours might be different.

 

[jking]

I had my Wildcat out today and was doing some shooting. I found too that when I had the scope focused for zero parallax that the target wasn't quite in focus. What I did was, at 70yds was to focus for zero parallax and then readjust the eyeball piece until the target was in focus. This still kept the reticle good and sharp. Work great after that.
Jimmy

 

[nitrowoodtic]

Today I took two of my scopes, adjusted them to high power and infinity focus range. I pointed them at the overcast sky. Both reticals were clear and sharp. No adjustment required. My Mantis 3X9x32 at 20 yards when adjusted to minimum parallax (slightly fuzzy) still had about 1/4 inch aim point shift. My Vortex (crossfire II 4X16X50) at 30 yards had its minimal aim point shift 1/2-3/4 inch, with a very sharp focus. This is still better than when I sent it in to be checked out. 

I also was was making every effort to hold a perfect, repeatable sight picture. I end up with (attempted several time with about the same results) two tight groupings and a couple odd hits. So, I’m trying to figure out if it’s the gun or the parallax causing this. I was oblivious to this potential issue until I started shooting air rifles. “Ignorance is bliss”.

So, do all scopes have this aim point shift (parallax shift) to some degree? Are some (high power, AO, FFP, etc.) more likely to have parallax issues?

I have more than one ( non AO ) scope that is, or was mounted an a .22 LR that will out shine any of my AO fancy scopes. 3 of them are a simple 4X. I’m starting to wonder if I should just sell all the fancy scopes and just go to fixed power non AO scope. Maybe a fixed power AO SWFA scope.

Am I wrong to assume that a fixed power scope has much less parallax problem?

Am I missing something? I’m no expert for sure. Any scope recommendations? Any reading recommendations?

thanks for the assistance.

 

[DellaDog]

There’s nothing you can do short of trying another scope. 

The ocular focus is for your eyes and the reticle only. Once you set it, leave it, until your eyes change as you age or your prescription changes. Tape it down if you have to, just don’t mess with it once set. 

The paralax adjustment, whether it’s on the objective or a knob, may or may not bring the target into perfect focus when all parallax is removed. More than likely, especially on less expensive scopes, the target will be slightly out of focus. It’s for you to decide whether you want a crystal clear image down range, or a parallax free target. 

Again, don’t mess with the ocular focus once you’ve found the clearest reticle image - unless or until your vision changes. 

Google around for how to find the best ocular setting; your eyes will refocus if you stare too long while making adjustments. 

 

[jking]

Nitrowood, did you try the technique that Centercut and myself suggested. My Hawke Sidewinder was a little bit off until I used the method above. I cannot see any difference when looking at the reticle this way either and now the parallax and the focus are jiving. It may not hold true with all scopes but it worked in this instance.
Jimmy

 

[nitrowoodtic]

I had mixed results.
Athlon Argos is on its way to Athlon Optics.
Vortex is much better since I sent it in, but it still has issues. Minimal parallax error with a sharp focus1/2-3/4 inch @ 30 yards. Nothing I tried helped, only made it worse. I think I’ll send it back one more time..
your sugestion helps on my Mantis scope, but it was never very bad anyway.
i haven’t pulled out my Condor and played with my UTG Accushot yet. Again it is pretty good the way it is. Bought my Condor used with the Accushot scope. The previous owner had crushed the tube by overtightening one of the rings. Scope seems to work fine,but I was thinking of replacing it anyway. Now I don’t think I want to get rid of it.

now I’m thinking I should get a fixed power scope. SWFA has a few I’m considering.

 

[Trailryder42]

Well, bummer. Hate to hear this. I bought an Argos last week. Haven't received it yet but I'll definitely be checking it out for this problem.

 

[Grin_Reaver]

Have you tried posting on an optics forum? (like opticstalk.com ) The guys there are really knowledgeable.

 

[nitrowoodtic]

Thought about that, but how many of those guys regularly shoo 30-50 yards.

i may have stumbled on to something. Have to do some more testing tomorrow to be sure.

 

[scottblair]

"DellaDog"There’s nothing you can do short of trying another scope. 
The ocular focus is for your eyes and the reticle only. Once you set it, leave it, until your eyes change as you age or your prescription changes. Tape it down if you have to, just don’t mess with it once set. 
The paralax adjustment, whether it’s on the objective or a knob, may or may not bring the target into perfect focus when all parallax is removed. More than likely, especially on less expensive scopes, the target will be slightly out of focus. It’s for you to decide whether you want a crystal clear image down range, or a parallax free target. 
Again, don’t mess with the ocular focus once you’ve found the clearest reticle image - unless or until your vision changes. 
Google around for how to find the best ocular setting; your eyes will refocus if you stare too long while making adjustments.

like Delladog states, the ocular adjustment is just for the retical focus so that the crosshairs are sharp and not fuzzy. Once set while looking at the sky, you shouldn't touch it again. It is not meant for focusing the target picture.
All quality scopes that come with adjustment lituriture, will explain this procedure.
Hope you get it sorted out nitrowoodtic.

 

[jking]

I'm not sure what the relationship is and how it all works but I'd always used the ocular adjustment just as it's meant to be used, focusing the reticle while looking towards the sky or a bare wall and getting it as sharp as possible but on my Hawke Tac it will also correct the parallax just enough that it removed any noticeable reticle movement when doing the head bob. This was after I used the side focus to make the target as clear as possible. After using the ocular adjustment the reticle is still sharp and in focus and my parallax is still perfect with just the side focus now at any distance. Just my experience with this scope. I haven't tried it on my Sightrons but they are normally parallax free with proper focus.
jk

 

[Slayerious]

I too had a similar focus problem with Argos.
After I set the reticle against perfectly focused target on the range my user experience improved by much.

At 24x the image and reticle are very crisp and I can see 10m air rifle target lines and almost identify the numbers at 50m (54yds). But the eye box is very sensitive.

The small eye box helps me also get perfect eye placement which reduces the need for parallax adjustment so I will need to test that out.