Picking an optic, leap of faith

[tywynn]

This post is mostly venting. Been reading the forum to get recommendations on a scope and I think I narrowed it down to Hawkes or Athlons based on a lot of input. Unfortunately neither optic is stocked at any stores remotely close to me so I can't check them out before buying.

Do most people on here just take a leap of faith when they pick a scope and order it online? Or do most people have shops nearby to check them out?

 

[Sqwirl57]

Every scope I've bought was a leap of faith but some are safer bets than others. Every Athlon I owned has exceeded my expectations compared to their price points. The one Hawke I have (Sidewinder 30) has been great too except I did have to send it in under warranty.

 

[Hateful McNasty]

This post is mostly venting. Been reading the forum to get recommendations on a scope and I think I narrowed it down to Hawkes or Athlons based on a lot of input. Unfortunately neither optic is stocked at any stores remotely close to me so I can't check them out before buying.

Do most people on here just take a leap of faith when they pick a scope and order it online? Or do most people have shops nearby to check them out?

Thats about on anything today. No one local has anything outside of same as walmart so you buying blind mailorder.
Then i guess it s hope the place you order from has a generous return policy if things go south... Or the item like a scope has that no questions asked lifetime warranty .

Good luck

 

[cahil_2]

That’s just the way it is in this hobby. It’s the same with our airguns as most of don’t live close enough to a shop to try them out, so take the leap.

 

[Mr.H]

I've bought scopes in the past off of recommendations. I can think of a couple scopes I have been disappointed with. And I'm waiting on a new Arken lightweight scope. So I don't know if I'll like it until I look thru it. Ideally, I would like to look thru it before I buy. Most optic dealers around me do not inventory items I want. I've learned to buy from dealers that accept returns, based on not mounting the scope.
Good luck.

 

[Ezana4CE]

Shop with online vendors with liberal return policies. I will view a scope outside without mounting it. If I don’t like the glass it goes back. Sometimes I might exchange it. If there are other issues I prefer to move on to another product.

 

[rcs9250]

I have pretty much relied on recommendations from members of AGN.
Seems like Athlon, Hawke and Element get the most mention on AGN. I have 4 Element and two Aztec Emeralds.
For me it is always internet purchase since there’s no airgun stores nearby. Pyramyd Air is 20 minutes away but it’s pick up only, no show room.
Every gun store within a hundred miles carries typical hunting scoped like Leupold, Vortex, Nightforce, no “airgun” specific scopes.
I’ve been very happy with the selections I’ve made. I’m kind of an FX junky, so when they announced their jump into optics, especially with input from Dubber, Biers and Gerhard I felt confident with Element.

 

[Geezerhood]

Shop with online vendors with liberal return policies. I will view a scope outside without mounting it. If I don’t like the glass it goes back. Sometimes I might exchange it. If there are other issues I prefer to move on to another product.

This is the smartest move to look through something you can't handle otherwise.

To the OP - Be sure to read their return policy so you won't be surprised by restocking fees, shipping fees or whatever. Often prices will be higher with more liberal return policies. Once you find a brand / model you trust and have used for a while, then look for your next one with a price that will make attractive despite not being able to return it to the seller.

 

[Sc0-]

Leap of faith for both the airgun and optic, research as much as you can then either go for it or move on.

 

[Smok3y]

This post is mostly venting. Been reading the forum to get recommendations on a scope and I think I narrowed it down to Hawkes or Athlons based on a lot of input. Unfortunately neither optic is stocked at any stores remotely close to me so I can't check them out before buying.

Do most people on here just take a leap of faith when they pick a scope and order it online? Or do most people have shops nearby to check them out?

If you can’t see it, it will be 100% leap of faith. No matter the recommendations you receive, your eyes will prefer what they prefer. The best you can do is take what you read and choose what seems to fit what you are looking for.

I almost always buy used, so I can save and so I can try out as many scopes as possible. I started out thinking I would buy the perfect scope and be done, and i couldn’t haven’t been more wrong. Also like you, no shops around with scopes to test. This has worked out great for me. I have tried cheap and very expensive, liked and disliked some of each.

Do your research to find the closest to what you want, try it out, and if you don’t like it, try something else.

 

[thumper]

I haven't had a Hawke that I felt was worth the money. Had a few and won't own another. Had issues with one, sent it in, they inspected it and sent it back still broken. No more for me.

I've looked through a few Athlons and they have all looked and felt great. But can't speak for actually using them, never owned one. But plan to in the future.

Good news is, scopes overall have came a LONG way in recent years. Especially the options suitable for airguns.

 

[JEFFPPC]

I have pretty much relied on recommendations from members of AGN.
Seems like Athlon, Hawke and Element get the most mention on AGN. I have 4 Element and two Aztec Emeralds.
For me it is always internet purchase since there’s no airgun stores nearby. Pyramyd Air is 20 minutes away but it’s pick up only, no show room.
Every gun store within a hundred miles carries typical hunting scoped like Leupold, Vortex, Nightforce, no “airgun” specific scopes.
I’ve been very happy with the selections I’ve made. I’m kind of an FX junky, so when they announced their jump into optics, especially with input from Dubber, Biers and Gerhard I felt confident with Element.

I have0 spoken to Leupold, IVortex, and Sightron they all say all their scopes are good for all virgins. I have 2 Hawkes with thousands of springer shoots, no problems.

 

[Airgun-hobbyist]

Opticsplanet.com has a pretty decent return policy. Also try going manufacturer direct. Some will do returns no questions asked, so long as the scope is not mounted. I haven't looked through this, but it is another highly recommended manufacturer.

S-TAC FFP3-16x42 Zero Stop

Built for precision target shooting and hunters. The Sightron's S-TAC 3-16x42 rifle scope with zero-stop tactical turrets and illuminated reticles delivers superior optics and accuracy when it counts.

sightron.com

 

[Mycapt65]

Optics Planet will take back a scope that you're dissatisfied with as long as you don't mount it. Make sure you approve of the glass and functionality before mounting it. After mounting it's a warranty issue.

Make sure you buy a scope from a manufacturer with a good reputation for warranty service. Especially if you're putting it on a springer.

All my airguns are springers and after blowing up several UTG scopes the only scopes on them are Hawkes. With 7 or 8 springers upto 20 fpe I've had few failures and when I did I had a new scope at my door within two weeks of sending it back.

It's always a leap of faith, but you can have a safety net below if you spend your money smart.

Fwiw I just bought two more Hawke Vantages for centerfire rifles because the glass is good for the price and I know they will make good if there's a problem. I doubt they'll have a problem. I still have a 3-9x40 Vantage I use to tune every gun I get. It's really ugly now after I dropped on the cement floor. After that and being on four or five R1s and dozens of other springers I can't kill it. I've been trying to because they said they'd gladly replace it once it actually breaks. Being ugly and all it keeps working.

Bottom line buy from a good place that will let you return it if you don't like what you see first and don't buy anything with a questionable warranty.

 

[boscoebrea]

I have good experience with Hawke Airmax and Vantage scopes,The Burris Fullfield is another good scope that is not expensive.
You need to have a price range and use,under 25yds. most any scope should be "good enough".
Please check out other posts asking the same question, then add up the likes and dislikes and see for yourself what the results are.
One thing I can say is most people love their Athlon scopes.....me do not have one, but I have and love Sightron scopes.

 

[jps2486]

I've owned a bunch of scopes over the years for different applications. They have gotten a lot better too. My recommendations are Sightron S3, Sightron S-Tac, Athlon Helos BTR, Athlon Midas-Tac, Hawke Sidewinder 30 and Hawke Airmax. Exact models depend on your application whether FT, BR, or hunting/plinking. I only mentioned two Athlon models because they are the only ones that focus down to 10 yards as do the other scopes. Someone else recommended Hawke Vantage, but I think those are less than desirable. Arken scopes are great too, but the 34mm models don't focus to 10 yards, but the new EP models with 30 mm tubes do. Great scopes for the money.