1-4 power optic advice

[bp7178]

@Belmont31R

The exit pupil is calculated between the magnification and front lens.

So 20MM front lens with 5X will be a 4MM exit pupil. 40MM front lens with 10X will be 4MM.

Of course there are different factors like the percent of light that goes through each lens. A good scope will have 85-90% light transmission.

Which tells me S&B specs, that you get from their website, reflect the actual measured output, not a calculated one.

By the math, a 24mm lens at 1.1-4x would be 21.8mm-6mm. But S&B lists it at something like 14mm-6mm.

SWFA lists the 1-8x S&B at the 22mm-3mm, which follows the math, but does not follow what S&B is listing.

[d90king]

@Failure2Stop

A good 1-4 will do a hell of a lot of work on an AR.
A few years ago, after spending time with a ShortDot and having already spend considerable time behind irons, Aimpoints, EoTechs, and ACOGs, I decided to do a “proof of concept” with a cheapo 1-4 (Millett) to figure out how I would employ a 1-4 optic, and if (for me) it would offer advantages over fixed 3-4x optics (ACOG line), 1x optics with 3x magnifiers (Aimpoints & EoTechs), ACOGs with piggybacked MRDs, and ACOGs with offset MRDs.

I found that while the optic was lacking, the concept provided me an advantage over all of them (except for higher magnification variables with offset MRDs, but the weight penalty was detrimental to my employment).

IMO, the best 1-4 is the ShortDot, and I was extremely close to purchasing one (I was also pondering the Swaro 1-6) as the 1-8s were revealed, which changed my priorities. The only other optic that I consider to be close to the SD is the Swarovski 1-6, but while the new BDC reticle is working well for other shooters (especially in 3-gun), I really prefer a mildot with hearty posts.

So, I slammed my $$$ down for a 1-8 (the wait for delivery continues), and also picked up one of the SWFA 1-4s with the “T” reticle. For 1k with a Bobro mount, the SWFA is imprssive. No, it isn’t a S&B or Swarovski, but it is damn impressive. There are plenty of reviews of the thing on the net, so I am not going to get into detail, but I am pretty happy with the thing considering that I was expecting to be disappointed and stick it on a loaner/back-up gun.

I have not used the SWFA enough or over a long enough time to endorse it, but it has a lot going for it.
I definately prefer it over the Accupoint line, but mostly simply due to reticle options.

Did you consider NF in your equation at a similar price point? I have had great success with them and would love to hear your thoughts. I find them to be an excellent value (especially lightly used) for a high quality, rugged optic that has been thoroughly tested.

Thoughts?

[ra2bach]

this is the one I’m looking forward to coming out later this summer.
it is a 1-4x24 with a MOA reticle in the SFP.

it is essentially the same as the PST but without the exposed turrets. it does have low turrets with 24 MOA of adjustment under the cap which makes sense to me for a rifle carried on a sling.

http://swfa.com/Vortex-1-4x24-Viper-HS-30mm-Rifle-Scope-P48290.aspx

[shootist1]

@ra2bach

this is the one I’m looking forward to coming out later this summer.
it is a 1-4x24 with a MOA reticle in the SFP.

it is essentially the same as the PST but without the exposed turrets. it does have low turrets with 24 MOA of adjustment under the cap which makes sense to me for a rifle carried on a sling.

I think you meant 24 MOA per full turn on the turret. 90 MOA is listed as the max adjustment.

http://www.vortexoptics.com/product/vortex-viper-hs-1-4x24-riflescope-with-illuminated-tmcq-moa-reticle

I use my 1-4 PST anytime 1x is likely to be the default setting and will shoot it in our CQB 3-Gun tomorrow. And it works for longer range use at 4x, of course. I’m still considering the HS (covered turret) version for a FAL.

Would love to see the SWFA 1-4 HD to compare, but none have shown up in my area so far. I’m happy to wait and see how they hold up under hard use for now.

[Belmont31R]

@bp7178

Which tells me S&B specs, that you get from their website, reflect the actual measured output, not a calculated one.

By the math, a 24mm lens at 1.1-4x would be 21.8mm-6mm. But S&B lists it at something like 14mm-6mm.

SWFA lists the 1-8x S&B at the 22mm-3mm, which follows the math, but does not follow what S&B is listing.

No it doesn’t matter what brand, and I didn’t look up SB’s specs. Actually Nikon has a nice write up with illustrations how to figure the exit pupil. It doesn’t matter what brand the optic is the exit pupil is calculated the same way.

And there is a lot of rounding of numbers when it comes to optics. An optic might be listed as having a 40MM objective but it might really be 38.8 or some such.

If you go to the nikon website, and look at their explanation it will also tell you the maximum a human eye can expand is around 7MM so anything more than that is wasted light. The older you get the less your eye will open up. The issue with a 8X top end and ~24MM front lens is at 8X the exit pupil of the optic is less than what your eye can open up so in dark lighting the image you see through the scope will actually be darker than what you see with the naked eye. During the day its not so much an issue because your eye constricts, and only lets in around 3-4MM of light anyways.

[Failure2Stop]

@d90king

Did you consider NF in your equation at a similar price point? I have had great success with them and would love to hear your thoughts. I find them to be an excellent value (especially lightly used) for a high quality, rugged optic that has been thoroughly tested.

Thoughts?

I am not a fan of the 1-4 NF.
I do like their 2.5-10.
There are good comparisons in the “1-4 Optics Options” stickied at the top of the Optics Sub-forum.

[ra2bach]

@shootist1

I think you meant 24 MOA per full turn on the turret. 90 MOA is listed as the max adjustment.

http://www.vortexoptics.com/product/vortex-viper-hs-1-4x24-riflescope-with-illuminated-tmcq-moa-reticle

I use my 1-4 PST anytime 1x is likely to be the default setting and will shoot it in our CQB 3-Gun tomorrow. And it works for longer range use at 4x, of course. I’m still considering the HS (covered turret) version for a FAL.

Would love to see the SWFA 1-4 HD to compare, but none have shown up in my area so far. I’m happy to wait and see how they hold up under hard use for now.

you’re right, I did mean 24MOA pre revolution, 90 MOA total. my bad…