new M223 first impressions & Qs

Tactical Gear Optics & Mounts
1

so I’m a newbie with scopes, so please forgive me if I sound “special” :slight_smile:

I just received my new Nikon M223 1-4x 20 today and off the bat it seems built rugged and nicely.

In looking through the scope at objects near and far, i noticed 2 things i’m wondering about:

  1. at the 1x setting, the scope still seems to be magnified. Wouldn’t 1x mean that the viewing would be 1 to 1, with no magnification? The scope says 1-4x on it.

  2. The reticle seems a bit blurry. I did notice when i adjusted eye relief a little bit, it would improve, but not crystal sharp and clear. Is this normal?

Any help much appreciated!

2

I don’t have one, but here’s a start.

  1. It’s not a true 1x scope

  2. Might just need to twist the back ring to tune it in, not sure though.

3

anyone know how to find out exactly what magnification it is at the 1x mark? it seems like maybe 1.6 or so…

4

Unless some new tech has emerged its impossible to get a 1.0X through an optic that has magnified lenses in it. They can play with things to get it very close but its never going to be exactly like an Aimpoint or EOTech which are 1.0X.

For instance on the new SB 1-8X it as a CC mode that adjusts the parallax down to CQB distances which improves the focus at short ranges.

An easy way to tell is to see if you can use your irons through the optic. You won’t be able to. The Short-Dot CC mode helps but I doubt you would be able to use the irons through the scope.

Its a bit of a marketing “lie” (or whatever you want to call it) to say a variable power optic has a real 1.0X bottom end. Its just not possible especially since most variables have a fixed parallax setting of 100 yards.

As to the reticle being blurry you need to set it on 4X, go outside, and aim it up at the sky. Set the focus while doing this. Don’t set it by looking at a target.

5

you see, thats why i’m on this forum, quality info and helpful people. thanks guys…

6

So another scope question. I focused the reticle at the sky and it got nice and clear. However, it seems as tho when I then focus on a subject at a far distance, like a tree, the reticle goes blurry. Does a scope act like a human eye using iron sights, where if u focus on the subject, the reticle gets blurry, and vice versa? Is there a proper way to hold on target?

7

It isn’t really a Lie. 1X is 1X but as has been stated that still has to go through the lenses. I think of Aimpoints and other optics like them as 0x.

8

Is your vision 20/20 uncorrected? If not, you may need to set the scope for 4x then observe a distant target (100yds+) while adjusting the focus until both reticle & target are sharp & clear.
HTH…
Tomac

9

The nikon 1-4x’s are about as close to 1x as I’ve seen.

Keep both eyes open when using the scope on 1x, and mount it far enough forward to get proper eye relief, otherwise you’re going to drive yourself nuts.

Adjust the focus using the knob at the end of the scope.

10

E., A lot of great suggestions here and other then using the Quick Focus Eyepiece for your correction I can’t think of anymore suggestions then the guys have already provided. I know my eyes focus differently today then they did 30 years ago. Also note that the internal Parallax on that particular scope is set to 100 yards.
I hope this helps?
Bart
Nikon Pro Staff