shadowman Posted December 26, 2004 Report Share Posted December 26, 2004 I am sure you all know i pretty new to all this so now that i have my gun, i need a decent (semidecent) scope but i dont want to be spending a bomb, i have been looking at the Hawke NiteEye 3 x 12 x 50 IL milldot PX adjustable (£150ish retail, can get for £110 i think, Also been looking at the Varmint II, What do you guys recommend for me, Ill be using at night alot, got a tracer lamp to fit on 2 whatever i get if that makes a diff?. Cheers again. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oddbob Posted December 26, 2004 Report Share Posted December 26, 2004 Don't know about the Varmint II, I bought one of the first ones (Tasco Varmint) and the first one had to be replaced under warranty, the second has now developed the same fault and I only use it on my C02 rifle now, it started rattling for no reason, and then the zero went off, as if a spring had snapped. I don't know if anyone else has had that problem, that is just my experience with the 2.5-10x42. I have no dealings with the Hawke scope though, perhaps someone else can comment. As far as I know, both models you are considering have a lifetime guarantee so if they do suffer a fault you know it will be sorted. But my experience with optics at the lower end of the price range is that very few are a long term investments, but don't let that put you are off, they will do the job. Both models you are looking at have all the bells and whistles, and you will not be disappointed. You are better off buying at this level, as your experience grows you will find features you like and those you don't or even those you don't need. That's when you go out and spend a months wages on something to last a life time Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aled_cky Posted December 27, 2004 Report Share Posted December 27, 2004 i did a big search into the Nite-Eye series a few months ago as i've thought about the biggest 1(6 i think). i myself would by the Nite-Eye and as oddbob says i've also heard that Varmint scopes have been abit dissapointing with various faults. Aled Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PTaylor2k4 Posted December 27, 2004 Report Share Posted December 27, 2004 i had a varmint and i didnt realy use most of the stuff, px stayed at 30 - 50 and i didnt use the mil dots so now im getting a simmons 8 point 3-9x40, does the job and looks good if you need the ir and mil dots go for it but to pay for it at a cheap price the other parts of the scope might not be as good Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Shootist Posted December 27, 2004 Report Share Posted December 27, 2004 Under £100 Hawke Reflex 3-10x44 around £70 nothing else compares under £100 for a no frills solid scope and good optics, mil dot. Under £200 Bushnell Legend 5-15x40 UK price £200 imported about £160. Top notch all round AO scope. Very clear optics, mil dot. Just my twuppence worth.... Tony Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shadowman Posted December 27, 2004 Author Report Share Posted December 27, 2004 the bushie was another one of my options but i think i do need a 50mm lense not a 40. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hammergun Posted December 27, 2004 Report Share Posted December 27, 2004 For an air rifle, field of view is more important than high magnification. You need to be able to find your target quickly, but you don't need a higher magnification than what the gun is accurate to. It's a waste of money putting an expensive scope designed for a centrefire rifle onto an air rifle. On the other hand, don't buy a cheap scope for an expensive air rifle. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shadowman Posted December 27, 2004 Author Report Share Posted December 27, 2004 i have a theoben rapid 7 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Shootist Posted December 27, 2004 Report Share Posted December 27, 2004 Bushnell Legend 5-15x40 is a lot brighter than many 50 mm scopes under 200 so take a look through one before you discount it. You'll be surprised. Regards Tony Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bennyblanco Posted December 27, 2004 Report Share Posted December 27, 2004 imo the bushnell banner 4-12x40 is pretty unbeatable for under £100, opticswarehouse.com do them for £89 with butler creeks also if you go on airgunbbs.com there is someone selling various simmons aetecs for between £110 and £150, these are £250 scopes and amzing value at this price. i would recomend trying mildots before buying a scope as some do not find them that usefull, i would also say that again imo hawke scopes are a bit cheap and nasty although they do back them with a nice guaranty Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
clanchief Posted December 27, 2004 Report Share Posted December 27, 2004 I have a few scopes but the main ones for use at night on my Fac rapid or a rimmy are Simmons 3-9x50 ( 8 point )set at about six and left well alone as too much extras on the scopes for night use leads to fiddling in the dark and missed shots. I do use a simmons diamond mag 44 which has 6.5-20 x 44 AO and it doesnt do any better than the 8 point even though it costs more than double. Try a few before you commit to buy but dont get sold on fiddly bits for shooting at night with. Cz 452 with a few modifications wearing a Simmons 3-9x 50 clanchief Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Atom Posted December 27, 2004 Report Share Posted December 27, 2004 I got a pair of simmons Whitetail Classics 3x9x40. Used to use hawke scopes but since this simmons i would never go back, hawke dont seen to be anywhere near as good quality, seemed to me0 like you just getting high specs but poor quality. my scopes cost me around £140 and are of superb quality. I have the 3-9x50 on my 22 rimfire. i wouldnt buy another scope now. If you can scrape that together i would deffo recomend these, extremly bright at night also. you wont bve dissapointed Nick Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1 of 5 Posted December 28, 2004 Report Share Posted December 28, 2004 Under £100 Hawke Reflex 3-10x44 around £70 nothing else compares under £100 for a no frills solid scope and good optics, mil dot. Under £200 Bushnell Legend 5-15x40 UK price £200 imported about £160. Top notch all round AO scope. Very clear optics, mil dot. Just my twuppence worth.... Tony Almost agreed but I'd add the AGS 3-9x40 in the sub £100 section too as a quality scope for the price. The Bushnell is all the scope a hunter will ever need and as has been said it's far brighter than many 50mm ones. If you believe you need a 50mm scope it's because you're looking through bad ones. If you're feeling rich then a Meopta Artemis will take on the likes of Zeiss and Swarovski at a fraction of their price. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Devilishdave Posted December 28, 2004 Report Share Posted December 28, 2004 one way to check build quality of a scope is to look in from the Objective Glass end. Don't attempt to llok threw the sight but look inside the body and see how well it is machined if there is a load of rough machine marks you know it is poor quality ****. Poor quality **** in the right hands is still better than top of the range in the hands of a novice Dont beleive an expensive scope will turn you in to a sniper!! Dave Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shadowman Posted December 30, 2004 Author Report Share Posted December 30, 2004 Bushnell Legend 5-15x40 is a lot brighter than many 50 mm scopes under 200 so take a look through one before you discount it. You'll be surprised And where might i be able to find one of these buddy, a cudny find one anywhere. Any other info would be great. Cheers Everyone regards Martin Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Shootist Posted December 30, 2004 Report Share Posted December 30, 2004 And where might i be able to find one of these buddy, a cudny find one anywhere. Any other info would be great. Daystate stock them @200 or import one yourself from a US dealer for around £150~160 inc duties and shipping. Tony Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shadowman Posted December 30, 2004 Author Report Share Posted December 30, 2004 Cheers tony, Do you know anywebsites of an american dealer which stock these scopes Or would you recommend something diff but along the same line. what about the elite? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1 of 5 Posted December 30, 2004 Report Share Posted December 30, 2004 http://209.35.233.21/miva/merchant.mv DnR are one of the few USA retailers who will ship to the UK. They are also one of the cheapest. The Elite is slightly better than the Legend. Both scopes have the advantage of "waterproof" lenses with their coatings. If you've used other scopes in the rain and then try the Legend/Elite you're in for a nice surprise. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shadowman Posted December 31, 2004 Author Report Share Posted December 31, 2004 busshie legend or elite ?? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shadowman Posted December 31, 2004 Author Report Share Posted December 31, 2004 ok guys, i think i am gonna get a bussnell, am looking at the Elite. but i dont know if the 3200 or 4200 (what ever it is) can anyone tell me what the diff is Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1 of 5 Posted December 31, 2004 Report Share Posted December 31, 2004 They are identical in terms of build quality but the 3200 has a mag range of 3x (4-12 / 5-15 etc) and the 4200 has a mag range of 4x (3-12 / 6-24 etc). The Elite really is a tough scope to beat for the money (USA prices). Only the likes of Zeiss and Swarovski etc are noticeably better but at a huge price differential. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
napier Posted January 6, 2005 Report Share Posted January 6, 2005 find a good scope and make it last!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pigeon master Posted January 7, 2005 Report Share Posted January 7, 2005 I've not long had the Bushnell Elite 3200 and although its not attached to a rifle yet its a very high quality scope with super optics. Looking forward to looking at some live quarry when mounted to the new sako. Bought in from USA at £100, very good value over there and a rip off over hear as normal. The PM Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gemini Posted January 8, 2005 Report Share Posted January 8, 2005 Not wishing to start a p*$$ing contest, but there is so much nonsense talked about scopes. I have a Simmons 3-9X50 on my .22rf Sako and a 3-9X50 Weaver Classic on my .243Tikka. Neither of these scopes are the top of the range, although the Weaver is bloody good at @ £250. The thing is that on a .22 rf the optics on the Simmons is more than adequate for dawn and dusk. So anyone using an air rifle would be more than happy with this type of scope for rabbiting. Field Target is another game altogether, so there the choice is endless. I have spoken to shooters who have almost £1,000 worth of scope on their rifle and who swear that they need it, but in practice the only thing that I can see is a very expensive scope with a “Name” on it. My Weaver is certainly as good as I want in low light conditions. When you go to look at a scope, wind the power up to the highest magnification and see how good the sight picture is over a short distance. Good scopes will give a good picture whilst poor scopes will look as though you are looking through mist. G.M. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
donkeymagic Posted January 9, 2005 Report Share Posted January 9, 2005 Bushnell Legend 5-15x40 mill dot. Superb, mag me be a little powerfull for lamping though. £150 imported from the USA If you lamp alot then id go for a Simmons AETEC 2.8-10x44 wil illuminated rec. Shop around and you will find it for £100 ish from the states Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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