Well the scope arrived today and I’m impressed in more ways than one.
First off, it wasn’t estimated to arrive until Friday, and came today, 2 days early. Also, the scope was advertised as new, open box, store display. The scope I received was indeed new, but still sealed in the plastic from factory. Top that off with the price I paid tax and all being about $660 less than MSRP, couldn’t have asked for a better buying experience.
As far as the scope goes, I am very impressed with it as well. The true 1X is awesome for two eyes open, fast target acquisition, and staying with it while moving. I’ve had a VX3 that was 1.5-5, and there’s a noticeable difference between 1X and 1.5X. The reticle is not as busy as I thought it may be. The numbers aren’t that big, even on 6X, and it felt like my eye was drawn to the horseshoe dot in the center, even with the illumination off.
It was about 20 minutes after official sunset time when I got home so I took it outside before I even put the battery in it. It’s been crappy weather here so it was overcast with fading light. Crystal clear image all through the power range and gathered light very well. I had let my bloodhound out and she was running through the field so I was able to hold on her and test tracking a similar size target. Eye relief is generous, the zoom adjustment is very smooth, and the removable extended knob on the power ring isn’t too large. I’m not sure if I’ll leave it on or remove it but initial thought is I kind of like it.
The CDS elevation knob, I don’t know that I would call the adjustments mushy, but it’s definitely not as distinct in feel and audibly as the capped windage knob. I do like the zero lock feature, but feel the spring that locks the button out when in position zero could be more firm. If the elevation knob adjustments and the spring return of the button at position zero were as distinct as the windage knob adjustments, I don’t think you could really complain about anything. I’ve always been a set it and leave it guy, so this will probably be a moot point for me.
It came with some factory plastic flip lens caps that slide on over the ends, similar to like a Butler Creek style. I haven’t opened them out of the plastic yet to know if they’re decent or not. I did put the battery in it, turned it on and off a time or two and it clearly lit, wasn’t blurry or distorted, and has I think 6 different intensity levels. I need to read up on it some more, it has a feature to where it either turns off or fades out the reticle if canted past so many degrees off level, but you can disable it.
I have ordered a mount, but it’s not arrived yet so I haven’t actually had it in a rifle. Initial thoughts from just handling it and looking through it outside just before dark and inside the house in artificial light, I’m very impressed. I can see it being a great scope for calling predators or in other situations where the action can be fast, up close, in low light, etc. I think true 1X low power yet having the ability to go up to 6X or some other similar range to this setup is going to make for a great multi purpose setup, especially on an AR.
I think it was DAA or maybe someone else that mentioned in another thread recently that a setup similar to this could almost replace having to take a rifle and a shotgun on some stands. I can definitely see that logic being true.