EVOL EVOL gets a scope upgrade

[Bladebum]

I have been running an optisan cp 10x32 on my EVOL since I've had the gun, and while I love that scope there are times where I'm wanting a bit "more" .

Wanting to stay with the theme of the EVOL, that being light and compact, I put off getting a bigger scope with more features for quite some time. But when Element came out with the helix 4-16×44 in 30mm tube at 23 ounces, with the ability to magnify and dial i knew that'd be a great fit. The EVOL shooting slugs is capable WELL past 100 yards and it only makes sense to take full advantage of that.

I have to say, the features and packaging of the element are first class, in any price range. The manual is highly descriptive and not a bunch of generic safety b.s. Also comes with all the doodads being lens caps , tools for setup, lens rag and sunshade. I paired the scope with a set of UTG US made pro rings and I think they're a great fit for this setup.

 

[Madeintheuk]

Very nice. I’ll be swapping scopes on my mini soon. It currently has the veyron 4-16, but it deserves better glass. I recently picked up an Arken epl4 in 4-16 and it’s also as light as the helix, but has an illuminated reticle too. Most don’t use it, but I do a lot of woods walking, and it can be a dark backdrop. The IR helps me keep the reticle in view at all times.

Looking forward to your reeview of the helix on that powerhouse!!

 

[Dairyboy]

I'm debating throwing my EPL4 4-16x44 on my Mini also. Has my 4-20x50 Athlon Helos BTR Gen2 on it right now. The EPL4 is not being used and I do really like it. Not sure it's worth the little bit smaller size though as I'm very dialed in with my scope as it is.

 

[Bladebum]

Very nice. I’ll be swapping scopes on my mini soon. It currently has the veyron 4-16, but it deserves better glass. I recently picked up an Arken epl4 in 4-16 and it’s also as light as the helix, but has an illuminated reticle too. Most don’t use it, but I do a lot of woods walking, and it can be a dark backdrop. The IR helps me keep the reticle in view at all times.

Looking forward to your reeview of the helix on that powerhouse!!

Those veyrons are pretty decent scopes for the money, but like you said these guns just deserve high quality glass. I can see IR being useful, especially on these ffp scopes when you turn the power down and have a dark backdrop. On this particular setup I wasn't too worried as my shots are rarely close enough to warrant less than 8-10 power where the reticle is nice and big still. Can't wait to dial up on some critters!

 

[Bladebum]

I'm debating throwing my EPL4 4-16x44 on my Mini also. Has my 4-20x50 Athlon Helos BTR Gen2 on it right now. The EPL4 is not being used and I do really like it. Not sure it's worth the little bit smaller size though as I'm very dialed in with my scope as it is.

I debated for some time on switching setups too, when you have something that works its hard to want to mess with it. Ultimately for myself, I am constantly taking shots at or beyond 100 yards at dairies and while I was able to make the compact 10x work well, it does get tricky to estimate wind hold and hold elevation at same time. Being able to dial elevation and use my horizontal reticle for precise wind holds was something I ended up deciding to switch up for.

 

[Madeintheuk]

The final straw for me actually was last night. I went outside to hear 3-4 squirrels in my black walnut trees. I grabbed the mini, but the veyron light gathering isn’t that great, and I wasn’t able to see any of them. That’s when I knew it was time for something better.

 

[CTAirgunner]

I had a helix on the mini, I think for the money its a great scope, light weight, long tube design, youll enjoy it!

 

[EDventure Outdoors]

View attachment 1508

@Bladebum - What bipod is that?

 

[Madeintheuk]

@Bladebum - What bipod is that?

That’s a magpul bipod. They’re made of polymer, and super light, but you do need to load them for a steady shot. They're actually designed that way.

 

[Pumacarl]

I got a good chuckle reading this thread because everyone, myself included, comes to the point where they realize their Evol deserves a better scope. With all the options out there you'd think it be easy to decide, but there is always a trade-off.

 

[Bladebum]

I got a good chuckle reading this thread because everyone, myself included, comes to the point where they realize their Evol deserves a better scope. With all the options out there you'd think it be easy to decide, but there is always a trade-off.

There are quite a few great options out there now.. The optisan i had on there is good quality, but featureless and didnt allow me to tap into the true potential of the Evol. The hard part for me was going away from how light and compact it was. Being a lightweight carbine was one of the main features about the Evol that drew me too it. The helix is full length, but only 23 ounces which is just a bit heavier and made it a good fit.

 

[pan60]

i like the look of the color of the stock and grip on that gun.
something i have been thinking about for mine later down the road.

 

[Yoda_1794]

I got a good chuckle reading this thread because everyone, myself included, comes to the point where they realize their Evol deserves a better scope. With all the options out there you'd think it be easy to decide, but there is always a trade-off.

I wish Id never read this. Now Im questioning my Vector Veyron. The reticle disappears under 15 yds. Not that I shoot that range frequently but I have ran into a mice or two at that range and basically had to eyeball it. Having iron sights would have been nice at those moments.

 

[Farmplinker2]

The final straw for me actually was last night. I went outside to hear 3-4 squirrels in my black walnut trees. I grabbed the mini, but the veyron light gathering isn’t that great, and I wasn’t able to see any of them. That’s when I knew it was time for something better.

Or it's time to mount a light. Did that on a Crosman M4-177 I used for starlings inside our barns.

 

[Madeintheuk]

Or it's time to mount a light. Did that on a Crosman M4-177 I used for starlings inside our barns.

It was bright enough a light wouldn't have helped, but the light gathering abilities of the scope just weren’t good enough to see.

 

[pan60]

The final straw for me actually was last night. I went outside to hear 3-4 squirrels in my black walnut trees. I grabbed the mini, but the veyron light gathering isn’t that great, and I wasn’t able to see any of them. That’s when I knew it was time for something better.

i was out today trying to deal with squirrels in some of the pecan trees. drilled one but it was overcast and raining i was having a tough go seeing and getting focused so i gave it up.
i have a hawke but i am not feling the love for it so far.
the Athlon on the wifes BRK is a much clearer scope. iam thinking. i will have to upgrade or trade?
LOL probably upgrade

 

[Airgun-hobbyist]

i was out today trying to deal with squirrels in some of the pecan trees. drilled one but it was overcast and raining i was having a tough go seeing and getting focused so i gave it up.
i have a hawke but i am not feling the love for it so far.
the Athlon on the wifes BRK is a much clearer scope. iam thinking. i will have to upgrade or trade?
LOL probably upgrade

The amount of light that is transmitted to the eye is determined by the size of the objective lens. So, the bigger the objective lense, the more light that is able to be transmitted. Here's an excellent article about the subject, not being manufacturer specific but telling it like it is. See the light! - Light Transmission - Nightforce Optics

This Trijicon Credo HX 2.5-10x56 SFP comes up as one of the best and most liked hunting scopes for light gathering. I like the Precision Hunter reticle with it's marked hashes and minimalistic wind hold dots. The green reticle is sufficiently on sale at EuroOptic. Trijicon Credo HX 2.5-10x56 SFP w/ Green MOA Precision Hunter, 30mm, Satin Black Riflescope 2900028

 

[Madeintheuk]

The amount of light that is transmitted to the eye is determined by the size of the objective lens. So, the bigger the objective lense, the more light that is able to be transmitted. Here's an excellent article about the subject, not being manufacturer specific but telling it like it is. See the light! - Light Transmission - Nightforce Optics

This Trijicon Credo HX 2.5-10x56 SFP comes up as one of the best and most liked hunting scopes for light gathering. I like the Precision Hunter reticle with it's marked hashes and minimalistic wind hold dots. The green reticle is sufficiently on sale at EuroOptic. Trijicon Credo HX 2.5-10x56 SFP w/ Green MOA Precision Hunter, 30mm, Satin Black Riflescope 2900028

Not entirely accurate. The glass quality plays a huge role in this too. My athlon helos 2-12 had better light transmission than my Ceylon with similar objectives. There’s a reason the veryron is cheap. Its a lot of scope for the money, but its not mid tier or higher glass.

 

[Ezana4CE]

@Bladebum Let us know what you think of the Arken. I’ve read some good things about a few of their scopes. I’ve ran a couple of Bushnell scopes on my Evol. The glass on the Nitro is good enough for me even though it’s a SFP, the IQ is pretty decent to me out to 100 yards. At times I may throw a FFP Bushnell Engage on there.

I wish Id never read this. Now Im questioning my Vector Veyron. The reticle disappears under 15 yds. Not that I shoot that range frequently but I have ran into a mice or two at that range and basically had to eyeball it. Having iron sights would have been nice at those moments.

@Yoda_1794 The reticle disappears under 15 yards on the parallax knob? That sounds strange. Which Veyron do you have?

 

[Bladebum]

@Bladebum Let us know what you think of the Arken.

I think it was @Madeintheuk that picked up an Arken, I have the Element helix 4-16x44 ffp and I absolutely love it. It is bright, clear and tracks flawlessly.