Others Fixed vs variable scope

[Sydney Monk]

I know the difference between fixed and variable power scopes but what are the pro’s and con’s of each?
I would be using it for target shooting, less than 50 yards, and plinking.

 

[Florida_Man]

It depends on how exact you want to shoot with target shooting. I use a Sightron 36x and 24x fixed for target work from 20-30 yards. My 10x fixed Vector has a little bit too heavy of a crosshairs for the targets I shoot.
I do like the 10x for plinking and Pest control.

This is the target I shoot at 30 yards just for an idea of the small bulls I’m shooting at. I prefer the small dot at the center of my Sightrons.

What magnification are you looking at?

 

[Sydney Monk]

It depends on how exact you want to shoot with target shooting. I use a Sightron 36x and 24x fixed for target work from 20-30 yards. My 10x fixed Vector has a little bit too heavy of a crosshairs for the targets I shoot.
I do like the 10x for plinking and Pest control.

Thanks for reply. Appreciate it

 

[Pumacarl]

I love fix power scopes. The big pro is the fewer parts you have, the less that can potentially go wrong, the lighter it will be, and it will be optimized for its power, and has the potential to be brighter at its power than a variable at the same power. You get use to one sight picture and you never have to worry about it being at the wrong power when you pick it up. You know what you are going to get. They should be less money, but because of economies of scale, they rarely are that much cheaper. The con is, it's a fixed power, choose wisely.

A variable scope has no cons that you can't spend the money on to make go away. With that said, there's the con, quality/complexity costs more to make.

Since you are airgunning at under 50 yards at small targets a fixed 10x could work for you all around but if you're strictly target shooting you might want to jump up in power.

 

[Sydney Monk]

I love fix power scopes. The big pro is the fewer parts you have, the less that can potentially go wrong, the lighter it will be, and it will be optimized for its power, and has the potential to be brighter at its power than a variable at the same power. You get use to one sight picture and you never have to worry about it being at the wrong power when you pick it up. You know what you are going to get. They should be less money, but because of economies of scale, they rarely are that much cheaper. The con is, it's a fixed power, choose wisely.

A variable scope has no cons that you can't spend the money on to make go away. With that said, there's the con, quality/complexity costs more to make.

Since you are airgunning at under 50 yards at small targets a fixed 10x could work for you all around but if you're strictly target shooting you might want to jump up in power.

Thanks for the input.

 

[Hateful McNasty]

Problem today is not much out there .. just about none at all over run of the mill 4x .. I shoot 6 or 8 x for 50- 100 yards .

A straight 8 or 10 in something air gun / springer rated and AO milfot would be sweet...

Discovery had a decent choice at one time and then they disappeared. You can still buy china amazon and find them .

Discovery Optics VT-2 8x44

There's a 8 and a 10 model..

 

[Hateful McNasty]

This ones still gettable to try on the cheap ($111)

https://www.opticsplanet.com/vector-optics-marksman-10x44mm-rifle-scope.html


Marksman 10x44 SFP Riflescope-Rifle Scope & Red Dot Sight Manufacturer- Vector Optics

There's a compact one as well

Veyron 10x44 SFP Compact Riflescope-Rifle Scope & Red Dot Sight Manufacturer- Vector Optics

Ultra Short Compact Riflescope, Only 245mm 9.7in, 4in Long Eye Relief, Turret Lock System, w/ Honeycomb Sunshade, Flip Up Caps & Scope Rings. For Compact Air Guns and Light Weight Firearms.

www.vectoroptics.com

 

[Pumacarl]

I love my Vector Marksman 10x, and use it on my mrod. Great reticle.

SWFA scopes 12x, 10x, 6x, are good to go too and can take abuse from anything. These scopes come Mil or MOA and you can trust the tracking on the turrets. I do have the 16x too but I am not a fan for anything but target shooting, tricky eyebox.

 

[Hateful McNasty]

I love my Vector Marksman 10x, and use it on my mrod. Great reticle.

SWFA scopes 12x, 10x, 6x, are good to go too and can take abuse from anything. These scopes come Mil or MOA and you can trust the tracking on the turrets. I do have the 16x too but I am not a fan for anything but target shooting, tricky eyebox.

I guess pcp is fine but can't find anything on holding up on springers .. like I said that ao straight 10 power I'd like , but .....lol

 

[Sydney Monk]

Problem today is not much out there .. just about none at all over run of the mill 4x .. I shoot 6 or 8 x for 50- 100 yards .

A straight 8 or 10 in something air gun / springer rated and AO milfot would be sweet...

Discovery had a decent choice at one time and then they disappeared. You can still buy china amazon and find them .

Discovery Optics VT-2 8x44

There's a 8 and a 10 model..

Thanks for info

 

[Pumacarl]

I guess pcp is fine but can't find anything on holding up on springers .. like I said that ao straight 10 power I'd like , but .....lol

I have only ever heard of one SWFA breaking on a springer and it was because of over torqued rings. Besides, if a springer were to break one, SWFA would replace it. They are a springer rated scope. It is where most Diana 350 users end up. They are not the greatest, optically, these days, but the SWFA SS line is still considered the cheapest scope that you can get that will hold up, and the tracking will work. They go on sale a couple of times a year and you can get them for as little as $220 sometimes, can't wait, $300, still a deal.

 

[Sydney Monk]

I have only ever heard of one SWFA breaking on a springer and it was because of over torqued rings. Besides, if a springer were to break one, SWFA would replace it. They are a springer rated scope. It is where most Diana 350 users end up. They are not the greatest, optically, these days, but the SWFA SS line is still considered the cheapest scope that you can get that will hold up, and the tracking will work. They go on sale a couple of times a year and you can get them for as little as $220 sometimes, can't wait, $300, still a deal.

Thanks

 

[Hateful McNasty]

I have only ever heard of one SWFA breaking on a springer and it was because of over torqued rings. Besides, if a springer were to break one, SWFA would replace it. They are a springer rated scope. It is where most Diana 350 users end up. They are not the greatest, optically, these days, but the SWFA SS line is still considered the cheapest scope that you can get that will hold up, and the tracking will work. They go on sale a couple of times a year and you can get them for as little as $220 sometimes, can't wait, $300, still a deal.

Sounds good .. I sticking with athlon .. I hammered them from gamo to hw .. sadly they don't offer a fixed power .. then there's not many that do .. well right now them and that vector bunch ..

Just funny as many ask or would like a higher power then 4 nobody seems to want to do it. How much harder is it to make a 6-8 or 10 x if your offering the 4x?

If you watch that can go on sale for like 140$ for the 3x12 mildot ( what I use)

No questions asked lifetime

Amazon.com

But ya, just seems there would be more fixed power ones around outside of low run of the mill x4 ..lol

 

[Pumacarl]

I really think that nobody wants to try to compete with the SWFA SS scopes. There business model is to keep prices low, by no marketing or fluff or middlemen. The money goes into a tough scope. Go to Snipers Hide ( a great resource) and read about what they think of them. If Athlon doesn't want to make a fixed power line up, go elsewhere.

 

[Hateful McNasty]

I really think that nobody wants to try to compete with the SWFA SS scopes. There business model is to keep prices low, by no marketing or fluff or middlemen. The money goes into a tough scope. Go to Snipers Hide ( a great resource) and read about what they think of them. If Athlon doesn't want to make a fixed power line up, go elsewhere.

I don't see that as low .. lol
then what is anymore today..

I just put the variable on whatever power anyway and leave it there .. then I shoot irons most then scoped

 

[Pumacarl]

I don't see that as low .. lol
then what is anymore today..

I get what you're saying, but when you consider that real operators trust a scope that can sell for as little as $220, compared to the typical $2K military scope they use, then it is very low priced indeed. I would be willing to bet no Athlon is as tough for the same money.

 

[Hateful McNasty]

I get what you're saying, but when you consider that real operators trust a scope that can sell for as little as $220, compared to the typical $2K military scope they use, then it is very low priced indeed. I would be willing to bet no Athlon is as tough for the same money.

Ones I got been rock solid . I'm not in combat just strong on my springers and a solid warrantee if ever needed. You don't need a sales ticket or nothing with athlon only question asked is your return address... I bought a used display Talos that the turret was "loose" from folks twisting on then in the store and sent it in and got it back fully working like new in less then 2 weeks .. shipping to them and back in my hands .. that's service ...

 

[Pumacarl]

My brother was looking for a scope for his Avenger, and like you, he didn't want to spend more than half the price of the gun on a scope. I put him onto the Talos 3-12 mildot, so I know that scope. Optically it is better than the Veyron. I like Athlon quite a bit. My next scope is going to be a Athlon Helos BTR G2 2-12x mil, but for the buck to toughness scale I don't see anybody touching SWFA and their warranty is just as good.

SWFA SS 4-LIFE WARRANTY
Never Expires
Transferable, No Receipt Required
If We Cannot Repair It, We Will Replace It
No Questions Asked

​

 

[Farmplinker2]

I know the difference between fixed and variable power scopes but what are the pro’s and con’s of each?
I would be using it for target shooting, less than 50 yards, and plinking.

What's your target work consist of? 10 meter, just using an optic? Benchrest at 25 meters? And what are you shooting? PCP, CO2, pumper, or springer?

 

[Hateful McNasty]

My brother was looking for a scope for his Avenger, and like you, he didn't want to spend more than half the price of the gun on a scope. I put him onto the Talos 3-12 mildot, so I know that scope. Optically it is better than the Veyron. I like Athlon quite a bit. My next scope is going to be a Athlon Helos BTR G2 2-12x mil, but for the buck to toughness scale I don't see anybody touching SWFA and their warranty is just as good.

SWFA SS 4-LIFE WARRANTY
Never Expires
Transferable, No Receipt Required
If We Cannot Repair It, We Will Replace It
No Questions Asked

​

Ya, not bad at all..

I figure at same pricing points why buy a brand that don't offer that or some chinzy 1 or 3 year ? Even athlons budget neos at $120 hold the lifetime .. especially knowing they stand behind it being I tried it out and fully satisfied...

Just makes it kinda silly to buy a scope that can't do it ...lol