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Post by sw on Apr 12, 2009 14:30:44 GMT -5
I believe there is a need/market for a truly hi quality x-bow scope. I have not tried the Hawke scope but have seen/used the others and have found them wanting. The quality of glass and # of range marks both could be improved IMO. My best available answer so far has been the Sightron 2 3X12 42mm MD scope. I think that if Bowteck came out with a quality 4X scope with 9 lines labeled 30,40..110, with side lines for 10 mph x-wind for the 385'/405'/sec bolts, they would have a winner. In the meantime, a good MD scope is the best I can think of. Possibly, a custom reticle could be put on a good scope(like a WCE 50 mm 2.5X10).
Just some thoughts.
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Post by dougedwards on Apr 12, 2009 18:28:05 GMT -5
I use a Burris Fast Fire reflex sight with no magnification on my Excalibur Exomax only because I like to keep things as simple and as close to a compound bow as possible. Being an old bowhunter from way back I am just now beginning to get over the guilt of choosing a crossbow for hunting.  If I were to look for a scope for my crossbow I would invest the extra dollars for one that has excellent dim light transmission with no more than 4x magnification. Yes the Weaver Classic Extreme glass would work perfectly if only they offered the Mil Dot in the 1.5-4.5x24 version of the scope. The 2.5-10x50 would be way too heavy for a crossbow in my opinion. Here is one choice if you don't mind pulling the cash from your wallet. A rather strange looking reticle but should work for close work. www.swfa.com/pc-10131-292-ior-11-4x26-tactical-30mm-rifle-scope.aspxAt only 11.4 oz this VX-3, 2.8-5x36 might work with the Boone and Crocket reticle. www.leupold.com/hunting-and-shooting/products/scopes/vx-3-riflescopes/vx-3-2-5-8x36mm/www.leupold.com/hunting-and-shooting/products/scopes/vx-3-riflescopes/vx-3-1-5-5x20mm/ All in all I think that Steve is right in that scopes have not caught up to the exponentially expanding abilities of the newer crossbows. One good option would be to call Leupold and they will install an Illuminated Boone and Crocket or any of their available reticles into your Leupold scope. I don't know what that might cost but you know that for us fanatics money is never an object. ;D ;D Doug |
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Post by edge on Apr 13, 2009 7:23:52 GMT -5
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Post by dougedwards on Apr 13, 2009 13:23:57 GMT -5
Funny things is that I saw that Hawke scope on a crossbow last season and thought it looked like a functional scope for crossbows. However I was not overly impressed with the clarity of the optics. Maybe that isn't really a necessity at such close ranges. I think I am spoiled by the high grade rifle optics. The Hawke is made in England I do believe and sells very well there. This might be as good as it gets at this time for functionality of a scope on a crossbow.
Doug
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Post by sw on Apr 13, 2009 21:33:32 GMT -5
As stated, every x-bow scope I've seen has glass well below the better rifle scopes. For true long range usage, there needs to be a lot of marks such as MD scopes have above and below the x-hairs. I'm currently sighting in my Strykeforce with the 2nd dot up for 30 yds(actually 8 true md's high - if set on 10X) on 4X and will be able to actually have range marks to over 100yds. I suspect the best scope would be a 32 mm Nightforce 2.5X10 md scope. This also has lighted reticle. Appx $1100. My adequate Sightron 2 will have to do for quite a while.  Rifle scopes do not overwhelm or overpower x-bows, IMO. See the pictures I posted of my Parker and Strykeforce. Once you use a decent rifle scope in lowlight conditions, you will be reluctant to go back to most x-bow scopes. |
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Post by kevin k on May 5, 2009 7:41:21 GMT -5
my Horten works great with up to 60 yard line can make out deer when my eyes cant nice scope for the money
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Post by sw on May 8, 2009 11:54:16 GMT -5
my Horten works great with up to 60 yard line can make out deer when my eyes cant nice scope for the money Kevin, I think the real difference in lower and higher quality scopes most vividly show up in the waning hrs of the evening(or visa versa in the morning). Take your best rifle scope and your x-bow scope, with the same pwr set on your rifle scope as the x-bow has, then set a tgt out at 60ish yds, or less, keep going between scopes as darkness falls. The differences will be very noticable. |
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