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Post by edge on Jul 16, 2009 8:54:05 GMT -5
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Post by rossman40 on Jul 16, 2009 9:59:33 GMT -5
One of the up and coming scope lines. Like a lot of other companies they do not make the scopes, they are farmed out in Japan and China. I know the top of the line Frontier comes off the line at LOW and uses some of the same parts as NightForce. I was told the cheaper lines are made in China, supposedly the better plants. They are trying hard to bust into the US market and offer a decent warranty, but I haven't heard anything about customer service. Of course the reps talk a good line.
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Post by sw on Jul 21, 2009 20:53:46 GMT -5
I think dedicated, very hi quality, x-bow scopes are not made yet. I use a Sightron 2 3X12 42mm md scope. This is good but not great. I have seen some tactical Leupold scopes with mds available but currently above my price range. This lacking in x-bow scopes is a void in the market. Currently, a lower power md scope seems to be the best answer for x-bow users who want more than the classical 10-50 or 20-60 range marks with relatively poor glass. I'd like to see a 3X6 pwr, 42 mm scope with 10 range markings with the lowest speed appx 320 and highest 425ish where you could adjust the pwr so it would allow your x-bow to shoot where each mark is 10 yds. 10 thru 110 yds would be good.
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Post by rossman40 on Jul 22, 2009 0:54:59 GMT -5
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Post by sw on Jul 23, 2009 22:07:02 GMT -5
If the glass is bright, which I expect it is from your comment, this is a step. The range marks are very limiting, IMO. Somehow, they just don't get it all together. |
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Post by doegirl on Jul 24, 2009 10:54:09 GMT -5
I use a Parker Redhot illuminated multireticle scope, manufactured by Hawke for Parker. This scope has great clarity and brightness so needed for dusk/dawn conditions. The illumination can be turned on or off, has 5 different brightness settings, and you can switch from red to green. This model is a bit more expensive than the nonilluminated ones, but for low light conditions, it can't be beat. Another great feature is the ballistic software that you can use. The distances were right on the money, as well. Here's a screen shot:  |
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Post by edge on Jul 24, 2009 10:59:59 GMT -5
I do like the ballistic program from Hawke, you can play around with a lot of "what ifs"  edge. |
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Post by sw on Jul 24, 2009 20:42:16 GMT -5
I need to reconsider the "Parker" contracted, Hawke scope. Thanks
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Post by dougedwards on Jul 28, 2009 14:15:14 GMT -5
I looked through one in a sporting goods store and it sure did look crisp and clear. When I get home I will contract one from a store to test it in dim light in my back yard. Will report later.
Doug
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Post by sagittarius on Aug 13, 2009 23:07:32 GMT -5
A 3X Hawke came in the package with my new Scorpyd crossbow.
It seems to be made pretty decent but I usually don't like Chinese products.
If it doesn't preform well, I will replace it with a Burris XTR rifle scope next year
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Post by dougedwards on Aug 14, 2009 7:20:10 GMT -5
A 3X Hawke came in the package with my new Scorpyd crossbow. It seems to be made pretty decent but I usually don't like Chinese products. If it doesn't preform well, I will replace it with a Burris XTR rifle scope next year Sag........keep us posted on how well this scope might perform in dim lighting. I had a death in the family and while I was away the local sporting goods store sold the last Hawke (Parker) crossbow scope so I will not have opportunity to test it. |
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Post by sw on Aug 16, 2009 16:30:53 GMT -5
I just put the Hawke SR model on my SF and shot appx 125 times with Red Hot arrows with 125g points. The Hawke tracks better than virtually any rifle scope I have( :)except the WCEs). It was on at 20,35,56,and 69 yds with the 125g points. The center of the scope is 3.25" above the center of the arrow. I didn't have time to do more testing, ie the post below the 4th dot. This scope seems excellent. I haven't gotten to test it in low light conditions vs my other scopes. The IR part is excellent. This is an impressive scope!!!
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Post by dougedwards on Aug 16, 2009 19:20:06 GMT -5
Steve......would love to have you compare the dim light optics capability with a 4x32 Weaver shotgun scope. If the Parker (Hawke) can hold it's own with the Weaver then it might be the scope that we crossbow hunters have been waiting for.
Doug
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Post by sw on Aug 16, 2009 22:07:44 GMT -5
Steve......would love to have you compare the dim light optics capability with a 4x32 Weaver shotgun scope. If the Parker (Hawke) can hold it's own with the Weaver then it might be the scope that we crossbow hunters have been waiting for. Doug I'll do it. |
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Post by sw on Aug 17, 2009 6:50:16 GMT -5
Unfortunately, the Weaver 4X(scope that was recently on sale at Natchez) and the Sightron 2 42 mm were a little brighter than the Hawke x-bow scope. Neither of these 2 scopes are in the level of the 4200,VX-3, and certainly not as good as the WCE. The tracking, and reticle features as well as the fair optics still make this an excellent scope for x-bows, IMO. However, there is still certainly the need for higher level glass in x-bow scopes.
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Post by sagittarius on Aug 17, 2009 10:11:50 GMT -5
Sag........keep us posted on how well this scope might perform in dim lighting. I had a death in the family and while I was away the local sporting goods store sold the last Hawke (Parker) crossbow scope so I will not have opportunity to test it. [/quote] Pretty good so far, Doug. It was fairly easy to sight in and seems very well made for the price. Here's my last 7 shots with it at 20 yards. It was so hot yesterday, I wimped out and called it quits instead of shooting longer distances. I have no doubt that it will do well again. I will try to remember to look thru it at dusk and let you know how it goes.   |
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Post by sagittarius on Aug 19, 2009 11:00:25 GMT -5
Doug, Got up at dawn this morning and remembered about you asking about dim light with the Hawke. I have the 4 way reticle and it looked sharp in the early morning light, so, I believe, you would be pleased with its performance in low light. Looks pretty good to me. |
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Post by sw on Aug 19, 2009 18:52:02 GMT -5
Doug, Got up at dawn this morning and remembered about you asking about dim light with the Hawke. I have the 4 way reticle and it looked sharp in the early morning light, so, I believe, you would be pleased with its performance in low light. Looks pretty good to me. I agree that it looks pretty good until compared with scopes with better glass. IMO, the only way to really tell how good the glass is is to compare with other scopes at very low light at the same time period. I get a sighting-in tgt and place it in a fairly sheltered, light wise, area and lay the scopes or weapons with scopes mounted and go one to another and record the time of day, to the minute or less, that a certain feature of the tgt can now or no longer be seen. By doing this I saw just how dim my Bushnell 3200s & Sitetron 2 42mms and even 4.5X14 50 mm Var-X3 were compared to my 40 mm 2.5X10 4200 which was relatively poor compared to the WCE 50 and 56mm. The Hawke is maybe as brite as the poorest of my scopes(the 3200s). Still, it's great tracking, range marks, lighted reticles, nice focus etc makes it an excellent buy, IMO. That said, the 32mm Nightforce 2.5X10 (I think this is the correct pwr) with mds would be a much better scope IF money were little to no object. I do think a much better x-bow scope is in the near offing - another scope is being field tested now but the tester(s) can't say anything what-so-ever yet. |
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Post by dougedwards on Aug 19, 2009 19:12:22 GMT -5
I think that what I am going to do is utilize my Burris FastFire reflex sight with no magnification for one more year and see what other crossbow scopes might be on the horizon. As I get older (and that process just won't seem to stop) it causes me to become aware that my eyes need all the help they can get in dim light. I get a real anxious feeling when I hear movement around me just as the sun disappears behind the timber. It's at those times that I wish I had some really good glass to bring in as much light as possible because there is not a whole lot of it deep in the forrest even when there seems to be plenty of light in the open fields. I just don't have $1200-$1400 to spend on another scope. I think those Weaver Classics spoiled me.  |
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Post by sw on Aug 19, 2009 19:44:36 GMT -5
I just don't have $1200-$1400 to spend on another scope. I think those Weaver Classics spoiled me. IF the WCEs had mutiple range marks, WOW!! But they don't. I can't get a Nightforce either. The Hawke with better glass would be the thing! The Hawke, as is, is extremely good, IMO. A SF(which I have) with a Nightforce md 32mm and a Sav 40 cal PacNor with a WCE, which I have, would be a perfect pair of hunting weapons. I'm close. I think that scope we want will be here soon. Since I will keep a back up x-bow, ready to go, the Hawke will end up on it. |
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