Since first focal reticles have more glass to travel through to reach your eye aren't they more likely to be distorted by any issues with the lenses? I received my SWFA 5-20 and after adjusting the diopter the reticle never seemed quite sharp on max power. This was more so towards the outer third, but enough so to be distracting when first getting a sight picture. Sent it back thinking there might have been an issue with the diopter but the replacement is pretty much the same, which got me to thinking about this. Once you dial down below to about 18x or below it's not a problem, which is fine as I imagine most of my shooting will be around 16x or less. Is this a known trait of the FFP design, and is it an issue on the high end glass?
Rifle Scopes FFP reticle issues
- Thread starter jimdvt
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Re: FFP reticle issues
I'm not sure I understand (there aren't more lenses the reticule is just on a different one) do you mean that at max mag it's not as clear around the edges as say 15X?
I'm not sure I understand (there aren't more lenses the reticule is just on a different one) do you mean that at max mag it's not as clear around the edges as say 15X?
Re: FFP reticle issues
The diopter setting is accomplished on maximum scope power with the parallax set to infinity looking at say a clear blue sky.
If you cannot dial it into focus you probably should put your glasses back on and try again. If you don't wear glasses you might consider the option.
Some manufacturers can only dial out 1.5 - 2 diopters of correction others are 3.+ it's in how the optic was designed and how much adjustability was built into it. Other considerations are the shooters eyes in particular, astigmatism is one that bites a lot of people, a high refraction is another.
Cheers,
Doc
The diopter setting is accomplished on maximum scope power with the parallax set to infinity looking at say a clear blue sky.
If you cannot dial it into focus you probably should put your glasses back on and try again. If you don't wear glasses you might consider the option.
Some manufacturers can only dial out 1.5 - 2 diopters of correction others are 3.+ it's in how the optic was designed and how much adjustability was built into it. Other considerations are the shooters eyes in particular, astigmatism is one that bites a lot of people, a high refraction is another.
Cheers,
Doc
Re: FFP reticle issues
There may not be more lenses, but because your reticle is in the first focal plane it has to travel though more lenses to get to your eye when compared to a second focal plane. Section view
There may not be more lenses, but because your reticle is in the first focal plane it has to travel though more lenses to get to your eye when compared to a second focal plane. Section view
Re: FFP reticle issues
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: doc76251</div><div class="ubbcode-body">The diopter setting is accomplished on maximum scope power with the parallax set to infinity looking at say a clear blue sky.</div></div> Did that. Like I said, the center is fine, but the edges not so much. Actually, more so with the top of the reticle than the sides or bottom. First thought would be that the reticle is slightly off plane, but that should mean you see the same issue on bottom edge. I'm guessing it's a slight glass imperfection that's easier to see because it's right over the reticle, where you may not notice it as much if it weren't.
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: doc76251</div><div class="ubbcode-body">The diopter setting is accomplished on maximum scope power with the parallax set to infinity looking at say a clear blue sky.</div></div> Did that. Like I said, the center is fine, but the edges not so much. Actually, more so with the top of the reticle than the sides or bottom. First thought would be that the reticle is slightly off plane, but that should mean you see the same issue on bottom edge. I'm guessing it's a slight glass imperfection that's easier to see because it's right over the reticle, where you may not notice it as much if it weren't.
Re: FFP reticle issues
I think what you're talking about is edge-to-edge clarity, it's a problem with scopes just like tunneling at lower powers. Every scope I've used that had a higher top end seemed to have it to a certain degree SFP or FFP.
FWIW my IOR 3-18 FFP and Zeiss Diavari 3-12 FFP both do the same thing although the Zeiss isn't quite as bad. I've also heard that the Hensoldt and S&B scopes have good edge-to-edge clarity at max power but I don't want to spend 3k+ to find out...
You can try resetting the diopter to your eyeball like Doc is talking about but otherwise you'll probably just have to learn to live with it. It's really just a nitpicky thing anyways.
I think what you're talking about is edge-to-edge clarity, it's a problem with scopes just like tunneling at lower powers. Every scope I've used that had a higher top end seemed to have it to a certain degree SFP or FFP.
FWIW my IOR 3-18 FFP and Zeiss Diavari 3-12 FFP both do the same thing although the Zeiss isn't quite as bad. I've also heard that the Hensoldt and S&B scopes have good edge-to-edge clarity at max power but I don't want to spend 3k+ to find out...
You can try resetting the diopter to your eyeball like Doc is talking about but otherwise you'll probably just have to learn to live with it. It's really just a nitpicky thing anyways.
Re: FFP reticle issues
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Jim-VT</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Did that. Like I said, the center is fine, but the edges not so much. Actually, more so with the top of the reticle than the sides or bottom. </div></div>
If you have it mounted in a canted base that might be contributing to it.
Like I said learn to live with it every higher-power variable I've used has had that problem at max mag. Lots of lower powered ones too.
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Jim-VT</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Did that. Like I said, the center is fine, but the edges not so much. Actually, more so with the top of the reticle than the sides or bottom. </div></div>
If you have it mounted in a canted base that might be contributing to it.
Like I said learn to live with it every higher-power variable I've used has had that problem at max mag. Lots of lower powered ones too.
Re: FFP reticle issues
Not mounted yet, set to mechanical zero. In the end I don't think it's going to be a big deal. When you're actually concentrating on shooting these little living room nitpicks tend to disappear.
Not mounted yet, set to mechanical zero. In the end I don't think it's going to be a big deal. When you're actually concentrating on shooting these little living room nitpicks tend to disappear.
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