Re: SWFA-SS Tax Day Group Buy: 1-6, 5-20, and more!
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: MustangGreg66</div><div class="ubbcode-body">
Does it come with some kind of lense covers?
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It is just the scope, an allen wrench, and 2 stickers inside a plain white box. Its no frills - you get the product you paid for and nothing else. Not really any SWAG. In fact, packaging is almost like what you'd expect to get when you buy in bulk, or from a corporate vendor.
Some will like it, some won't. If this keeps costs rock bottom, and there's little to no markup, then its a worthwhile sacrifice, and the most important thing in that SWFA box is the scope!
<span style="font-weight: bold">Here's my first impressions from the unboxing:</span>
At first glance, the clarity of the glass is outstanding. I initially mounted it on a tripod and ran outside and started looking up and down the block - I live in the city. I had no difficulty reading small text down at the end of my street on some signs left by local building contractors (~300yds).
<span style="font-weight: bold">I love it!</span>
The HD scope really does feel heavy duty. It feels REALLY solid, and its a bit heavier than I imagined it would be. My FN PBR is already fairly heavy with the bull barrel and the hogue overmold stock, so this setup is going to be "beefy".
The movement through the range of zoom is smooth, but not so smooth that it feels sloppy. I found that the eyebox is incredibly sensitive at 20x zoom, so hopefully I don't have any issue when this is on a rifle versus a tripod. I would almost expect this to be an issue with the max zoom, so this isn't a slam against the scope.
Also, unlike the review I mention below, my turret movements did NOT feel "mushy". They had a solid and audible "click"
<span style="font-weight: bold">Gripes</span>
One gripe I do have - The turret marks do not line up perfectly. They are slightly off, and while it does not truly effect functionality, it does detract from the finished product that i'd expect in a $1300 optic. The review below has images that perfectly illustrate the issue.
This is my first FFP scope and I actually have some difficulty seeing the reticle at 5x with my glasses on. When I put my contacts on, I had no issue. I don't have this issue with my SFP scopes, so I guess if I'm going to be shooting with my glasses, I'll need to adjust the diopter. Or... I should just go and get lasik already and be done with it. lol.
<span style="font-weight: bold">Review with turret problem pictures:</span>
http://www.gunwarrior.com/527/swfa-ss-5-20x50-hd-scope-sshd520x50mq-initial-impressions/ <span style="font-weight: bold">In a box all alone:</span>
I've been buying a lot of optics lately, but mostly in the $300-$700 range, a tier below this scope's pricepoint. Amazingly, most of the scopes in that price range come with sunshades, caps, instructions, foam injected boxes, cool labels, manuals, warranty cards, and some even come with rings or some type of basic mount. I guess I'm still a bit surprised this didn't come with anything else. I was hoping for some genuine SWFA swag, a warranty card, manual, or something... aside from 2 stickers and an allen wrench in a plain white box. Even a SWFA bikini cover would be great.
<span style="font-weight: bold">Final Thoughts</span>
My SWFA SS-HD 5-20 is actually replacing something on my FN PBR that is an entirely different class... a Bushnell Elite 4200 HD, which I used for hunting whitetail last winter.
While the 4200 hasn't ever failed me, I want to move to mil/mil and FFP so I can start punching more paper and possibly use this setup in some local matches. I'm hoping to use the 1-6 in 3 gun. ;-)
Anyhow, I figure this scope should be great for my needs. Oh, I love the FN-PBR too, btw.
I am incredibly amped up to get on the range with this new glass. The clarity and brightness are phenomenal and aside from some minor issues, the build quality seems outstanding.
I will try and follow up with a more detailed range report when I have some free time in the weeks to come - if I can ever get some free time, or if someone else doesn't post a quality range report first.
SWFA - thanks for shipping these out so quickly. I hope the 1-6 gets wrapped up soon, because that is primarily the scope I got in on this deal for.
