The referenced review doesn’t appear too thorough, lacking accuracy of turret tracking. I have 5 Falcons, all mil/mil, B20’s. I have three of the 4-14 and one of the 5.5-25x50 and 5.5-25x56.
Some people may be annoyed by this, but FOR THE PRICE I was so impressed by the technical features and how they worked I just ended up buying more so that I could maintain a consistency between airgun reticles in my airgun shooting. I emphasise price because, as with all scopes, there is a balance between price and quality of parts/design. No scope is absolutely “perfect” at all ranges, whatever some reviewers may suggest, with top scope companies always looking to get more from new technologies and chemistry. Even a $4000 Schmidt & Bender 5-25x56 PM II isn’t perfect.
You can find similar looking scopes, which are also made in China, on Alibaba from Vector Optics. I bought one of the 4-14 Vector, and I know someone who bought a similar looking BSA, but they aren’t the same quality as the Falcon, the body seems different (though that may be immaterial to the internal workings) parts seem different and the lenses don’t appear to be the same. Falcon claim that they test all their scopes once in the UK, including for use on 338 Lapua, that they have their own Japanese lenses….which means internal settings (at least) must also be different.
The tracking within the turret system of my Falcons work 100% for between (depending upon rnage of adjustment) six to eight mrads (60-80 clicks or about 24 to 32 inches at 100 meters) from centre, at which point most start losing one click (= 1cm at 100 meters). Since scopes, by issue of design, normally become less accurate as the reticle is moved away from centre I am not worried about that degree of error. Such errors are common, as per Precision Rifle Blog’s tests.
Tactical Scopes: Mechanical Performance Part 1 Repeated errors can be easily accounted for, assuming I'd ever shoot outside that 100% working zone with an airgun.
The 25 magnification, like many other high mags, Falcons have a lower range of turret adjustment so if you lack a canted scope rail you’ll probably need vertically adjustable mounts. Sportsmatch mounts are very good quality and solid, also are far cheaper than FX. My models are newer version, turrets have 10 mrads per turn. Don’t have historically reported problem with mushy turret clicks.
First Focal Plane allows very good range finding/shot correction etc. With the side focussing adjustment, though you should play with it to get your distances pinned down exactly and mark it for focussing/keeping reticle dead still, you have a great system for identifying ranges (with practise, and in good daylight conditions) down to 1 or 2 yards; at up to 70 yards. I don’t have the IR versions.
I don’t know whether weight (not that it is very different from others) may be a problem on a Wildcat ( I don’t know specs, don’t know you). Some people say that more weighty scopes are of poorer quality, but, they are usually wrong because more complex lenses combinations of higher density do weigh more.
Variable reviews over the internet, with problems with some of the old brand “Menace” which supposedly wasn’t constructed from a one piece tube. My friends use them on centrefires up to 308 cal, out to 1500 yards. Many solid UK airgun Field Target users use Falcons. I have not used them on a high powered/high recoiling spring air rifle.
I found Falcon very happy to answer questions. Other than being an owner and fan of their scopes (for the price), I am not connected with Falcon in any way.
Some YouTube reviews.
