I was first introduced to this scope at the 2015 EBR. And now I've finally got my hands on one (actually two)!
I've been a Hawke Sidewinder Tactical fan for many years, and I was excited to hear about the new Frontier line. Following is a quick comparison, a few pictures, and in my opinion the Pro's & Con's of this new line.
Here are the closest Sidewinder/Frontier models compared:
Sidewinder 4-16x50, length 14.4'', weight 27.5oz, price $500
Frontier 2.5-15x50, length 13.75'', weight 23.4oz price $700
Sidewinder 8-32x56, length 17.0'', weight 30.7oz, price $550
Frontier 5-30x50, length 14.0'', weight 24.5oz, price $800
Pros
Cons
A few things that would make this scope better: FFP (First Focal Plane), Mil reticle / MRAD turrets, a threaded eye piece.
A few things I love about this line: shorter and lighter than comparable Sidewinder models, very nice glass, the perfect reticle.
It doesn't bother me that they did away with the tactical style turrets. Once I have my scope zero'd at a nominal distance I normally use holdover. So do I think the Frontier line is worth $200 more than the Sidewinder line... absolutely. I'm a sucker for nice glass, and this scope delivers.
I've been a Hawke Sidewinder Tactical fan for many years, and I was excited to hear about the new Frontier line. Following is a quick comparison, a few pictures, and in my opinion the Pro's & Con's of this new line.
Here are the closest Sidewinder/Frontier models compared:
Sidewinder 4-16x50, length 14.4'', weight 27.5oz, price $500
Frontier 2.5-15x50, length 13.75'', weight 23.4oz price $700
Sidewinder 8-32x56, length 17.0'', weight 30.7oz, price $550
Frontier 5-30x50, length 14.0'', weight 24.5oz, price $800
Pros
- Noticeably better glass
- Lighter than Sidewinder
- Shorter than Sidewinder
- TMX is the best reticle yet (similar to 20x 1/2 mil-dot but with windage dots for holdover)
Cons
- More expensive
- Eye piece is not threaded to accommodate popular camera mounts
- 5-30 model only focusses down to 30y (I've yet to determine if it will focus down to 10y on a lower magnification setting)
A few things that would make this scope better: FFP (First Focal Plane), Mil reticle / MRAD turrets, a threaded eye piece.
A few things I love about this line: shorter and lighter than comparable Sidewinder models, very nice glass, the perfect reticle.
It doesn't bother me that they did away with the tactical style turrets. Once I have my scope zero'd at a nominal distance I normally use holdover. So do I think the Frontier line is worth $200 more than the Sidewinder line... absolutely. I'm a sucker for nice glass, and this scope delivers.