Favorite fixed power scopes?!

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greenbeans

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Oct 1, 2024
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Orange County, New York
So none of my scopes are fixed and it’s been probably 10 years that I “looked through” a fixed power scope. Recently need/wanted new binoculars and landed on the Burris Signatur with LRF. Holy cow is that good glass and I partly credit it to fixed power… Now I’m wondering whether this translates to scopes “$ for $” and want to try, so what are your favorites/recommendation? Criteria:

- Min x16 (ok, maybe x12) max x20 (are there even any beyond x10?!)
- MOA preferred bit fine with mil reticle as well
- illuminated would be great
- not too heavy
- budget: open to suggestions but let’s say $300-600 (preferably at the lower end of course - also if there’s one that is a bit above but outrageously good let me know :))

Thanks in advance!
 
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SWFA’s standard SS series utilizes rear parallax adjustment (where the power ring would be on a variable power scope).

There is no better scope for the $$$ than the SS series.

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I have had/have several fixed scopes. My picks are:
1) Hawke Airmax 10x because it is bright and clear and has illuminated reticle which I need
2)SWFA SS 10x, I like the 12x better, wish I hadn't sold mine, but add a lighted reticle and it would be near the top spot.
3) Vector Veyron 10x, absolutely great scope, If it were lighted, it would surpass the SWFA, as it's slightly clearer.
4) Optisan EVX 10x, great scope, but the parallax on mine only will go up to ~80 yards, but other than that it's a greaat scope, very precise.
5) Athlon Talos 10x, never had one, but would love to try one out.
 
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bchannell said:
I have had/have several fixed scopes. My picks are:
1) Hawke Airmax 10x because it is bright and clear and has illuminated reticle which I need
2)SWFA SS 10x, I like the 12x better, wish I hadn't sold mine, but add a lighted reticle and it would be near the top spot.
3) Vector Veyron 10x, absolutely great scope, If it were lighted, it would surpass the SWFA, as it's slightly clearer.
4) Optisan EVX 10x, great scope, but the parallax on mine only will go up to ~80 yards, but other than that it's a greaat scope, very precise.
5) Athlon Talos 10x, never had one, but would love to try one out.
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Thanks, very helpful!! I assume your picks are in order?!
 
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I’m currently waiting for a previously enjoyed Athlon 10 x 42. Cyclops has a video on it a raved about how good it was for the price. I do have a Discovery HD 10 x44 which is no longer made otherwise I would have bought another , the only thing it’s missing is a zero stop. Good illumination , mil turrets and a decent reticle that isn’t too busy. Another option is the Vector Marksman 10 x 44, nothing fancy but tracks well , no illumination . If I had bottomless pockets , I’d have a zeiss in 10 x .

Leupold made some real nice fixed power scope years ago 4,6,8,12, and 16x in the M8 line . No parallax adjustment or illumination. Which can be adjusted if you have the correct tool ( amazon lens wrench)
 
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There’s a lot of great fixed power scopes on the market. Fact, the fix power scopes have a higher probability of better glass because of their simplicity. Allowing the manufacturer to concentrate on the quality of the glass for the price point.
If you want ask your self what makes a great scope. Look at the track record or ask a heavy springer guy what they use. The springer gun loves to kill scopes. I think it’s a personal pastime for the springer. They must get some sort of merit badge of honor based on the amount of scopes that they can kill in a life time.
I personally struggle with scopes for my springer’s. But one scope I’ve found that has been holding up pretty well with great glass. Is the SWFA fixed power scopes.

Mont
 
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Yes, my picks are in order.
One comment on the Hawke, it it will tube out, and I've not noticed it on any of the others. When you get it waaay off center the view is clipped just a tad. Still works fine, but if you look closely you'll see it. I've always kept all my scopes as near centered as possible when mounted, so it's not an issue for me.
 
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bchannell said:
Yes, my picks are in order.
One comment on the Hawke, it it will tube out, and I've not noticed it on any of the others. When you get it waaay off center the view is clipped just a tad. Still works fine, but if you look closely you'll see it. I've always kept all my scopes as near centered as possible when mounted, so it's not an issue for me.
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Thanks, off to the classifieds I go I guess :)
 
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For the SWFA SS, I think that 12x is the best one if you want to shoot at, or over, 100y. I have bchannell's old 12x SWFA and I'm glad he sold it. I would not suggest the 16x unless you really needed it because the eyebox is really tight on that one. If you are maxing out at 100y you could get by with the 10x too. If you just want to try a 10x on the cheap, with an outstanding reticle, get the Vector Marksman. I bought one from Optics Planet for $107, you can't go wrong.
 
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bchannell said:
Hey PumaCarl, glad to hear you're enjoying that scope, it's a sweatheart.
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Oh, it's a keeper! So much so that it is going to be living on this gun until I'm not.

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