Hawke Sidewinder questions?

Illuminated reticle questions? I received a Hawke 4-16 Sidewinder today. I am looking thru it holding it. I don’t see the reticle illuminated until getting up to 4 and 5 but the light is still not real noticeable on most surfaces. It is 3:00 daytime with white cloud coverage. Should I see a change on 1-3? Or would I only at low light? I have only had one illuminated scope and it was noticeable but was not a rheostat just off or on. If you have experience with this scope please let me know. I am not mounting it until sure its what I want. Te reticle is easy to see, smaller than I thought it would be. Glass seems clear thru the magnification range. But I am holding in my hands you know how that is. 



Thanks, Jim
 
The 6.5-20x42 Sidewinder 30 version which had been suggested to you earlier before buying this one has better illumination and holdover points that are spaced out farther double the distance compared what to yours has.

BUT!!! HAWKES aren't known to have good daylight visible illumination and often uneven all around.

Usually illuminated scopes first couple clicks don't show much unless looking through them during night time or in total darkness. 

Do some reading in the optics section and see if you find any comments on scope reticle "daylight daytime" brightness. That will help.


 
Illuminated reticle questions? I received a Hawke 4-16 Sidewinder today. I am looking thru it holding it. I don’t see the reticle illuminated until getting up to 4 and 5 but the light is still not real noticeable on most surfaces. It is 3:00 daytime with white cloud coverage. Should I see a change on 1-3? Or would I only at low light? I have only had one illuminated scope and it was noticeable but was not a rheostat just off or on. If you have experience with this scope please let me know. I am not mounting it until sure its what I want. Te reticle is easy to see, smaller than I thought it would be. Glass seems clear thru the magnification range. But I am holding in my hands you know how that is. 



Thanks, Jim


Try it this evening around dusk. =)
 
 I just mounted an Airmax 3-12x50 AMX IR on my 1720T this afternoon. It was dark overcast so I cranked the IR rheostat about half way and it was too bright! Had to crank it back down to about 30%. I love the reticle and the illumination was very even and responsive. I’ve never been much of a Hawke or Crosman fan but I’m impressed with this combination thus far. Uj
 
Illuminated reticle questions? I received a Hawke 4-16 Sidewinder today. I am looking thru it holding it. I don’t see the reticle illuminated until getting up to 4 and 5 but the light is still not real noticeable on most surfaces. It is 3:00 daytime with white cloud coverage. Should I see a change on 1-3? Or would I only at low light? I have only had one illuminated scope and it was noticeable but was not a rheostat just off or on. If you have experience with this scope please let me know. I am not mounting it until sure its what I want. Te reticle is easy to see, smaller than I thought it would be. Glass seems clear thru the magnification range. But I am holding in my hands you know how that is. 



Thanks, Jim

I have several Sidewinder scopes. The illumination is more than enough in dimmer light, when such is seemingly most useful. I've never needed more than the first two or three settings and any more is too bright. Doesn't seem to be which scope you've chosen but the ambient light you're trying it in.
 
Update:

I turned the rheostat on in my dark garage, the led works on 1-5 in the dark. After work I took it out to my shop to rest it on a bench and evaluate the scope more. Sitting in a dim light building looking out to a 55 yard target I can never see the green or red LED at any setting. I looked at other backgrounds black, rust, white, every thing I could see but couldn't see the LED. I wouldn't think my expectations are unreasonable. The only other illuminated scope I have is an old Thompson center pistol scope from the 80's and I can see the LED in it today.