LPVO Parallax Confusion

[NickT]

I have never used an LPVO but always found them intriguing because of their small weight/size. But one thing I always get hung up on: Why don't they ever have adjustable parallax? 

For example, a Hawke Frontier 30 1-6x24 has its parallax fixed at 100 yards. Why would Hawke have a 1-6 magnification scope set at 100 yards and then have a 5-30x56 scope from the same series focus down to 15 yards?

I am obviously missing something here. Somebody please enlighten me.

Thanks,

Nick

 

[Scouty]

This gets discussed a lot on powder burner forums. I can't seem to copy links to my clipboard on my phone but there are a few on Snipers Hide.

Most of the users of these types of scopes just feel it adds completely for a scope that will be used on torso sized targets at longer distances & that you'd be at low mag for anything inside of 50 yards. I guess they're not trying to shoot squirrels in the head at 40 yards.

They don't all agree, however. 

There are some LPVOs with side focus.

March makes a few. A 1-4.5x24, a couple of 1-10x24 models & maybe a 1-8x24.

Stryka 1-6x24 has side focus but is discontinued & only has duplex reticle. 

Athlon 1-4.5x24.

White Oak Armament has a 1-4.5x24. 

 

[Babaganoush]

The smaller scope is designed mainly for the AR platform. People usually want very light rifles with AR builds, so anything not essential for the scope is stripped.

Also on closer targets most people want fast acquisition, so they usually add a set of small canted iron sights on the rail for sub 100 yard shots.

 

[NickT]

Thank you. This was all helpful to understand.



While reading these over, I had a thought: does the smaller lens size make the parallax setting less important?

I was thinking back to the prismatic scope I have used lately: the MTC SWAT 12x50 and the Immersive Optics 5x30. The 5x30 was quite a bit more forgiving with its parallax setting. If I were to guess, I would think this difference in parallax sensitivity had to do with either the size of the lens or the length of the eye relief. Both were quite different.



Also, on a side note, I guess I underestimated the popularity of the AR platform. I had always seen pictures of these scopes mounted on AR's but didn't actually realize that they might sold almost exclusively for that application. But, I guess it makes sense now that I think about it. I once visited the Ruger factory and one of the guys there said his particular production line spit out an AR every 57 seconds over 3 shifts per day, 7 days per week... and that was just one line in this gigantic factory.

 

[Scouty]

I have a Dedal 6x30, a Konus 2-6x28 plus other 32mm objective scopes plus several inexpensive LPVOs. 

One of the LPVOs is the Styrka with side focus.

I also got to demo an Immersive 5x30.

All of the 24mm objective LPVOs have a very forgiving depth of field. Much more forgiving than the Immersive. 

If you dial through the parallax range on the Stryka when at 6x the difference is much more subtle than any other scope I have. 

The side focus is most useful when shooting at close range indoors. At least to my eyes.

It's worth noting that the Styrka is a somewhat long LPVO which is supposed to help with depth of field. 

 

[theLBC]

it is a bummer. there are option with 10yd-inifinity adjustable parallax, but they tend to be bucks up.

i want a march shorty, but i have so far balked at the price.

 

[steve123]

The thing that bothers me with LPVO's with fixed parallax on higher magnification at closer distances, like the 1-8 and the 1-10 I had, is that there is quiet a bit of parallax error and the image becomes out of focus. Also there is some fish eye affect happening.

On the 1-10 with fixed parallax scope I could not get the reticle and the image focused at the same time above 4.5x. I found out that part of that problem was my old eyes and old eyes in general because I had my older friends look through it and they saw the same thing I did. Give the scope to younger guys and the problem doesn't show up.

I had the Athlon 1-4.5 but I felt at 4.5x I didn't need adjustable parallax because the magnification is so low.

So I traded into a March 1-10 DFP which solved my problems but its on my AR. Its kept on 1x most of the time except when I go to shooting farther out and then its on 10x. No problem hitting steel 800 yards away when the wind is down.

I don't need 1x except for CQC, thus AR, so for my airguns when a scope of this type is required the Athlon 2-12x42 works very well for many applications that a 1x-?x would be used for except I get 12x which I'm on most of the time anyway. On 2x the FOV is massive, the big ring and big dot on the mil version allows quick acquisition and targeting, and even used for long range on 12x it works well on normal sized targets. I like shooting steel with this one! This is an extremely versatile FFP scope for many reasons and in many ways. 

Red dot sights have their place. I don't feel the need for magnification sometimes on medium sized targets at closer distances and a mini RD doesn't weigh but a few ounces.