Zoom knob on brand new variable power scopes

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Bigragu

Bigragu

Member
Jul 8, 2018
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CA, United States
just curious if any of you have ever gotten scopes where the zoom knob is tight or hard to turn? Meaning it’s not just one finger against a throw lever loose, but finger on throw lever along with thumb underneath to turn tight. Have you noticed this on brand new scopes, regardless of manufacturer? What I’d like to know is what typically causes this(I’m assuming the anodized pieces take up space in the tight tolerances), and does it loosen up over time? 

My brand new Athlon Helos is tight. I can turn it easily enough but like I mentioned that me grabbing the throw lever with thumb and index finger and having to take sight away from the scope. It’s only like two months new. I recently purchased one exactly like it for my buddy’s gun I’m putting together for, and that rotates way easier. Same exact scope.
 
Actually, to the best of my knowledge (and correct any wrong info here), but things like zoom and focus levers on scopes and camera lenses are lubed/tensioned with something called helical grease. I've used it in some projects. It's a a very sticky but lubricated grease so it aides in holding a lens setting in place. It does come in different weights which different levels of stickiness to prevent rotational travel. (example: you ever have an older less expensive 35mm camera zoom lens that would extend from gravity if you pointed it down)

I would imagine the difference between the scopes is one of two things. Either different weights of helical grease were used, or the zoom knob on one has more grease applied than the other. 
 
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Be happy yours is really stiff because I just received an Aliexpress Chinese scope (A HUGE 56MM NIGHTFORCE-Sightron-Tract Toric-Delta Stryker WANNABE-YUP!) that's so loose it's stupid. BOTH The zoom ring and parallax wheel can easily move if brushed against something. It is Extremely difficult to adjust the parallax with such a loose wheel like this one. I may have to disassemble it and see what can be done since its going to cost big bucks to send it back to China plus the very long wait time. Sure Hope all aren't like this. That would be a major bummer.

Yours should get easier to turn with usage or just working it while watching TV.
 
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Be happy yours is really stiff because I just received an Aliexpress Chinese scope (A HUGE 56MM NIGHTFORCE-Sightron-Tract Toric-Delta Stryker WANNABE-YUP!) that's so loose it's stupid. BOTH The zoom ring and parallax wheel can easily move if brushed against something. It is Extremely difficult to adjust the parallax with such a loose wheel like this one. I may have to disassemble it and see what can be done since its going to cost big bucks to send it back to China plus the very long wait time. Sure Hope all aren't like this. That would be a major bummer.

Yours should get easier to turn with usage or just working it while watching TV.
Click to expand...

Odoyle - get yourself some 3000 weight helical grease for when you open it up. Lube up the moving parts and be happy.

The thing with helical grease is it'll get softer as it heats up from the friction of moving the throw levers, but once it cools down and settles it will be stiff again.
 
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Be happy yours is really stiff because I just received an Aliexpress Chinese scope (A HUGE 56MM NIGHTFORCE-Sightron-Tract Toric-Delta Stryker WANNABE-YUP!) that's so loose it's stupid. BOTH The zoom ring and parallax wheel can easily move if brushed against something. It is Extremely difficult to adjust the parallax with such a loose wheel like this one. I may have to disassemble it and see what can be done since its going to cost big bucks to send it back to China plus the very long wait time. Sure Hope all aren't like this. That would be a major bummer.

Yours should get easier to turn with usage or just working it while watching TV.
Click to expand...

Odoyle - get yourself some 3000 weight helical grease for when you open it up. Lube up the moving parts and be happy.

The thing with helical grease is it'll get softer as it heats up from the friction of moving the throw levers, but once it cools down and settles it will be stiff again.
Click to expand...

Thanks 👍
 
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Bigragu I had a new talos that was hard to turn, but I PUT a MKE throw lever on it & works just fine . Maybe contact the manuf. could be a easy fix . I have never torn a scope apart thou . If you find something out please let us know . Darell
Click to expand...

HAhaha - I'd never tear into a scope either, but for those daring people...... A throw lever is a good idea, as was the large parallax knob. Anything to give you a longer moment arm for a bit more torque. 
 
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Both the parallax and zoom on my Delta stryker hd 4.5-30x56's were very tight when brand new. Not ridiculous but very much like you are describing. They both quite quickly settled to the point where the resistance is just about ideal, so I'm sure yours will too. I doubt it's the anodised surfaces rubbing together causing it or I think you might notice some grit/grinding when turning.
 
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The power zoom ring on my Nightforce NX8 2.5-20×50 is comparable to my SWFA 3-15X42 FFP with a slight edge in smoothness going to the NF. Comparing the side focus between the two is another story. The side focus on my NF is a whole lot smoother and precise compared to my SWFA. If I let my SWFA sit for a day or more, I would have to "warm up" the side focus by making several rotations to loosen it up and then be able to use it.
 
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