I don't have any experience on the 10X fixed power scope, but have couple of variable power ones, Just want to throw this question here in terms of opinions, what do you have as an experience of advantages of a 10X fixed or even higher fixed in terms of airgunning which is normally shooting at a constant distance. I know that there would be lesser parts and it would be more stronger in build and probably clearer in image because of the light passes the thru lesser medium like in the telephoto lenses which delivers more better image.
10x Fixed VS Variable Power Scope
- Thread starter Fuciliere
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I tried the 10x thing with the same intent in mind, in the end I needed the versatility of a variable power scope so I sold it.
10x = I needed more FOV for hunting, needed more magnification for small targets, but everyone is different so...
I know of a guy that feels the exact opposite of me, he's quite a character BTW. He ordered 50 SWFA fixed 10x mil/mil scopes, WOW!
My answer was to spend more money on higher end variable power scopes which have superior build quality and especially nice image quality.
10x = I needed more FOV for hunting, needed more magnification for small targets, but everyone is different so...
I know of a guy that feels the exact opposite of me, he's quite a character BTW. He ordered 50 SWFA fixed 10x mil/mil scopes, WOW!
My answer was to spend more money on higher end variable power scopes which have superior build quality and especially nice image quality.
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+1 on the swfa 10x. I have 3. Love the combo of 10x on the cricket compact. Very effective 30 to +100 yds. Even on my variable scopes i usually keep them on 10x so its kinda a natural fit. 
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10X SWFA is my Go-To scope ....And I have a LOT of scopes go thru my hands 
Can't say enough about them . Simple, Clear , bulletproof
Can't say enough about them . Simple, Clear , bulletproofUpvote 0
I don't use fixed power scopes often, I've just always used variable power scopes and like the flexibility. I feel handicapped with a fixed power after using variables for almost 40 years. Plenty of people do use them and love them. If it's your thing, or you want to give it a try, great. Give it a shot!
Like the others have said, SWFA makes great scopes and Joe will be the first to tell you their warranty and build quality is up there as one of the best. The owner is also a great guy and is in the process of making a reticle that's air gunner friendly and had features we look for. That's pretty awesome and should be commended too.
With all of that being said, I don't necessarily think you need to buy a fixed power scope because it's "more durable" or has "better image quality". If you buy a quality scope, it should be plenty durable regardless of magnification choice and also be very clear. I have plenty of variables that have better image quality than most fixed power scopes. Of course it all boils down to what you're willing to pay and the manufacturer you're buying from. Some are obviously better than others and at a certain point, there's a diminishing return on the money you're spending. Does anyone really need 99.999% light transmission for an additional $1500? Probably not! LOL
Again, Joe will be the first to tell you that with scopes, you get what you pay for and if you pay good money, the image quality, crispness, tracking, durability and warranty will be there. SWFA is certainly a good one if you decide to go with a fixed power OR variable for that matter!
Good luck with your choice. Let us know what you decide to do.
Stoti
Like the others have said, SWFA makes great scopes and Joe will be the first to tell you their warranty and build quality is up there as one of the best. The owner is also a great guy and is in the process of making a reticle that's air gunner friendly and had features we look for. That's pretty awesome and should be commended too.
With all of that being said, I don't necessarily think you need to buy a fixed power scope because it's "more durable" or has "better image quality". If you buy a quality scope, it should be plenty durable regardless of magnification choice and also be very clear. I have plenty of variables that have better image quality than most fixed power scopes. Of course it all boils down to what you're willing to pay and the manufacturer you're buying from. Some are obviously better than others and at a certain point, there's a diminishing return on the money you're spending. Does anyone really need 99.999% light transmission for an additional $1500? Probably not! LOL
Again, Joe will be the first to tell you that with scopes, you get what you pay for and if you pay good money, the image quality, crispness, tracking, durability and warranty will be there. SWFA is certainly a good one if you decide to go with a fixed power OR variable for that matter!
Good luck with your choice. Let us know what you decide to do.
Stoti
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I own both , if I was on a limited budget like under $500 I would go SWFA 10x or 6x , and Yes a fixed scope will have a better image quality then a variable power optic with same quality lens
The reason for this is fixed power has less lenses so easier to get a better image quality .
Now as for rugged ofcourse fixed because it does not have a oracular zoom tube so less parts and fewer moving parts
I hope this helps , but on other hand scopes have gotten very good in past decade or so , so even cheaper scopes are more durable then years ago ,
But I love my variable power scopes , My motto is save up ad buy the best you can afford , Id rather have 3 good scopes then 15 ok scopes
If I was just a hunter with a 30fpe gun Id go with the SWFA 6X , I feel 10x sometimes doesnt have the field of view I like ,
I also like 34mm scope tubes for this reason
LOU
The reason for this is fixed power has less lenses so easier to get a better image quality .
Now as for rugged ofcourse fixed because it does not have a oracular zoom tube so less parts and fewer moving parts
I hope this helps , but on other hand scopes have gotten very good in past decade or so , so even cheaper scopes are more durable then years ago ,
But I love my variable power scopes , My motto is save up ad buy the best you can afford , Id rather have 3 good scopes then 15 ok scopes
If I was just a hunter with a 30fpe gun Id go with the SWFA 6X , I feel 10x sometimes doesnt have the field of view I like ,
I also like 34mm scope tubes for this reason
LOU
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I frequently use the zoom feature on my first focal scope when pesting. Lower magnification (6x) gives you a greater FOV for faster target acquisition. For a given scope, lower magnification allows more light through which is essential at dawn & dusk. Higher magnification (12-16x for my small targets and short distances) allows you to see the subtensions of your reticle with greater ease with first focal plane scopes. I also tend to take my time and study my target at higher magnification to maximize my chance of a one-shot-one-kill.
Binoculars are a much better tool than a gun mounted scope to scan for targets. This may reduce your need for lower magnification in your scope.
Your application matters.
A fixed scope utilize fewer lenses than a variable scope. Each transition to/from implies a light transmission loss. I don't see the lens configuration easily documented, btw, also the loss with multi-coated lenses might be as little as 0.25%. http://www.opticstalk.com/how-many-lenses-in-a-rifle-scope_topic26210.html says:
Simplistically, a fixed scope with 5 lenses would have a light transmission of 0.9975^(2*5) = 97.52% vs variable scope with 9 lenses 0.9975^(2*9) = 95.59%. There are a lot of other variables in optics of course.
I am curious, actually, if anyone have side-by-side pictures of a fixed vs a zoom at the same magnification, or even just real-world experience opposed to theory.
Fixed scopes are potentially smaller and lighter than variables scopes. For my application, illumination is a requirement, and the SWFA 10x does not have that feature.
Binoculars are a much better tool than a gun mounted scope to scan for targets. This may reduce your need for lower magnification in your scope.
Your application matters.
A fixed scope utilize fewer lenses than a variable scope. Each transition to/from implies a light transmission loss. I don't see the lens configuration easily documented, btw, also the loss with multi-coated lenses might be as little as 0.25%. http://www.opticstalk.com/how-many-lenses-in-a-rifle-scope_topic26210.html says:
Simplistically, a fixed scope with 5 lenses would have a light transmission of 0.9975^(2*5) = 97.52% vs variable scope with 9 lenses 0.9975^(2*9) = 95.59%. There are a lot of other variables in optics of course.
I am curious, actually, if anyone have side-by-side pictures of a fixed vs a zoom at the same magnification, or even just real-world experience opposed to theory.
Fixed scopes are potentially smaller and lighter than variables scopes. For my application, illumination is a requirement, and the SWFA 10x does not have that feature.
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I guess if you’re shooting targets at known fixed distances a fixed power works. For hunting in the field, under varying light conditions, yardages, small critters, etc. it would be a huge handicap for me. A quality variable magnification scope is just that, quality. I love my FFP scopes, because when I hunt or pest I use the full range of magnification. I’ve shot critters at 6x at 20 yards to pigeons at 94 yards at 24x. I get to make the choice in the field. I personally will never purchase a fixed power scope.
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Thanks guys for all your input, definitely narrow down the selection of the variables in choosing a scope.
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For years I shot with open sights,then a friend of mine out shot me with a 4x scope,then I got one of those,used it for years and keep my distances within 60 yds...no problems....as I got older and had more money I went to variables scope,but seems I keep it on 7x unless I was shooting 100yds.....
What I am saying is this ;some"old timers" may think of scopes as a luxury,thus fixed scopes are not such a handicap.
Re thinking the above,a fixed scope has its place,butt a variable scope gives a person more options.I could make a 10x work for most of my shooting needs.
What I am saying is this ;some"old timers" may think of scopes as a luxury,thus fixed scopes are not such a handicap.
Re thinking the above,a fixed scope has its place,butt a variable scope gives a person more options.I could make a 10x work for most of my shooting needs.
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For a few years my favorite scope has been the Leupold 6.5-20xefr. It is unavailable now and I don't ever take it off 20x, so the last three scopes I've bought have been SWFA SS 20x scopes. I like the MOA reticle better than mil dots, and the front focus ring is very convenient.
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I have the SWFA 10x mil-quad on my Veteran long and really like it. Sometimes I wish I had a variable but this gets the job done without an issue. It's nice that I can pick it up and it's just point and shoot.
I also have the clicking turret with tape for it but it's not on in this pic. The clicking method works great with this scope.as does holdover with the milquad reticle.
I also have the clicking turret with tape for it but it's not on in this pic. The clicking method works great with this scope.as does holdover with the milquad reticle.
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Love fixed power scopes! Still low enough to shoot close ranges yet good enough to shoot over 100yds for me at small targets. I mainly pest and I usually kept scopes on around 10x anyways so was natural for me also. I've got a few variable scopes both SFP and FFP and even though I like them I prefer the fixed power scopes.
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So, I'm thinking of a fixed power scope, would it be good to conclude that to have a fixed power scope is easier to predict the ballistic drop of the projectile since the scope is fixed and learn from the reticle.
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I would think not, especially with a variable FFP scope. The hold overs are the same at all available magnifications.
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Yes, I think so. I use a fixed 6x on my deer rifle, makes it super easy to bracket deer with the duplex reticle for ranging out to 400 yards. It is probably best to use a mid-powered scope. I like 20x on air rifles, but have used 32x and 40x variables for field target, so the field of view isn't a problem any more.
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I have Leupold 6.5-20 EFR's on two guns and always shoot them on 20x unless I am shooting field target and am limited to 16x.
Since you say you will mostly be shooting at the same distance I assume you are target shooting. I like more magnification when target shooting. I have some 3-9x scopes and always wish for more magnification when target shooting with them.
There is a saying, "aim small, miss small" and you can aim smaller when using more magnification. Often I don't even draw bulls on my target paper, I just shoot a .177 pellet hole in the paper and use that as my bull for the next 5 or 10 shots at 23 to 25 yds. That little hole is hard to see past the reticle of a 3-9 scope.
If you consider any of the popular variables that go beyond 24x, read any reviews you can find before buying. Some reviews site loss of resolution when you start getting up towards 32x and beyond.
More info than you asked for, but here is the reticle I have in the Leupolds. I think the scope is still available, it's just called the VX-3i now instead of VX-III.
Since you say you will mostly be shooting at the same distance I assume you are target shooting. I like more magnification when target shooting. I have some 3-9x scopes and always wish for more magnification when target shooting with them.
There is a saying, "aim small, miss small" and you can aim smaller when using more magnification. Often I don't even draw bulls on my target paper, I just shoot a .177 pellet hole in the paper and use that as my bull for the next 5 or 10 shots at 23 to 25 yds. That little hole is hard to see past the reticle of a 3-9 scope.
If you consider any of the popular variables that go beyond 24x, read any reviews you can find before buying. Some reviews site loss of resolution when you start getting up towards 32x and beyond.
More info than you asked for, but here is the reticle I have in the Leupolds. I think the scope is still available, it's just called the VX-3i now instead of VX-III.
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