Rifle Scopes A quality illuminated FFP scope around $400?

[gjantzer]

Thanks for all of the info and insight provided by all of the members....

I have been reading about the Vortex Viper PST and the Falcon Menace FFP scopes. I have no experience with a FFP scope so I would like to find something like the Falcon Menace, but would really like to have an illuminated reticle. I hate to jump up to a Vortex Viper PST without gaining some experience with a FFP scope first. I am located in a small town in southern oregon so finding someone to shoot with that has a FFP scope is difficult. Is there a scope out there that is highly regarded like the Falcon Menace that has an illuminated reticle that is in the $400 price range?

 

[redrum007]

Re: A quality illuminated FFP scope around $400?

I just borrowed a FFP scope from a co-worker, and I liked it a lot. You might ask around some of the gun clubs in your area, someone may have one you could look at. If you are close to Thunder Ranch you might drop in and see if they have anything you could look at.

 

[deadnbrkn84]

Re: A quality illuminated FFP scope around $400?

Where in Southern Oregon are you located?

 

[gjantzer]

Re: A quality illuminated FFP scope around $400?

Grants Pass....3.5 hours from Portland

 

[KE5MUJ]

Re: A quality illuminated FFP scope around $400?

The bushnell 4200 FFP is close to that range, and have been very great with great glass.

 

[redneckbmxer24]

Re: A quality illuminated FFP scope around $400?

There isn't a $400 FFP scope worth having, and that includes the Falcons. SWFA has a pretty good deal going right now on the SS3-9X42 FFP's for 10% off with the hide discount, this is the cheapest FFP available right now that's worth the ammo used to zero in. If you don't like it they also retain their resale value very well, you'll lose less money if you sell it because you don't like FFP then when you sell the Falcon because you realize its a piece of junk. I would suggest the 4200 3-12x44 FFP because that's one of the nicest below $1000 but they are pretty much all gone until Bushnell re-releases them with a new name so they can charge more.

 

[deadnbrkn84]

Re: A quality illuminated FFP scope around $400?

I drive through grants pass about once every 4-6 weeks and usually take my 700 with my pst ffp on it.......

 

[BaileyMoto]

Re: A quality illuminated FFP scope around $400?

I just picked up a 4200 3-12 bushnell for $539. I think you can still find them around the $600 mark.

 

[gjantzer]

Re: A quality illuminated FFP scope around $400?

thanks for the advice so far......after reading for a bit on the bushnell elite i have run across some negative reviews:
http://www.opticstalk.com/bushnell-vs-swfa-ss_topic23099_page3.html

my reading so far has definitely confirmed confidence in the SWFA super sniper line. Maybe I will give the swfa scope a try and hold off on the illuminated reticle unless i want to step up to a vortex viper pst.

can anyone post a link to some threads that discuss the problems with the falcon menace scopes? I have heard good things about them so far but would like to know why some say they are not in the same league as the swfa ss scopes.

deadnbrkn84....i would love to take a look at the scope if you plan on coming through my way soon. let me know when you'll be by next and I'll pm you my phone number. thanks for the help all.

 

[eleaf]

Re: A quality illuminated FFP scope around $400?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: gjantzer</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I have heard good things about them so far but would like to know why some say they are not in the same league as the swfa ss scopes.
</div></div>

I have multiple SS scopes (Two 3-9x and a 1-4x) and have had 2 Falcon Menace 4-14x44 ffp.

Everything about the Falcon is inferior. The glass. The turrets. The "fit and finish". How it's built. Everything but the reticle (the 3-9x has a standard mildot).

The SS line is a bit weird in the optics world. They are sold by the manufacturer which means they are able to cut out a middle man or two and offer their products at lower prices than they would be if they went through the normal retail channels. The $599 3-9x cannot rightly be compared to other scopes in the same price range, but those in a a price bracket or two higher.

All of this is my opinion, of course.

 

[gjantzer]

Re: A quality illuminated FFP scope around $400?

sure seems like professionals are behind the swfa super sniper. why in the world would they not develop a 4-16 range variable scope? It seems like most possible buyers would be turned off by such a limited focal range (max 9 power). any idea if swfa has plans to offer a higher powered brother to the 3-9 variable power?

 

[abit91]

Re: A quality illuminated FFP scope around $400?

+1 SS FFP 4-16x50 or 20x mil/mil.

 

[gjantzer]

Re: A quality illuminated FFP scope around $400?

i'll commit now if swfa wants to put a group buy together.....lol

 

[BCP]

Re: A quality illuminated FFP scope around $400?

I have a bushnell 3-12ffp, it is okay for the money. At max mag it kind of sucks and the eyebox is small but if you dial it back to 10 it is fine. If you want those features under 1k I would wait until you can afford a PST or get the Super Sniper 3-9 if you can live with that power range.

 

[eleaf]

Re: A quality illuminated FFP scope around $400?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: gjantzer</div><div class="ubbcode-body">sure seems like professionals are behind the swfa super sniper. why in the world would they not develop a 4-16 range variable scope? It seems like most possible buyers would be turned off by such a limited focal range (max 9 power). any idea if swfa has plans to offer a higher powered brother to the 3-9 variable power? </div></div>

It seems to me like they're getting there.

They started with the fixed models. Then moved to the 3-9x which, from what I understand, was designed to be and is currently used in a designated marksman role by infantrymen. 3-9x seems a great range for that mission. Then they developed a 1-4x which is used for close up situations (and is great as a coyote scope). It seems like if they continue this evolution of their product line, a long distance variable is in the pipeline (or at least is the next logical step).