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Dual Focal Plane

Mbaysinger89

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Feb 13, 2017
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Why are dual focal plane scopes/reticles not more popular. It seems like a simple thinish plex that remains a constant size, and ffp dots or hashes in the ffp. Seems like the best of both worlds. Is it alignment of the two different lenses? impossible to make everything track together?
 
Dual focal plane? You mean like selectable option on an optic to make it switch between the two?

Considering where the reticle tube resides, it would be a challenge. Interesting idea none the less. Not sure the benefit would be worth the engineering required to pull that off if it was even possible though.
 
Burris made one in their AR style optic for the 3 gun world and sounded like a solid design. The other outfit that has done this is Shepherd Optics and it caters to the hunting segment. Its an interesting design and probably works well but they only offer it in BDC configuration. I've actually been very close to trying out their newer FFP mil/mil option but just can't spend the money when I read their full specs. I did talk with one of the Engineers from Shepherd and he claimed they make their own scopes (even the glass) here in the US. If I could verify this I might try one just for pure 'Merica.
 
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Yeah Shepherd is where I saw it. Looking for a new scope and saw dual focal plane option in the filter menu.


Are those tri-focal scopes for the geriatric type?
 
Dual focal plane? You mean like selectable option on an optic to make it switch between the two?

Considering where the reticle tube resides, it would be a challenge. Interesting idea none the less. Not sure the benefit would be worth the engineering required to pull that off if it was even possible though.

No I mean literally dual plane, 2 separate reticles. A simple plex in the second plane, and a tree or cascading dots in the first plane. So the plex always stays constant in size and the dots act like a ffp and stay consistant to the target throughout the mag range.
 
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No I mean literally dual plane, 2 separate reticles. A simple plex in the second plane, and a tree or cascading dots in the first plane. So the plex always stays constant in size and the dots act like a ffp and stay consistant to the target throughout the mag range.

There's always someone looking for a gimmick to make up for lack of shooting skill
 
There's always someone looking for a gimmick to make up for lack of shooting skill

Actually a very viable solution invented back in 1981. Would have been much better tech than what the military was using up through the 2000s. FFP is a problem at low power - hence the overlaying SFP part of the reticle. FFP part of the reticle works for ranging and holderovers.... Keep in mind this optic was designed for big game hunting. The Horus is considered hot tech but this is a gimmick? The problem with BDC reticles has been that they are typically SFP, these guys are at least FFP. Like I stated above, I'm not rushing off to buy one but it would be a major step in the right direction for most hunters.
 
Im not saying I want a damn Shepherd. Im asking why it isnt a thing. With all the advancements in scopes in the last 15 years why not take the one downside of a ffp out of the conversation.

Name a ffp reticle that is usuable in a lowlight hunting situation without illumination, and isnt too thick at 15-18. March's tapered posts doesn't make them a Quigley. The hollow post on a MIL-R doesnt make them a Quigley. Illya's horseshoe in the new Meopta doesn't make it a Quigley. All of those are attempts to make a ffp usable at low mag.
 
Why are dual focal plane scopes/reticles not more popular. It seems like a simple thinish plex that remains a constant size, and ffp dots or hashes in the ffp. Seems like the best of both worlds. Is it alignment of the two different lenses? impossible to make everything track together?

To answer your original question, Marketing. The original Owner of Shepherd kept the company very small and very limited advertising. For the era it should have been very popular. The 2 reticles actually adjust separately/independently of each other. Could be very useful but largely a hunting scope.

For precision shooting, if you read the specs they are lacking. Mostly BDC reticles, limited internal adjustability, and no track record in the competition world. If the scope is rock solid in the reticle and glass, my concern is still in the adjustment/tracking. Just the "look" of the turrets makes me think China.
 
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Yes 2 sets of adjustments. The system was designed to be used for holdovers, not so much dialing. They have some videos on their website that show how to use them. Could be used in different ways (2nd zero, zero offset, fixed reference point, whatever). As long as the SFP reticle isn't in the way you could just ignore it and dial up for elevation. I don't own one so I can't say its great but I've found it interesting for a long time. If only they would put out a decent reticle I would try the dual reticle stuff. The BDC thing is just too limiting and I tend to move optics around a lot.

 
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Im not saying I want a damn Shepherd. Im asking why it isnt a thing. With all the advancements in scopes in the last 15 years why not take the one downside of a ffp out of the conversation.

Name a ffp reticle that is usuable in a lowlight hunting situation without illumination, and isnt too thick at 15-18. March's tapered posts doesn't make them a Quigley. The hollow post on a MIL-R doesnt make them a Quigley. Illya's horseshoe in the new Meopta doesn't make it a Quigley. All of those are attempts to make a ffp usable at low mag.
LRHS

it works
 
There's always someone looking for a gimmick to make up for lack of shooting skill


Vertical rifle grips? High BC bullets? Smokeless powder? Tactile turrets instead of friction? 30" barrels? 22# rifles? $800 tripods and $400 ball heads? 3 pillows hanging off your belt? Kestrels? Rangefinders? Dope cards? Lock speed? Recoil pads? Barricade stops?

All for what? Make up for the lack of shooting skill. Thats what equipment is engineered to do. I guess I dont see how a usuable reticle, when sfp with any kind of scale is bs, and ffp at low power is bs is searching for a way to make up for my lack of ability.

It was a stupid question because Im not an optical engineer, so it was put in the "stupid questions" forum.

I would really like to know how any reticle makes someone a competent shooter though. Maybe I would buy one.