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Rifle Scopes Fixed Power vs. Vari
- Thread starter Spud47
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Re: Fixed Power vs. Vari
Simplicity, ruggedness and durability. It simply has less moving parts than any variable. In turn you lose the versatility and functionality that a variable offers.
The are always trade offs.....you get one thing and then lose another.
Simplicity, ruggedness and durability. It simply has less moving parts than any variable. In turn you lose the versatility and functionality that a variable offers.
The are always trade offs.....you get one thing and then lose another.
Re: Fixed Power vs. Vari
Sure; a variable is more functional and versatile than a fixed power due to it's design. You have a choice of power, FOV and exit pupil. With a fixed power scope, it's power, FOV and exit pupil are all fixed. It cannot change, it is what it is.
With a variable you can change all of those elements. What a larger FOV, turn your power ring down. Bigger exit pupil, ditto. From low power to high, with a variable you the operator can control the picture you see.
That how I define "Functionalty & Versaltility".
But there is another side to this coin. If my life and that of my loved ones, depended upon a scope, and there was no prospect of getting the scope easily repaired, then I would choose a fixed power, as reliability would be "more" important than "versatility".
Because my life and limb does not depend on a scope functioning, and if one breaks I get it repaired, I choose to use variable scopes.
I hope that fully answers your questions....
Sure; a variable is more functional and versatile than a fixed power due to it's design. You have a choice of power, FOV and exit pupil. With a fixed power scope, it's power, FOV and exit pupil are all fixed. It cannot change, it is what it is.
With a variable you can change all of those elements. What a larger FOV, turn your power ring down. Bigger exit pupil, ditto. From low power to high, with a variable you the operator can control the picture you see.
That how I define "Functionalty & Versaltility".
But there is another side to this coin. If my life and that of my loved ones, depended upon a scope, and there was no prospect of getting the scope easily repaired, then I would choose a fixed power, as reliability would be "more" important than "versatility".
Because my life and limb does not depend on a scope functioning, and if one breaks I get it repaired, I choose to use variable scopes.
I hope that fully answers your questions....
Re: Fixed Power vs. Vari
That helps a lot. Lately I have been on a KISS kick. My next scope will be a fixed power.
Is there a magnification range that is best all around?
I was looking at a 10X or 17X. My eyes are nots as sharp as they use to be, I think the 17X might be better.
Any input on magnification would be helpful.
That helps a lot. Lately I have been on a KISS kick. My next scope will be a fixed power.
Is there a magnification range that is best all around?
I was looking at a 10X or 17X. My eyes are nots as sharp as they use to be, I think the 17X might be better.
Any input on magnification would be helpful.
Re: Fixed Power vs. Vari
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Spud47</div><div class="ubbcode-body">That helps a lot. Lately I have been on a KISS kick. My next scope will be a fixed power.
Is there a magnification range that is best all around?
I was looking at a 10X or 17X. My eyes are nots as sharp as they use to be, I think the 17X might be better.
Any input on magnification would be helpful.</div></div>
I'd like to expound on verstility and functionality if I may. The big thing a variable scope offers you is a better opportunity at ranging something. If you have a 10X mil-dot fixed for instance and your are trying to range something that is oversized for it's reticle you can't change it. That, vs. say a 4-16x or 4.5-14 SFP where the reticle is set at 14x to match mils. You can dial down the power to 7 to get 2 mils. That's an arbitrary example, I can't think of anything too big to range in a 14x scope. However, I can see you being able to track two targets with the lower power. As long as you remember to change the mil size in your mind. That goes back to what Bob said with wider field of view. You can see more, you just can't see it as well.
The other aspect of a variable is sometimes the standard tactical 10x is too high of power. You sometimes need to dial down all the way to see through mirage or light conditions. A number of times I saw a target at low power I couldn't make out at higher power. Not at least without searching too hard for it.
Edit:
I forgot to add. I think 17X is way too high for a fixed power scope. Unless you sit on a range and make short shots 100% of the time. The highest fixed power I would recommend is a 10x. A 6X or 8X is really all you need. The key to that is really high quality glass. Before you add power you should really think about going up in quality.
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Spud47</div><div class="ubbcode-body">That helps a lot. Lately I have been on a KISS kick. My next scope will be a fixed power.
Is there a magnification range that is best all around?
I was looking at a 10X or 17X. My eyes are nots as sharp as they use to be, I think the 17X might be better.
Any input on magnification would be helpful.</div></div>
I'd like to expound on verstility and functionality if I may. The big thing a variable scope offers you is a better opportunity at ranging something. If you have a 10X mil-dot fixed for instance and your are trying to range something that is oversized for it's reticle you can't change it. That, vs. say a 4-16x or 4.5-14 SFP where the reticle is set at 14x to match mils. You can dial down the power to 7 to get 2 mils. That's an arbitrary example, I can't think of anything too big to range in a 14x scope. However, I can see you being able to track two targets with the lower power. As long as you remember to change the mil size in your mind. That goes back to what Bob said with wider field of view. You can see more, you just can't see it as well.
The other aspect of a variable is sometimes the standard tactical 10x is too high of power. You sometimes need to dial down all the way to see through mirage or light conditions. A number of times I saw a target at low power I couldn't make out at higher power. Not at least without searching too hard for it.
Edit:
I forgot to add. I think 17X is way too high for a fixed power scope. Unless you sit on a range and make short shots 100% of the time. The highest fixed power I would recommend is a 10x. A 6X or 8X is really all you need. The key to that is really high quality glass. Before you add power you should really think about going up in quality.
Re: Fixed Power vs. Vari
Sounds like someone's looking at USO's (fixed 10 or <span style="font-weight: bold">17</span>)...
I run a ST10 on my 223 SPR, and currently a MK4 16X on my backup boltgun. If you are going past 500 and don't plan on close movers, I'd go 17. I always find myself wanting more power on the ST10, but you will soon hear from many that feel 10X is all one needs.....
Sounds like someone's looking at USO's (fixed 10 or <span style="font-weight: bold">17</span>)...
I run a ST10 on my 223 SPR, and currently a MK4 16X on my backup boltgun. If you are going past 500 and don't plan on close movers, I'd go 17. I always find myself wanting more power on the ST10, but you will soon hear from many that feel 10X is all one needs.....
Re: Fixed Power vs. Vari
Im a fan of the KISS method. I use a 10x fixed on my 308 and it works just fine. I can shoot to the 1k mark with it ... performance is all that I need. To get the quality and durability I have in my 10x SS HD I would have to spent well north of 2k for variable glass. Add on the .1 mil W/E adjustments and that would push that total even more. Now ... that being said, If I was shooting a 338/408/50 at really long range this might change.
I would however warn that a fixed 17x would have a very narrow FOV at 100yards. This might not be an issue for you depending on use. Just something to consider.
Lastly ... I pack a nice set of 10x42 binos with the same reticle my scope has ... it all looks the same. I like the KISS method.
Im a fan of the KISS method. I use a 10x fixed on my 308 and it works just fine. I can shoot to the 1k mark with it ... performance is all that I need. To get the quality and durability I have in my 10x SS HD I would have to spent well north of 2k for variable glass. Add on the .1 mil W/E adjustments and that would push that total even more. Now ... that being said, If I was shooting a 338/408/50 at really long range this might change.
I would however warn that a fixed 17x would have a very narrow FOV at 100yards. This might not be an issue for you depending on use. Just something to consider.
Lastly ... I pack a nice set of 10x42 binos with the same reticle my scope has ... it all looks the same. I like the KISS method.
Re: Fixed Power vs. Vari
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: sobrbiker883</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Sounds like someone's looking at USO's (fixed 10 or <span style="font-weight: bold">17</span>)...
I run a ST10 on my 223 SPR, and currently a MK4 16X on my backup boltgun. If you are going past 500 and don't plan on close movers, I'd go 17. I always find myself wanting more power on the ST10, <span style="font-weight: bold">but you will soon hear from many that feel 10X is all one needs.</span>....</div></div>
...and here I said 6X or 8X...
.....
I like the simple functionality of the fixed power scope. I too have an ST-10. Which I really love. But there have been times I wished I could have dialed it down. And, like sobrbiker883, really wished I could dial it up. But, that's because I've got other scopes with 20X and 24X magnification. You sure get spoiled with high X.
Since your looking at USO, you might consider saving some pennies and going for the SN-3 3.2-17X I'm kind of wishing I had. They will do an FFP if you want so the reticle never changes in relation to the target as you dial up or down. Then again, a SFP is just that much more versatility. ( believe that is standard)
Anyhow, the reason I say the 17X is too high is it's hard to work with on a broad range. If you zeroed in on an area then you can search it. But for long range on hot days 17x is miserable to try and see through...on most any scope. It's not the scope, it's the air. And magnification of it, no matter how good, makes it more difficult to see through. For fixed targets out to 300 yds off a bench they work really good. Enough magnification to see the fine features of a target and exactly where you want to aim. Even in harsh conditions. But, everything is a 'known'. You ain't looking for something you don't see.
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: sobrbiker883</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Sounds like someone's looking at USO's (fixed 10 or <span style="font-weight: bold">17</span>)...
I run a ST10 on my 223 SPR, and currently a MK4 16X on my backup boltgun. If you are going past 500 and don't plan on close movers, I'd go 17. I always find myself wanting more power on the ST10, <span style="font-weight: bold">but you will soon hear from many that feel 10X is all one needs.</span>....</div></div>
...and here I said 6X or 8X...
I like the simple functionality of the fixed power scope. I too have an ST-10. Which I really love. But there have been times I wished I could have dialed it down. And, like sobrbiker883, really wished I could dial it up. But, that's because I've got other scopes with 20X and 24X magnification. You sure get spoiled with high X.
Since your looking at USO, you might consider saving some pennies and going for the SN-3 3.2-17X I'm kind of wishing I had. They will do an FFP if you want so the reticle never changes in relation to the target as you dial up or down. Then again, a SFP is just that much more versatility. ( believe that is standard)
Anyhow, the reason I say the 17X is too high is it's hard to work with on a broad range. If you zeroed in on an area then you can search it. But for long range on hot days 17x is miserable to try and see through...on most any scope. It's not the scope, it's the air. And magnification of it, no matter how good, makes it more difficult to see through. For fixed targets out to 300 yds off a bench they work really good. Enough magnification to see the fine features of a target and exactly where you want to aim. Even in harsh conditions. But, everything is a 'known'. You ain't looking for something you don't see.
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