Side focus or not?

[itchyTF]

This is a long one but I think is worth the read. 8 posts down -

http://forum.accurateshooter.com/index.php/topic,3765858.msg35959964.html#msg35959964

Note what he says about focus and parallax.

 

[dtucker]

Alot to read but it was worth it.

 

[alf]

I believe most rifle scope w/o AO are set to be parallax free at 150 yards.

Also, side focus scopes have one more lens than front AO's, meaning the front AO's could have a potential clearer picture.....

 

[PREMOD70]

I've also read that a side focus is a little bit less in the light gathering department due to the lens arrangement.

 

[Eddie Harren]

Different non AO scopes are set to be paralax free, at different yardages, by the manufacturer. Scopes intended for rimfire are usually set at 50 Yds.

 

[bozo699]

I believe most rifle scope w/o AO are set to be parallax free at 150 yards.

Also, side focus scopes have one more lens than front AO's, meaning the front AO's could have a potential clearer picture.....

Alf,
I did not know that but I have noticed it and wondered why? I have probably 20 Leupolds in 4.5-14, all of them are the same except the last 3 or 4 I have bought were side focus, there much more picky in there adjustment, the AO ones I set at about 150-200 yards and there pretty much good to go for a hurry shot at most any reasonable range, not true with the side focus.

 

[Nodak7mm]

Having side focus is one of those things that once you have one, you wont like it with-out.. Kinda like a microwave above the stove vs on the counter or central air vs window mount.

You will really like it!

I like it so much I am slowly trying to upgrade several scopes on varmint rifles to have that option.

Rod

 

[alf]

Different non AO scopes are set to be paralax free, at different yardages, by the manufacturer. Scopes intended for rimfire are usually set at 50 Yds.

True, including shotgun, muzzle loader, handgun, and rimfire, which wasn't what the OP was asking about.

 

[deadlyswift]

Having side focus is one of those things that once you have one, you wont like it with-out.. Kinda like a microwave above the stove vs on the counter or central air vs window mount.

You will really like it!

I like it so much I am slowly trying to upgrade several scopes on varmint rifles to have that option.

Rod

Pretty much exactly what I would have said!!

 

[brian427cobra]

Its really not a "side focus", it's a parallax knob, I set up scopes all the same way, in the day time I point my scope at the sky, parallax at infinity(sideway eight), max power, adjust the ocular until the reticle is crisp n clear, now this is very important, look away at the ground, read something on your iPhone what ever, now look thru the scope again and adjust the ocular until the reticle is crisp n clear repeat the looking at anything else but thru scope until every time you look thru the scope the reticle is crisp n clear pointing at the sky. Now when your looking at a target the scope is adjusted for your eyes, now adjust the parallax knob until the target is crisp n clear, but there's more, now make sure the reticle does not float by moving your head and not your rifle, if the reticle floats keep making fine parallax adjustments, so to recap the ocular adjusts the scope to your eyes, the parallax adjusts the scope to the target.

 

[bozo699]

Its really not a "side focus", it's a parallax knob, I set up scopes all the same way, in the day time I point my scope at the sky, parallax at infinity(sideway eight), max power, adjust the ocular until the reticle is crisp n clear, now this is very important, look away at the ground, read something on your iPhone what ever, now look thru the scope again and adjust the ocular until the reticle is crisp n clear repeat the looking at anything else but thru scope until every time you look thru the scope the reticle is crisp n clear pointing at the sky. Now when your looking at a target the scope is adjusted for your eyes, now adjust the parallax knob until the target is crisp n clear, but there's more, now make sure the reticle does not float by moving your head and not your rifle, if the reticle floats keep making fine parallax adjustments, so to recap the ocular adjusts the scope to your eyes, the parallax adjusts the scope to the target.

100% spot on Brian.
Wayne.

 

[Nodak7mm]

Its really not a "side focus", it's a parallax knob.

I think most of us here are aware of the correct terminology, but have always wondered why the marketing gurus market it as side focus vs side parallex adjustible? Its just easier to say side focus is all I can figure out.

But a good point you bring out Brian, is how may folks actually "do not" know that they adjust focus by rotating the ocular ring in the first place.

Good points to bring up.

Rod

 

[necchi]

Thanks for bringing that up again, I did that on page one,
but I guess we can't expect folks to read all the way back there. ;D

It IS confusing buying scopes in the 21st century, all the added features, all the marketing ploys, mixed terminology.
dtucker did a good job bringing this topic up, good discussion, it's actually going someplace besides
"this is the best scope", or "spend the most you can", or the classic "Buy a Leupold"

bozo made a good point below, he sets the parallax at 150-200 and it's good for the quick shot.
Paralax adjustment is realy only good for target and somewhat stationary game shots anyways. Folks just think they need it or they're somehow "less than" the next guy that does have it.
It really takes some thought to see if it's really practical for the application your going to use it for.
Paralax adjustment IS nice for target and load development when you really want to. eliminate as many errors as possible. :-\

 

[jkohler]

If buy chance your left handed like me a SF is a pain to work. So the old AO is the only way to go for left hand shooters.

 

[brian427cobra]

If buy chance your left handed like me a SF is a pain to work. So the old AO is the only way to go for left hand shooters.

US Optics custom makes scopes to order, they will put the parallax knob on the right, and the windage knob on the left, or just do like this lefty does, shoot right handed.

 

[Rustystud]

Side Focus, Adjustable Objective, Adjustable Occular, and/or Paralax Adjustment.

With any sights the shooter is having to focus on two didderent planes one the target at a specific distance and a front sight or scope cross hair or reflective grid.

Shot guns, rimfire, and hand gun scopes have the paralax pre set at 50-75 yards.

Lower end scopes for centerfire have their paralax set 100-150 yards.

All scopes have an adjustment in the occular end to focus the crass hairs. This adjusment allows for the indevidual to be able to clearly focus on the crosshair. Much the same way reading glasses work.

More expensive scopes have an Adjustable objective allowing for distant focus 25ft through infinity.

Both adjustments are doing the focus function just on differing sight planes, no ouns intended.

The best advice i can give anyone on scopes is generrally you get what you pay for. Quality lens, quality coatings, quality hardwear inside and out make for a better scope. The more light through the scope the tighter the shooters pupil the better the depth of field and the better the sight picture.
Nat Lambeth

 

[bozo699]

Nat,
So do you think my S&B PMII will be a okay scope LOL or should I look for something better
Wayne.

 

[Rustystud]

S&B makes fine scopes. Just as with any high end scope you pay the price. I have Nightforce, Sightron, and Leupold on my guns. The Sightron SIII are in a league of their own for the price. Nightforce may be tougher but no clearer. I have really lost interest in leupold as I had poor customer service last time I called. That and the fact they are having optics made by others than themselves now.
Nat

 

[bozo699]

S&B makes fine scopes. Just as with any high end scope you pay the price. I have Nightforce, Sightron, and Leupold on my guns. The Sightron SIII are in a league of their own for the price. Nightforce may be tougher but no clearer. I have really lost interest in leupold as I had poor customer service last time I called. That and the fact they are having optics made by others than themselves now.
Nat

Nat,
I was just horsing around about the S&B, I do have one and like it fine other then it's a little bulky for extended hunts. I have not had the pleasure of the SIII scopes, I had a SII 6-24 and it wasn't bad for the price. I agree with you on the Leupold's it's just a shame,...well I guess nothing lasts forever
Wayne.

 

[T 700]

What scopes is Leupold having made some were else?? Who is making them??