FFP scopes...

Klunk

Klunk

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In relation to looking for a Falcon FFP scope...

What other optics/makers do a Front Focal Plane scope...

As in....the reticle (preferably mildot) 'stays' the same size throughout magnification

I know Falcon does it (with some makes) and US Optics ($$$$$$$$$$$$$$$ouch)

any others??
 
Nightforce's NXS 3.5-15x50 F1 is their scope which has the reticle in the FFP.
 
Klunk said:
...

As in....the reticle (preferably mildot) 'stays' the same size throughout magnification
Click to expand...

In all FFP scopes the reticle is very small at lowest magnification and gets progressively larger to the eye as magnification is increased.
The advantage of this is that you can range at any power (big deal)
Personally I find that the changing size of the reticle hard to deal with optically.
I had a S&B 3x12 , USO 12x42 both of which were nearly impossible to see the reticle at low magnification, yet at max magnification ALL I could see was reticle.

2nd focal plane scopes are the ones where regardless of magnification the reticle appears to be the same size.
This system requires that the magnification be set at a certain power in order to range with the reticle, but the reticle is constantly the same appearance.

I just brought in some Premier Reticle 5x25 scopes that are FFP, so will try 1 more time to see if I can make the FFP thing work for my eyes.
 
Lot's of buzz on the sniper forums about Vortex releasing their Viper PST FFP scopes in 2010. Each scope is being released in MIL/MIL or MOA/MOA turret/reticle combinations. All scopes also come standard with illumination. All priced less than $1000 USD. Pictures of the actually scopes will not be released until after Shot Show.

Viper PST 6–24x50 FFP Riflescope with EBR-1 MRAD Reticle/Turret
Viper PST 6–24x50 FFP Riflescope with EBR-1 MOA Reticle/Turret
Viper PST 4–16x50 FFP Riflescope with EBR-1 MRAD Reticle/Turret
Viper PST 4–16x50 FFP Riflescope with EBR-1 MOA Reticle/Turret
 
My USO Spotter has the reticle in the FFP. Albeit a pure joy to use, the reticle can get in the way when zoomed way in...

Below are two pics which I took last winter with my USO Spotter (15-40x). Sorry they look like $hit but it was miserable out that day.


1200 yds @ 15x (min zoom)
1200yds15x-1.jpg


1200 yds @ 40x (max zoom)
1200yds40x.jpg
 
As others have commented there are alot of FFP scopes out there and for good reason. It makes absolutely no sense to have a ranging reticle on a scope with the SFP. The scope can only be used for ranging at full power!
Have you ever tried to range a target with adverse light conditions or on a hot day with mirage and the scope is set at full power :eek: No thanks! If you want a scope with a constant reticle size be aware of these problems and DO NOT buy a ranging reticle just a standard reticle will do but you will have to use a rangefinder and then dial in. Keep it simple.
bigbull
 
bigbull said:
As others have commented there are alot of FFP scopes out there and for good reason. It makes absolutely no sense to have a ranging reticle on a scope with the SFP. The scope can only be used for ranging at full power!
Have you ever tried to range a target with adverse light conditions or on a hot day with mirage and the scope is set at full power :eek: No thanks! If you want a scope with a constant reticle size be aware of these problems and DO NOT buy a ranging reticle just a standard reticle will do but you will have to use a rangefinder and then dial in. Keep it simple.
bigbull
Click to expand...

Most scopes are calibrated at the highest magnification on SFP models. However, ranging can still be completed at magnification multiples, so you can effectively range at other magnifications.

For example, on a 4-16x50 model the reticle is calibrated for 16x. However, if you divide 16x by 2 (turn to 8x) you simply multiply the reticle subtensions by 2. If you divide 16x by 3 (5.3x) you multiply the reticle subtensions by 3. And if you divide 16x by 4 (4x) you multiply the reticle subtensions by 4.
 
I found the same problems Rick mentioned with my Falcon 4-14x44 when at min or max power. Not sure if going to a higher magnification,but not using fully cranked would alieviate the too big reticle problem or not? Any thoughts?
 
dpopl8r said:
Most scopes are calibrated at the highest magnification on SFP models. However, ranging can still be completed at magnification multiples, so you can effectively range at other magnifications.

For example, on a 4-16x50 model the reticle is calibrated for 16x. However, if you divide 16x by 2 (turn to 8x) you simply multiply the reticle subtensions by 2. If you divide 16x by 3 (5.3x) you multiply the reticle subtensions by 3. And if you divide 16x by 4 (4x) you multiply the reticle subtensions by 4.
Click to expand...

THis gets complicated, the idea is to have a simple usable ranging reticle. In theory it can be done if you are able to place the power ring at the EXACT multiples in order to extrapolate the values but I have never been able to put the power ring at any one value EXACTLY except with one scope that has clicks at the each power setting. You would also have to make up charts with all the other values at different power settings.At the end why bother with all the hassle just get a FFP scope and do it right!
bb
 
Woodbeef said:
I found the same problems Rick mentioned with my Falcon 4-14x44 when at min or max power. Not sure if going to a higher magnification,but not using fully cranked would alieviate the too big reticle problem or not? Any thoughts?
Click to expand...

The reticle looking too big is only a factor when punching paper or shooting at very small objects at long distance. For their intended purpose (Police/Military) these are not factors, since being able to zoom in or out to suit your conditions would not render the scopes ranging abilities useless which is not the case with SFP reticles. Choosing the right reticle is of paramount importance for a FFP scope, I have 3 FFP scopes and see no problem with any of the reticles. Being able to zoom in or out to satisfy your view is a major atvantage with FFP scopes not loosing the reticles function.
bigbull
 
Who really uses the reticle for ranging anymore? Laser rangefinders are cheap...

But, being able to use your mil marks for quick windage and elevation offsets and for correcting misses without having to dial to the "magic" magnification is a huge advantage in the field. I've switched all my scopes to mil/mil FFP. The only situation where I would ever want SFP over FFP is for shooting paper at a know distance, and this is only because SPF scopes are available with higher magnification with finer crosshairs.
 
dpopl8r said:
Most scopes are calibrated at the highest magnification on SFP models. However, ranging can still be completed at magnification multiples, so you can effectively range at other magnifications.

For example, on a 4-16x50 model the reticle is calibrated for 16x. However, if you divide 16x by 2 (turn to 8x) you simply multiply the reticle subtensions by 2. If you divide 16x by 3 (5.3x) you multiply the reticle subtensions by 3. And if you divide 16x by 4 (4x) you multiply the reticle subtensions by 4.
Click to expand...

I've thought of this too. The problem is, how do you know that the magnification marks are accurate? I suppose with emperical data you can find the right half point.

I have a FFP scope. I like the scope but will not buy another FFP.
 
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