Scope FFP (First Focal Plane) Necessary?

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xopher

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I am looking into purchasing a vortex scope and theres a more expensive model with FFP for a price difference of 180ish dollars. What is this feature about and what are its advantages?

Seeing as this is my first expensive optic purchase, ill probably go all out and buy the expensive model as a keeper instead of swapping it later down the road.

I did read this off wiki " e reticle may be located at the front or rear focal plane (First Focal Plane (FFP) or Second Focal Plane (SFP)) of the telescopic sight. On fixed power telescopic sights there is no significant difference, but on variable power telescopic sights the front plane reticle remains at a constant size compared to the target, while rear plane reticles remain a constant size to the user as the target imag" but im still not getting it.
 
I believe it only makes a difference when you are using the recital for ranging, on the ffp you can use any power setting to get the range, and on the other you have to use a specific power setting to do your ranging. Someone might tell me I am way wrong but this is how I understand it.
 
it sounds like the ffp reticule is seen smaller at increased magnification (and the other way around) while the sfp reticule doesn't change.

also the ranging thing above
 
The front focal plane will have its reticle calibrated through out the magnification range. So if it is mil dots you could estimate ranges at any power. More useful though is when you use the recticle for holdover or for wind correction you can do so at whatever power suits that situation. Most scopes are second focal plane and the reticle only corresponds to its holdover marks at one power - usually max. The leupold boone and crocket would be an example of this. Check out Horus scopes, I think there is some good literature there.
Cheers
 
derrick1978 said:
Check out the Vortex warranty thread in the optics section. There are better scopes in that price range, unless you're looking specifically for Filipino junk.
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:puke: Enough with the snobbery already. Not everyone can afford or wants to afford a Schmidt & Bender.


I bought the 6-24X50 PST FFP last year and at that time there were no other FFP scopes in that price/quality range. I'm not aware that Sightron has come out with a FFP scope yet, so when you say there are better scopes in that price range H:S: comes to mind.
 
zimbu said:
:puke: Enough with the snobbery already. Not everyone can afford or wants to afford a Schmidt & Bender.


I bought the 6-24X50 PST FFP last year and at that time there were no other FFP scopes in that price/quality range. I'm not aware that Sightron has come out with a FFP scope yet, so when you say there are better scopes in that price range H:S: comes to mind.
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I would settle for a Bushnell Elite or Weaver offering before mediocre Filipino garbage. . Look on the bottom of the scope, if it doesn't say "Japan", "USA" of "Germany", there is a very high probability that it will suck.
 
Buy what scope you like and can afford,

I would however suggest you getting a FFP scope, it takes out the "possibility" of error with hold overs and windage like mentioned above due to incorrect magnification settings during measurements.
 
xopher said:
well i just started to do research scopes. what are other brands do you recommend?
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In the vortex price range I'd suggest looking at a FFP sightron (they make them) maybe a leup mark 4, or eat the increase and go to a night force and quick detachable rings and use this scope on all your guns. And sell off some other scopes or never have to buy another scope again.

I'd also seriously look at getting a MIL/MIL scope instead of dots!

My 2 cents

Good luck
 
legi0n said:
it sounds like the ffp reticule is seen smaller at increased magnification (and the other way around) while the sfp reticule doesn't change.

also the ranging thing above
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The other way around- the reticle appears larger at higher magnification with the FFP scope.

Essentially the size proportion between the reticle and the image does not change when you increase the magnification with a FFP scope. With a SFP scope, the image appears to get larger, in relation to the size of the reticle, as magnification increases.

And BTW, I've seen plenty of scope made in the Philippines that have held zero better, tracked better, had better optical quality, and been tougher than some other scopes made in those 3 magical countries that Derrick quoted above...
 
I love my 1-4x pst. Obviously not using it on a precision rifle with that low of magnification, but I am looking to upgrade the scope on my .308 to a higher magnification viper pst at some point this year.
 
There are better scopes in that price range, unless you're looking specifically for Filipino junk.
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ah the interwebs... what some people don't get is that they are only reading the stories about people with a complaint, not the VAST majority that have the same product and have never had an issue with it.
 
derrick1978 said:
...There are better scopes in that price range, unless you're looking specifically for Filipino junk...
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Oh FFS.... here we go....

For what it's worth I run Nightforce, Leupold and now Vortex PST on some of my precision rigs. For the money the Vortex just cannot be beat. I find it to be a very good scope indeed. The clarity is very good, it is repeatable and the fit / finish / function is superb. It also offers some options found only on scopes twice its price.

What finally sold me on the Vortex Scopes (I run a few Strike Fires and Sparcs too along side my Aimpoints and Eotechs) was when a premium supporting CGN dealer who builds custom long range rigs including .50BMG precision rigs put his stamp of approval on them and suggested them as a very viable alternative to the much more expensive scopes. As he mentioned in his post in his dealer forum, not every rifle necessarily requires a $2500 scope. Vortex is a fine scope to fill that niche.. then again what does he know about long range shooting or optics :D

I have absolutely no issue recommending (and all to happy to use) a Vortex PST optic on any of my rifles. As a matter of fact my second PST just arrived for my precision AR and will soon be mounted. NF is still my preferred optic but I have no issue with buying a Vortex PST over another Leupold LRT and based on my personal experience IMO there is certainly nothing made by Bushnell that will come even close to a PST regardles of how Elite or Tactical Bushnell says it is...

Here is a link to some pics of the PST and others on some of my rifles.....

http://www.canadiangunnutz.com/forum/showthread.php?t=655558

If Vortex is what you want then go for it. I'm willing to bet you won't be sorry.

As for the haters... chances are they got burned on similar priced / more expensive scopes from the BIG brand names and can't admit they could have done better with a Vortex.

Regards,
 
derrick1978 said:
I would settle for a Bushnell Elite or Weaver offering before mediocre Filipino garbage. . Look on the bottom of the scope, if it doesn't say "Japan", "USA" of "Germany", there is a very high probability that it will suck.
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Bushnell glass eclipses Weaver and any other entry level to mid tier scope. The glass in the Elites is better in a lot of cases than Leuopold glass, and other high end makes. Where Bushnell begins to lose against high end brands is in durability and in the consistency and repeatability in windage/elevation adjustments. You are on the right track, spend your money once, spend wisely. I picked up a Sightron SIII 6-24x50, and I love it, Under $1000, plus good rings were another $100 or so.

There's something out there for everyone, whatever price/quality point you need. Now, get out and shoot. :sniper:
 
peacefrog said:
..... Where Bushnell begins to lose against high end brands is in durability and in the consistency and repeatability in windage/elevation adjustments.....:
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Which totally defeats the purpose of buying a scope. No point in having it if it does not go back to zero on any given plane and you can no longer trust it

I have had several Bushnells go for a sh*t on less than heavy recoiling rifles. I gave up on them a few years ago and never looked back. I run NF, Leupold and Vortex PST's and I have no regrets. I got burned way too many times by Bushnell for durability and repeatability / consistency and yet I went back to them as well as upgrading, trying to convince myself that the scope I bought was too cheap and the next level up would be better. Not so and thusly Bushnell has lost me as a customer most likely forever.

I have not yet tried a Sightron but I hear many good things about them as well.

If anyone thinks that no lemons are found in the "BIG NAME" scopes then they need to spend less time on the internet and more time on the range. Any and all manufacturers can / have produced lemons. Forums such as this tend to concentrate on the negative reviews.

As explained in one of the very basic rules of marketing to the public: a satisfied customer on average only tells one person but an unsatisfied person tells an average of eleven people about thier experience.

Regards,
 
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