I am getting confused with the whole first plane and second plane issue in terms of where the reticule is and it's ability to be used as a bullet drop compensator. With the conquest zeiss z 600 with the reticule in the second plane do you have to be on a specific magnification to use the bullet drop hash marks or can you use them on any magnification setting?
question about the zeiss rapid z 600 reticle
- Thread starter spenom
- Start date
I am just going to post this here for my own future reference.
Europeans prefer first plane scopes because they legally and normally hunt a lot later than we do here, and larger reticles are easier to see on a target. First plane scopes also cannot change point of impact when changing magnification because the reticle does not move. The focus for the reticle and the parallax adjustment are such that when you change the parallax setting on a first plane scope you will sometimes lose sharp focus of your reticle. Therefore, most European scopes have a fast-focus eyepiece. This is for the reticle and nothing else. Most European scopes are also built on 30mm tubes, many of them steel instead of aluminum. They are in general bigger and heavier than their American counterparts.
First plane scopes with rangefinding type reticles may be used at any power. European glass is second to none. Second plane scopes or "American" scopes are smaller and lighter and can have point of impact change when changing magnification, and many of them, especially less expensive ones certainly do. The parallax setting on second plane scopes has nothing to do with the reticle focus, so fast-focus eyepieces are a matter of convenience and pretty much a useless feature. Set it once properly at high power and leave it forever. Second plane scopes also have a smaller appearing reticle on the target at high power than low power, which is extremely important for precise shot placement. Second plane scopes with rangefinding type reticles are designed to be used at one power only. BDC reticles are not excluded from this. Traditionally, second plane scopes are one inch, but 30mm tubes are gaining popularity rapidly. Most people think that the larger tube offers a brighter image, but this is not true, although it may in some cases offer better resolution. Steel scopes are a thing of the past here. Also, all of our glass is imported, with no exceptions I am aware of on magnified scopes."
Europeans prefer first plane scopes because they legally and normally hunt a lot later than we do here, and larger reticles are easier to see on a target. First plane scopes also cannot change point of impact when changing magnification because the reticle does not move. The focus for the reticle and the parallax adjustment are such that when you change the parallax setting on a first plane scope you will sometimes lose sharp focus of your reticle. Therefore, most European scopes have a fast-focus eyepiece. This is for the reticle and nothing else. Most European scopes are also built on 30mm tubes, many of them steel instead of aluminum. They are in general bigger and heavier than their American counterparts.
First plane scopes with rangefinding type reticles may be used at any power. European glass is second to none. Second plane scopes or "American" scopes are smaller and lighter and can have point of impact change when changing magnification, and many of them, especially less expensive ones certainly do. The parallax setting on second plane scopes has nothing to do with the reticle focus, so fast-focus eyepieces are a matter of convenience and pretty much a useless feature. Set it once properly at high power and leave it forever. Second plane scopes also have a smaller appearing reticle on the target at high power than low power, which is extremely important for precise shot placement. Second plane scopes with rangefinding type reticles are designed to be used at one power only. BDC reticles are not excluded from this. Traditionally, second plane scopes are one inch, but 30mm tubes are gaining popularity rapidly. Most people think that the larger tube offers a brighter image, but this is not true, although it may in some cases offer better resolution. Steel scopes are a thing of the past here. Also, all of our glass is imported, with no exceptions I am aware of on magnified scopes."
Glock4ever
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Edmonton, AB
Spenom: Keep in mind that 2nd focal plane isn't bad. Most guys that are going to use the reticle aren't going to use it at the lowest magnification - Frequently longer shots (3-600m) will allow you time to adjust magnification. Where a reticle like the Rapid Z isn't so good is a scope which has a great magnification range (such as the 5-25x Mag) and you may not want to shoot at a target at 25x so you can use your reticle, this is where FFP reticles shine. If you are looking at the 3.5-10x44 I wouldn't hesitate to get the rapid-z with that scope as 10x isn't too powerful for hunting shots at 3-600m.
