Reddit reviews Vortex Optics Diamondback 4-12x40 Second Focal Plane Riflescope - Dead-Hold BDC Reticle (MOA)
We found 17 Reddit comments about Vortex Optics Diamondback 4-12x40 Second Focal Plane Riflescope - Dead-Hold BDC Reticle (MOA). Here are the top ones, ranked by their Reddit score.
The Diamondback 4-12x40 riflescope is one of multiple configurations in the Diamondback lineup and is ideal for big game, predator/varmint, muzzleloader, slug shotgun, and long range applications.Dead-Hold BDC reticle is good for any hunting or shooting at varying ranges where estimating hold-over would be a concern.Lenses are fully multi-coated for crystal clear, bright images from dawn till dusk. The fast focus eyepiece allows for quick and easy reticle focusing.Metal on metal precision turrets offer the ability to zero reset after sight-in. A precision glide erector system ensures accurate tracking and repeatability.A solid one-piece tube with a hard anodized finish creates a shockproof and durable scope while helping camouflage the shooter's position. Argon purged and o-ring sealed the scope will deliver a lifetime of fog proof and waterproof performance.
A 4-16x50 scope translates thusly:
"4-16": Magnification range. Magnification is adjustable from x4 power to x16 power.
"50": The diameter of the forward most lens.
Lens Size As you magnify, less light is being transmitted through your lens, so while your picture might seem bright and normal on x4 magnification, your x16 magnification might look kind of gray scale and dark. Best way of fixing this: Make the forward most lens bigger to gather more light. Pros: You can see in low light and better at long magnifications. Cons: Adds a lot of weight.
Tube Size There are usually two sizes you'll see—1" (small and light), and 30mm (bigger and heavier). While the 30mm tube is heavier, it does transmit more light, and will also allow more space for windage and elevation adjustments. Pros for 30mm: Extreme long range adjustments, better light transmission at night and at high magnification. Cons for 30mm: Adds a lot of weight, especially if you're never shooting beyond x12 magnification, or at night, or at 400+ yds.
Gas Purging Most scopes are nitrogen filled. Nitrogen differs in weight to Oxygen, so the seals on the scope are more secure, which means less moisture in the scope, which means less fogging. A step up is to use Argon or other treatments that do even better. While a Vortex Crossfire and a Vortex Diamondback might be similar in price, the Diamondback is argon purged, and has better light transmission and seals.
Glass Coatings Think of glasses lenses. If you don't get anti reflective coatings, light bounces off the lenses, which means less light gets through—which is a big deal at x16 magnification. The better the coatings, the more light gets through. Naturally, the better the coatings, the more expensive the scope.
Glass Quality Diamonds have a clarity scale. The clearer the crystal, the more light gets reflected in the facets. Similarly, not all glass is made on the same level. High end scopes will use glass that is clear as they can manage. Getting the impurities out of the glass means more processes, which means more money.
What I personally would want in an AR scope in your application range:
A couple of suggestions along that range:
First place: Vortex Viper 3-9x40, $264.90
Second place: Vortex Diamondback 4-12x40, $164.99
Check out Vortex. They are good and fairly cheap. Specifically this or this.
Rifle
Optic
Does that fit in your budget?
$278 shipped to PA. No love for the 1x though.
No dice on Crossfire ii
YES on Diamondback 4-12, $159 shipped
Vortex Optics Diamondback 4-12x40 Second Focal Plane Riflescope - Dead-Hold BDC Reticle (MOA) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B001EC7KMY/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_unn.BbZ1SWV4X
>Rule of thumb I've heard before is twice the price as what you've paid for the rifle.
OP, this is good advice if you live in the 20th century or have a hundred dollar rifle.
200 bucks will get you a perfectly good 4-12 vortex scope that will do everything OP wants it to do.
Though yeah, like you said, Primary Arms is also a good option for going cheaper. A 4-14 with first focal plane will only run you 230 bucks. Vortex has a killer warranty though.
Vortex Diamondback 4-12x40, $26x.xx.
https://www.amazon.ca/gp/aw/d/B001EC7KMY
There are so many affordable, quality scopes on sale right now I would stretch if you can. Amazon has the Vortex Diamondback 4-12x40 for about $135 right now, for just one example.
You don't need to spend a fortune for a working scope but it seems you need to spend at least $125.
What? No they don't, they sell them waaaaay cheaper. Even cheaper than that gearhog deal, which is why I didn't post it.
Nice suggestion, especially for $160!
I updated the main post with this selection from Vortex: http://www.amazon.com/Vortex-Optics-DBK-04-BDC-Diamondback-Riflescope/dp/B001EC7KMY
http://www.amazon.com/Vortex-Optics-DBK-04-BDC-Diamondback-Riflescope/dp/B001EC7KMY/ref=sr_1_2?s=sporting-goods&ie=UTF8&qid=1451575137&sr=1-2&keywords=vortex+diamondback
If you're deadset on low magnification, http://www.amazon.com/Vortex-Crossfire-1-4x24mm-Riflescope-CF2-31037/dp/B00HYRGODO/ref=sr_1_4?s=sporting-goods&ie=UTF8&qid=1451575315&sr=1-4&keywords=vortex+strike+eagle
https://www.amazon.com/Vortex-Optics-Diamondback-4-12x40-Dead-Hold/dp/B001EC7KMY
Here you go bud. I like that it goes up to 12 power since you may get longer shots in MT. Vortex offers great value and a killer warranty. I normally get a commission from Amazon, but I'm not supposed to post those links here. Please check out my website when you get a chance.
Vortex has great customer service and a lifetime warranty on evern their budget priced models.
https://www.amazon.com/Vortex-Optics-Diamondback-4-12x40-Riflescope/dp/B001EC7KMY/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1538576424&sr=8-3&keywords=vortex+diamondback+4-12x40+bdc
You can get a Vortex Diamondback with rings for around that price.
I'm not trying to be rude here, but with scopes you get what you pay for. Buy once, cry once. Send it back and ask for a refund. Get a scope that works. Vortex is a great company with the best warranty in the business. They have scopes in your price range if you can't throw any more money into your scope.
Look at the crossfire II line (http://www.amazon.com/Crossfire-II-12x40mm-Riflescope-DEAD-HOLD/dp/B00794LINS/ref=sr_1_1?s=sporting-goods&ie=UTF8&qid=1368633509&sr=1-1&keywords=Crossfire+II+4-12x40+AO)
Or Diamondback line (http://www.amazon.com/Vortex-Optics-Diamondback-4-12x40-Riflescope/dp/B001EC7KMY/ref=sr_1_3?s=sporting-goods&ie=UTF8&qid=1368633670&sr=1-3&keywords=DIAMONDBACK++4-12x40+AO)
Poking around some more, some shooters on Calguns recommend these
http://www.amazon.com/Vortex-Optics-DBK-04-BDC-Diamondback-Riflescope/dp/B001EC7KMY/ref=sr_1_fkmr0_1?s=sporting-goods&ie=UTF8&qid=1417223202&sr=1-1-fkmr0&keywords=vortex+diamondback+hd
http://swfa.com/Nikon-3-9x40-ProStaff-Rimfire-Scope-P48766.aspx
http://www.amazon.com/SWFA-SS-10X42-Rifle-Scope/dp/B00GR79BGY
I have a vortex diamondback 4-12 for 200 bucks on amazon it's great for that range and center at 50 yards because point of impact(POI) is the same at 50-200 yards, it's not too big or bulky and gets the job done
Vortex Optics Diamondback 4-12x40 Dead-Hold BDC Reticle - 1 Inch Tube (DBK-04-BDC) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B001EC7KMY/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_vE6FzbZDCACDE http://i.imgur.com/09ZDn0K.jpg
This.
Or a entry vortex either the crossfire 2 or the diamondback would be safe buys until you decide what you like. Then you can anti up for something better.