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SWFA 1-4x24 illumination dial question?

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Category: Scopes
Forum Name: Tactical Scopes
Forum Description: Police and military tools of the trade
URL: http://www.opticstalk.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=28535
Printed Date: March/28/2024 at 05:54
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Topic: SWFA 1-4x24 illumination dial question?
Posted By: muhgi
Subject: SWFA 1-4x24 illumination dial question?
Date Posted: April/04/2011 at 08:16
I just got two SWFA SS 1-4x24 scopes with covered turrets and the Illuminated Donut Circle/Mil-Scale reticule.

First, the optics and eye box are great. I'm really picky about eye relief and eye box, and these scopes are as easy or easier to get good views through as the Zeiss or Swarovski scopes I usually buy.

Second, I really like the locking focus ring--the fast focus rings other scopes have, I'm always having to readjust, as they get knocked about.

Third, the first focal plane (size-changing) reticule is the first one I've ever seen that actually works for me at both min and max magnifications. I'd prefer the cross hairs end at the last hash mark, and to have a small dot, same size as the line (0.2 thick), in the center with a bit of space around it, but the hash marks/cross hairs work well enough.

The one feature I'd really like that it doesn't have would be a Zeiss/Swarovski style rail mount or some other built in base. I understand why they don't offer it, as it doesn't seem to be particularly popular.

I have one issue, is anyone else having problems with the illumination dial getting turned on as the rifles get moved in or out of the safe or rifle bags? I've had this happen a couple times with both scopes.

Thanks,
Tod



Replies:
Posted By: Rancid Coolaid
Date Posted: April/04/2011 at 08:45
Mine hasn't come on accidentally, but I could see it happening, it is a danger with almost all illumination systems.  Premier's doesn't come on accidentally, but that is about all the good I can say of theirs.

The nice thing about the SS is, at the very least, you have a backup battery on hand and ready for deployment.

Personally, as bulletproof as the scope has been for me thus far, I am happy to deal with an illumination knob that might get bumped on.  


-------------
Freedom is something you take.
Respect is something you earn.
Equality is something you whine about not being given.


Posted By: SVT_Tactical
Date Posted: April/04/2011 at 08:59
Originally posted by Rancid Coolaid<strong> Rancid Coolaid wrote:

Mine hasn't come on accidentally
, but I could see it happening, it is a danger with almost all illumination systems.  Premier's doesn't come on accidentally, but that is about all the good I can say of theirs.

The nice thing about the SS is, at the very least, you have a backup battery on hand and ready for deployment.

Personally, as bulletproof as the scope has been for me thus far, I am happy to deal with an illumination knob that might get bumped on.  
mine either.  and i've been rough on mine


Posted By: muhgi
Date Posted: April/04/2011 at 14:33
How easily do your dials turn? My dials turn pretty easily.

Thanks,
Tod


Posted By: SVT_Tactical
Date Posted: April/04/2011 at 14:46
firm but not hard.


Posted By: SVT_Tactical
Date Posted: April/04/2011 at 14:49
Your definatley not gonna turn them by accident I'll put it that way


Posted By: muhgi
Date Posted: April/06/2011 at 13:25
Mine seem really easy to turn. I'll ask someone at SWFA about it. I have to call them about a trade in I'm doing with them anyway.


Posted By: Heater
Date Posted: June/05/2011 at 23:20

Newcomer here with a couple questions. First off, in the past I have always been an iron sight guy and usually shot CQB and out to 100 yards.  I felt I shot as good if not better than some of the optics guys.  I went to some recent training that really spurred my interst in optics.  Scopes are a new thing for me, but something I am going to try out. 

So to the questions.  I am left eye dominant and wondering if anyone else on here, that is left eye dominant, has used the SS.  My question is in regards to issues with the left eye picking up the large turret on the left side of the scope and causing some eye conflict.  I have heard some reports, not with this particular scope, of that being a problem with the a turret on the left side, so I guess it would likely also be an issue with this. 
 
I've been looking at the Accupoint as it doesnt seem to present that problem.  I also hear the Accupoint is pretty forgiving on head placement.  Has anyone used both and can speak for the SS forgiveness with head placement / eye relief?  Once I saw the reticle on the SS and the corresponding reviews, I began to think this is likely a better overall scope.  Any input would be greatly appreciated as I am going to ordering soon.


Posted By: Rancid Coolaid
Date Posted: June/06/2011 at 09:51
I have the SS1-4 and I shoot lefty allot.  I have no problem with the left turret.

From whom are you hearing these reports of left-side turrets causing problems?  Almpst every scope I own has a left-side turret (some for parallax, some for illumination)  and I have never had a problem with "eye conflict.")

I'm curious to see if anyone here has had this issue.  Every traditional scope I know has a turret on the right side, and I have never heard a right eye dominant shooter complain about the turret.

As for SS vs Accupoint, both are great scopes.  The Accupoint is tritium-illuminated, the SS is battery -powered (with a compartment for backup a battery - very nice.) The glass , to my eyes, is better in the SS.  And the SS is FFP while the Accupoint is SFP.  Also, the Accupoint does not have exposed turrets, the SS can have exposed or capped. 

SWFA has some great deals on SS1-4 packages.  Depending on application., the scope is among the very best 1-4 optics on the market. (Admittedly, I haven't used the S&B short-dot or premier 1-4X, but have used/owned almost everything else.)


-------------
Freedom is something you take.
Respect is something you earn.
Equality is something you whine about not being given.


Posted By: Heater
Date Posted: June/06/2011 at 10:10
Thanks for the feedback Rancid. 
 
The review I read was a poster saying he went with the accupoint over the Meostar R1, due to the left turret grabbing his left eye, which the Accupoint did not have.  I have literally read hundreds of reviews in my scope seach, so I don't remember who it was from (possibly on AR15.com)
 
What your saying about left handed shooters and right turrets definately makes sense to me and I havent heard any complaints from left handed shooters.  I think it probably boils down to preference, practice and discipline.
 
I had my scope selection narrowed down to the Accupoint or the new Tactical Kdot and then bammmm, I started seeing the reviews on the SS 1-4X.  Oh the confusion has set in.  Everything I have heard about the SS 1-4X has been very positive, but then again the same with the other two. 
 
I certainly don't think I can go wrong with any of them, but the SS seems to have the most to offer.  I also like the package Bobro mount.  At this time, I am not shooting competively but job related.  That might change in the near future though.  Decisions, decisions.................


Posted By: Rancid Coolaid
Date Posted: June/06/2011 at 10:30
On what rifle is the optic being mounted?

Do you need exposed turrets?

Other than good glass, what features are needed, and what wanted?

-------------
Freedom is something you take.
Respect is something you earn.
Equality is something you whine about not being given.


Posted By: Heater
Date Posted: June/06/2011 at 11:35
Initially on a Colt M4.  I am also in the process of purchasing a Rock River.
 
Most of my use is with it slung and being jostled around, so I don't know that exposed turrets are a great idea.
 
I want to have a reasonable 'head box' that is not too overly picky on head placement.  A reticle that is good for CQB, but also good for the 100 + yard shots in stressful environments.  Day time illumination is also a big plus and part of the reason I came up with my three finalists (Accupoint, Tactical Kdot and SS)
 
This will be my first 1X4, thus the research and questions.  I appreciate your input.


Posted By: Urimaginaryfrnd
Date Posted: June/06/2011 at 11:43
Between Trijicon Accupoint 1-4 and the Super Sniper 1-4 the points you have to decide on is that the Super Sniper has adjustable tactical knobs is that a feature you want and the reticle is capable of rangefinding distance being mil based. Also while both have illumination the trijicon is always turned on and requires no batteries. The reticle is quite different in both also so you need to consider which will work better for you. I suspect the Super Sniper is built tougher but that is more based on past experience with the line. The deal with the BOBRO mount certainly makes an extremely attractive price available to you at this time but that deal wont last long so if the SS is the right scope you better not wait too long to buy it.

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"Always do the right thing, just because it is the right thing to do".
Bobby Paul Doherty
Texas Ranger


Posted By: SVT_Tactical
Date Posted: June/06/2011 at 11:45
Heater, I have the SS 1-4 with the T reticle and capped turrets on a 450 Bushmaster upper.  I can get on target quick at ranges less than 10yds away if need be and also out to 250yds with great accuracy.  The 450 dies off after that so I have not taken it farther than that yet but plan to on a new 5.56 being build now.  I have had the gun and scope fall off a vehicle going down a dirt road and hit directly on the illumination control. NO effects still 100% functioning.  I have carried in in the rain with no ill effects either.   For a durable, lifetime lasting 1-4 with superior glass than any others go with the SS.  The T post reticle is my personal favorite but the Donut of Death works good too.


Posted By: Jon A
Date Posted: June/06/2011 at 12:27
Tod, do you shoot right handed despite being left eye dominant?

You cannot see the turrets when looking through the scope with the eye that is looking through the scope--the scope body disappears for the most part.  However, you can see the body of the scope with your other eye--shooting both eyes open.  If you're looking through the scope with your dominant eye you really need to concentrate to see the scope with the other.  Most never notice it is there. 

However, if you were shooting with your non-dominant eye the dominant eye would be seeing the scope and it would be harder to ignore.  In that case the SS does have a large turret on the left side that some may find objectionable.  If you would or not is really hard to say as eye dominance doesn't seem to be a black and white issue the same way for all people.


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http://swfa.com/Aadland-Mounts-C3316.aspx - AADMOUNT Rings and AR Mounts


Posted By: 308 Sav
Date Posted: June/06/2011 at 16:21
Originally posted by Heater Heater wrote:

Newcomer here with a couple questions. First off, in the past I have always been an iron sight guy and usually shot CQB and out to 100 yards.  I felt I shot as good if not better than some of the optics guys.  I went to some recent training that really spurred my interst in optics.  Scopes are a new thing for me, but something I am going to try out. 

So to the questions.  I am left eye dominant and wondering if anyone else on here, that is left eye dominant, has used the SS.  My question is in regards to issues with the left eye picking up the large turret on the left side of the scope and causing some eye conflict.  I have heard some reports, not with this particular scope, of that being a problem with the a turret on the left side, so I guess it would likely also be an issue with this. 
 
I've been looking at the Accupoint as it doesnt seem to present that problem.  I also hear the Accupoint is pretty forgiving on head placement.  Has anyone used both and can speak for the SS forgiveness with head placement / eye relief?  Once I saw the reticle on the SS and the corresponding reviews, I began to think this is likely a better overall scope.  Any input would be greatly appreciated as I am going to ordering soon.

I assume you are left eye dominant shooting with your right eye. I think if you can do this with both eyes open on open sights you can manage with an optic. Training yourself. If not learn to shoot left handed.


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Gerald Baker


Posted By: Rancid Coolaid
Date Posted: June/06/2011 at 17:26
My suggestion, given the details stated above,would be a non-magnifying red dot optic, either Aimpoint or Trijicon Reflex 2.

If eye dominance is an issue, the reflex would be my choice.  It has no knobs protruding from either side of the sight picture and works quite well with both eyes open.  It is a grat CQB optic and is "accurate enough" at 100+ yards.

My CQB AR wears a Reflex, the Aimpoint is in the drawer. Reflex is always on (tritium illuminated) tough as balls, and poses no difficulties with head position.  It don't get more forgiving than a Trijicon Reflex or Aimpoint.

http://swfa.com/Trijicon-1x24-Reflex-II-Dual-Illuminated-Sight-P48657.aspx

The triangle reticle is quite good for 100+ shots (using the point of the triangle) and CQB (using the mass of the triangle body.)  If it will be used with a light in low light environments, consider getting the polarizing filter too.

Hits on steel out to 300 or so are no problem with this setup (assuming a 12+" barrel.)


-------------
Freedom is something you take.
Respect is something you earn.
Equality is something you whine about not being given.


Posted By: Rancid Coolaid
Date Posted: June/07/2011 at 17:08
Wow, that killed the thread!

-------------
Freedom is something you take.
Respect is something you earn.
Equality is something you whine about not being given.


Posted By: Heater
Date Posted: June/07/2011 at 17:52
Originally posted by Rancid Coolaid Rancid Coolaid wrote:

Wow, that killed the thread!
No, I am still around.  Been a little busy being Mr. Mom as my wife just had surgery.  I totally understand your comments about the aimpoints, eotechs etc.  That was where I was initially headed. 
 
The idea of me moving into the 1-4X is more of a "team" concept.  Most guys I work with have eotechs.  There are very few of us iron sight guys anymore and the slim few of us were looking towards eotechs or something equivalent.  There has been a push to have a handful folks with the 1-4X capability for the need should it arise.  I personally have no problem going with red dots, but since I am moving from the iron the thought was I would be a good canidate for the 1-4X capability. 
 
Anyway, I certainly appreciate the input.  I am getting close to making a purchase and leaning toward the SS. 


Posted By: Rancid Coolaid
Date Posted: June/10/2011 at 12:08
I fully appreciate the value of irons sites - and firmly believe everyone should learn on irons before progressing to any manner of optical sighting device.

Be aware that head placement at 1X is very forgiving.  And, as this is a purpose-built rig and optic, keeping it at 1X is what you'd do anyway.  At 4X, head placement is more critical, but getting it right gives you a very nice 4X view.

if you get the SS1-4, get the cat tail, it is money very well spent.




-------------
Freedom is something you take.
Respect is something you earn.
Equality is something you whine about not being given.


Posted By: Heater
Date Posted: June/10/2011 at 22:05

I appreciate the input Rancid.  I am glad to hear the head placement at 1X is quite forgiving.  I am gonna visit a couple tac shops this weekend to take a look at a couple things, but most likely by Sunday I will have an SS ordered.  I sure haven't heard many bad reports from users. 




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