Side Focus

[calaverasslim]

This has probably been hashed and rehashed so here goes again.

My eyes are not what they used to be. Have had to go to a scope with Adjustable Objective, AO. Used the Wally World Bushnell 4X12 and works great but want to move to a better quality scope, IE Leupold, Nikon etc.

Friend tells me that I need to get one with the side focus and have been looking but not sure what that side focus does.

Does it replace the adjustments on the objective end of the scope?

Does it replace the focus ajustments on the rear of the scope?

Just sign me CONFUSED :banghead:

 

[Offfhand]

Yep, , short explaination, the side focus replaces focusing at the objective lens. It is much faster and more convenient. I now use side focus scopes on all my varmint and F-rifles which allows me to make a quick and precise parallax-free focus at different ranges.

 

[calaverasslim]

Thank you sir. Guess I will have to get one.

 

[Rokman]

It is much easier to adjust for parallax since a small knob on the side of the scope is easier to use than a twisting action at the objective end. It usually adds more weight and expense to the scope, but I like it's looks and convenience. Check out the Nikon Monarch side focus scopes. They add a lot of features for the price in my oppinion.

 

[JDGray]

Either wear corrective lenses, or adjust the rear focus to your eye, and then leave it be. The side focus knob, replaces the AO, and needs to be adjusted at each range you shoot at.

 

[elmerfudd]

Side parallax adjustment is better than objective adjustment, but it's a relatively minor consideration. It allows you to mount the scope slightly lower and it makes it easier to adjust the parallax while looking through the scope and that's pretty much it. If you're buying a new scope, then it makes sense to look for one with a side parallax adjustment, but I wouldn't replace a scope just because it didn't have it.

 

[wally]

The AO is pretty much a range only toy unless you have a spotter with a range finder to assist.

But if you are trying to shoot them all through the same hole off a benchrest it helps.

--wally.

 

[elmerfudd]

It's not a range toy at all. What you do with an AO is adjust your parallax to the range you expect to get a hasty shot at. So if you're hunting squirrels you might adjust it to 20 yards. That right there eliminates a lot of potential parallax compared to a scope with fixed parallax at 100 yards.

Then if the long shot presents itself, you either dial in your parallax until everything is in the sharpest focus or make a quick estimate of the range and adjust it.

The only time I opt for fixed parallax scopes is if I'm concerned about weight.

 

[calaverasslim]

Most of my hunting is in the 40-100 yard range down here in S. TX. I have several 3X9's and out to range, I can't focus like I used to. I guess thats what can happen at 67 years young.

I put a Bushnell 4X12 AO on my 270 and bingo clear as a bell. Now I want to put one on both my 308 & 30-06.

That is what started my question. I have my Bushnell set at 75 yards and leave it there and just adjust my eye focus a touch for the range.

I like the looks of the side focus and the smaller bell is a plus.

Thanks for all your help