Thread: Vixen scopes (and similar price range)

Looking at some scopes (at the budget end of the market) to suit the 17inch 308 Rem Model 7 I have just purchased from Friwi (many thanks!). Thinking the Vixen V1 range seem pretty good on the surface, not sure how anyone has found them so far? Was thinking the Vixen V1 2-8x32 would be a nice & light bush scope - a poor mans version of the Leupold 2.- 8 vx3 perhaps? . Otherwise the 3-12x40 also ticks a lot of boxes. Usually buy secondhand, have found Burris scopes good (but heavy), but would be interested in other similar suggestions.

Vixen scope links:

https://www.reloaders.co.nz/shop/Opt...DC+82071.html?

https://www.reloaders.co.nz/shop/Opt...dot+5940.html?

Sightron S11 are very good weigh 13 ounces and 80 moa of travel for a 3-9 around $600 in Australia. Same price range as the Vixen and Burris.

I put a Vixen V1 4-16 on my son's 223 a few years back after Nikon shut down. It works well,
he's been nailing a few rabbits with it.
Zane

Got a v1 2-8x32 on one of my 7mm08s, great bitta kit highly recommended for the coin

I’ve got one for sale on the buy sell swap page @JoelA

I have a V1 4-16 and wouldn't buy again. Not because there's anything wrong with the quality, but because I underestimated how much I would notice the 1" tube size. The field of view is poor and I've had multiple situations where my mate has spotted game with binos but it's taken me ages to get on target due to this. Even my $300 Nikko Stirling 3-9 has a far superior field of view. Personally I'd never buy anything under 30mm again and I've just bought a Vortex 5-25 with a 34mm tube to replace the Vixen. Lesson learned - buy once, cry once.

Had the 3-12 on my 284 and it was excellent. Nice and clear, fast focus eyepiece, was reliable. It’s currently sitting on my 22 waiting for my son to buy a centrefire and will go to him.

Originally Posted by 7remmagman

Got a v1 2-8x32 on one of my 7mm08s, great bitta kit highly recommended for the coin

Glad to hear it - was looking specifically for feedback on that scope as not heard many real world experiences with them. Thanks!

Originally Posted by Bushline

I’ve got one for sale on the buy sell swap page @JoelA

Thanks Bushline - have seen that. Not yet decided on which scopr, and kind of keen for the BDC reticle. I will keep that in mind tho!

Originally Posted by Fatberg

I have a V1 4-16 and wouldn't buy again. Not because there's anything wrong with the quality, but because I underestimated how much I would notice the 1" tube size. The field of view is poor and I've had multiple situations where my mate has spotted game with binos but it's taken me ages to get on target due to this. Even my $300 Nikko Stirling 3-9 has a far superior field of view. Personally I'd never buy anything under 30mm again and I've just bought a Vortex 5-25 with a 34mm tube to replace the Vixen. Lesson learned - buy once, cry once.

Oh that's interesting to hear. As far as I understand it I thought tube diameter was just for range of adjustment? I wonder if that was more the 3x lower range vs 4x higher mag?

I bought a V III with the illuminated dot from Scopeuout… and promptly sent it straight back.

The fine wire supplying power to the dot was supposed to run over the top of the duplex reticle, but it was cockeyed so the lower vertical post was wonky. As soon as I looked through the scope straight out of the box I knew it was wrong. The retailer asked me to send it straight back to Steve’s Wholesale and they were very good and refunded me having checked the other scopes in their stock, which all did the same thing…. There was no way I was going to be able to look at that reticle and see anything other than a wonky post.

The non-illuminated version that I used as a reference prior to my purchase seemed fine. Good glass for the money. I ended up buying a secondhand Trijicon with an illuminated dot and haven’t looked back.

I have both a 3-12 and a 4-16.
Light, clear and so far reliable. My only criticism would be that the x hairs are a bit fine for a bush gun but great for my purposes on varmint rifles.
FOV is most to do with magnification so 3-12 would be a good all round option.

Originally Posted by Fatberg

I have a V1 4-16 and wouldn't buy again. Not because there's anything wrong with the quality, but because I underestimated how much I would notice the 1" tube size. The field of view is poor and I've had multiple situations where my mate has spotted game with binos but it's taken me ages to get on target due to this. Even my $300 Nikko Stirling 3-9 has a far superior field of view. Personally I'd never buy anything under 30mm again and I've just bought a Vortex 5-25 with a 34mm tube to replace the Vixen. Lesson learned - buy once, cry once.

Tube size has nothing to do with light gathering or field of view. Thats all down to glass quality, power range and objective lens diameter.

Originally Posted by JoelA

Oh that's interesting to hear. As far as I understand it I thought tube diameter was just for range of adjustment? I wonder if that was more the 3x lower range vs 4x higher mag?

You might be right. My feedback is only based on my experience using the scope. Whatever the technical reason, I find the field of view a bit narrow on my Vixen and it doesn’t let as much light in as I’d like. Personally I wouldn’t get another one unless the tube was larger.

What Thar said. Objective size is what does the light gathering (aside from quality glass, magnification range) a 34mm tube on a hunting scope will give you nothing practical gained except weight. Yes it allows for greater range of elevation but I don't think the average hunter needs something ridiculous like 60 mil elevation. Long range target shooting maybe.