Scope parallax

[samoconnor123]

I have a Hawke varmint 3-12x44AO scope that I cant seem to ever get focused right.
No matter how hard I try to get the Objective and the eyepiece focus right, it just never works.

I start by looking at a white blank wall and get the eyepiece focus as best I can, which I cannot get perfect.
And then looking at targets on full power at anything closer than 100yards the parallax will not get the reticle into focus. The parallax goes as low as 15yards, so it should be ok.

I also have a Nikon Monarch which at 50-60yards I cannot get fully focused on a target on full power (16x), but at longer range seems to be ok.

Am I doing anything wrong or is my Hawke a bit crappy?

 

[Centurian22]

Have you tried lower powers? Often scopes have trouble at their max power levels.

 

[urbaneruralite]

I wonder if you are expecting them to behave differently than designed. The eyepiece adjustment is used to make the reticle appear as sharply defined as possible. Make the adjustment for the reticle sharpness with the scope pointed at the sky. You adjust that once then leave it alone. You should always use a scope either with or without contacts or glasses from the first time you adjust the eyepiece adjustment.

The parallax adjustment is used to make the reticle move around as little as possible in relation to your point of aim when you move your head around while viewing a target at different distances. Parallax adjustable scopes may be adjusted for parallax any time you like. Markings on the adjustment dial may not be accurate.

 

[madcratebuilder]

Some what normal for a $150 side focus scope. At this price point the glass quality is just not what it could be. The added complexity of a side focus and zoom cost the manufacturer money, so they use a lower cost optic set to keep the price point.

One low cost scope with side focus I would recommend is the Alpen Apex series. My Apex compares with my Viper PA and is a third less money.

http://www.opticsplanet.com/alpen-a...oogle&ef_id=cn9N7OEi@VwAAA-q:20121128125448:s

A bigger budget could get a Vortex Viper PA series. The SWFA fixed 10X has good optic quality and is affordable.

 

[ngnrd]

If you're using the parallax adjustment to try to focus something... then, yeah... you're doing it wrong.

 

[adelbridge]

If you are trying to match up your 50/75/100/150/infinity adjustments to the actual yardage you are shooting it may cause that. I pay no attention to the preset yardages and make my objective adjustments based on what is clearest.