Parallax Adjustment question

D

dontcatchmany

New member
I see some scopes have a front of the tube adjustment for the objective lense and some have a side knob to adjust the objective lens.

I have also read that the front adjustable objective will be clearer and brighter than the side knob adjustable(assuming the same glass) due to fewer lenses and such inside the tube.

If so, how much brighter and clearer.

I am thinking that with my diabetic eyesight, I might get a good scope with adjustable objective. Looking at all options at this point.

What would be advantages/disadvantages of either.

Thanks in advance.
 
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I am told the side knob adjustment had a "finer" adjustment to it, but the front ring type locks down more solid, and has fewer parts. 'Haven't actually ever handled the side knob type, so I haven't been able to personally compare them side-by-side.
 
Bud is right, except that adjustable objectives typically have a finer adjustment than side parallax/side focus adjustment. I've owned both,and have never had a problem with adjusting either.
Also, side focus/side parallax adjustments allows a smaller objective bell diameter for the same size lens,allowing you to mount the scope slightly lower, and they allow use of flip up Butler Creek type scope caps, which a rotating AO makes difficult to use..

Typically the brightness difference between the two types isn't a practical issue,because most scope makers sell either AOs or side focus in a given line, rather than both types,preventing a direct comparison. Get the scope that looks brightest to you.
 
I find the side adjustment very convenient looking down the barrel, particularily if the scope is rather long. I have grown to like them.
 
I bought the zeiss myself just over a year ago. Although others seem to have better results than I did I was very upset with it in low light. It gets dark quickly and almost seems to get blurry. In full light it is the finest scope I have ever owned.
I pulled it off and went back to the Leupold VXIII 3.5x10 I was using before.
On the plus side it gave me an excuse to get a new rifle and now sits on a .270WSM dedicated to antelope hunting where low light is not usually a problem.
I have the Z800 that matches perfectly with that round.
 
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