Second focal plane ?

[Koda]

I take it "Glassing" in this case is using the rifle scop instead of binoculars? BAD deal if you see some dude 150 yards away pointing a rifle at you?

Im not saying thats what FFP hunters do, Im saying thats what FFP scopes excel at for tactical use. Imagine a sniper in a field position waiting for his target to arrive. FFP scopes have the advantage over SFP because the FFP shooter can range the target and fire without having to leave the riflescope view.

 

[titsonritz]

I have and use both and I disagree that "it's personal preference**", it is more about application, reticle design and how well it works through its full range of magnification.

There are many FFP optics that use reticles that would be better served on a SFP optic as the either obscure the target on high magnification or are useless on lower magnification for rapid engagement as intended. An 1-8x ATACR is an example from an excellent designed reticle that excels in practical use through the entire range of magnification. On low magnification it emulates a RDS on high it has practical use Christmas tree style reticle with a semi-translucent dot that doesn't obscure the target.

By contrast shooting at tiny targets at long range one will want to use very high magnification with a reticle that doesn't blow up and obscure the target when turned up to 36x. This is where SFP and a simple duplex or thin duplex/dot shines.

Regarding LPVOs I have found SFP to be perfectly fine, even desirable, for 1-4x and 1-6x optics, but once getting into 1-8x and 1-10x FFP become a must. Again, the reticle design will have a major impact on the efficiency of the optic especially if it is a FFP.

** = unless "personal preference" means "I grew up with the classic 4x or 3-9x duplex SFP so that's what I use ." Sorry, but that's not personal preference, that's ignorance.

 

[Will_White]

its way over rated for hunting. Its ideal if your going to both glass, range, and shoot your target all thru the scope, you dont have to move which is a tactical advantage.
Glassing game thru your riflescope is dangerous, unethical, impractical for long range glassing... and not what hunters really do anyways regardless of focal plane which is why the FFP tactical advantage is kinda moot for hunting.

I get dangerous, but why is it unethical and impractical? If you're going to shoot from that range why would it be unethical and impractical to identify your target from that range?

You can do all of the same things with a SFP scope it just takes either time to work up (which you should do anyway) or being on the required zoom level.

 

[Koda]

I get dangerous, but why is it unethical and impractical? If you're going to shoot from that range why would it be unethical and impractical to identify your target from that range?

You can do all of the same things with a SFP scope it just takes either time to work up (which you should do anyway) or being on the required zoom level.

Well if its dangerous its unethical, basically you might glass another hunter.
Its impractical to sit behind a rifle for an hour glassing session looking for game etc. Standing offhand you might get 5 minutes or so before fatigue. Getting prone could work with some setup, maybe not in the rain. It might just be my inexperience with FFP, but I dont see how its practical to glass for game thru the riflescope (ethics aside). I glass with binos or a spotter, if I locate game then I simply switch to the rifle for the shot.

 

[roseburger]

Well if its dangerous its unethical, basically you might glass another hunter.
Its impractical to sit behind a rifle for an hour glassing session looking for game etc. Standing offhand you might get 5 minutes or so before fatigue. Getting prone could work with some setup, maybe not in the rain. It might just be my inexperience with FFP, but I dont see how its practical to glass for game thru the riflescope (ethics aside). I glass with binos or a spotter, if I locate game then I simply switch to the rifle for the shot.

Who said anything about glassing with a rifle scope?

 

[Koda]

Who said anything about glassing with a rifle scope?

no one, it was a comparison for an example of using FFP scopes.