The Horus reticle scope system

peterb · #1 06-09-2009, 07:48 AM

After initially asking questions about the MilDot system, I was introduced to the Horus system. after some reading I believe it appears to be an expansion on the MilDot system. Please correct me if I am wrong !
Three questions come to mind.
Firstly, according to one Oz website, this system is restricted to military and law enforcement in Oz and New Zealand. Any ideas if this is the case?
Secondly, the reticles seem very cluttered (maybe busy would be a better description). Does this make the target animal hard to distinguish ?
Finally, quite a lot of scopes shift off target when zoomed despite what the manufacturer may claim. It seems the real top of the range scopes appear to hold their centres. How do the scopes manufactured with the Horus system behave ? (The ones I found were makes I did not recognise.)
Cheers,
Pete.

theodore · #2 06-09-2009, 09:35 AM

Yes, it is like a upgrade version from mil-dot, easier to use for me than mil-dot. Now I can make a chart in increasement by 20, 15 then 10 yards as I go further out. Reason is each jump take each hash mark which is .2 mil apart.

1.Don't know about foreign country laws.

2.I looked at some deer past 700 yards with it and was able to see them very well with the grid in the way. Even when it got dark, I compared it to the leupold vx-3 at same power and horus was actually better even with the busy grid due to better glass.

3.I believe you are talking about focal planes, most scopes are made with the reticle in the second focal plane which causes problem for using the reticle for hold-off as magnification changes.
Reticle in the front focal planes adjusts in size as magnification changes. So at low power, the reticle will be small then at max power the reticle is large in the scope. To make the reticle visible in horus, it needs to be like at least 6x-8x otherwise the reticle is too small to see.

ICANHITHIMMAN · #3 06-09-2009, 03:44 PM

I have an Hours Vision Hawk and I believe it is in the 1st focal plane but not 100% on that. I have used it to range whitetail deer with some success. I always back the power off to do it however. I do not find the target grid cluttered and if I could afford a falcon I would trade in my MK 4 for it in a heart beat.

I dont think anyone would know if your ordered one and put it on your rifle and dought veary highley that it is restricted anyhow.

peterb · #4 06-09-2009, 05:54 PM

This is sounding more attractive all the time.
Re focal planes. I hav a young friend who has a Nightforce scope and he tells me that the aim point of impact does not shift with a change in zoom. I know the Leupolds are the same. Both these scopes are first focal plane jobs, so maybe that is why.
I have a second focal plane reticle and that really does shift. I have managed to work out that it shifts 1 MOA right and 1 MOA down when going from 10 - 40 power at 100 yards. That can be challenging, but not being too adventurous, always shoot at 10 power.
I take it that with the Horus system, all you need to do is zero at 100 yds, then apply the 'hold over - off' technique from then on. No more dial - up
Another question, from what I have read and from the comments you have posted, is this type of scope still suitable for the shorter ranges - say under 400 yards ?
Mind you, after a couple of posting events, I have certainly learned heaps and now have a very definite direction to travel in mind.
Cheers,
Pete

theodore · #5 06-09-2009, 08:52 PM

The hawk model is perfect (and is designed) for under 500 yards....it has a fixed 100 yard parralax focus so 500 yards is the comfortable range, 800 yards... the out of focus is noticable which means either the reticle or field of view will become blurrish due to the fixed 100 yard parralax.
I sent my Hawk back for the Raptor model, currently under delivery. The raptor model has the adjustable parralax which allows it to shoot up to 1800 yard with turret adjustment according to Horus Vision. But the Falcon was said to go even farther.

All Horus visions scopes have there reticle in the first focal plane and can still use the turret as adjustment which expands the range greatly.

I think leupold (Mark 4 ER/T front focal) and night force (3.5-15x50 F1) are the only model with the front focal plane, the rest of leupolds and nightforce scopes are in second plane.

ICANHITHIMMAN · #6 06-09-2009, 09:01 PM

My MK4 is in the 2nd focal plane.

I have used my raptor to 800 yards with my 308win. I expect to put it on my 260 rem and stretch it a bit further.

theodore · #7 06-09-2009, 11:36 PM

I noticed several negative feedbacks on other posts from this website about horus vision scopes. It seems to me that the company has improved its optic greatly from the older models. -Checking into it.