Scope eyebox?

[rc6073]

I'm looking for a new scope that will have a good eyebox. I've always been a fan of Nikon scopes and have several, I've personally always liked their glass better than Leupold, no offense to their scopes, that's just me. I'm looking for a new scope from 15-20x for hunting in the $300-400 range. In the past I've owned a Vortex Viper and another vortex that I don't remember and didn't like the box on them. I'm kicking around an Athon Argos or Midas, but saw where the eyebox may not be the best. I don't have anywhere I could look through one in person.
So with that being said, being given that information, any ideas on scopes that have a good eyebox and clarity without breaking the bank?

 

[WeiserBucks]

$3-400 doesn't buy what you're looking for.

 

[rc6073]

I know it's not going to be a premium scope, just looking for the closest thing that will… I can live without perfect clarity… just really want something with a good eyebox

 

[WeiserBucks]

The only optic I can recommend in that price range is SWFA.

 

[rc6073]

Thanks! I'll give them a look!

 

[Scammer122725]

Check out the Steiner T6Xi 3-18x56 - outstanding eyebox and clear and bright. Minox ZP5 5-25x56 also going to be in that price point and offer excellent glass but you have to deal with shipping to Germany if something goes awry.

 

[nksmfamjp]

IME, eye box is very scope specific. So, it is hard to not like a brand, but more likely and individual scope from a certain year. Where it is mounted can also affect this. If you are outside the sweet spot, it will feel like an eye box struggle.

Eye box is usually affected by extremes. Like a scope that is extremely short or has extreme magnification.

Something with 3x or 4x magnification like a a 3-9x of a normal length generally has a good eye box.

I do not have experience with this exact optic, but its appearance and reputation makes me think it is eye box friendly.

https://swfa.com/products/swfa-3-9x42-ss-hd-mil-quad-reticle-30mm-tube-1-mil-clicks-ffp
This one too for the same reasons. I have not used it.

https://www.opticsplanet.com/athlon...m-riflescopes-w-ahmr2-ffp-ir-mil-reticle.html

 

[Rick Richard]

Most people have "eye box" issues because the scope is positioned incorrectly. Fix the length of pull and mount correctly and most of the eye box issue will be eliminated.

 

[med358-boise]

If you are truly talking about eye box as opposed to eye relief (note they are two different things) the problem you are going to face is at least a few fold. First, lets "define" eye box; - it is the three dimensional space of eye relief plus vertical and horizontal misalignment from exact center of the eye piece. that still allows you to see the thru the scope without encroaching black.

Your problems are several fold.

1) There is no published measurement for eye box.
2) It is a derived characteristic that is driven by magnification, exit pupil, eye relief, field of view, and the design of the internal lense structure.
3) The larger the magnification the less forgiving
4) Glass clarity does not effect eye box size - it may effect your perception of the eye box but not the actual size.
4) "Good eye box" is going to be perception based and that perception will be based on how consistent that shooter is when they place their head to the stock and how good their muscle memory is
5) Therefore, you could have a large magnification scope that has the best possible eye box and a "good shooter" is going to say its great and a "bad shooter" is going to say its terrible.

The likelihood you find a 15-20X scope for under $400 that has a "good eye" box is about zero. You would be better of dropping down to 12x as there are many reasonable quality, reasonably priced scopes that are 4-12 power and learning to mount and align your head/eye consistently.

 

[Bobby Bailey]

Check out the Mueller scopes.
They are chinese (like most Vortex, etc.), have glass well above price point, and fit your budget.
We have been running 3 on our ranch truck guns for a few years, and added a 4th. They have held very well to ranch abuse.
They are what I would use for your needs and money.

 

[WAMBO]

I really like the Sightron S-Tac scopes with the MOA-2 reticle.
There is a 3-16x42 and a 4-20x50.
Sometimes you can find them on sale for $400 or less.

 

[rc6073]

Lots of good info here and after reading the replies. Thanks! I have decided to keep it to a max of 16x. If I have trouble with the eyebox on another scope, I will definitely adjust the scope position and try to make it work.

I'll also be looking at the recommended scopes before pulling the trigger on a new one.

 

[dfanonymous]

Arken ep5 can be had for about $4-500
Eye relief is 3.5 inches.

For a scope like that, don't use x25 for better exit pupil.

Everything else is poor rifle set up (bad head position) if you're still having problem with eye box.

 

[BRADMOTO]

I know what the OP is searching for. I can't provide much else that hasn't already been addressed, but in my experience the easy to sit behind scopes with forgiving eyebox also have decent eye relief in the 3.5 and above range. I have liked scopes with lesser IQ due to an easy eye box and micrometer like tracking.