Alpex NV scopes:

[Koenig]

I’m in the process of updating my optics from from some good but dated tech.

I’ve pretty much decided on a Hik Micro Alpex NV scope after three recommendations from people who I both trust to be objective and stalk under similar conditions to myself.

I’m finding that I’m missing out on a number of deer at lady light, where the old S&B 8x56mm just isn’t quite workable in the last 15 mins or so.

My question is twofold:

Is the Mk 2 much better than the Mk2 in terms of image quality.

Is the LRF worth the extra?

I have an LRF on my TI already.

Thoughts?

 

[Brad93]

I’m in the process of updating my optics from from some good but dated tech.

I’ve pretty much decided on a Hik Micro Alpex NV scope after three recommendations from people who I both trust to be objective and stalk under similar conditions to myself.

I’m finding that I’m missing out on a number of deer at lady light, where the old S&B 8x56mm just isn’t quite workable in the last 15 mins or so.

My question is twofold:

Is the Mk 2 much better than the Mk2 in terms of image quality.

Is the LRF worth the extra?

I have an LRF on my TI already.

Thoughts?

I've used mine so far only on the .22 rimfire, with its loopy trajectory the inbuilt ballistic calculator which runs off the LRF is really good.

Only thing stopping me from pushing the distance past 100m is the ballistics seem to start not coinciding with the calculator (i.e. not dropping as quick as the calculator says)
I haven't got a chrono so cannot confirm what velocity i'm getting exactly so that's probably where the problem lies.

 

[Donkey Basher]

Used an Alpex 4K LRF for a season on deer - specifically to get the last half hour or so of the hour after sunset. Can’t comment on how it compares to the previous model but can say it certainly draws the curtains back as it were

At present I don’t have 100% confidence in the LRF/ballistic calculator - it’s off to Elite Optical any time now as both these settings have been turning themselves off at random while the scope is turned off. It doesn’t lose any of the data & works as it should once the two functions are switched back on.

I also have an issue with the accuracy of the ballistic calculator after a number of misses underneath & some lower than expected shots. Once I realised what was happening I adjusted my thresholds for use, accepting the limitations I was working with, & all was fine.

When it comes back from Elite I will be double checking all the data & will then be checking things out & if necessary ‘calibrating’ the data to ensure it’s bang on for next winter. I will also be zeroing at 200 yards so I’ll be less reliant on the LRF in the future & only needing it for longer shots taken in daylight.

Overall, if asked would I buy one again the answer is yes, it’s probably enabled me to increase my cull of fallow this winter by over 20% - hopefully next winter it’ll put a few more in the chiller

 

[BenBhoy]

Is the LRF worth the extra?

I'd say that's dependent on calibre & expected distances. If you have a flat shooting CF & within a known mpbr then I'd say not. I've the Alpex 4k non lrf on my 204. I know if I zero 1.7" high @ 100 I'm good to point and shoot as far as I dare without needing a lrf. Bearing in mind it's not just extra £ but also extra weight (and the Alpex is heavy enough as is)

 

[Sniper308]

I have the lrf and the ballistic calculator is excellent!
Here’s some results off my .223
As you can see I’m getting .85” at 250 yards and 1.1” at 300 yards. That’s around 0.3 MOA which I’ll never complain about!! One dead fox! I tend to try and shoot foxes at 100yards, ideally within 200 yards. But I’d be confident out to 300 yards with this set up!

 

[Lateral]

For me, the difference was a no brainer. It make shooting areas you might be unfamiliar with much easier to range, and I've always found my distance "guestimation" can be hit, and miss, so to speak !

 

[Pellet Pinger]

I’m in the process of updating my optics from from some good but dated tech.

I’ve pretty much decided on a Hik Micro Alpex NV scope after three recommendations from people who I both trust to be objective and stalk under similar conditions to myself.

I’m finding that I’m missing out on a number of deer at lady light, where the old S&B 8x56mm just isn’t quite workable in the last 15 mins or so.

My question is twofold:

Is the Mk 2 much better than the Mk2 in terms of image quality.

Is the LRF worth the extra?

I have an LRF on my TI already.

Thoughts?

I’ve got 2x non LRF Alpex’s, one on the foxing rifle and one on the stalking rifle, like you i have the rangefinder in my thermal spotter so as far as im concerned i have no use for that ability in a scope. Regarding the ballistic calculator, each to their own but its not for me for a few reasons, firstly i know my holdovers and once i’ve ranged them through the thermal i know where i’m aiming on that fox/deer before i take my rifle off my shoulder, secondly to range the fox you need to shoulder the rifle, turn scope on, light the fox up using the ir, press buttons etc all the while potentially alerting the fox to your presence. I see quite a few posts saying the fox can see the IR or the LRF splash, just my opinion but half of that is because people are twiddling with the scope with the fox in the crosshairs when they should have already pulled the trigger!
The LRF box means you have less access to the front focus ring as you have to grab from the side, also its in the way for torch mounting.
Just my take on it, but for stalking i certainly cant see the need for the LRF version.