Alpex 4K or Stick With Swarovski

[Lewisjd2812]

Hi all,

looking for everyone's opinions if they have used a Hik Micro Alpex 4k,

You see I have been toying with the idea of replacing my current Swarovski Z3I with one and am still on the fence, I use a set of Habroks as Thermal / Bino's and think they are fantastic but I am unsure whether to change the Traditional Glass for a Digital scope.

I've seen many people raving about them but equally a lot of people selling them too. I know at the end of the day it'll be a decision that only I can make but I'd like to get everyone else's opinions on usage for stalking

Many thanks

 

[Reloader708]

Just because everyone's doing it...i think you'll be very disappointed in the picture quality compared with what you're used to.
Digital is very good when the light gets bad but
other than using it to shoot under the night licence id still choose quality glass, it cant be beaten ....yet. Ultimately its your choice, why not have a trip somewhere and have a look through a few different ones.
Also just to stir things up, pulsar is way better!!

 

[Jagged77]

I think ultimately you should try for yourself, I have and I’m convinced. I now have Alpex’s on my main stalking rifles. The Alpex is good enough for day use, the LRF and ballistic calc works well and it extends shooting in low light, the latter is something a glass scope just can’t touch.

 

[Norfolk Deer Search]

Pro’s and cons of good glass

1- battery don’t run out
2- the warranty is better
3- doesn’t encourage you to add another 10 minutes just pull the trigger later than you need to just to kill something!
4- images is better

To be brutally honest, I’m anti thermal and digital, all digital does is encouraging you to bend the rules because there are those who cannot abide by the rules of engagement!

I’ll take my Schmidt and bender over a digital or thermal any time!

 

[slider]

Depends why you are considering changing tbh.
The Alpex
won't give you as clear a picture as glass
Will extend your shooting time to the very last minute of legal light.
Will allow you to shoot at night if you have night authorisations or are shooting vermin.
Will allow you to make and review video.
Will be (a lot) heavier.

 

[Lewisjd2812]

I can see pros and cons for both

Would it be handy to shoot up to last legal light and then transition to night shooting for foxes without the need to swap rifles or scopes - absolutely

Is it going to annoy me that its not clear - highly likely

The video point - its a novelty thing and I think id use it a few times and then forget about it

Lrf - I have that on the habroks


I've had a play with several and for the price point really cannot fault the Alpex 4k but just dont know if im ready to come away from the Swarovski

 

[Norfolk Deer Search]

I can see pros and cons for both

Would it be handy to shoot up to last legal light and then transition to night shooting for foxes without the need to swap rifles or scopes - absolutely

Is it going to annoy me that its not clear - highly likely

The video point - its a novelty thing and I think id use it a few times and then forget about it

Lrf - I have that on the habroks


I've had a play with several and for the price point really cannot fault the Alpex 4k but just dont know if im ready to come away from the Swarovski

That’s your decision to make, me personally hell will freeze over before I go digital

 

[HonestJohn]

A friend is getting rid of his HIK after trying my rifle with a classic fixed power scope. He couldn’t believe how simple and easy it was to use glass! And without the random scope failures!

 

[Lewisjd2812]

This could be why so many are coming on the market and I just want to get differing opinions from everyone

 

[Tim1989]

thermal front clip on , such a handy tool

 

[Lewisjd2812]

Completely agree with you Tim however, considerably more cost vs the Alpex 4k

 

[jackblack56]

Decent rear NV add on might be a better option for night shooting, and keep the Swaro for the clarity during the day?

Alpex 4k is good by all means, and can tick a lot of boxes - but as others have said it's a lump of a scope, and at full magnification you will likely be disappointed in the pixelation.

Best advice is definitely to try before you buy.

 

[Tim.243]

Hi all,

looking for everyone's opinions if they have used a Hik Micro Alpex 4k,

You see I have been toying with the idea of replacing my current Swarovski Z3I with one and am still on the fence, I use a set of Habroks as Thermal / Bino's and think they are fantastic but I am unsure whether to change the Traditional Glass for a Digital scope.

I've seen many people raving about them but equally a lot of people selling them too. I know at the end of the day it'll be a decision that only I can make but I'd like to get everyone else's opinions on usage for stalking

Many thanks

I get we all get blank days but being able to see way past and up to deer o'clock makes a difference especially with small brown deer against the hedge, a couple of inches back and you have green soup!
The 1 hour before and after is there for a reason, those that don't must be the ones who sit and eat a English fry up at "Harrys Café" when they go to Spain.

 

[Tim.243]

That’s your decision to make, me personally hell will freeze over before I go digital

Lee you could have just used a clay cartridge as they work in the dark just as well.

 

[Lewisjd2812]

I get we all get blank days but being able to see way past and up to deer o'clock makes a difference especially with small brown deer against the hedge, a couple of inches back and you have green soup!
The 1 hour before and after is there for a reason, those that don't must be the ones who sit and eat a English fry up at "Harrys Café" when they go to Spain.

Surprisingly im not a fan of the green soup option

Sticking the the hour before and after is easily done on my part as thats part of the process, this is to make the most out of that hour and also to continue on to vermin after dark or do I just stick with glass and a lamp or, to throw a real spanner in the works. Be a big boy and get a variation for dedicated NV but means taking 2 rifles

 

[BLUEROLL]

thermal front clip on , such a handy tool

This.

 

[Lewisjd2812]

This.

Great idea, and would be best option, but is also a considerable amount more than the Alpex

 

[HonestJohn]

Surprisingly im not a fan of the green soup option

Sticking the the hour before and after is easily done on my part as thats part of the process, this is to make the most out of that hour and also to continue on to vermin after dark or do I just stick with glass and a lamp or, to throw a real spanner in the works. Be a big boy and get a variation for dedicated NV but means taking 2 rifles

White phosphor pvs 14 NVG with rear add on fixture in G4 with US (not cheap Israeli) housing and Photonis light intensifier tube is your friend..and financial enemy

 

[BLUEROLL]

Great idea, and would be best option, but is also a considerable amount more than the Alpex

Agreed.
I have tried a lot of the day/night units out there and currently have stuck with the Zulus V2 5-20 but now only on a dedicated foxing rifle.
They just don`t give you the quality needed for day stalking in thick woodland and if I have to stay out for foxing leading up to lambing time it is so easy to just clip my Hik Thunder 3.0 on the front of my Z8i

 

[oldhamstocks]

I actually sold my Alpex 4K LRF (which was superb at what it does) and bought a Swarovski Z5 3.5-18 x 44 BT with some of the proceeds - what a bargain. Use it with the Habrok HE25L binos, Alpha glass on the rifle and a set of 4K binos with thermal good enough for picking up deer and a built in LRF, more than happy.