Have any of you swapped your German scope for Day/Night scopes? (HIK Micro Alpex)

[12borejimbo]

I have been looking at the Thermal scopes for my foxing rifle and can't help but notice the competitive price point of the HIK Alpex 4k lrf scope. It now has me thinking about selling my posh Zeiss Victory Diavari 6-24x56 scope and putting one of these ontop.
Recently the amount of times I have had a deer present itself at twilight and I can see the animal outline but can't quite make out the body to place the crosshairs for a humane shot. Mostly due to them being in a dark background. The twilight mode on these scopes make it very appealing.
Just wonder if anyone has made this move or thinking the same as me?
I have some really good German glass, and although its nice to look through a good scope, the way things are moving nowadays we might not need to have high end £2k rifle scopes and I could sell one of 2 of them and fund this along with a new thermal scope.
Look forward to your replies, Jim.

 

[Tim.243]

I have been looking at the Thermal scopes for my foxing rifle and can't help but notice the competitive price point of the HIK Alpex 4k lrf scope. It now has me thinking about selling my posh Zeiss Victory Diavari 6-24x56 scope and putting one of these ontop.
Recently the amount of times I have had a deer present itself at twilight and I can see the animal outline but can't quite make out the body to place the crosshairs for a humane shot. Mostly due to them being in a dark background. The twilight mode on these scopes make it very appealing.
Just wonder if anyone has made this move or thinking the same as me?
I have some really good German glass, and although its nice to look through a good scope, the way things are moving nowadays we might not need to have high end £2k rifle scopes and I could sell one of 2 of them and fund this along with a new thermal scope.
Look forward to your replies, Jim.

Not long posted on this, for the very thing you state I use (old tec) but very crisp picture from a digital Drone 10 and ir for very last light shooting as I have had my swro z6 next to it and could see a shape but not an area for a good shot placement.
Friends have what you ask about with very good results.
I have no use for a thermal as the Drone and ir work very well, in fact come into there own like thermal spotters when it is dark for my foxing.
If the deer I shoot were mainly during the day I would just use the Z6 on the .270 but they are not.

 

[Klenchblaize]

I have been looking at the Thermal scopes for my foxing rifle and can't help but notice the competitive price point of the HIK Alpex 4k lrf scope. It now has me thinking about selling my posh Zeiss Victory Diavari 6-24x56 scope and putting one of these ontop.

But who, in their right mind, is going to purchase your out-dated peice of junk that is to be found so wanting in low light acuity?

Asking for a freind!

K

 

[The Singing Stalker]

I sold my expensive binos and my expensive scope. I use a C50 and have 2 off 4k Alpex, and a DNT. The C50 will get replaced at some point as it is about 5 years old,
The digital have a ballistic chart. Which I still have to test, but when working will be helpful.
It also has a range finder.
It has a record function, so I can check and review if the shot was good or bad, so I can, hopefully, improve.
It is also better at first and last light, far more that my expensive scope ever was.

If I want to go foxing after, I just need to add an illuminator. Don’t need to attach front or rear addons.

The downside,
The image is not a good as glass. It has got a lot better over the last few years, but still a long way away. When you zoom in.
I cannot imagine I will still be using that scope in 10 years time. But, the cost out is still 3 or 4 digital scopes to 1 expensive German scope.
Have both thermal and nightvision. I still prefer night vision for shooting and thermal for spotting.

However, imho, in the next 3/4 years, company’s will be selling high end thermal and nightvision scopes. The Arken zulus/DNT is just the start of a major shift in the industry. They have some issues to overcome, but, it is coming.

 

[FISH BOY]

Keep the Zeiss and get some QR mounts allowing the best of both worlds.

I have a 4K and Zeiss HT in Innomounts, with the Alpex predominantly used during the darker doe season - it’s a game changer at twilight.

Always the Zeiss for roe buck stalking or range days.

 

[75]

I've done just that - swapped a Zeiss for an Alpex. I've already taken deer I wouldn't have been able to with the Zeiss. I don't like the image as much as glass, I find eye relief a bit awkward but overall it's more functional for what I need. I suspect that tech will move on though so I don't expect to keep the Alpex as long as my glass scopes (a Swarovski is 15+ years old and no plans to change) - but it's a fraction of the price of german glass so I expect to upgrade in 3-5 years time.

 

[mealiejimmy]

Everyone will have their own ideas abut this and there will be some who will only give up their glass scope when it has to be prised out of their cold dead hand
Others are a bit more pragmatic and weigh up the pros and cons of digital and glass and come to a conclusion based on what type(s) of shooting they do
Glass will always win for image quality and resolution, so for target shooting there is no real alternative
However, for vermin control and deer stalking the benefits of a good digital scope like the Alpex4k or DNT Zulus does, IMHO outweigh the better image quality and resolution that good glass provides
Being able to use a single scope that allows accurate shot placement in daylight, low light and complete darkness is the single biggest benefit of a good digital scope over any glass scope
Yes, I know you can have quick release mounts that allow a glass scope and a digital scope to be swapped around without loss of zero, but two scopes and two sets of expensive QD mounts costs a lot more than any digital scope that fits a standard picatinny rail - and it's a lot less faff having a single scope that stays on the rifle all the time

Cheers

Bruce

 

[Cyres]

My Diavari sits in a cupboard and is rarely used. However when I have to develop a new load or check a new batch of reloads it goes on the .204 and it's sublime to use. Also stunning for long range plinking days.
I find my now discontinued Pulsar N470s is an excellent night scope and passable at dusk but I can see the day when it will be replaced by a Zulus or equivalent.Also there will be a considerable weight saving.
I just need to get to see/use a Zulus in real time conditions to assist my decision.
D

 

[Steff]

When the time comes that deer can no longer be shot during daylight/twilight hours I will give up stalking. We‘re almost there, at least here in Germany.
Since thermals and NV have been legalized for shooting hunting is going down the drain here.
Intended to get a grip on marauding wild boar those devices are (naturally) illegally used to also shoot roes and reds. In effect they have become extremely wary and ‚normal‘ shooting is hardy possible any longer. Disgusting!!!

 

[12borejimbo]

But who, in their right mind, is going to purchase your out-dated peice of junk that is to be found so wanting in low light acuity?

Asking for a freind!

K

I like your subtle approach

 

[12borejimbo]

I sold my expensive binos and my expensive scope. I use a C50 and have 2 off 4k Alpex, and a DNT. The C50 will get replaced at some point as it is about 5 years old,
The digital have a ballistic chart. Which I still have to test, but when working will be helpful.
It also has a range finder.
It has a record function, so I can check and review if the shot was good or bad, so I can, hopefully, improve.
It is also better at first and last light, far more that my expensive scope ever was.

If I want to go foxing after, I just need to add an illuminator. Don’t need to attach front or rear addons.

The downside,
The image is not a good as glass. It has got a lot better over the last few years, but still a long way away. When you zoom in.
I cannot imagine I will still be using that scope in 10 years time. But, the cost out is still 3 or 4 digital scopes to 1 expensive German scope.
Have both thermal and nightvision. I still prefer night vision for shooting and thermal for spotting.

However, imho, in the next 3/4 years, company’s will be selling high end thermal and nightvision scopes. The Arken zulus/DNT is just the start of a major shift in the industry. They have some issues to overcome, but, it is coming.

Thank you for your reply and input!

 

[12borejimbo]

Keep the Zeiss and get some QR mounts allowing the best of both worlds.

I have a 4K and Zeiss HT in Innomounts, with the Alpex predominantly used during the darker doe season - it’s a game changer at twilight.

Always the Zeiss for roe buck stalking or range days.

Very good idea.
I was thinking of using this on multiple rifles.
CS .22lr, Tikka T1X 17HMR, Tikka 595 .22-250 and maybe on my MAUSER M12 MAX in .243. The Rimes have standard sports match mounts, my my Tikka 595 has optilock rings and bases and my MAUSER M12 MAX has some fancy swing off you the when I bought eh entire set up brand new from RJ Blackwall several years ago. I hate the look or a Picatinny rail and the way it blocks the top of the chamber. What's your thoughts to get a universal set up?

 

[12borejimbo]

Everyone will have their own ideas abut this and there will be some who will only give up their glass scope when it has to be prised out of their cold dead hand
Others are a bit more pragmatic and weigh up the pros and cons of digital and glass and come to a conclusion based on what type(s) of shooting they do
Glass will always win for image quality and resolution, so for target shooting there is no real alternative
However, for vermin control and deer stalking the benefits of a good digital scope like the Alpex4k or DNT Zulus does, IMHO outweigh the better image quality and resolution that good glass provides
Being able to use a single scope that allows accurate shot placement in daylight, low light and complete darkness is the single biggest benefit of a good digital scope over any glass scope
Yes, I know you can have quick release mounts that allow a glass scope and a digital scope to be swapped around without loss of zero, but two scopes and two sets of expensive QD mounts costs a lot more than any digital scope that fits a standard picatinny rail - and it's a lot less faff having a single scope that stays on the rifle all the time

Cheers

Bruce

Very detailed and honest reply, thank you Bruce.

 

[nun_hunter]

If you need to shoot deer and low light is the only option then a digital scope is awesome and much cheaper. If you still get out plenty in the day time and shoot deer in good light then a traditional glass scope is much nicer to use.

I have a Zulus and it is superb in low light and total darkness. The LRF ballistic calculator is amazing. I had an opportunity for a fox while with my 22lr and the Zulus allowed a 95m head shot with confidence.

Another option which I have also gone with is a good mid range glass scope (Delta Titanium HD) that performs almost as well as the top end European scopes but it also works very well with a rear add on. I have the Sytong HT66 which means I can use nice glass in the day and when that starts to let me down I can add the NV and continue shooting even in pitch black. This is by far the cheapest option.

 

[JH83]

Yes

I swapped my PM2 3-20x50 for an Alpex

I shoot more deer with the alpex. If I had to jump out of a helicopter and shoot something in broad daylight, the PM2 was king, but for my needs it was superseded.

For the small amount of genuine hill stalking I do the alpex will suffice, and in fairness I have 3 other rifles with glass scopes.

 

[Acm]

I swapped a Leica and a Schmidt for a pair alpex’s. I’d never go back.

 

[tikka2506]

Sold my Schmidt and Zeiss, now have one Pulsar c50 and one Alpex A50T.

 

[sako85708]

The farm where I work and also stalk, since covid has become the locals dog walking arena. It is now seen ok to allow your GSP or Cockerpoo to course any deer seen out feeding !! In turn this has made stalking in the daytime impossible !!. Any deer seen out in the daytime are in the middle of 40 acre fields and run at the first sight of people ! I have had to change my way of stalking to control the numbers of these nocturnal deer, my Pulsar C50 with its sum light mode has now allowed me to start reducing numbers again. Its now spot with a thermal and wait until to shoot just in legal light. It might be only a few minutes, but that is all it takes

 

[Klenchblaize]

I like your subtle approach

Watching the SD Classifieds. Closely.

K

 

[artschool]

so I solved my problem by buying a Zeiss DTC thermal (when legal) to go on the front of my V8.

but interestingly I was thinking about buying a newer set of EL ranges and bought a set of HIK habrok HE25's instead.