Vortex Viper XBR & parallax adjustment

[ThunderXB]

Just picked up a NIB Vortex XBR (deciding on whether to put in on my BD400 or keep my Zeiss Conquest and Optimizer on it, or...).

At any rate, I have a question on the parallax adjustment.

I know the XBR is parallax set at 75 yds.

I'd like 35-40 instead.

In doing some Internet digging around I see that a few people have actually adjusted the parallax themselves by using a strap wrench and turn the bell 1/3-1/2 turn counter-clockwise.

Anyone have ANY input/experience with this??

I think Vortex wants $75 to adjust to 50 yds.

Thanks

[robertyb]

I have no experience but have seen several posts on the forums where it has been done. I have not yet seen anyone doing any follow up with problems. I think if I had one I could live with the 75 yard set up though.

[wildcatter]

I agree, the parallax difference is meaningless if you center your aye, just adjust the scope on your rail keep proper eye relief, your eye centered in the view of your eye piece and don't worry about, hit what your aiming at! If you cant drill a 1" bull it's on you not parallax!

[Normous]

My question is, does the 75 yard factory set parallax cause you noticeable sighting difficulties and if it does can your elaborate more on these difficulties the way you see it?

[racking up points]

I bought a Leupold VXR in 3-9x40 from paulaboutform and he had the parallax adjusted to 75y and I like it because I can shoot at 9x from 10-100y with no discernible parallax induced inaccuracy. Shoot it first, you might like it. Adjusting the parallax on the Vortex scope yourself might void the warranty so you might want to look into that too. Enjoy your new scope, I hear they are the cat's meow.

[wapster]

The danger is breaking the seal and the gas leaks out.... I guess it can be done....just be careful..

[paulaboutform]

The danger is breaking the seal and the gas leaks out.... I guess it can be done....just be careful..

I own three of these scopes and they are phenomenal! I recommend leaving well enough alone. I'm not sure what you're trying to do but I've had no paralax issues on either side of 75yards. It's great from 10 yards to 110 yards. Seriously, that's no embellishment. Shoot it and get familiar with it. I think you'll love it as is. If you're dead set on changing the paralax setting for reasons I don't understand I strongly suggest spending the $$$ and having it done by Vortex. I would never attempt a modification on a big dollar high end scope myself.....I probably wouldn't do it to a cheap scope either actually.

Paul

[Boo]

The danger is breaking the seal and the gas leaks out.... I guess it can be done....just be careful..

I don't see how some gas wouldn't escape and allow moisture to enter the scope. I'm guessing that the nitrogen/argon gas purge is part of the $75.

[flightattendant100]

No offense.... But resetting the parallax yourself sounds kind of like a " Hold my beer and watch this!" moment. If you must, send it in. Or borrow Dons BFH. Not something I would attempt.

[Shadytree]

I reset the parallax on mine just as you describe, I think it was 1/4 turn. I've had no problems. Anyone who says the parallax in not an issue with the XBR is kidding themselves. In a competitive situation with a custom fit stock you can have consistent cheek weld, but anyone shooting competitively is adjusting for parallax. How anyone thinks they can be hanging off a tree 15 feet in the air with a winter jacket on after not having moved for the past 3 hours and get a consistent cheek weld, I don't know. Can you still hit your target with the stock parallax? Sure. It's a matter of expectations. I don't want to just hit around where i am aiming, I want to hit WHERE I am aiming. Therein lies the difference. Just to flash some credentials before I am lambasted for my heretical ways, at one point in my life I served in the USMC as a Scout Sniper. I then shot competitively for years afterwards. So I have fiddled a bit with parallax.

[racking up points]

I reset the parallax on mine just as you describe, I think it was 1/4 turn. I've had no problems. Anyone who says the parallax in not an issue with the XBR is kidding themselves. In a competitive situation with a custom fit stock you can have consistent cheek weld, but anyone shooting competitively is adjusting for parallax. How anyone thinks they can be hanging off a tree 15 feet in the air with a winter jacket on after not having moved for the past 3 hours and get a consistent cheek weld, I don't know. Can you still hit your target with the stock parallax? Sure. It's a matter of expectations. I don't want to just hit around where i am aiming, I want to hit WHERE I am aiming. Therein lies the difference. Just to flash some credentials before I am lambasted for my heretical ways, at one point in my life I served in the USMC as a Scout Sniper. I then shot competitively for years afterwards. So I have fiddled a bit with parallax.

Shady, I'm curious if you shot the XBR before adjusting the parallax, and if so, how much of a difference did you observe?

[Shadytree]

[/quote] Shady, I'm curious if you shot the XBR before adjusting the parallax, and if so, how much of a difference did you observe?[/quote]

I did shoot it a bit. Problems become more apparent with increased magnification. Off a rest at 30 yards if you set the crossbow up to an aiming point. Then step away. Without touching it move your head around while looking through the scope and watch the crosshairs move around the point of aim. If I remember correctly it was something like 4 inches of movement.

[flightattendant100]

I reset the parallax on mine just as you describe, I think it was 1/4 turn. I've had no problems. Anyone who says the parallax in not an issue with the XBR is kidding themselves. In a competitive situation with a custom fit stock you can have consistent cheek weld, but anyone shooting competitively is adjusting for parallax. How anyone thinks they can be hanging off a tree 15 feet in the air with a winter jacket on after not having moved for the past 3 hours and get a consistent cheek weld, I don't know. Can you still hit your target with the stock parallax? Sure. It's a matter of expectations. I don't want to just hit around where i am aiming, I want to hit WHERE I am aiming. Therein lies the difference. Just to flash some credentials before I am lambasted for my heretical ways, at one point in my life I served in the USMC as a Scout Sniper. I then shot competitively for years afterwards. So I have fiddled a bit with parallax.

You could just buy a Leupold with an AO( 3-9x compact works great)

[wildcatter]

I realize we all want way more than we will ever be able to use when it comes to perfection, but in all honesty, how many set there bow down pull out of the proper eye relief zone and try and roll out view as far out of the center of the scope we as we can, from one extreme to other, just not something I would risk bigger problems with haze view and moisture over,,,, I mean 4" extreme is only 2" in any direction from center, and that is if we try and make as bad as possible. My guess is anyone consciously trying to center there eye at that range, would be pressed to make a 1/4 error,, But those opening their scope up will stand a better than 50% chance of ruining a very good scope, and in low light quite possible not matter how accurate it is because the view in the scope won't be useable in that last light situation to even take the shot.

[ThunderXB]

[quote="Shadytree"]I reset the parallax on mine just as you describe, I think it was 1/4 turn. I've had no problems. Anyone who says the parallax in not an issue with the XBR is kidding themselves. In a competitive situation with a custom fit stock you can have consistent cheek weld, but anyone shooting competitively is adjusting for parallax. How anyone thinks they can be hanging off a tree 15 feet in the air with a winter jacket on after not having moved for the past 3 hours and get a consistent cheek weld, I don't know. Can you still hit your target with the stock parallax? Sure. It's a matter of expectations. I don't want to just hit around where i am aiming, I want to hit WHERE I am aiming. Therein lies the difference. Just to flash some credentials before I am lambasted for my heretical ways, at one point in my life I served in the USMC as a Scout Sniper. I then shot competitively for years afterwards. So I have fiddled a bit with parallax.[/quote]

What he said. Watch for my PM Shady.