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We already had a chance to met Hawke optics (here
and here) and we were
quite impressed from them. When we were shown
some early designs at the ATA in January and a
production sample at the IWA Show in
Germany laeter on, we really could not wait to
test the new scope: the Hawke XB30.
The new Hawke XB30 is a very special scope: it
is designed with a multiple illuminated reticle
for distances of 20, 30, 40, 50, and 60 Yards.
The reticle can be illuminated in either green
or red in 5 different intensity setting via a
knob on the left side of the scope to suit
different target lighting conditions.
In order to fit different crossbow shooting
speeds the reticle spacing can be varied turning
the large knob in the back portion of the scope.
This action actually varies magnification of the
scope.
The XB30 is not really a variable magnification:
once set for a certain speed changing
magnification screws up the zeroing.
The XB30 derives its name from the destination
(XB= Crossbow) and the tube diameter (30=30mm)
but fear not : you do not need hard to find
metric rings as Hawke provides a mounting rail
(fits standard weaver) with integral rings in
the package.
While on packaging: the scope comes in a pretty
much standard see trough blister package that
gives most of the infos on the optic printed on
it. Inside you will find the XB30 scope with
rings already mounted, two flip lens caps,
cleaning cloth, instruction booklet, warranty
card and mounting screw.
A special note here, all set screws (4 on each
ring and two on the mounting rail) are TORX.
Hurrah! Hawke is the first manufacturer using
these high torque screws on crossbow scopes;
these screws are more common on high end rifle
scopes.
This spells quality and attention to detail! Hat
off Hawke!
As we mentioned in previous Hawke scopes review
the most precious tool with this scope does not
come in the package: connecting to the Hawke web
site you can download for free a terrific
ballistic scope.
Why do I need that?
Well the setting of the scope speed to match
your crossbow speed is a generic average value
that is quite good BUT if you are looking for
pinpoint precision especially at longer ranges
the software will take into account actual arrow
drop and give you the exact matching of
distance/arrow drop.
If you zero your scope at 20 yards with a
certain speed different arrow setups will have a
different drop at 50 or 60 Yards (for example
different vane angle created different drag)
being able to input exact, actual data into the
software you will understand that the 60 yard
marking is actually 62 or 58 with your very
specific setup. I strongly suggest that you get
the software and give it a try!
The XB30 is built around a 30mm tube up to the
front (there is no front bell, with larger kens)
but the good lens treatment (fully coated),
gives an image that is very bright with very
good contrast. The scope is very sharp up to the
edges and there is no color dominant, the image
is simply amazingly clear. Also the reticle
etching is impressive, very well done and really
sharp. At the recent IWA Show in Germany I went
trough many many scopes (some of them to be
considered the best in the world such as
Leupold, Zeiss, Swarowsky, Schmidt&Bender etc)
and believe ma this Hawke scope is fits better
in a rifle scope class than the crossbow scopes
we used to know.
The finish seems to be well done, the dark black
anodization did not wear or scratch during our
test on both the scope body and mount. The
turrets are protected via screw caps and have
very nice and visible marking with one click= ½
MOA at 100 yards.
Other features of the XB30 Crossbow scope are:
·
Nitrogen filled to be
water and fog proof.
·
Wide angle optical System
·
Locking fast focus ocular
·
Green or red reticle
illumination
·
Range finding reticle
·
½ MOA turrets
·
Easily adjustable to fit
crossbow speeds from 210 to 360 FPS
Is the Hawke XB30 the perfect crossbow scope?
Well it is bright, it is sharp, it is loaded
with features , it comes at a very attractive
price (considered the quality)but there are a
couple of things that keep it from being
perfect: it is rather big&heavy at the back (the
speed selection is to blame but this is common
to all adjustable speed scopes) and the included
mount will make it sit a little higher than
needed, you will need to adjust the cheek
position on the stock to keep the correct line
of sight. If you can live with these two things
you can go out and shop for it!
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