Constantine 1-10x24 HD FFP Rifle Scope LPVO (SCFF-42) Review

This is a review of Constantine 1-10x24 HD FFP Rifle Scope LPVO (SCFF-42). from Ryan Paul.

Constantine 1-10x24 HD FFP - SCFF-42

• Link below

Unfortunately, we need to talk about form factor before we talk about the optic. Hang in there, it's informative I promise.

At this current time, if you go searching for a low power variable optic (lpvo), you will get bombarded with hundreds, if not thousands, of options. Each one with a slightly different reticle, or slightly different features. Knowing which one to choose can be difficult. I have a very utilitarian approach to any low magnification optic. A low magnification optic is obviously not a tool of precision due to its low image magnification. Precision is needed when shooting targets at great distance, which requires a certain amount of magnification.

 Most lpvo's on the market are 1-4x or 1-6x, which is adequate to engage targets in the 300-600 yard range with a modicum of precision. So if an optic has a lower magnification, resulting in a lower requirement of precision, the bar for robustness and reliability goes up. An LPVO is an optic for a working rifle. The rifle you rely on, whether it be for protection, pest control, hunting, etc. Therefore, my criteria for an LVPO is typically simple: it must be able to work properly even after being banged up, dropped, bumped, whacked, or any other adjective you can think of to describe a way to damage an optic. They have to be robust and reliable.

The proclivity of 1-10x optics has created a new subset of use cases. Now we are offered an optic that can function well at very close ranges at 1x, but also has the magnification available to engage targets well beyond the 5-600 yard "maximum" of a 1-4x or 1-6x. 10 times magnification is enough to pretty easily engage a target at 1000 yards, and that requires a higher level of precision. So, 1-10x LPVOs not only need to be VERY robust, but they also have to be precise in their adjustments in order to justify having the extra magnification and cost. Tough AND precise is not only a difficult combination, but it is also an expensive combination. One that some manufacturers haven't done a good job creating.

So, how does the Constantine 1-10x24 HD FFP stack up against these criteria? Honestly, pretty well.

All testing was done with the included scope rings.

•Robustness: as much as it hurts to do it, I had to bang this optic around once I had it mounted and zeroed to my rifle. I had to know that it could take hits without losing zero, or functionality. It took its lumps in stride. It was able to hold zero and everything still worked after 5 shoulder height drops on the dirt, and bumping the optic into a 6x6 wood post several times. Yes, I could have been far meaner to optic and eventually found it's breaking point, but I didn't want to intentionally push it too far before having a chance to shoot at longer distances.

•Precision capabilities: I like the approach Vector took when designing this optic. Given it's ability to magnify an optic 10x, they chose a reticle that can be very useful when engaging targets at longer distances. Along with that, they opted to use a target style turret that is able to dial up an adjustment for both wind and elevation, so holdovers are not the only option. They also included a replacement elevator turret to make the elevation knob exposed. So you can choose between the safety and toughness of a capped turret, or the ease of adjustment of an exposed turret. A nice choice indeed. Elevation and windage adjustments were accurate enough in my opinion, with just over 3% deviation at 10mils. While this would be unacceptable for a long range, high magnification optic, for an LVPO I think it is fine. Important to know however if you do need to shoot at distances that require alot of elevation adjustment. Return to zero was also accurate for both elevation and windage. This optic being First Focal Plane (FFP), means that the reticle subtentions remain accurate no matter what magnification setting you are on. This is useful for holdovers, wind holds, and ranging targets based on estimated size. Unfortunately I did not have access to a 1000 yard target for testing, I did make contact at 600 and 700 yards on 66% size humanoid targets.

•Glass quality: with more magnification comes more image distortion, so glass quality is very important. Luckily, Vector did a good job choosing the glass for the Constantine 1-10x24. The image is clear in the center viewing area at 10x and I can make out basic details at 1000 yards of various things such as vehicles and signs. There is some edge clarity distortion at 10x, but it's not enough to become an issue. Chromatic aberration was not a noted issue either, so the lens coatings and purity of the glass seems to be decent.

•Controls: about what you would expect. Everything worked the way it is supposed to. Magnification ring was smooth to operate. The turrets clicks are a little mushy, but they aren't too loud and they still feel good to operate.

•Illumination: this is the only area that I think needs improvement. While the illumination works, and gets bright enough to be useful in most conditions barring full sunlight, the illumination bleeds throughout the reticle a fair amount. The reticle itself is very crisp and clean, but with the illuminator on, the red light bleeds outside the fine lines and dots of the reticle.

Overall, this optic is a decent choice if you are in need of an optic that can be used at very close range, as well as long range. If you only need to shoot 300-400 yards, a 1-6 may make more sense for you just based on cost alone. I think Vector did a solid job designing and building these optics, and it seems to fill this niche use case very well.

Check it out here: https://www.vectoroptics.com/rifle-scopes/Constantine-1-10x24-FFP-Rifle-Scope.html