This is a review of Sentinel 8-34x56 GenII SFP Rifle Scope (SCOL-61) from Antonio Moretti.
Hello everyone, today I’m excited to share my review of the new Vector Sentinel 8-34x56 GenII SFP riflescope, a Vector product that truly caught my attention thanks to its innovative features and improved design compared to previous models. For those interested, you can find the product here.
GENERAL INFO
The Sentinel 8-34x56 is designed for Benchrest competitions and offers a versatile range of applications thanks to its magnification up to 34x. With a 30 mm tube diameter and a 56 mm objective lens, this optic is capable of delivering clear and bright images, even in low-light conditions, with sharp edge-to-edge clarity, which is crucial for precision shooting. The elevation turret features a zero-return indicator, while the windage turret locking system prevents accidental adjustment shifts, which is very useful during transport.
PACKAGE CONTENTS:
Inside the Sentinel box, we find a complete package that includes Weaver rail rings/mounts, a cleaning cloth, sunshade, mounting tools, and a Sentinel sticker, making the buying and user experience truly complete.
MAIN FEATURES:
Let’s now take a look at the main features of this optic:
● SFP VSE-7 MOA reticle with an illuminated center dot and a “Christmas tree” design for rapid elevation holdover during shooting.
● 56 mm objective lens with multi-coated treatment for optimized light transmission. The images are sharp and bright, with some loss of performance and aberration at the highest magnifications.
● 55 MOA elevation turret travel, enough to cover all shooting distances across different disciplines. The clicks are 1/8 MOA for precise adjustments.
● Side parallax adjustment from 15 yards, about 13 meters, but in use I noticed it already focuses a little past 10 meters at the highest magnifications, so it is also very suitable for airgun use.
● IPX4 certification, which guarantees resistance to water and rain. This is now a standard feature of Vector optics, ensuring they can be used in any weather condition.
● Shock resistance up to 750 G, ensuring good durability even on small-caliber firearms and spring-piston air rifles.
FIRST IMPRESSIONS:
The first thing I noticed was how lightweight the optic is, something that is especially appreciated during extended use, particularly when mounted on small air rifles. In the photos, you can see it mounted on my HW 50S.
Another thing I really liked was the change in material and shape of the scope caps; they now seem well designed, offering both functionality and an appealing aesthetic. The new turret styling is definitely an improvement over previous models.
The magnification ring is smooth and features a practical throw lever, allowing quick and effortless adjustments while keeping your eye on the target. This makes on-the-fly adjustment much easier, which is essential during shooting sessions.
The reticle is the illuminated VSE-7 MOA Christmas tree style with 6 brightness levels. Although I generally use the clicks for compensation, it is a reticle that allows quick shot compensation, both for elevation and windage. This can be useful for benchrest shooters as well as for those who do more informal shooting or plinking. The illuminated central dot makes it possible to shoot well in any lighting condition.
The elevation and windage turrets are quite good. Both are lockable and zero-resettable, and the elevation turret also has a very useful zero stop. In some disciplines, being able to quickly return to the starting zero point is extremely useful. Also on the elevation turret, we find the revolution indicator.
The parallax turret is smooth and free of sticking points, and the focus adjustment is very precise and repeatable. Here we also find the reticle illumination switch and the battery compartment. Everything has been redesigned, and the new layout is very attractive and pleasing to look at. All of this gives the impression of a generally high-quality optic, even if it is an entry-level one.
NEGATIVE ASPECTS:
However, one of the negative aspects I noticed concerns the lens quality at maximum magnification. Unfortunately, I observed some fogging effect, which can affect image clarity during long-range shooting. This is something Vector may want to consider for future improvements. That said, this should also be judged in relation to the price of the optic: for a scope in this price range and with this magnification, one could not expect ultra-high-performance lenses, but the value for money remains very high.
PROS:
- Lightweight and ergonomic design.
- Excellent package contents with useful accessories.
- Improved turret aesthetics and smooth magnification ring.
- Well-designed and illuminated reticle, ideal for precision shooting.
- Good resistance to water and impact.
CONS:
- Slight fogging effect in the lenses at maximum magnification.
- Turret clicks are not extremely audible or crisp.
CONCLUSION:
In conclusion, the Sentinel 8-34x56 GenII SFP is an excellent choice for anyone looking for a high-quality optic to begin benchrest shooting and other precision shooting disciplines, such as field target and informal shooting. It offers a good balance between performance and price and is suitable for use in varying outdoor conditions. Despite some issues noticed with the lenses at high magnification, this riflescope has a lot to offer and could be a valuable addition for anyone who enjoys precision shooting.
Here is the link where you can buy it, along with my discount code (ANTONIOMORETTI).
If you are interested in original review, please click here to view all.
