This is a review of Continental x10 1-10x28 ED RAR-C Rifle Scope (SCFF-62) from the-answer-is-42.
Alright guys heres another Vector Continental review. One of my longer reviews I’ve done in a while - probably longer than the 2-12 review! I feel like I’m getting better at these. A 1-10 optic is something that I have been wanting to try out for a long time. A decade ago, I first purchased a Vortex PST 1-4 and that was my first intro into the LPVO market. It was one of the first options available when the LPVO was becoming prevalent aside from the old Weaver 1-3x scope and subsequent Leupold FireDot models. The LPVO and MPVO market has come a long way and there is much debate about what the best magnification range is for a specific style of rifle or usage scenario.
With plenty of 1-4, 1-6, 2-8, and 2-10 experience over the years a 1-10 seemed like the next logical option to try and see if it could be any better or help any of my shooting styles with my preferred magnification ranges.
The FFP Continental x10 1-10x28 ED RAR-C Rifle Scope (SCFF-62) which incorporates the VET-RAR reticle fit the bill perfectly and carried the same reticle over from the 2-12 Continental x6 2-12x44 RAR MPVO Rifle Scope (SCFF-69) that I have recently reviewed and have put into use on my SPR and long-range competition rifle.
The VET-RAR is a dual-use “zoom-in-zoom-out” reticle that has an Eotech-style circle-dot reticle under 6x and a Christmas-tree-style reticle from 6x and above lending itself extremely well to mid-range shooting styles that fit between the close-range and long-range shooting disciplines.
I took the SCFF-62 first to the indoor range to zero, and then out for a full range day outdoors to test up to 500yds of shooting distances.
Specs, Build Quality, and Usability
The Continental 1-10 – just like the rest of the Continental line – is made and machined very well. Everything has tight tolerances, feels and spins tightly, has a crisp feel, and has audible clicks. Nothing about the scope feels cheap or suspicious about being a top-of-the-line product. The magnification ring is quite tight, but I assume will loosen up with time and usage. The turrets are locking and exposed and provide ample adjustment with a great tactile feel and sound.
The scope does not come with a throw lever and there is not one integrated in this first-generation model of Continental 1-10, but I was able to purchase one on Amazon for under $20 shipped.
There is no parallax on a scope such as this which isn’t meant for precision target shooting, but it does have illumination with 11 settings on a side-mounted rheostat knob to the left of the scope when mounted. Unfortunately, even putting the brightness on setting 11 (maximum) is quite dim and is nowhere near red dot or bright enough to be used in sunlight. You’ll need to rely on the FFP nature of the scope being zoomed in far enough to utilize the etched reticle in certain situations and background colors when aiming.
Length and weight of this scope are standard at around 10-11” and ~23oz so I don’t have an issue with either of these being out of range for other products in this category.
Reticle and Glass Clarity
The SCFF-62 has the option of using the VET-RAR reticle which for me was a no-brainer with its dual-use styling. Having the ability to use the large ring and dot for close-up shooting and tree reticle for long-range is a great feature of an FFP reticle design. The below image shows the differences in reticle compared to the Vortex Strike Eagle and a Vector Tauron model LPVO.
In the reticle composite image below I’ve included 1, 4, 8, and 10x views from each scope as well as 1x and 4x with the brightness turned on to the highest setting on all models.
The glass quality on the SCFF-62 is superb as it is German Schott HD glass paired with several coatings and finishings to reduce glare and other unwanted artifacts when looking through the scope. The entire Vector Continental line uses this Schott HD glass and it’s great to see a manufacturer commit to using quality glass throughout its premium lineup at this sub-$1000 price point.
Comparison to Vortex Strike Eagle 1-8 FFP
The biggest comparison I wanted to make is between this new to me Continental 1-10 and my Vortex Strike Eagle 1-8 FFP. Both models are a comparable length, weight, magnification range and many other specifications. They are however from different companies in an also similar price range minus some wild discount price swings at various times of the year. Some comparison photos:
After testing and comparing them, I much preferred the SCFF-62 for the extra magnification and its reticle style. Though the Vortex Strike Eagle had a brighter reticle and more forgiving eye box making the 1x performance “as a red dot” much easier – that is not my preferred use case.
The glass on the Vortex was very good and surprised me but it did have quite a bit of chromatic aberration and fisheye at certain magnification ranges which the SCFF-62 did not.
The LPVO/MPVO that I am using for this 1-8, 1-10 or etc setup will rarely live on 1x power and will most always be between 4-8x in power for medium to longer range engagements and targets. I always supplement this scope with a red dot at either 90* or 45* (shown below with the SCFF-62 and Frenzy FA 18x22 Enclosed MRT Red Dot Sight (SCRD-M75)) so performance within 100yds is reliant on that offset dot instead of the scope.
The eye box on the Continental 1-10 is quite tight due to its 10x-multiplier nature. Being a 1-10 with a 28mm objective lens is a downside of this model of scope from all companies that offer this same 1-10 magnification range.
It doesn’t matter if you want the Trijicon 1-10, Vortex 1-10, or etc – a 10x factor with such a small objective cannot defy the laws of physics making the exit pupil very small and eye box tight. As mentioned, my use case for this 1-10 was perfect and I’m able to work with a tighter eye box to achieve greater clarity with German HD glass and more magnification range over a 1-6 or 1-8x scope.
Overall
I am happy to have the Continental x10 1-10x28 ED RAR-C Rifle Scope (SCFF-62) on hand for use in my mid-range all-purpose use case in a recce-style rifle setup. The ~23oz of weight, the ability to use 10x when needed and live within the 4-8x magnification range with a versatile reticle such as the VET-RAR are all positives that make the SCFF-62 a great choice for its price range if these specs are what you’re looking for. As always, thanks to Vector Optics for sending this over for review!
If you’re interested in the original review, please go check here.
