Hawke Panorama EV 4 – 12 X 50IR AO

For as long as people have hunted using scoped rifles there has always been one issue – field of view (FOV). OK, you see the quarry with your eye or through binos but then can’t locate it in the scope due to the limited FOV. That’s now a thing of the past thanks to Hawke’s EV (Extreme View) optical system. The Panorama EV 4 – 12 X 50AO IR is one of four Parallax Adjustment models to feature EV.

CLAIMED 20%

Hawke claims a 20% gain in FOV over other scopes in the same specification. Besides EV it has fully multi-coated lenses, the IR lights up red or blue and the reticule is a fully floating glass-etched 1⁄2 mil dot design. It’s waterproof, shockproof and fog proof, high recoil rated, has a 1” matte black, one-piece body tube with low profile turrets. There’s also a traditionally positioned Parallax Adjustment ring, fast focus ocular and a rheostat brightness control on the left of the saddle.

Powered by a CR2032 Lithium battery it offers five settings for each colour. I favour this over the older, 11-position rheostat as this gives you a more precise change in brightness.

Overall the scope feels good and shows a robust and rugged look due in part to the double sets of aggressive ridging on the zoom and parallax rings. Likewise the rheostat and focus are easy to use too. Back to the turrets, both adjusters click positively to each station offering 60-clicks per turn with four full rotations and 1/4” MOA adjustment. Giving 60” top to bottom and side to side.

NICE RET

Both windage and elevation turrets have verniers and are lined and numbered on the outer face. The uncluttered reticule design - in my opinion - just gets better. The sight picture just shows a slight haze at the periphery of the view, but you have to remember you’re really pushing the glass to achieve a main sight picture as good as these give. Compatible with Hawke’s Ballistic Reticule Calculator (BRC) software. The BRC allows the reticule aim points to be calculated to all rifles’ trajectories.

All optics in the range come with flip-up lens covers, cleaning cloth and spare battery. In my opinion this is by far one of the better designed and usable reticles out there for hunting at sensible range with an airgun…

PRICE: £169.95
CONTACT: Deben Group Industries Ltd, 01394 387762 www.hawkeoptics.com

FOR: Good FOV potential
AGAINST: Adjustable objectives a bit dated these days
VERDICT: Good value for money Well featured