Optisan HX 4-12x40 A0

Optisan have been used as a manufacturing facility by MTC Optics, for some while now, and various products are also released under their own brand name. With MTC themselves part of the Italian-owned Dianna group, (the operation that also owns Daystate and Brocock), there’s an exciting future ahead for this most go-ahead brand. Under review here is one of the very latest general purpose models -the Optisan HX 4-12X40 AO, and it looks to be a fair package for the asking price!

First Impressions

First impressions are off to a good start, once you see how this scope is supplied in a perfectly padded carton. No damage in transit with this model then? Included are a set of rings, which makes that RRP look even more attractive and competitive. There were no lens covers on my test model however, which is just a minor irritation.

One point to bear in mind when fitting this scope to a spring-powered airgun, concerns the height of the rings. I found it was near enough level with the compression cylinder housing when fitting it to a BSA Supersport I had for the purpose. Once locked in place and the mounts tightened, the front parallax ring was snug to the cylinder, so way to close for easy operation. No such issue if you fit this scope to a PCP with the existing mounts, where invariably the receiver is higher than the barrel exterior, so solving that problem.

The usual basic set-up will see the fast focus eye bell at the rear adjusted until the reticule and background snap in clear together. Optisan fit a rubber protecting ring to the fast focus in the usual way too, which is always reassuring!

 

Range Report

With the HX all secured in place, it was time for some initial familiarization. General clarity and sharpness of image is impressive with this model, and my first task was to confirm minimum focus. The manufacturer marks this up as 10 yards, but there’s a bit more movement on the parallax-adjustable objective ring, which I found put that figure down to a minimum distance of around 8 yards. The next marked range is 35 on the dial, followed by 50 yards, and both these came in about right when the distance was accurately checked, which the isn’t always case on all scopes.

‘AO’ in the product name denotes an adjustable objective lens, where the collar can be dialled to a particular range, to effectively correct parallax error at that distance. Twisting both the front objective collar or the magnification collar at the rear is again a reassuring business, given there is just the right amount of resistance built in, and felt. Too slack or too tight a rotation can be worrying and irritating in equal measure! But Optisan have got it just right with this model, and it’s a delight to use.

 

The Adjustments

Turrets are another bonus here, with a relatively low profile, screw cap design, and easy finger dialable drums; unscrew the water-proof caps and away you go. The dials are precisely marked, and the turrets click around positively with good audible and individual tactile movements, so you can count the clicks easily. This to me suggests a robust design, and accurate movement. My standard grid check from zero position moved the POI round the box right, down, left, up, in sequence, returning to zero, and with that set and checked, it was time to appreciate the image.

A multi-coated lens system is part of the deal, and edge to edge sharpness and the absence of any aberration, is always a plus point. But this is one scope where you just can’t help but return to the asking price, to check it’s correct as it will not break the bank! Optisan fit the HX with their half Mil Dot reticule and this sees four equidistant thick outer posts, and an equidistant inner cross with half Mil graduations- appearing as small lines between each dot. It’s a streamlined design, and in use, it works very well. The outer thick posts draw the eye in to the main picture, whilst the fine inner section keeps the image uncluttered.

Half Mil Dot means that increments are relevant to smaller targets, and if my passion for HFT is on the cards, then a variety of more precise aim points can also be employed. It’s all about reference points at the end of the day, and this Optisan HX model arms the shooter with plenty of those. Tipping the scales at 21 oz including the rings, means that this scope will not easily unbalance any rifle combination either, which is another consideration for many, so the plus points are many.

 

Conclusion

In short, yes I was seriously impressed here. Optisan continues to supply the shooting enthusiast with good honest products- that get the job done, for a price that’s invariably right. This HX model represents excellent value for money, and with all the usual features in place; nitrogen-purged, O-ring, fog, shock, and waterproof, not to mention that all important ‘feel’, it’s difficult to find fault.