[dow]

I'm looking at ordering my first crossbow, and am looking at one of these packages from ebay:
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Excalibur-...K-BLACK-OPPS-W-SCOPE-PACKAGE-499/254406151224
or this one:
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Excalibur-...STOCK-BLACK-DEADZONE-PACKAGE-585/254306373889

It LOOKS like the only difference between the two is the scope. Until now I never dreamed that PSE sold optics, and all I know about the Excal deadzone scope is that it's their bottom-end scope.

Another possibility would be to go with a reflex site like this or similar in which case, the scope question becomes academic:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00ZM3TMO0

I guess that the first question would be, what is the magnification on the scopes listed with the packages above, and what do you think of using a 1x reflex sight instead of a scope?

Based on this information, what would you recommend?

Thanks!

 

[deermanct]

Pretty sure all their scopes are 3x.

 

[dow]

Pretty sure all their scopes are 3x.

Thanks, deermanct. I was a little confused that they never mention the fact, as every scope I've ever had any doings with has been defined by power. It would be ridiculous to purchase a rifle scope that didn't specify what the magnification was on it.

Now, would you happen know anything about the PSE scopes and whether they're worth the trouble? While I don't consider myself a cheapskate, I do, as does my wife, consider myself "cost conscious," and I like a deal as much as the next man. $86 is, after all, $86.

 

[vortex nation]

The first thing I do when I buy a bow package is sell the crappy chinese optic that comes with it and mount a real scope made by Leupold!!

 

[deermanct]

I haven't had any experience with a PSE scope. My Excalibur Grizzly kit came with the Dead Zone scope. While it may not be the best scope out there, it works ok for me, as I've taken 7 or 8 deer with my setup.
My advice would be to order the bow kit your interested in, set it up and shoot it for a deer season or for a pig hunt or two, then decide if you want to swap out the scope.
A lot of guys like Hawke, Nikon, Leupold. It all boils down to personal preference and how much money you want to spend.

 

[MR.556 HK]

I'm looking at ordering my first crossbow, and am looking at one of these packages from ebay:
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Excalibur-...K-BLACK-OPPS-W-SCOPE-PACKAGE-499/254406151224
or this one:
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Excalibur-...STOCK-BLACK-DEADZONE-PACKAGE-585/254306373889

It LOOKS like the only difference between the two is the scope. Until now I never dreamed that PSE sold optics, and all I know about the Excal deadzone scope is that it's their bottom-end scope.

Another possibility would be to go with a reflex site like this or similar in which case, the scope question becomes academic:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00ZM3TMO0

I guess that the first question would be, what is the magnification on the scopes listed with the packages above, and what do you think of using a 1x reflex sight instead of a scope?

Based on this information, what would you recommend?

Thanks!

Dow,
I would go with the bow that had the drop zone scope. I never knew PSE had a scope but I have used the drop zone for a while and it’s a good scope for what it is I killed 4 deer with it my first season and then picked up a Hawke scope. I changed scopes as I liked the Hawke reticle better but never felt the drop zone had me at a disadvantage.You won’t be disappointed with the drop zone scope. I hope this helps you decide.

 

[JustG]

Check out Wyvern Creations, you might be able to do a deal buying from someone like that vs. generic eBay. Plus Dave can probably package it however you like, as well as give you advice. For example, I bought an Axe 340, upgraded to the TactZone scope...

Sent from my SM-G975U using Tapatalk

 

[TX_RDXguy]

The first thing I do when I buy a bow package is sell the crappy chinese optic that comes with it and mount a real scope made by Leupold!!

This reply is being NOTED as an "over reaction".

Love you VN, you're the man and I know you can handle me picking on ya. This is a newby and he's a fellow Texan so we need to keep him open minded on his first purchase.

==============

Not all entry level scopes are horrible and yes Leupold makes fine scopes but so do 10 other optic companies. Today there are more choices and honestly, not all Chinese made optics are bad.

The right optic choice has a great deal to do with how you will use it. If you hunt in tight spots or plan to run and gun the Red Dot may be a reasonable choice. Many crossbow hunters are ambush style hunters and the BDC multi-reticle compact crossbow scope works well for them. Hawke makes several popular, commonly used crossbow scopes but you will find other that are good as well. The EVO Marksman scope from TenPoint is considered by many to be the "best of breed" today.

I'm a fan of great optics like Zeiss, Leupold, Nikon, Vortex and Burris and most of those manufacturers don't make a crossbow specific optic nor do we use a crossbow optic like a rifle optic. Can they work, sure they can but I think you will find very suitable crossbow specific BDC scope, possibly a Red Dot too. Look through the Excalibur and Optic forums and you will probably find your answer.

If you are "techie" take a look at the smart scopes or electro-optics from ATN and SIG Sauer. That's a new optic trend that I suspect will grow.

ATA is just a few days away so watch for new and updated optic choices coming out of that show.

 

[Gabowman]

The Dead Zone appears to have the speed ring where the PSE doesn't. For that reason alone I'd go with the Dead Zone. Doesn't hurt that since it's an Excalibur scope it has a lifetime warranty too (I think).

 

[JOE PA]

This reply is being NOTED as an "over reaction".

Love you VN, you're the man and I know you can handle me picking on ya. This is a newby and he's a fellow Texan so we need to keep him open minded on his first purchase.

==============

Not all entry level scopes are horrible and yes Leupold makes fine scopes but so do 10 other optic companies. Today there are more choices and honestly, not all Chinese made optics are bad.

The right optic choice has a great deal to do with how you will use it. If you hunt in tight spots or plan to run and gun the Red Dot may be a reasonable choice. Many crossbow hunters are ambush style hunters and the BDC multi-reticle compact crossbow scope works well for them. Hawke makes several popular, commonly used crossbow scopes but you will find other that are good as well. The EVO Marksman scope from TenPoint is considered by many to be the "best of breed" today.

I'm a fan of great optics like Zeiss, Leupold, Nikon, Vortex and Burris and most of those manufacturers don't make a crossbow specific optic nor do we use a crossbow optic like a rifle optic. Can they work, sure they can but I think you will find very suitable crossbow specific BDC scope, possibly a Red Dot too. Look through the Excalibur and Optic forums and you will probably find your answer.

If you are "techie" take a look at the smart scopes or electro-optics from ATN and SIG Sauer. That's a new optic trend that I suspect will grow.

ATA is just a few days away so watch for new and updated optic choices coming out of that show.

Rich, kudos for spending the amount of time you do on here actually helping people. I'm nowhere near as "techie" as you are, nor will I ever be, but I do read what you post, and appreciate the time you put in evaluating products, and giving your unbiased (pretty rare on here) assessment.

 

[vortex nation]

This reply is being NOTED as an "over reaction".

Love you VN, you're the man and I know you can handle me picking on ya. This is a newby and he's a fellow Texan so we need to keep him open minded on his first purchase.

==============

Not all entry level scopes are horrible and yes Leupold makes fine scopes but so do 10 other optic companies. Today there are more choices and honestly, not all Chinese made optics are bad.

The right optic choice has a great deal to do with how you will use it. If you hunt in tight spots or plan to run and gun the Red Dot may be a reasonable choice. Many crossbow hunters are ambush style hunters and the BDC multi-reticle compact crossbow scope works well for them. Hawke makes several popular, commonly used crossbow scopes but you will find other that are good as well. The EVO Marksman scope from TenPoint is considered by many to be the "best of breed" today.

I'm a fan of great optics like Zeiss, Leupold, Nikon, Vortex and Burris and most of those manufacturers don't make a crossbow specific optic nor do we use a crossbow optic like a rifle optic. Can they work, sure they can but I think you will find very suitable crossbow specific BDC scope, possibly a Red Dot too. Look through the Excalibur and Optic forums and you will probably find your answer.

If you are "techie" take a look at the smart scopes or electro-optics from ATN and SIG Sauer. That's a new optic trend that I suspect will grow.

ATA is just a few days away so watch for new and updated optic choices coming out of that show.

Over reaction? Hardly!!! Lol

The other day I helped a friend sight in his bow with the dropzone. With my aging eyes there is no way I could use his scope for hunting. I struggled to get the reticle in focus for a 20 yard shot. I need good clear glass. Now if you have younger eyes I would think most crossbow scopes would do the job.

 

[Boo]

Over reaction? Hardly!!! Lol

The other day I helped a friend sight in his bow with the dropzone. With my aging eyes there is no way I could use his scope for hunting. I struggled to get the reticle in focus for a 20 yard shot. I need good clear glass. Now if you have younger eyes I would think most crossbow scopes would do the job.

I'm with you Jeff, I've never used a factory scope. BUT Jeff, we and many others are scope snobs. We all have different expectations and experiences. What you say about the scopes can be said about the majority of rifle scopes. Most to us are garbage. But people buy them, use them and kill with them. Sometimes the factory scope users can't afford better, sometimes they haven't experienced a really good scope. I can use the factory scopes but I have a difficult time not getting nitpicky when looking through one and I start looking for reasons to dump it. But that's me right punk!

 

[vortex nation]

I'm with you Jeff, I've never used a factory scope. BUT Jeff, we and many others are scope snobs. We all have different expectations and experiences. What you say about the scopes can be said about the majority of rifle scopes. Most to us are garbage. But people buy them, use them and kill with them. Sometimes the factory scope users can't afford better, sometimes they haven't experienced a really good scope. I can use the factory scopes but I have a difficult time not getting nitpicky when looking through one and I start looking for reasons to dump it. But that's me right punk!

Lol yep I'm spoiled in the optics dept! And I'm getting old and need all the help I can get!!!

 

[timbikeride]

Being old fashioned, I've never liked multiple reticles on rifle or crossbow scopes. I currently use a Leupold 2-7X shotgun scope. Some folks use the top and bottom of the duplex for various ranges, but I just zero dead on at 30 yards and hold over or under as needed.

 

[dow]

Thanks for all of the advise and recommendations. I'm no stranger to good glass, but the descriptions of the excal scopes, or rather the lack of them, threw me off.

 

[dow]

I ended up going with one that came with a Twilight DLX scope and a C2 crank. I've attached a thumbnail of the specs from Excalibur's website:

Don't know if it's allowed to list ebay prices here, so I'll leave it to you to go look if you're interested. The actual ad is here: https://www.ebay.com/itm/Excalibur-...ACK-DLX-SCOPE-C2-COCKING-AID-779/254307469075

Should have it here next week, just in time for me to go out of town for work for a week, lol.

Thanks to robertyb for posting a link to American Archery's ebay ad in this post, which led me to this crossbow: https://www.crossbownation.com/community/threads/which-one.102488/#post-1256340