Glasses and Scopes

[p3seven]

I am returning to shooting after a long break (all my earlier shooting was using an open sights) and after a few practice shoots at the range with club rifles I find I am having difficulty getting a good sight picture through the scopes on these rifles.

I hesitate to commit to an equipment purchase until I can get to the bottom of why with my multifocal glasses I find it so hard to sight through a scope. I intend to buy a .243 W setup that can be used for club comps and also hunting.

I realise that the combination of where the scope is positioned and the height of the cheek rest on the butt may be a factor.

Is there anything else I need to take into account when selecting the combination I need.

Thanks
P3 seven

[North East]

Ever considered contact lenses? I know some can't wear them but I found them a godsend.

[sandgroperbill]

you've probably already considered it, but scopes may also have different eye relief. Possibly visit your lgs and have a look through different scopes?

[p3seven]

Thanks North East, but I cant wear em have astigmatism and they don't work if u have that.

[on_one_wheel]

I read an article in a recent Australian Shooter magazine about wearing glasses and using a scope, the short story is that special lenses can be ground to suit sighting through a different part of your lens as you do when you look through the scope.

If I find the article again I'll pass on some more details, they did mention a specialist who has been working with shooters having the same problem using their glasses for shooting.

[bigfellascott]

I went to Specsavers today as a matter of fact, I've got Mono Vision - one eye is good at long range and the other is good at close up stuff ( sort of knew that that was the case as I'd close the left eye and could see things clearly at distance through the right eye and when closing the right eye I could see things clearly through the left eye close up - I don't need glasses to shoot but more for doing things up close (ok if If I close the right eye but that's a PITA so will get some glasses to help make it easier) they will do a multi focal lense of some sort to help with it all.

worst part is its going to cost me $400! I'm in no hurry to get em but will make things a bit easier when I do get em for the close up stuff, glad I don't need em to hunt with I can tell ya that much.

[Gwion]

I'm not a spec wearer but we were chatting about this at the range a while back.

One of the guys shoots with glasses and someone was saying it can cause issues with parallax as well as the obvious eye relief probs. Said he stopped using glasses to shoot and adjusted the occular lens so he could see the reticle clearly and uses a "focusing scope" (adjustable focal length/parallax) and focuses it to the distance he is shooting. Made sense to me because that is basically what glasses do, adjust the image to your individual focal length.

Now, this is all hear say, but might be worth looking at as a solution.

PS: Bigfella... never heard of that condition before. Better get your specs, would make you look a bit funny swapping eyes all the time!

[brett1868]

I have problems focusing on objects closer then about 1 metre so I have to use reading glasses, fortunately I don't have any issues with objects further away. When selecting a rifle scope I check the amount of diopter adjustment available and a good quality scope should have from +2/-3 or more with >3.5" of eye relief. I don't need glasses when using a scope as there's enough adjustment available to compensate for my poor up close vision. Always start your scope selection by setting the scope to max magnification and check the eye relief. Take it outside if possible then look at a plain white or light coloured wall, use the rear diopter adjustment of the scope to focus the reticule so it's sharp, look away then look back a few times to ensure the reticule stays focused. This is to ensure its focused properly and not just your eyes adjusting as this will lead to eye fatigue. Once this is done you can try different levels of zoom and if available any parallax adjustments ensuring the reticule stays focused. Once set you shouldn't have to adjust the diopter setting again unless your vision deteriorates further.

I have been looking at these to improve my pistol shooting as open sights are starting to get a little blurry
http://www.rudyproject.com/sports/shooting-prescription-shooting-glasses/

[bigfellascott]

I'm not a spec wearer but we were chatting about this at the range a while back.

One of the guys shoots with glasses and someone was saying it can cause issues with parallax as well as the obvious eye relief probs. Said he stopped using glasses to shoot and adjusted the occular lens so he could see the reticle clearly and uses a "focusing scope" (adjustable focal length/parallax) and focuses it to the distance he is shooting. Made sense to me because that is basically what glasses do, adjust the image to your individual focal length.

Now, this is all hear say, but might be worth looking at as a solution.

PS: Bigfella... never heard of that condition before. Better get your specs, would make you look a bit funny swapping eyes all the time!

I never heard of it before yesterday either G, sounds like the best type of eye issue to have from what she was saying basically one eye compensates for the other so evens it out so to speak, I only need the glasses to see things up very close so doesn't affect my use of scopes etc which was as I expected (I can see through them fine and everything looks sharp etc) I too adjust my Ocular to suit my eye (which everyone should do anyway) - I'm still in tossing up whether to even worry about getting the glasses to be honest, I can get a cheaper version for around $200 so might go that way yet - as I said I only need them for looking at things up very close.

[Gwion]

^^^^^BRETT

Pretty much what i was getting at but more accurately stated.

[Gwion]

Bigfella.

Better not take up checkering rifle stocks as a hobby anytime soon, then!

[bluerob]

I did the same as bigfellascott - Specsavers offer great value compared to other brands, plus they check for other eye issues (I never knew that people could get cholesterol issues behind the eyeballs).

I had been shooting somewhat ordinarily. Put my reading glasses on and shooting centres with .22 BR rifle at 100m (which may not be impressive, but, I'm happy with that).

Had to re-sight all handguns and rifles, but, the reading glasses have made a huge difference.

With the handguns, sight picture is only my front post. Black NRA target is very blurry, but, getting X's at 25m without a drama.

[Supporter]

Ever considered contact lenses? I know some can't wear them but I found them a godsend.

Too weird trying to put something in your eye like that

[p3seven]

I read an article in a recent Australian Shooter magazine about wearing glasses and using a scope, the short story is that special lenses can be ground to suit sighting through a different part of your lens as you do when you look through the scope.

If I find the article again I'll pass on some more details, they did mention a specialist who has been working with shooters having the same problem using their glasses for shooting.

Found the reference SSAA Shooter March 2015.

My copy is on the laundry bench of some caravan park. Have the Optometrists name from the index on the web site. I will google him.

Thanks for reminding me.

[Norton]

Too weird trying to put something in your eye like that

Ever had that test at an Optometrists where they gently press the thing into your eye to measure it's internal pressure? Fun.

[bigfellascott]

Too weird trying to put something in your eye like that

Ever had that test at an Optometrists where they gently press the thing into your eye to measure it's internal pressure? Fun.

Is that the one where they blow air into your eye with the special machine? that's what they did to me the other day to test pressure etc, no big deal

[Franky]

Too weird trying to put something in your eye like that

Ever had that test at an Optometrists where they gently press the thing into your eye to measure it's internal pressure? Fun.

Soft as you blokes just wait till they put chemicals into your eyes then laser them round and then tell you your not going to be driving for over 6 weeks!!!!

PRK what a bitch but it pays dividends see like a hawk again @ 50

[brett1868]

Soft as you blokes just wait till they put chemicals into your eyes then laser them round and then tell you your not going to be driving for over 6 weeks!!!!

Get a prostrate exam by a Dr with fingers size of "D" cell batteries then ask who's soft I still can't sit right....Seems the older I get the more holes they want to poke....

[bigfellascott]

Soft as you blokes just wait till they put chemicals into your eyes then laser them round and then tell you your not going to be driving for over 6 weeks!!!!

Get a prostrate exam by a Dr with fingers size of "D" cell batteries then ask who's soft I still can't sit right....Seems the older I get the more holes they want to poke....

You sure it was a finger! its a dead giveaway if he has both his hands on ya shoulders!

[brett1868]

You sure it was a finger! its a dead giveaway if he has both his hands on ya shoulders!

You're a cruel cruel man...had to be his finger, he called me the next day asking for his wedding ring back and I was happy to oblige cause I managed to keep his watch . A tip for those approaching their 40's and considering a prostrate exam, there's no such thing as too much lube.

[bigfellascott]

You sure it was a finger! its a dead giveaway if he has both his hands on ya shoulders!

You're a cruel cruel man...had to be his finger, he called me the next day asking for his wedding ring back and I was happy to oblige cause I managed to keep his watch . A tip for those approaching their 40's and considering a prostrate exam, there's no such thing as too much lube.

I'll pay that!

[Norton]

Is that the one where they blow air into your eye with the special machine? that's what they did to me the other day to test pressure etc, no big deal

It's done with air now.

The previous iteration was like a plastic pinky finger size rod that physically pushed. Gently... but it's definitely not something I'd rush back to for fun.

[bigfellascott]

Is that the one where they blow air into your eye with the special machine? that's what they did to me the other day to test pressure etc, no big deal

It's done with air now.

The previous iteration was like a plastic pinky finger size rod that physically pushed. Gently... but it's definitely not something I'd rush back to for fun.

Yeah mate, that's what they used the other day at SpecSavers, might be diff in other Optometrists?

[Harper]

I'm due for a routine eye exam but maybe I'll skip it