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Well I picked up my new XB-30 Pro this afternoon and must say from the moment he handed me the box I was quite impressed!!!
The packaging is better than most and as good as my Zeiss Leupold and Burris packaging or better!
![IMG_8792.jpg]()
Then when I opened the box I continued to be impressed by the way everything is placed and cushioned, better than most, and way better than Hawke in the past.
![IMG_8794.jpg]()
Once I took everything out the first thing I noticed is they even improved the lens covers that I already thought were the best ever offered, by the manufacturer or aftermarket. They feel more solid and secure when closed, and have a slightly larger flange to flip them open, but not at all too big or in the way, and will not ever accidentally flip open on your way through the woods.
![IMG_8809.jpg]()
When I looked thru the scope I was impressed by the new reticle and the crisp image,,, it is obviously an improved scope all the way, the glass does seem sharper and the image is crisp with the reticle sharp and very well appointed. I for one don't care about each chevron being numbered for yardage as I will zero it at 30 yards, this will also allow me to run less power for a wider field of view, and still remain at 10 yard increments out to 60 or 70 yards and never have any chevron off by more than 1 yard. Hunting big game out to 50 or 60 yards, field of view is more important to me than power, I ain't count'n hairs! Those wanting small chevrons for pinpoint aiming will probably be disappointed in the chevrons, they are heavier haired than before. But for hunting and in low light they will be easier to see, but I would have rather had them thinner as with the illumination who needs the heavy aiming points?? Other than that I find it quite acceptable and will be fine for most hunters, and preferable to many. I couldn't get the lens on the camera to focus the reticle and the image at the same time, so don't even consider this as a sample of the image quality because the image quality looking thru a focused scope is excellent, but it is a good view of the reticle, and what I had to focus to.
![IMG_8802.jpg]()
I think the finish on the scope is even improved, with a fine matte finish, and new Hawke logo. I think even the most critical will agree after seeing and handling this scope Hawke intends to gain some popularity as a quality choice in Optics. I have owned every XB-30 model that has been introduced, and this is by far the best one yet in every way. The one thing I think they kept the same is the illumination, red only, one click and you are on it's lowest setting, and totally variable from there to full power.
![IMG_8809.jpg]()
I wanted to mount it on the Mad Max as that is where it is going for this hunting season, but on the way home in Ft. Wayne I stopped and bought a set of rings to get everything mounted. The only thing they had was a set of steel Millett High cross lock's,,,, what a mistake bringing them home!! I will have to go tomorrow and get a set of low or med. aluminum rings. I wasn't worried about the weight but these things are just to cheap and I think they are cast steel, which are out of round and need a lot of lapping, on top of putting the scope to high. Once I get some scope rings tomorrow I will post my thoughts on using the scope and how well the parallax is it seemed just setting in the rings to be better controlled than the previous two models. So far I think this scope will compete well with any other crossbow specific scope on the market,,,, and is much improved on this new model over their previous XB-30 Pro models!!!
![IMG_8807.jpg]()
The packaging is better than most and as good as my Zeiss Leupold and Burris packaging or better!
Then when I opened the box I continued to be impressed by the way everything is placed and cushioned, better than most, and way better than Hawke in the past.
Once I took everything out the first thing I noticed is they even improved the lens covers that I already thought were the best ever offered, by the manufacturer or aftermarket. They feel more solid and secure when closed, and have a slightly larger flange to flip them open, but not at all too big or in the way, and will not ever accidentally flip open on your way through the woods.
When I looked thru the scope I was impressed by the new reticle and the crisp image,,, it is obviously an improved scope all the way, the glass does seem sharper and the image is crisp with the reticle sharp and very well appointed. I for one don't care about each chevron being numbered for yardage as I will zero it at 30 yards, this will also allow me to run less power for a wider field of view, and still remain at 10 yard increments out to 60 or 70 yards and never have any chevron off by more than 1 yard. Hunting big game out to 50 or 60 yards, field of view is more important to me than power, I ain't count'n hairs! Those wanting small chevrons for pinpoint aiming will probably be disappointed in the chevrons, they are heavier haired than before. But for hunting and in low light they will be easier to see, but I would have rather had them thinner as with the illumination who needs the heavy aiming points?? Other than that I find it quite acceptable and will be fine for most hunters, and preferable to many. I couldn't get the lens on the camera to focus the reticle and the image at the same time, so don't even consider this as a sample of the image quality because the image quality looking thru a focused scope is excellent, but it is a good view of the reticle, and what I had to focus to.
I think the finish on the scope is even improved, with a fine matte finish, and new Hawke logo. I think even the most critical will agree after seeing and handling this scope Hawke intends to gain some popularity as a quality choice in Optics. I have owned every XB-30 model that has been introduced, and this is by far the best one yet in every way. The one thing I think they kept the same is the illumination, red only, one click and you are on it's lowest setting, and totally variable from there to full power.
I wanted to mount it on the Mad Max as that is where it is going for this hunting season, but on the way home in Ft. Wayne I stopped and bought a set of rings to get everything mounted. The only thing they had was a set of steel Millett High cross lock's,,,, what a mistake bringing them home!! I will have to go tomorrow and get a set of low or med. aluminum rings. I wasn't worried about the weight but these things are just to cheap and I think they are cast steel, which are out of round and need a lot of lapping, on top of putting the scope to high. Once I get some scope rings tomorrow I will post my thoughts on using the scope and how well the parallax is it seemed just setting in the rings to be better controlled than the previous two models. So far I think this scope will compete well with any other crossbow specific scope on the market,,,, and is much improved on this new model over their previous XB-30 Pro models!!!
