UTG 80mm SWAT Add on Big Wheel for Scopes

Product Details

• Shipping Weight: 1.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Shipping: Currently, item can be shipped only within the U.S.
• ASIN: B002TUSDM6
• Item model number: SCP-SW080-A
  

By : UTG
Price : $12.51

Product Description

Deluxe Add-on Wheel for Side Wheel Adjustable Turret - 80mm

 

UTG 80mm SWAT Add on Big Wheel for Scopes

 

Product Features

• Deluxe Add-on Wheel for Side Wheel Adjustable Turret on Full Size SWAT scopes

Customer Reviews

I have the Accushot 4-16x56 scope on my 24" AR, and I use a bipod because that bull barrel is stupid heavy. Putting the killer scope on that rifle was an obvious choice, but this wheel thing had me waffling. I finally got it because the price is very reasonable and it looks very cool.
Now that I have used it, I can't imagine that rifle without it If you use a high magnification scope with a big objective lens you get a nice bright image, but your depth of field (how much stuff is in focus at one time) becomes very small. This means you have to focus the scope for different range targets. Without the wheel that's not a difficult task, but you do have to move your hand to the knob, adjust, then get back in position. A small turn of the knob makes a big difference in where you are focused, as well. Add the Big Wheel to the mix and you can scoot your left hand back on the foregrip and reach the wheel, and moving the edge of the wheel a little makes a little difference in the focus. Your rifle looks more techno, and it works better. For the money, it's hard to make a better change! 8^)
If you are wondering, the focus at the eyepiece of your scope will change the focus on your image AND on your crosshairs. You use that to adjust so that your crosshairs (or whatever reticle you have) are perfectly sharp, as everyone's eyes are a little different. The wheel attaches to the objective end focus knob (objective being the big lens at the front of the scope) so you can focus on the target, and it doesn't change the focus on your reticle. A 4x scope with a 32mm objective doesn't need to focus the objective, while a 16x with a 56mm absolutely MUST include objective focusing to work. FYI. Ok, now I'm rambling...

Not to knock some other reviews, but I would not label this product as "must have". Your firearm/scope will function adequately without it...that said, this wheel is definitely a nice convenience.
Pros:
Adds leverage. Makes the stiff range knob much easier to adjust.
Improves precision during adjustment. Diameter increase relative to scopes range turret allows for greater linear travel per degree of adjustment. Coupled with the leverage advantage it makes very small adjustments easier.
Sturdily constructed. Though it looks like cheap/flimsy plastic in the ads/photos, this version (80mm/4 spoke) is manufactured using aluminum. The spokes are thick/strong and it uses 4 steel locking Allen screws.
Lightweight. Doesn't add any significant weight to the firearm.
Can be used for rough range estimation. On initial sight in, using a known distance, dial in the distance on the scopes range turret, then adjust the focus using the scopes ocular diopter or front AO adjustment (depending which scope you have). Once 'dialed in'/focused, any future focus adjustments made using the range turret will give the range
Low price.
Cons:
As far as I know, it is specific to Leapers/UTG scopes with the side wheel adjustable turret....i.e. its not a `universal' product so make sure it will fit your scope before buying it.
Its big. Gonking big. But that's the price to pay for the additional leverage.
Range markings are not 100% accurate. I've used this on 2 scopes now (UTG 4-16x 50 and UTG 3-12x44) and in both cases the range markings on the wheel are not scaled precisely respective to the range markings on the scopes actual range turret. You can match at the minimum end of travel (10 yard range) or the other end of the travel (infinity) but not both. Its close, but not a 100% match. This does not appear to be a deliberate attempt to compensate for parallax...just a design/manufacturing error.
As another reviewer noted, you might need a rest/support to use this. If you are going to use this on a lighter firearm (AR etc) you might be able to support the firearm with one hand and operate the range wheel, but for a heavier firearm (i.e. my L1A1) a bipod/benchrest/'treebranchfork' or some form of stable support is needed...at least for a dwarf such as myself.
Conclusion: I personally don't care for the looks of it, but I'm a form follows function kind of person, so given the function and price it is a very good value....an inexpensive but sturdy add on that definitely improves operation. I have no reservations recommending this product and will be buying another as soon as they are back in stock.
Notes: UTG appears to be readying an updated version of this product for release at some point in 2012. Hopefully it will address the range mismatch, but other than that, I cant see any improvement and would not suggest waiting for the new product.

 

UTG 80mm SWAT Add on Big Wheel for Scopes