ASK THE EXPERTS
OPTICS
Q NV and thermal scope manufacturers of late seem to be increasing the eye relief of their scopes – up to 90mm from the likes of 45mm or even less. They all seem to be making a big fuss about this, but what advantages does it actually confer?
A Chris says: We currently see NV and thermal as equipment for smaller calibres used when controlling vermin and foxes at night, but the US market and increasingly for night use permits in the UK, bigger calibres are being used for larger species – which means more recoil.
Quite simply, more eye relief keeps you from hitting yourself in the face with the scope when the gun is fired – but be wary of excessive eye relief, especially with limited mounting space on the scope itself or with a short-actioned rifle like a rimfire.
The latest Pulsar Thermion and ATN X Sight have 30mm tubes where NV units once had large boxy bodies, and this has allowed more conventional scope-mounting solutions
