Best budget scope for the cost - Element Optics Helix 4-16x44mm 30mm Tube First Focal Plane Rifle Scope

Element Helix with the MOA tree style reticle is my initial foray into the First Focal Plane Rifle Scope arena. Every Element Optics Rifle Scope comes with a heavy foam lined box you will want to keep along with an impressive library of educational material. The majority of this material is viewable with any internet connected smart device that has a working camera. Most importantly, there are videos explaining the how and why of proper scope torquing. You can navigate to these videos here: https://element-optics.com/videos/ This link provided by Element Optics also has specific videos to assist in rifle scope purchase decision making, making it easier for end users to mate their rifle scopes to specific use cases. That being said, my rifle scopes generally end up being moved around from time to time (especially when considering new purchases) so I can get a feel for different rifle scopes on different rifle platforms along with experiencing different locations and conditions, ideally.

I have used the Helix in multiple ring setups and haven’t had any issues going back and forth throughout the elevation, windage, and parallax ranges during testing, most of which has happened within 15-50 degrees Fahrenheit. The adjustments feel great when clicking through the range and any hangup with the covers was easily remedied with silicone lubricant, which is what I have on hand for Pre-Charged Pneumatic Rifles (my rifle scopes are shared among powder and PCP rifles). I like to use silicone lubricant on all Pre-Charged Pneumatic Rifle related gear for safety reasons (other chemicals can combust during the PCP rifle firing process). Element Optics takes pride in their strict manufacturing tolerances with these turrets. Rifle scopes within this price range are expected to have up to 6% of "play" (Element Optics tested a Helix here with a perfect score of 0%: https://youtu.be/_29vk1ndHPQ) in the movement of the turrets, which results in POI shift over time while using the rifle scope's elevation and windage adjustment turrets. This can be tested on the range with ammo a variety of ways, by using a collimator, or by using a vice and aligning with a real target while verifying the rifle scope's ability to track through the range. Feel free to test this out for yourself and report your findings back here!

Many Air Rifle enthusiasts will grab this particular scope for their first rifle, which is what I did. Be aware that the next best PCP Rifle Scope on the market is the Element Optics Titan 3-18x50 FFP. It has illumination and a 34mm tube for more light transmission to your eye (brighter picture, especially at 3x). I just purchased one to do a review of the Titan series of rifle scopes (I have a few hundred pellets through the 5-25x56 FFP version), which I am just now starting to get a feel for. It should be noted that .25" of eye relief is sacrificed in making the jump from the Helix 4-16x44 FFP to either a Helix 6-24x50 or a Titan 3-18x50 FFP rifle scope. I have a longer neck and always try to shoot with eye protection and subsequently have issues with eye relief when it comes to rifle scope use. Luckily there is a wide assortment of rings available (I am testing many myself near term) to find the sweet spot for any use case.

Bias Alert: I have applied to FX's Ambassador program because I have a newfound love for Element Optics Rifle Scopes, FX Pellets, and FX PCP Rifles.