Parallax Explained — Nightforce Optics TECH TIP
PARALLAX – What is it and Why is it important?
What is Parallax?
Parallax is the apparent movement of the scope’s reticle (cross-hairs) in relation to the target as the shooter moves his eye across the exit pupil of the riflescope. This is caused by the target and the reticle being located in different focal planes.
Why is it Important?
The greater the distance to the target and magnification of the optic, the greater the parallax error becomes. Especially at longer distances, significant sighting error can result if parallax is not removed.
How to Remove Parallax
This Nightforce Tech Tip video quickly shows how to remove parallax on your riflescope.
While keeping the rifle still and looking through the riflescope, a slight nod of the head up and down will quickly determine if parallax is present. To remove parallax, start with the adjustment mechanism on infinity and rotate until the reticle remains stationary in relation to the target regardless of head movement. If parallax has been eliminated, the reticle will remain stationary in relation to the target regardless of eye placement behind the optic.
This Parallax Discussion first appeared in the Nightforce Newsletter. Nightforce also offers a series of Informational Videos covering a variety of topics.
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Tags: Nightforce, Optics, Parallax, Scope Focus, Side Parallax, Tech Tip
>> To remove parallax, start with the adjustment mechanism on infinity and rotate until the reticle remains stationary in relation to the target regardless of head movement.
OK, you smart guys! Does the procedure above give the same result as adjusting the knob until the target image is in sharpest focus?
Are focus adjustment and parallax adjustment the same? or (completely) different?
What if I’m wearing my eyeglasses vs. not wearing them? (Or wearing my reading glasses rather than my driving glasses?) Will good focus then result in lots of parallax (because I used the focus adjustment to compensate for bad eyesight)?
I’d love to find someone who knows the answer to this question…
Focus and parallax correction is the same thing. The problem is as the target comes into focus the human eye can make a subtle adjustment and compensate for a slightly out of focus image. In contrast you can make the test that you corrected for zero to near zero parallax and the target should be in focus. As to with or without eye glasses. Here’s what happens when I remove my glasses. Keep in mind you will need to verify what you see through your scope as everyone’s vision is different. I have distance and near sight correction “bifocals” for glasses.
The side focus on the scope once focused doesn’t seem to change much if anything with or without glasses. What is noticeable is the reticule focus. I have my scope set up so the reticule is in focus with glasses on. If I remove my glasses the target is still in focus but the reticule is not.
And by in focus I mean to set the scope up with or without glasses on with zero to near zero parallax and then remove glasses and check for parallax.
The only difference I see is reticule focus.