Customer Reviews

Gamo Varmint Hunter Kit, 4x32 Rifle Scope, Laser & Flashlight

5 star:		(5)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

The product is perfect in terms of price and quality. I have ordered 5 such scopes and I'm going to buy more in the future. The only disadvantage of this scope is that the magnification is fixed to 4x. But eventhough it is suitable for a normal rifle. I strongly recommend this product for the people who are wishing to mix the fun with a hunting trip.

The scope is great. Mine is mounted on an RWS Model 48, .177. It maintains it's zero and has great glass for the money. The flashlight is a handy feature, although not as bright as I'd like. The laser is good for fixed distances only. The best thing the laser is for, is scaring the jeebers out of hiding birds and flushing them out.
If you're not doing much night shooting just go with the regular scope.

Earlier this year I purchased a Gamo Whisper .22 for a bad armadillo problem I have, and augmented the rifle with this Varmint Hunter Kit. First off, I have to give Gamo customer service high marks. Right out of the blister pak I discovered that the flashlight didn't work. I followed the instructions which said not to contact the seller, but instead to contact Gamo directly. Gamo was quick to send me a free replacement.

Before I get to my comments, I should say a few things about range and pellets. Most/all pellet rifles fire "up" slightly out of the barrel, to give the pellets more range. Adjusting and compensating for this arc allows the user to hit target points at desired distances. That said, the Varmint Hunter Kit is not sold for hobbyists, or "target plinkers". This piece of equipment is strictly for night hunting.

Under perfect night conditions, with a full moon, someone reasonably proficient with the rifle could hit a stationary target at 20-25 yards. At this distance, I'm sure that the elevation turret can be adjusted to set the crosshairs right on the intended destination of the pellet. However, I'm here to say that this distance is beyond what should be considered maximum range at night, with a moving target. In my experience, 12 yards is the effective night range of a pellet rifle, with perhaps 15 yards as maximum.

Pellet selection is critical, and I went through three different types until I settled on one that would perform accurately at this range. 18-grain Crow Magnum hollowpoints flew wildly high, as much as 10-12", and a high percentage were amazingly inaccurate side-to-side, I'm guessing from manufacturing issues. Kodak heavies didn't fly quite as high, but also exhibited side-to-side variances from pellet yaw in flight. I finally settled on the Crosman 14.3 grain pointed hunting pellets, as these perform quite accurately...with a caveat. At 12 yards, they still fly approximately 1 to 1-1/2" high. I maxed out the elevation adjustment on the scope trying to compensate.

Now for my comments:

* The optical diameter of the scope sold with this kit is 32mm. This is much too narrow for serious night work, and cripples light-gathering power. The stock scope that comes with the Gamo Whisper is 40mm, which is better, but a standard night scope is 50mm. One issue with the narrow aperture is that at night, it can be extremely difficult to find the "sweet spot" where the images come into resolution and the crosshairs can be seen. A lost opportunity for a good shot can be the result while twisting the rifle and your head back and forth to resolve the target. I'm assuming the reason Gamo used the 32mm scope for this kit is that it simplified the design for the harness that holds the flashlight and laser.
* Since the Varmint Hunter Kit is for night hunting, and given what I said about elevation compensation and the upward arc of pellets out of the barrel, the fact that this scope was not given an appropriate elevation adjustment for closer ranges is inconceivable.
* It would be extremely helpful if the housing for this scope was designed with significant hoods over the optics, front and rear, similar to what you find on telephoto lenses. When aiming towards or away from moonlight, glare issues occur on the lenses. This factor restricts the possible locations you can choose to shoot from, as it forces the hunter to find a dark, shady spot from which to aim easily. Glare is not commonly a problem in daylight, because of ambient light from many sources.
* The flashlight has its uses, I suppose, but you would never use it for target assist. A nocturnal animal will quickly run from a flashlight before you could ever squeeze the trigger. Even a red light will cause most animals to head for cover. Also, the beam from the flashlight reflects off the barrel, and causes glare and ghosting problems through the scope.
* The laser is an important component of the kit, and I've set it to indicate my true "crosshair" at 12 yards. It's a fixed laser, so you choose your distance and leave it. I've spent quite a bit of time learning how the laser changes in position with respect to the target at various distances. It has its limitations, though, and when it's very dark, it won't help you find your quarry.
* Another reviewer complained about the tape used for the Velcro attachment on the remote switches for the laser and flashlight. This tape will pull loose from the stock/handgrip if you leave the switches in place while the rifle is not in use, because the constant tension from the coiled cords will overpower the tape. The solution is to separate the switches from the Velcro when one is done using the equipment.

As with anything, tools are tools, and you learn to use them to the best of your ability. I'm not going to spend more money experimenting with other night scopes trying to find a better fit, as my budget doesn't allow for this. I would caution anyone shopping for a kit such as this to consider all possible options.

I had gotten this same item a couple of weeks ago and it worked perfectly! The only problem was i dropped it from a 30 foot ledge and it shattered the glass ;[ but i plan to buy another one!

I use this scope on my custom crosman 1377c carbine. And it looks pretty badass LOL its really accurate and the flashlight and laser are a good plus too. The laser scares the hell out of people at night. I recommend it 5 stars for sure :D

Like the title says, this is a very good alternate scope than the default scopes most guns come with (excluding the Varmint Hunter and Whisper VH models (they have virtually the same scope as this)). Installed very easily. To sight the scope without a boresight, do the following:

The correct movement per click is 1/4 or 1/2 inch per click at 100 yards. Rule 1: do not adjust the scope with each shot, you'll probably go on adjusting forever. Fire a 3 shot group and make the adjustments to be in the center of this group. When you reach the point where all 3 shots are the same distance from your point of aim, you are at the point that your rifle is capable of. Be it a 1 inch group or a 6 inch group. to lessen the distance of a group on a rifle with a properly mounted good scope you need to work on the rifle, not the scope.

Now, as far as the wired controls for the mounted laser and light the quality of them both is very good, the only rant I have of them is the glue behind the velcro on the laser switch that bonds them to the gun came off the back very easily and did not stay on the rifle for long. I had to go to my varmint hunter rifle and remove the cable from that laser and attach it to this scope. I was not impressed by this. Now don't base the product itself on my rant, I'm sure this was a case of 1 out of a 1,000. But, beware of this "problem".

Happy hunting!

I went looking for a scope for an old Remington Nylon 66 that used to be my grandfathers. I had decided to use it for aggravating critters around the house. Mostly nasty possums at night. The scopes I saw in the local stores were ridiculously priced although might be great for shooting something a half mile from the house. In my case if it is that far away it is not bothering me. I read reviews and even picked up a scope that received good reviews here and only priced at $20. I mentioned to a friend and they gave me one just like it. The small view finder irritated me immensely and you had to have you head JUST right to see through it. So I was glad I saved that $20. Then I found this Gamo site. The reviews sounded very well it came with a flash light and laser pointer and was only $62 when I bought it here. I jumped on it and ordered. When it came in I liked how light it was and did not add lots of weight to the rifle. I also like the size of the glass to find my target with. I have shot hundreds of rounds with it and it is still set at 0. My neighbor came over and saw it and has ordered him one. I met two other people just target practicing and having fun and they also purchased one. The light works at 20-30 yards where it states 30, the laser is at zero at the distance you set it, but other than that it is a very fun, impressive, and economical scope. I would not hesitate to buy another.