Every year, the IWA fair in Nuremberg attracts fans of outdoor gear from across the world, and this year was no exception. We made sure to visit the 2024 fair ourselves to discover the latest products and innovations. One of our stops was the HIKMICRO booth, where we aimed to learn more about their most recent product lineup, including the new HIKMICRO Alpex 4K Digital Day & Night Vision Scope.
Technical Features of Alpex 4K
Despite its initial presentation in December 2023, the new Alpex 4K drew some serious attention at the fair. The device is a continuation or second generation in the Alpex digital scope series, improving on the previous models. Unlike earlier versions, the new scope includes a 4K 3840 x 2160 UHD CMOS sensor, which significantly enhances image quality.
The device provides a 15.3 m field of view at 100 m, starts with a 3.5x base magnification, and can digitally zoom up to 8x. The zoom control dial is easily accessible on the top of the scope and the focus adjustment ring, located at the front of the scope, features a rubberized grip that provides a secure hold, making it easy to use even while wearing gloves. The F1.2-2.5 adjustable aperture enhances target recognition while preventing overexposure and improving depth of field.
The Alpex comes with an option of a laser rangefinder capable of measuring distances up to 1000 m. Additionally, HIKMICRO has incorporated a ballistic calculator into the device. To use it, you’ll need to input data about the ammunition, scope, and environmental conditions. The scope then uses this information, along with its ballistics algorithm, to calculate and suggest an aiming point. Users can save their ballistic data, so after initially setting it up, simply pressing a button and measuring the distance will display the bullet drop and a new point of impact as a holdover mark, helping you aim accurately at the target.
The model we reviewed at IWA didn’t come with an IR illuminator, providing customers the choice to purchase it separately and attach it to the 30 mm tube for night vision hunting. The 30 mm tube also simplifies mounting the scope onto a rifle using standard 30 mm rings which are widely available on the market.
Another useful function is the Ultra Recording, which is recoil-activated, eliminating the need to press buttons to start recording. The device records videos in 1920 × 1080 resolution and saves them to a local album. With 64 GB of internal storage, there’s plenty of space for numerous recordings. The scope offers 10 reticle types, each available in 8 colors, allowing for five reticle profiles to be configured and saved.
Rugged Housing, Impressive Battery Life
Powered by two internal rechargeable Lithium batteries and an additional external, rechargeable 18650 battery, the device can operate continuously for up to 11 hours at 25°C, according to the manufacturer.
The Alpex 4HD keeps a compact design, ensuring it doesn’t appear too bulky on a rifle. It’s also IP67 rated and can withstand temperatures ranging from -30°C to 55°C (-22°F to 131°F).
Final Thoughts
With a competitive price of 880 € for the version without Laser Range Finder (LRF) and 1049 € for the version equipped with LRF and a ballistic calculator, we expect the device to receive a positive reception from many users. HIKMICRO backs the Alpex 4K with a 3-year warranty for the device itself, a 1-year warranty for the battery, and a 10-year warranty for the sensor.
We especially liked the impressive battery life and sleek design that feels compact and rugged in the hands and looks good on the rifle. It’s clear that HIKMICRO has significantly improved the build quality of their products over time, gradually securing its position among the leading manufacturers in the market.
