Hawke Sport Optics 12221 XB1 Crossbow Scope Review

by Dave Chesson

February 6, 2024

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As a crossbow hunter who hits the hunting grounds regularly, I’m always on the lookout for optics that can improve my hunting experience. I’m someone who values superb glass quality, a good reticle, and a decent overall performance on a crossbow scope. And that’s how the Hawke Sport Optics 12221 XB1 crossbow scope caught my attention. In this Hawke Sport Optics 12221 XB1 crossbow scope review, I’ll share my first-hand experience with this scope. 

A dedicated crossbow scope with 1.5-5x magnification and a reticle system from 10-100 yards based on speeds from 250-425fps.

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Hawke Sport Optics 12221 Specs

  • Magnification 1.5-5x
  • Objective Lens Diameter 32 mm
  • Field of View 1.5x: 75 ft @ 100 yds / 5x: 22.5 ft @ 100 yds
  • Eye Relief 3-3.2 in
  • Length 8.3 in
  • Weight 13 oz

Specifications and Background of Hawke Sport Optics 12221 XB1 Crossbow Scope

Hawke Sport Optics is a UK-based family-owned business that grew into a global leader in sport optics. They specialize in high-quality and affordable optics like rifle scopes, binoculars, and spotting scopes for hunting, target shooting, and bird watching. I’ve tried out Hawke Sport Optics 12221 XB1 and a few other crossbow scopes from them, and I really appreciate the fact that they haven’t let me down with their product quality.

Before diving into my experience, let’s check out the specifications of the Hawke Sport Optics 12221 XB1 crossbow scope.

The Hawke Sport Optics 12221 XB1 crossbow scope is a variable-powered scope with a magnification range of 1-1.5x to 5x by 32. This scope has illuminated center aiming points and an illuminated reticle for improved visibility for various lighting conditions. It also includes a capped low-profile turret for windage and elevation adjustments.

The Hawke XB1 has a field of view of 75 – 22.5ft at 100 yards. The scope is nitrogen-purged, making it shockproof, waterproof, and fog proof. This crossbow scope weighs about 13oz and measures 8.3 inches in length. A CR2032 battery powers the scope.

Having covered the specifications of the Hawke Sport Optics 12221 XB1 crossbow scope, let’s now move on to the review of it.

Hawke Sport Optics 12221 Features

Hawke Sport Optics 12221 Features
1 Speed Adjustment

Adjusting the magnification ring to your bows speed will correct the reticle

2 1 Inch scope tube

The 1 inch scope tube means finding rings will be easy.

3 Capped Turrets

Capped windage and elevation turrets for zeroing the scope.

4 Reticle

Reticle shows drops based on bolt speed out to 100 yds.

Review of the Hawke Sport Optics 12221

So, I had the chance to take out the Hawke XB1 out on a few hunts, and I’ve got a lot to share about this scope. Something that caught my attention real quick is the ergonomics of it. I loved the capped low-profile turrets. It was sleek and didn’t snag in any of my clothes when I was out in the field. The fast focus eyebell helped make quick adjustments to the focus of the scope, which helped me spot fast moving targets. The 11-layer coated lens on this scope gave me excellent clarity. It consistently gave me bright and sharp images.

When setting up the Hawke Sport Optics 12221 XB1 on my crossbow, the initial step of zeroing was surprisingly easy. The scope zeroed in consistently even after taking multiple shots. However, I did face a small issue with the covers that protect the scope. They broke occasionally. But I just upgraded them to Hawke’s enhanced covers and it fixed the issue.

I’d confidently say that the illuminated reticle is the key feature of Hawke 12221 XB1. This scope gave me illumination in both red and green colors, which allowed me to choose either one of the colors that best suited my hunting environment.

The 5 level brightness adjustment on the Hawke 12221 XB1 was handy for spotting targets in different environments. The 1.5-10x magnification helped with accuracy in most of my hunts. However, it didn’t perform well in low-light situations.

One thing I noticed with the Hawke Sport Optics 12221 XB1 crossbow scope is that it shot low every time when the see-through lens cover was down, but it’s something that I can work with. While the Hawke Sport Optics 12221 XB1 is not steeply priced, I think really stands out. Considering what you get for the price, it’s worth the investment. That said, if you are on a budget, I’d recommend a Vortex Crossfire II instead.

Hawke Sport Optics 12221 Pros and Cons 

  • Lifetime warranty
  • Water and fog proof
  • Lightweight
  • Smaller scope tube

Report Card

Reliability

With no electronics to fail, this scope had great reliability.

A
Glass

High quality glass.

A+
Reticle

The reticle is clear and easy to read and easy to adjust based on bolt speed.

A
Ergonomics

Works just like a rifle scope.

B-
Value

This scope offers a decent value.

B-
Hawke Sport Optics 12221 Final Grade

Our Grade

A-

Reviewed by Dave Chesson

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Final Thoughts on Hawke Sport Optics 12221

In conclusion, the Hawke Sport Optics 12221 XB1 has earned its place as the premium optic in my best crossbow scopes article. It is accurate, tough, and comes with cool features that really help when you’re out in the field. Whether it’s setting it up easily or taking shots confidently from different distances, this scope has gone above and beyond what I expected. 

If you’re someone who is looking for a crossbow scope that gives you a clear view, works well, and has a cool illuminated reticle and doesn’t mind the price, then the Hawke Sport Optics 12221 XB1 is a great pick.

FAQs on Hawke Sport Optics 12221

Is the Hawke Sport Optics 12221 XB1 crossbow scope suitable for beginners?

Yes, the design of the scope, including the capped low-profile turrets and fast focus eyebell makes it user-friendly for both seasoned hunters and those new to crossbow hunting.

How does the glass quality perform in low light conditions? 

The 11-layer coated lens provides excellent clarity, even in low light. It consistently delivers bright and sharp images, helping you with hunts at dawn and dusk.

Does the scope work well with different crossbow speeds and bolt setups?

Yes, the Hawke Sport Optics 12221 XB1 scope has the ability to match up with crossbow speed and bolt setups, a feature you usually find in more expensive models. 

Can the Hawke Sport Optics 12221 XB1 be used for long-range shooting?

The scope’s magnification range is 1.5x to 5x and it has the ability to laser a reflective target up to 100 yards away, which makes it perfect for medium-range shooting. However, it may not be the ideal choice for long-range shooting.

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About Dave Chesson

Dave Chesson is prior Navy with a specialty in international arms dealing for the US government across multiple countries. Having traveled the world and abided by ATF and ITAR, Roy has a unique background in legal as well as practical capabilities of weapons deployment and use.

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