Favorite optics?

Thanks everyone for your input, ive pretty much narrowed it down to either the leupold vx series, or the vortex diamondback. thanks for everything
 
I prefer Leupold, I know alot of people will say the Zeiss is clearer, and in most cases it is, but every Zeiss I have ever tried had crappy eye relief.
So I recomend Leupold, or a Redfield made by Leupold.
 
Favorite optic? Swarovski without a doubt closely followed by zeiss.


Favorite optic on a budget would be the bushnell 6500's or Leupold vx3.

All of that said, I own a 30 year old Japanese made tasco that is just as bright and crystal clear as any Swarovski.
 
My favorite optic that i own is a U.S. Optics SN-3. Favorite optic that i would like to try S&B. Best money for the most quality optic i've had to date. Zeiss conquest 4.5-14x44mm. Zeiss puts out some of the best glass i've ever seen. Its equal to my USO IMO. Now you might ask why i didn't just get a zeiss with tactical turrets. Well my USO ensures that when i run out of ammunition i can use the scope to beat what ever i'm shooting at ;). If you want the best glass for the money i vote zeiss. If you want good glass for an incredible price and outstanding customer service look at vortex.
 
I have owned just about every brand and model of scope over the years and IMHO the value best scopes on the market would with out a doubt would have to be the Zeiss Conquest, they are a little dearer then most of the scopes mentioned (like Nikons, Burris, Bushnell, Leoupold ect) but they are better then the top of the line scopes in most common brands (Nikons, Burris, Bushnell, Leoupold ect), with some costing 3 or 4 times the price. If you are looking for a scope to go on a hunting rifle anything over a 3-9x40/50 or even a 4-12x40/50 (or around that size and power) is just overkill and is not needed (unless its a varminter) and upsets the balance of most sporters.
If you shop around you can find some good deals on new Zeiss Conquests
3-9x40 = $375 (would be my choice for a sporter)
3.5-10x44 = $650

My second would be the Vortex Viper PST then the standard Vortex Viper but for a little more you can get the Zeiss Conquest and IMHO you are better off with that.
 
I try to stay away from the cheaper scopes of any manufacture. Ive had good luck with leupolds but like at least a vxII. Bushnell elites are good and so are nikon monarchs.
 
One thing about the PSTs is they're built ground up to be a tactical FFP scope. OP might not want all that unnecessary weight that comes with a scope like that. Although its around 8 oz less than NF, USO, S&B, and premier scopes, which are the same layout. But don't let vortex's cheap prices fool you. They have a position on every scope in the market. And the PSTs have pretty much created their own niche. No other company i think of puts out a line of scope in every category. From their Viper (400$) PST (850$) to their razor (2000$+). I've seen plenty of people recommending the Razor over a NF F1, which is pretty impressive.
 
Leupold scopes are solid, especially the VX-IIIs and higher. I particularly like the VX-L crescent cut out on the front optic that lets you mount the large front optic as low as a 40mm. I am really impressed with the minmial parallax with the Leupold scopes.

I am also a fan of the Bushnell Elite series but I do prefer the 4200 Elites more than the 3200s. I have 4 of the 3200s (most with the Adjustable Objective feature) from 9x, 15x and 24x and considered them top notch until I got a 4200 (24x) AO. The 4200 is brighter, slightly clearer and appears to have less parallax to adjust for.

I recently tried a Millet Gold (25x) and am really impressed. It is right up there with the Leupold and top line Bushnell Elites IMHO.

I have several Weaver T-36 series scopes (3 to be exact) and like them for the bench but they are not as bright at 36x as the Leupold (14x), Bushnell 4200 (24x), and Millet (25x), but then again the others aren't 36x either so I can't compare them equally at the same power.

I've also got a Mueller APV (24x) that is a good lower priced scope but I haven't used it on anything other than rim fires. It works in that environment and I am satisfied with its performance although I haven't really bothered to compare brightness with the others.

I also have TASCO, Simmons, BSA, Bushnell Banner and Bushnell Trophy scopes. They are OK and I haven't had any problems with anything but a Banner and one Simmons (Simmons sent me a new one). I haven't bothered to send the Banner back to Bushnell because I have at least 3 good scopes unmounted and waiting for a new rifle.

I have had real problems with the cheap Chinese scopes that I got with some package deals. I never would have bought any of them but I use them until they break. However, they don't last long so they are hardly worth the effort to bore sight them.
 
One thing about the PSTs is they're built ground up to be a tactical FFP scope.
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I've considered trying this scope as well. However not all PST rifle scopes are First Focal Plane. The offer FFP and SFP in the 4-16X50 and the 6-24X50 PST rifle scopes. The 1-4X24 and 2.5-10X44 scopes however are only Second Focal Plane reticles.

The only Viper I own is a 2-7 power with BDC reticle. I must say that I've been impressed with the optics quality. Vortex is new company and I'll have to wait and see how the durability of the optics are. However since they offer a no questions asked forever warranty that makes them a pretty good buy IMO.
 
I have owned just about every brand and model of scope over the years and IMHO the value best scopes on the market would with out a doubt would have to be the Zeiss Conquest, they are a little dearer then most of the scopes mentioned (like Nikons, Burris, Bushnell, Leoupold ect) but they are better then the top of the line scopes in most common brands (Nikons, Burris, Bushnell, Leoupold ect), with some costing 3 or 4 times the price. If you are looking for a scope to go on a hunting rifle anything over a 3-9x40/50 or even a 4-12x40/50 (or around that size and power) is just overkill and is not needed (unless its a varminter) and upsets the balance of most sporters.
If you shop around you can find some good deals on new Zeiss Conquests
3-9x40 = $375 (would be my choice for a sporter)
3.5-10x44 = $650

My second would be the Vortex Viper PST then the standard Vortex Viper but for a little more you can get the Zeiss Conquest and IMHO you are better off with that.
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I completely agree with this. No doubt all the scopes mentioned are great scopes. But in my opinion, the Zeiss Conquest series stands just a bit taller than all the others, I guess you can call it personal preference. I love the reticles on the Zeiss. The glass on the Zeiss is simply the best. But the Zeiss cost slightly more than it's rivals. You get what you paid for though. If you are thinking about getting a Zeiss, this site sells exclusively Zeiss conquest. I don't know if they offer the lowest prices though. So you'll have to do your own research on prices.
 
Another vote for the Zeiss Conquest 3x9 40. The price is less than $400, the clarity of the optics is excellent, and the controls are much smoother than the similar Leupold. Bass Pro Shops has them online for $399.
 
You're getting a lot of advice on using 3X9 magnification range scopes. That's fine, but I'm with the guys that suggested 4.5X14 or 4X16. That'll give you everything the 3X9 does, plus you can spot your bullet holes in the target at 100 yards. As for quality within a high to low reasonable range, my money would be in this order: Zeiss, Leupold, Burris, Nikon, Bushnell. Other folks would reorder my list, but they'll mostly have the same 5 makers on the list. I have no history with Vortex or some of the others. And yes, I'd love a Swarovski, but that's above the high end of my 'reasonable' range.
 
I tell ya, right now I wished I had another VXII-4x12x40 AO! absolutley killer!/QUOTE]

I totally agree!!
About 20 years ago I purchased a like new Rem 700 7mm mag at a pawn shop,it had a Leupold 4x12x40 w/AO. IMO it's one of the best scopes in that price bracket on the market,the 40mm seems like a well balanced scope for a hunting rig.
I gave that scope to my son for his Rem 700 7mm-08 mountain rifle,and even bought my Dad one years ago for x-mas to sit on top of his Rem 700 7mm mag a fine rifle scope.I am stuck on Leupold and hunt with several of their vx3's and vx3L's,it's just hard to beat Leupold's glass IMHO
I also have a Burris that's a very nice rifle scope with great customer service,I would also look at the Zeiss Conquest and some of Nikon's scopes.
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Bought a Vortex Viper a few months ago, and feel it's an excellent value for the $$. Even better, I got a hell of deal on a discontinued model :)

The glass is amazingly clear edge to edge, and tracking is tight and consistent.

Even better, their CS and lifetime warranty are for real. I had a small issue with mine out of the box. I called, they said to just return it and they'd have it repaired or replaced within three days.

They did :).
 
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