schmidt and bender pmii 5-25, kahles 624i and nightforce atacr f1

All three are top notch scopes in terms of optics and mechanical performance. It really just comes down to price and little things about one that you may like better than the others. Reticle is important to me in an FFP scope because you're always using it for various things. So, I would go with the Kahles because I really like the SKMR & SKMR 2 reticles after seeing them at SHOT. I really dislike Nightforce's reticle offferings at the moment. S&B reticles are kind of meh to me.

In all honesty though, I would buy a Razor II 4.5-27x56mm over any of those three. The only scope that tickles my fancy more than the Razor II is the Tangent Theta.
 
I should also state that low light performance will be very important , not sure how the vortex stacks up to the others in that regard...
 
All are tier 1 optics. All will impress. However.... The PMII is still the gold standard by which all others continue to be judged.
They still have the most refined and balanced package out there. Other scopes may equal it in certain respects but none put it all together like Schmidt & Bender do.
As for reticles, I challenge you to find another manufacturer that currently offers as many choices as S&B. if you can't find a servicable reticle in their catalog then you're just not trying.
 
By 'meh', I meant indifferet. I don't hate them or love them. Of their offerings, I'd choose the H2CMR. I really liked the ATACR F1 except for the reticle. I dislike Horus reticles and really dislike the Mil-R. In particular, the gaps in it.

There is really no differences between theses scopes that would have any effect on actual use. Even with the optics. If you put them side-by-side, you have to be looking for differences to find them. The differences are subtle and have zero effect when shooting. The choice between these scopes comes down to little things that are based on preference, not performance. They affect actual use as much as color choice.
 
When people try and compare optical quality on scopes of this level, it reminds me of the scene in American Psycho when they're comparing their business cards...
 
All great scopes, but once you get over the price of the PMii you will never regret it. I've either had or used most of the top tier optics and the S&B is in my opinion the best all around. Is it so much better to warrant the extra cost? That's up to the user to decide. I was recently in the market for another high end scope but in the mid range magnification this time and after countless hours of research and thought narrowed it down to a S&B PMII 3-20 ultra short and the NF 4-16 F1. I already have a 5-25 F2 and really like it so I was leaning toward the NF for the better price but I also feel like there current reticle offerings from NF are lacking. I ended up ordering a PMII 3-20 ultra short with H2CMR.
 
JayCarver said:
All great scopes, but once you get over the price of the PMii you will never regret it. I've either had or used most of the top tier optics and the S&B is in my opinion the best all around. Is it so much better to warrant the extra cost? That's up to the user to decide. I was recently in the market for another high end scope but in the mid range magnification this time and after countless hours of research and thought narrowed it down to a S&B PMII 3-20 ultra short and the NF 4-16 F1. I already have a 5-25 F2 and really like it so I was leaning toward the NF for the better price but I also feel like there current reticle offerings from NF are lacking. I ended up ordering a PMII 3-20 ultra short with H2CMR.
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Based on what I've seen there really isn't much of a price difference (although there should be). The Kahles is $4000 in some places and my local shop just got an ATACR F1, yours for $3900. With those kind of prices the SB is the obvious choice.
 
gillmeister692 said:
Who the f##k knows what this made-up word "meh" means, anyway?
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Apparently every dictionary...

Expressing a lack of interest or enthusiasm. - Oxford Dictionary

Used to express indifference or mild disappointment. - Merrian-Webster


btw, swearing on this site will earn you an infraction. There is a reason some word blocked. Don't try and bypass the filters with symbols.
 
I am a fan of the S&B PMII, i like my Niteforce and my Sightron but the last scope standing on all my rifles is always a S&B...
I just like the sure thing, maybe soon a Tangent could challenge that, we will see... JP.:)
 
I have not used the S&B, but have the Nightforce in SFP, and the Vortex Razor 2, and IMO, it boils down to usage, rather then one better then the other. Both are amazing scopes. No wrong answer here. I took me a couple range sessions to really dial in the Vortex and the Nightforce was easier to be comfortable with right away. Only tiny nitpicks is that the Nightforce ocular ring moves when you dial mag which bugs me but doesn't really effect sight picture, and the Vortex has horrible plastic scope covers. Vortex also has that little bit more noticeable mag when you sit them side by side too. Could easily see 223/308 bullet holes at 300 yards with both though.
If I had to choose only one though, .....I really couldn't?? Rate them both 99 out of 100. Would love an S&B too, to compare, maybe one day.
 
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