Sightron s111 ,NXS,Vortex PST, glass clarity??

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Brianma65

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Anybody have experience with these three scopes? Can you compare the clarity?
I'm not concerned about anything else ,other than the clarity ,just yet.
I know the NXS is a grand more, but is that due to features ,name, or clarity? Or all of above.

5-24 range :)

Reason I'm asking is, I want to buy either the sightron or the Vortex gen 11, but if it's not clear ,well then ,I don't .
I've had a NXS ,but $3000 is a bit out of my range , right now.

So, is either the vortex or sightron ,as clear as the NF.
 
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My siii was pretty close to the nxs. I haven't seen a gen 2, so can't comment there. With Nightforce, I wouldn't call it features, so much as robustness and durability. I've owned 2 used nxs, and they can be had for a fraction of the new with tax cost.

I don't have any experience with them, but I would factor SHV into the mix also
 
I had a Sightron SIII 6-24 FFP optic and now have a Vortex PST 6-24 FFP first gen. I liked the Sightron better for glass. That being said the difference between the 2 isn't that much. I can't compare to a NF as I have never owned one and I am not aware that the glass has changed on the gen two but can't say for sure.
 
Yes ,SHV are great as well, I've had 2.
I'm not to concerned with the robustness ,as it will only be used on a bench ,with bags.
 
Pure glass clarity there is little if anything to choose between the SIII and the NF. Other factors will make the NF more desirable. PST is a good value scope but will be behind the other two in terms of pure clarity. Owned/own all three.
 
I don't know about the gen 2 pst, but the gen1 doesn't contend with the clarity of the Sightron S3 and the Nightforce NXS. Nightforce has brand recognition is rugged as hell, has the battle proven appeal and would probably be the easiest to resell later but all that is moot if your only after clarity.
 
Not your range (6-24) but the Sightron S111 8x32 is a gem of a scope in that price range.
I own two with Fine Crosshair reticles.
I also own Nightforce and S&B, so am not biased one way or the other.
It's just a damn fine scope for the money off the bench if you don't need the bells and whistles, or the battle robustness.

Edit: It's (only) my opinion that if you are shooting off a bench for groups you should probably look for higher magnification than 24.
If you look at the Benchrest crowd they all use higher magnification.
And it certainly works for me.

Of course, others consider the S&B 5-25 PM11 the cat's rear end for long range shooting.
 
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I had a viper PST which died in less than one year. sold the replacement as soon it showed up. I now have a 8-32 SIII and a NXS 8-32. I have put them side by side in any light conditions immaginable and I never could see something in one I could'nt in the other one.
even if the NXS is built stronger, last year I took the SIII on a 250 miles rough trail snowmobile ride. it was in a drag bag, strapped in the sleight, got beat-up like H*** and when I came back home, I tested it and zero did not moved a click
 
Have Nightforce NXS, used to own Viper PST and have a friend with Sightron S3.. I also own an stac.

Glass quality in the nightforce is slightly better than the sightron, to my eyes... but not a $1000 better. There's other aspects to the nightforce that make up that $1000 difference.. but as you stated, you're only concerned in glass quality - go with the S3.

The viper pst wasn't comparable to either and i dumped it shortly after getting it.
 
I do quite a bit of long range shooting. I prefer to dial as oppposed to just hold. My long range hunting rigs I have a drop chart on the side for quick reference, and its easy to use.
I have a NSX with the NPR-2 reticle so it is not too busy.
As far as scopes your budget is the limiting factor.
I can tell you from personal experience what I have and have used.
Entry level
Sightron S3 8-32X56 these dial well and are quite clear hold zero well. Has no zero stop.
Vortex PST 6-24 friend has on on a 300 RUM holds zero well dials good and returns to zero every time. Has a zero stop of sorts. This has been on this rifle long enough to wash the barrel out so I would say it is proven.

Nightforce NSX 5.5-22X56 turrets are crisp and zero stop is perfect. Lots of reticle choices. Built like a tank, quite heavy. very clear and excellent in low light.
And then form there they go up in price and the glass gets better as you go. At what point it flattens out only your eyes will tell you. And your pocket book.
If I was going to get an new entry level long range scope. I would order the new PST gen . It has 25 moa per revolution, better glass and the razor type zero stop. As well as a larger turret. Would be interesting to see what that one is going to be like.
 
My opinion is that if you can see the targets via the scope, you're good to go. I own many camera high-end and low-end lens. The clarity is different between those twos. I'll choose high-end lens if I plan to enlarge the print. I'll choose low-end lens if it is only 8x10 prints.
As for shooting targets, if the reticle is the center of the target, you shoot, correct? I own a Sightron SIII 10-50x60 and a Vortex Razor AMG scope. Both still shoot tight groups.
Really, you can see pretty well with either of these three however I'll choose Sightron for "bang for a buck".
 
I have a sightron s3. It's a 10-50x60 and it's amazing. I've never used a NF scope so I dunno how it stack up there. It's way clearer than any viper series I've used tho. Not knocking the pst in any way I like them, it's just a different level in my opinion.
 
I shoot 100 to 200 yrd bench rest ( non competative) and what I use is the Sightron III 8-32 X56 LRTDLR with the 1/8moa turrets.
 
Ive had a couple of Sightron. Stac1-7, very clear. And a stac 3-16, not as clear as a lot of others say it is.
Maybe it's me but I found it a bit hazy.
That's why I'm bit sceptical of the S111.
Plus I'm not a fan of the centre dot.
 
Brianma65 said:
Ive had a couple of Sightron. Stac1-7, very clear. And a stac 3-16, not as clear as a lot of others say it is.
Maybe it's me but I found it a bit hazy.
That's why I'm bit sceptical of the S111.
Plus I'm not a fan of the centre dot.
Click to expand...

STAC1-7 share SIII glass... why the price is so high vs the other STACs in the line up.

The 3-16 is likely the best glass in its price range vs competitors... It is a hint behind the SIII's... see my review on my website

If you don't like the central dot, then the LRMOA/LRMH reticles are not for you... Pity, they offer a lot of utility in LR shooting.

If the budget allows, the SVSS rocks... and can't wait for the new ED version.

Jerry
 
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