Rick, Did you get a chance to use the scope at the dealers range sessions or did you just view it indoors at Sightrons table?
You do realize the NF has been made at the same location that produced the B&L Balvars and Elites?
Let's leave it as we agree to disagree on what makes a good valued scope.
Not so subtle jabs at anothers clientel is pretty poor taste as a few are/were YOUR clients too.
I have and will continue to discuss a product on its merits with a strong limit on personal bias. Seems that style and view is appreciated by a large number of readers on various boards.
And many independent posts reinforce those observations.
I make every effort to keep away from the personal jabs to try and further ones opinion. I think that makes the CGN forum one of the best places to be. Keep away from all that school yard politics.
'nuff said....
Jerry
Jerry NO jab intended. I apologize if you took it that way, it was not my intent at all. We are known for only carrying the high end product lines that many other dealers do not, no jab, just a fact.
I did look through as well as used, during the range day, what Sightron had to offer.
In my opinion I felt that the NightForce scopes were a superior scope, based on side by side comparison, so opted NOT to take on the Sightron line of optics. I did however pursue Premiere, another very high end optic.
The Sightron scopes, just like Bushnel and others have their place, and for those on a budget they can fill the bill.
You are correct , there are not many optical lens makers in the world, so there is a good chance that some of the lens are produced by the same lens supplier, HOWEVER there are different grades and specifications of glass and coatings and to assume that because the lens are made by the same company that they are made to the same specification is an error. To state that the entire scope is made in the same plant is just wholly incorrect.
The DOSS rating of the NF scopes lens is 2.3 maximum, anything that measures higher is rejected by NF, a 2.1 rating is considered optically the best there is. The industry norm on most scopes runs about 4.0 and higher yet on most of the cheap scopes. To be clear I am not suggesting that the Sightron is in that end of the spectrum as I could not find any info posted on the Sightrons DOSS rating.
This of course is only 1 factor, of many. Tube structure and material, erector mechanics and how everything is held together internally also factor in to what makes 1 scope superior to another. As well as what the cost of the scope is.
You are also correct in that everyone has their own opinion as to what is good value, what is good value to some is not necessarily good value to others.
No school yard politics here, sorry if you took it that way.