Nightforce SHV or Sightron SIII

Sounds like your not a fan of Sightron. To each their own.

My experience with Sightron is limited to one scope. I bought an SIII 8-32x56 used off the EE for my Rem 700 5R in 308. I'm really not brand biased when it comes to optics, the only thing I've come to realize over the years is that the more money they cost, the better they are quality wise and optically. No exceptions.

What struck me immediately with Sightron is the conventional, run-of-the-mill look that all Japanese and other offshore scopes have. If you've looked at S&B/Swarovski/Leica/Zeiss, you'll know what I mean. The lines aren't as refined or smooth. Think Bushnell,etc.
Optically it was good, but not on par to my Zeiss Victory, S&B Zenith, Swarovski Z6, etc. But then it would be unfair to think it should be, though that's what many that buy them seems to keep wanting to pound down our throats on these boards. ;)

What was the final nail in the coffin is the fact that it read "832x56" in bright white letters on the objective bell. Any company worth their salt would surely not omit something as obvious as a hyphen, otherwise what else have they forgotten? But lo and behold, a quick search of google images shows all of them to have this "glitch". I sold it and haven't missed it.

As you say, to each their own. I just find it humorous when I read these incessant posts about Sightron being on par with the best out there, regardless of price. It's simply not true, even if the Sightron dealer says otherwise. Maybe "Savage Syndrome" is creeping into the optics section. :cheers:
 
My experience with Sightron is limited to one scope. I bought an SIII 8-32x56 used off the EE for my Rem 700 5R in 308. I'm really not brand biased when it comes to optics, the only thing I've come to realize over the years is that the more money they cost, the better they are quality wise and optically. No exceptions.

What struck me immediately with Sightron is the conventional, run-of-the-mill look that all Japanese and other offshore scopes have. If you've looked at S&B/Swarovski/Leica/Zeiss, you'll know what I mean. The lines aren't as refined or smooth. Think Bushnell,etc.
Optically it was good, but not on par to my Zeiss Victory, S&B Zenith, Swarovski Z6, etc. But then it would be unfair to think it should be, though that's what many that buy them seems to keep wanting to pound down our throats on these boards. ;)

What was the final nail in the coffin is the fact that it read "832x56" in bright white letters on the objective bell. Any company worth their salt would surely not omit something as obvious as a hyphen, otherwise what else have they forgotten? But lo and behold, a quick search of google images shows all of them to have this "glitch". I sold it and haven't missed it.

As you say, to each their own. I just find it humorous when I read these incessant posts about Sightron being on par with the best out there, regardless of price. It's simply not true, even if the Sightron dealer says otherwise. Maybe "Savage Syndrome" is creeping into the optics section. :cheers:

I'm as well a firm believer in "You get what you pay for". I should clarify that I don't expect a SIII to be on the same level as the other brands you mentioned. I have yet to look through any of the brands you mentioned so I can't comment on any quality of glass between them.

Honestly I'm slightly nervous to look through some of the high end brands as my wallet may scream in pain from it. I don't compete, rarely shoot passed 500yds, don't need a optic that can handle being thrown on the ground. So for me at the $1000 price point, the SIII a is the best I've yet to try. I honestly believe it is a great optic for the price.

I'm sure one day I will be part of the uber optic crowd, but I have several other hobbies that are just as pricey. Heck I never thought I would spend 2k on a Les Paul, but there it sits, looking at me, and I absolutely love it. :cheers:
 
My experience with Sightron is limited to one scope. I bought an SIII 8-32x56 used off the EE for my Rem 700 5R in 308. I'm really not brand biased when it comes to optics, the only thing I've come to realize over the years is that the more money they cost, the better they are quality wise and optically. No exceptions.

What struck me immediately with Sightron is the conventional, run-of-the-mill look that all Japanese and other offshore scopes have. If you've looked at S&B/Swarovski/Leica/Zeiss, you'll know what I mean. The lines aren't as refined or smooth. Think Bushnell,etc.
Optically it was good, but not on par to my Zeiss Victory, S&B Zenith, Swarovski Z6, etc. But then it would be unfair to think it should be, though that's what many that buy them seems to keep wanting to pound down our throats on these boards. ;)

What was the final nail in the coffin is the fact that it read "832x56" in bright white letters on the objective bell. Any company worth their salt would surely not omit something as obvious as a hyphen, otherwise what else have they forgotten? But lo and behold, a quick search of google images shows all of them to have this "glitch". I sold it and haven't missed it.

As you say, to each their own. I just find it humorous when I read these incessant posts about Sightron being on par with the best out there, regardless of price. It's simply not true, even if the Sightron dealer says otherwise. Maybe "Savage Syndrome" is creeping into the optics section. :cheers:

I personally have NEVER EVER read( not even once) that Sightron was equal to the best out there. What I have often read and I agree with is that it is often considered a "best buy". This is at least my experience and I do own NF,S&B PM11, ZEISS etc etc...I am picky about optics and if it didn't do the job I simply wouldn't use them on anything other than a 22 rimfire or similar..
On a good day I can see 7mm bullet holes at 1000 yards with the 8-32x56 sightron S111 ....
 
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I personally have NEVER EVER read( not even once) that Sightron was equal to the best out there. .

Here you go, three posts back:

Here is my list of best optics for F class and LR shooting. Believe it, or not... entirely up to you. Goal to see and resolve as much detail on objects or target at distance.

Clean air with little to no mirage... 1000yds NF Comp (2014 or newer - this is important), March, NF BR/Sightron SIII, NF NXS

In Heavy mirage.... 1000yds, NF Comp by a big margin, NF BR/SIII, March/NF NXS. Yes, the March really is not impressive when shooting in soup.... this surprised me alot but side by side tells alot.
 
I think you are misreading that. He is saying the NF comp is the best he has seen and not the sightron as you seem to suggest unless I am misinterpreting....

I also think you have to take note what Jerry is saying.In other words he is saying in heavy mirage( which affects things differently).
I personally am not brand loyal just for the sake of being brand loyal. To me for long range shootingmy S&B 12-50x56 PMII is the best and next the sightron/NF BR are neck and neck but if we are just talking purely optical attributes I would give an ever so slight edge to the Sightron. Now the Sightron 8-32x56 SIII is easily better( in my opinion) than the NF NSX( again to my eyes OPTICALLY). My Zeiss vmv is a hunting scope so I didn't include it but optically it is outstanding.
What I really really like about NF is the build quality.

Regarding the March. I think these scopes really vary from one to the next because I have read quite a number of times of how guys were quite disappointed in them.Many Others have said they were outstanding and the best they have seen.
 
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I think you are misreading that. He is saying the NF comp is the best he has seen and not the sightron as you seem to suggest unless I am misinterpreting....

Here is my list of best optics for F class and LR shooting.

Clean air with little to no mirage... 1000yds NF Comp (2014 or newer - this is important), March, NF BR/Sightron SIII, NF NXS

I would read that as saying these listed are the best optics for use in clean air with no mirage at 1000 yds. It doesn't appear to be a ranking, just a general list of the best. How would you read it?
Regardless, it doesn't matter, it is after all just an opinion.
 
having used sightrons and NF's scopes ( and many,many other makes) , all i know is the picture definition you get with the NF is nothing like a swarovski ,zeiss Z6, or sightron for that matter ; it's well known, the image provided with NF isn't the reason peoples keeps buying them ; what i also know is, all the NF i had to use were dead precise when asking a correction. i like the BR series with their 1/8 moa increments.

for the durability factor, i'd go with the NXS right there.
 
The fact that there is a debate with the SIII and scopes costing several times more IS the whole point. Never said the SIII's were the best scope on the market....

I have given my list of tops that I have used/seen used and compete with for my sport. For those that didn't understand... read Left to right with commas separating each position.

But maybe the punctuation was distracting...

With current tech, I stand by that list and ranking. Now the new SV Sightron may change that list but I am really not sure how to loose enough weight to put that on my FTR rig.

But I look forward to see what its optics are like.

Note that lower mag hunting or tactical/warfare orientated optics are not used in F class. So my experience with these are limited.

One of my all time most wonderful glass is the S&B PMII... BUT what it didn't let me see is why I do not use S&B scopes on my FTR rigs.

Your needs may vary....
Jerry
 
I have looked through a fair amount of glass in other people's guns. High end Swaros, Zeiss, S&B etc.

Sightron tracks dead true. Always.

When I compare 2900$ worth of NF or Swaro or Zeiss to my 8-32x50 Sightron, I find myself asking one question " Where is the 1700.00 extra on these other scopes?"

I can say, that the other glass is 'slightly' better in color resolution (not depth of field through) but... I refuse to spend 1700.00 more for a scope that, in my opinion is only worth 500 bucks more.

Other than the 'Cachet' of NF, and their reticle choices, and more mag in FFP, I can't put forth any argument to spend double the money for a 10% improvement. Because the truth it, I am not that good of a shooter :)
 
The fact that there is a debate with the SIII and scopes costing several times more IS the whole point. Never said the SIII's were the best scope on the market....

I have given my list of tops that I have used/seen used and compete with for my sport. For those that didn't understand... read Left to right with commas separating each position.

But maybe the punctuation was distracting...

With current tech, I stand by that list and ranking. Now the new SV Sightron may change that list but I am really not sure how to loose enough weight to put that on my FTR rig.

But I look forward to see what its optics are like.

Note that lower mag hunting or tactical/warfare orientated optics are not used in F class. So my experience with these are limited.

One of my all time most wonderful glass is the S&B PMII... BUT what it didn't let me see is why I do not use S&B scopes on my FTR rigs.

Your needs may vary....
Jerry

Personally, my S&B is as clear as a bell and lets me see mirage better than any other scope I have( but maybe because it is the highest power as well). I will do a side by side again this summer and see how the sightron fairs out against it.
 
My S&B's are obviously my go to scopes but the 3 X Slll i own are keepers for many reasons, those are priced low with high quality...
I never though of selling them since they are very clear and i have confidence in them, i bought a Swarzosky and a Nightforce and tried them on a few rifles and have yet to find the spark of them...

Not saying that they are not very good, just say for now they returned in their boxes, until i find a purpose for them but top quality is there you can feel it... JP.
 
If these cheaper scopes are as good such as sightron vortex and bushnell why are there way more of them for sale compared to nightforce s&b ? How come people are selling them to upgrade why are they not keeping them?

I have a few quality scopes sitting on the shelf not on rifles but I'm keeping them because they are quality not disposable and cheap. You really get what you pay for that's my 2 cents.
 
If these cheaper scopes are as good such as sightron vortex and bushnell why are there way more of them for sale compared to nightforce s&b ? How come people are selling them to upgrade why are they not keeping them?

I have a few quality scopes sitting on the shelf not on rifles but I'm keeping them because they are quality not disposable and cheap. You really get what you pay for that's my 2 cents.

There's actually about twice as many NFs for sale on the EE vs Sightron. I don't really disagree with what your saying. If I was in a position that I needed a extremely tough reliable optic I'd be spending the money for a NF,S&B,USO etc. Being just a target shooter under 500yds a Sightron is good enough right now. Until I fall of my wallet I'll stick with them for at least a little while longer.
 
Vortex are not my favorite but they do appear to offer a lot of features for the dollar though and have an exceptional warranty. If you can buy at the right price they ought to be a contender for the budget-minder shooter and, at the moment, I have one Viper PST sitting around waiting for a suitable ride.

Bushnell makes such a wide range of scopes - from cheap blister pack stuff to very highly rated - that you really must look past the name and consider the particular model. Some of their scopes are excellent value ( fixed 10x for $250 ), have excellent glass ( old 4200 series ) and really are pushing into top tier ( Elite Tactical .3.5-21x56). Incidentally, another Bushnell that I bought last year when I needed a lower mag scope for a hunt was the Bushnell Legend HD and I was very favorably impressed with the glass; so much so that it remains on my 30-06 hunting rifle.
 
If these cheaper scopes are as good such as sightron vortex and bushnell why are there way more of them for sale compared to nightforce s&b ? How come people are selling them to upgrade why are they not keeping them?

I have a few quality scopes sitting on the shelf not on rifles but I'm keeping them because they are quality not disposable and cheap. You really get what you pay for that's my 2 cents.

It true you get what you pay for but with optics their is a point where you get very minimal returns for what you spend. $1000-1400 mark seems to be the sweet spot where your dollar goes the furthest.

An upgrade for some people is more of a statement....like womens fashion, Goochie bags example...they take great pride in telling others how much money they spend on optics, love to parade around the range...they usually cant shoot worth a sh!t but they have the most expensive stuff. For some they can legitimately use every feature on the optic and squeak out a better score in a match or make the 1700 yard shot with it.

Like other have said on here,,if $1000 optic is whats used and wins alot of matches on a F-Class shoot...they are solid. Alos if you wanna decent optics pay attention to the varmint hunters....600 yard head shots on gophers require good optics.

Cheers!!
 
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