IORs customer service is far better nowadays ( starting about a year ago ) that they were in the past. I always see every post on the internet "I heard their customer service is bad" but few have actually dealt with them to make any factual statements
I made the mistake of buying the wrong ring height with my 6-24 tactical with 35mm tube. I called them up and they were extremely helpfull. I had to pay for the mailing down to them but they picked up the tab shipping to Canada. They did what they said they would do when they said they would. What more do you want
The second internet gripe ( actually 2 ) is guys who say that the turret adjustment is so unconventional that its real easy to damage the scope . I'm sorry, but if you can't read simple instructions where it says
"don't take screws all the way out and do not touch center screw " in bold red letters in the manual, you shouldnt be allowed to have a gun
The other gripe is guys messing with the "magnum lock'" . The first thing it says in the manual is do not adjust. In their sales literature it says Magunum lock - do not adjust " . In all fairness to those who played with it, the earlier IORs had a magnum lock that looks like it takes a screwdriver, so people would stick a screwdriver in it and turn it
One beef that the tatical crowd has is most of the IORs are 2nd focal plane. But having said that so are the NSXs at until recently all the Leupold MK4s . Since I mainly punch paper, I prefer the 2nd focal plane
Quality of Glass
First off , my basis of comparison are numerous Nighforce NSXs , a Schmidt and Bender PMII and Leupold MK4s .
The glass is outstanding. Right up there with the NSXs . Ahead of the Leupolds MK4s . Its illumination is great ( better than the NSX since you can easily adjust it ) . Turrets / adjustments are bang on. Capped turrets on most of their tatical offerings however. My only gripe is a bit of lash in the side focus ( so do my Leupolds though ) . The difference between the IOR and my PMII was subtle. BTW I compared them looking at a printed eye chart at 100 yards so it wasn't the best comparison
MP-8 recticle is awesome, but the only choice for most of their tac scopes ( except for the CQC ) . Its essentially a mil recticle further delinated at 1/2 mil intervals. Nightforce has them beat hands down for recticle choices.
The price point of the high end IORs put them slightly below the price of NSXs . Their 35mm tube offerings are outstanding . I wouldn't hesitiate to buy another IOR , even over a NSX . The only scope I would rather have over a IOR is a PMII or a USO but they are pushing $3000+ now ( over $1000 more than the NSXs )
Their newer scopes have 6 fold power increase . Example a 3 - 18 power, which is pretty versatile ( most other 3 power scopes will go to 9 ). As far as I know no other scope manufacturers have a 6 fold increase
As far as the "if you can afford other brands go for it" that easy to say if you can afford $3000 PMIIs on all your rifles . IOR is far from budget scopes.
BTW , but the time I got my my 6-24X50 Tactical I was in to it for about $1700 so its just a bit less than a equivalent NSX
Since we are on the topic of IOR, they have new scopes based on 40mm tubes !
This is a 4-28X56 with a 40mm tube
This is their new 4-14X50 with 40mm tube
