Sightron, Vortex scopes etc

[otisthedog]

I am thinking about selling my Zeiss Duralyt on the .243 to change to something with more mag, dial-able turrets and illuminated reticle. This would mainly be used for foxing but occasionally stalking and some longer range target practice.
The scopes in my price range (I would probably look to buy used) I have started looking at are the Vortex Viper PST 6-24, the Sightron S3 and the Sightron S-Tac. Priority I suppose is reliable dialling, then low light performance. I did have a Zeiss Conquest 6-20x50 which was great though no illuminated reticle. Also I would prefer a 30mm tube.
Thoughts please?!

 

[nun_hunter]

I have a Vortex Viper (non illuminated and unsure if it's the PST model) 6-24 and it's no where near as good as my new Zeis Conquest DL in low light, the image starts to deteriorate a bit after 20x but still able to shoot out to 500m on a small steel target. The turrets have nice solid clicks and return to zero every time. If I'd spent twice as much would the scope be teice as good? Probably not.

 

[JockStalk]

Another Viper 6-24 PST user and its on my .243 - with ill reticle. Nice scopes, well built, superb value. Illuminated reticle is very sharp and adjustable for brightness. 30mm tube. Might not be just as great at low light or just as clear at highest mags as the best on the market, but then I'd have had to pay another grand for that.....

 

[Gunner223]

Ive done much the same as your doing i had the Duralyt, then got viper pst 6-24, which i thought was great, then tried the sightron 6-24 ill model, and that was better for me again, and then tried the ZD 6-24 Meopta, and in my view the meopta is the best, i still have and use the Meopta and Sightron.

 

[Erik Hamburger]

The Sightron brand is excellent value. I have 2 (both fixed power 6x42, Series 11) and they are fine for lowland / woodland stalking conditions.
Have a look here if you want excellent fast service and lower prices than you will ever get in the UK - even after adding Import Duty and Shipping.

 

[otisthedog]

Thanks for the info. The Vortex PST does look great for the money, though the S-Tac looks like it may be more suited to low light. Food for thought, thanks.

 

[xavierdoc]

I have two Vortex Viper PST scopes. Both have been faultless.

One is used regularly in Civilian Service Rifle comps, requiring rapid dialling for elevation (and wind, time-permitting!) from 600 down to 25yds. It has tracked solidly and survived the rigours of three winter leagues without problems. Great value.

 

[wraith]

had the sightron 6x24x50 sold it got the s tack not as good as the sightron s3 manufactured in japan s tack manufactured philapines now back to a sightron s3 illuminated if its for dialing in shots s3 every time even better than my night force hope that helps

 

[otisthedog]

Wraith- in what way did you find the s-tac not as good as an s3?

 

[packrat]

If you can find an IOR, they are superb. Stunning glass for the money, excellent mechanics, and built like tanks.

 

[wraith]

Wraith- in what way did you find the s-tac not as good as an s3?

they look good glass was good liked the knurley turetts and the on of illumination ie what ever number you like say 6 you turn to the next dedent it turns of so there is on off betwean every illumination number the s3 you have to turn the whole dial to your preferred illumination so if you like 6 you have to turn the nob all the way to off then all the way to 6 ie 123456 to get your best ret the problem with the s tack was when you went from low to hight mag the reticule moved from side to side which was very disturbing admitedley I was given a upgrade at very little cost to me s3 illuminated and im more than happy to be back using the s3 alsow the turrets mecanisem on the s3 is far better not onley on the kliks but the materials used are far better s3 s steel under the turrets s tack brass one manufacture in japan s3 s tack philapines until you have them side by side in real world situations the s3 is the top dog I sold my nightforce and got my first s3 which I sold on the forum then regreted getting rid of it thought the s tac was the way to go but now I have another s3 I have no regrets under the lamp or with night vision ad on even on full mag the s3 will not darken during the day 6 or 24 image is sharp clear flat no distortion the onley other scope which I would recommend is kalhes but that's a 8x56helea c best scope for deer stalking full stop but for long range s3 is the most accurate repeatable scope I have come across hope that helps you get what you pay for sometimes get one or have a good look throe one had the top ior as well yes good scopes 35mm tube still have s3 hope that tells you something

 

[Woodlander]

If you can afford the Meopta ZD,go for that,some good deals from the EU. Check out Richard Utting's review on Youtube. He knows his optics.

 

[mereside]

I really love my sightron s3 on my win mag superb glass and repeatability, one very happy camper indeed, Atb Wayne

 

[Cut+Squirt]

The Sightron brand is excellent value. I have 2 (both fixed power 6x42, Series 11) and they are fine for lowland / woodland stalking conditions.
Have a look here if you want excellent fast service and lower prices than you will ever get in the UK - even after adding Import Duty and Shipping.

I'm toying with buying one mate, have you personally used this supplier? What country are they trading from please?

 

[I. Farticus]

The Sightron brand is excellent value. I have 2 (both fixed power 6x42, Series 11) and they are fine for lowland / woodland stalking conditions.
Have a look here if you want excellent fast service and lower prices than you will ever get in the UK - even after adding Import Duty and Shipping.

I looked into this when I bought my first Sightron, then phoned John at Aimfield Sports who halved the difference which got me a UK Warranty. Cracking scopes for the money - even at UK prices!

 

[Laurie]

Aim Field takes a stand at the British Shooting Show at Stoneleigh Park each year and if past performance is any guide, he'll offer some good prices to face to face customers who take the plunge and buy there.

Looking at the American site, depending on the exact $/£ exchange rate, the saving is somewhere between £100 and £130 or £140 on the Series III 8-32X56s that I use after adding in customs duties, VAT and Parcelforce's customs handling charge. What you don't get is the relative ease and security of the return to a UK supplier warranty who takes all the hassle out of replacement or repair if a problem arises. A lot of people don't know that you need a piece of paper to export a scope from the UK these days even when back to the manufacturer. A friend who sent a defective Nightforce back to factory while on a shooting trip to the USA earlier this year is now embroiled with HMRC who doubt his story and want full documentary proof of the original purchase, the cuurent (repair) transaction etc. As well as chuntering about irregular / illegal exports and reimports, they want to charge duty and VAT on the full current value of an NXS before clearing it back to him.

If something goes wrong and the scope needs repair, John Dean at Aim Field will ask for its serial number and he will refuse to do anything for you if it's a grey import. He keeps a record of every scope he imports and sells here and if it's not one of his, then then it's the owner's responsibility to sort things out. Aim Field's record on repairs / replacements is excellent on those he has supplied, I should add.

 

[Laurie]

Oh I should add, that as the owner of six Sightrons, five Series IIIs and one Series II all used in long range target shooting, I'm a fan of the marque. I've used 8-32X56s Series IIIs since they first appeared and my original 8-32X56 LRTD may well be the first such SIII Target model to arrive in this country. You might gather I'm a fan!

 

[Dorsettaff]

Another Viper 6-24 PST user and its on my .243 - with ill reticle. Nice scopes, well built, superb value. Illuminated reticle is very sharp and adjustable for brightness. 30mm tube. Might not be just as great at low light or just as clear at highest mags as the best on the market, but then I'd have had to pay another grand for that.....

+1

 

[Cut+Squirt]

Aim Field takes a stand at the British Shooting Show at Stoneleigh Park each year and if past performance is any guide, he'll offer some good prices to face to face customers who take the plunge and buy there.

Looking at the American site, depending on the exact $/£ exchange rate, the saving is somewhere between £100 and £130 or £140 on the Series III 8-32X56s that I use after adding in customs duties, VAT and Parcelforce's customs handling charge. What you don't get is the relative ease and security of the return to a UK supplier warranty who takes all the hassle out of replacement or repair if a problem arises. A lot of people don't know that you need a piece of paper to export a scope from the UK these days even when back to the manufacturer. A friend who sent a defective Nightforce back to factory while on a shooting trip to the USA earlier this year is now embroiled with HMRC who doubt his story and want full documentary proof of the original purchase, the cuurent (repair) transaction etc. As well as chuntering about irregular / illegal exports and reimports, they want to charge duty and VAT on the full current value of an NXS before clearing it back to him.

If something goes wrong and the scope needs repair, John Dean at Aim Field will ask for its serial number and he will refuse to do anything for you if it's a grey import. He keeps a record of every scope he imports and sells here and if it's not one of his, then then it's the owner's responsibility to sort things out. Aim Field's record on repairs / replacements is excellent on those he has supplied, I should add.

Very informative, thanks.
The series III looks like it may be in the runnings as my next scope of choice.

 

[foxyrich]

I've a sightron stac, excellent scope for the money. Have no issues with reticle moving etc and glass is spot on low right through to max mag. It's relatively new but so far very impressed. Spoke to aimfield yesterday and they said there's an stac 5-20 in pipeline too.