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Wow! Differences in optics quality

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jonoMT View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote jonoMT Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Topic: Wow! Differences in optics quality
    Posted: June/19/2009 at 15:04

Not that it would be a surprise, but I went out shooting yesterday with my father-in-law and brother-in-law and was amazed at the difference between the optical quality of the Tasco scope he had vs. my Nightforce. Now, I know it is often mentioned that NF glass is good but not the best. However, with my 2.5-10x32 I can spot .308 holes at 200 yards without much trouble. The Tasco 3-9x42 (mounted on an otherwise decent 30-30) couldn't resolve any holes in the targets past 60 yards.

The main reason I mention this is 'cause I think it's a shame to not at least match the rifle with comparable optics. I used to get whatever basic Leupold I thought would fit the rifle and was generally happy (and generally still would be with those). But I have become a believer is quality optics in the last couple years. Well, if I get rich, I know what to get the old man for Christmas...although the SS variable isn't a terrible stretch.

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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote bugsNbows Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: June/19/2009 at 15:10
Well said Sir!
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote 3_tens Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: June/19/2009 at 16:34
If that gets repeated enough maybe, just maybe people will start checking the quality of the scope that they are wasting spending their money on.Excellent
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote tahqua Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: June/20/2009 at 11:37
I agree with all of the above.
Though a lot a questions get asked, regarding cheaper scopes, for a reason. A lot of folks can't afford the step up to the 4200/Monarch/VX3 and the like.
I believe there are scopes that can work for them and that's what they need to hear. Fortunately there are a ton of members hear with the experience in the lower price range.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote jetwrnch Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: June/20/2009 at 15:05
One way to spend less and get more is to be reasonable about the size of scope needed. You can do a lot with a fixed 4x scope of good quality and not break the bank. I see way too many 4-12x50 scopes of poor quality on woods rifles.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote swtucker Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: June/20/2009 at 15:42
Originally posted by jetwrnch jetwrnch wrote:

One way to spend less and get more is to be reasonable about the size of scope needed. You can do a lot with a fixed 4x scope of good quality and not break the bank. I see way too many 4-12x50 scopes of poor quality on woods rifles.
 
+1  going with a fixed power is a good way to get better glass for less cash.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote tahqua Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: June/20/2009 at 18:47
Originally posted by jetwrnch jetwrnch wrote:

I see way too many 4-12x50 scopes of poor quality on woods rifles.


On lever guns with mile high see through mountsBig Grin

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jonoMT View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote jonoMT Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: June/21/2009 at 13:12
I agree a fixed power is a great way to go to get a good scope for less. My previous scope was a Leupold 4X. My father-in-law first had this rifle in Nebraska and if he was still there, I'd recommend the 4X. But from the whitetails that I spotted busting off through the trees on my morning runs where they live now (Lake of the Ozarks) that would be too much magnification most of the time. I'd come around a bend and track one with my arm out and estimated about 3-5 seconds to get a shot off. There I'd go with a 1-4X or a red-dot sight. He's a crack shot with a shot gun so that might be just the ticket.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Rancid Coolaid Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: June/21/2009 at 13:15
Originally posted by jonoMT jonoMT wrote:

Not that it would be a surprise, but I went out shooting yesterday with my father-in-law and brother-in-law and was amazed at the difference between the optical quality of the Tasco scope he had vs. my Nightforce. Now, I know it is often mentioned that NF glass is good but not the best. However, with my 2.5-10x32 I can spot .308 holes at 200 yards without much trouble. The Tasco 3-9x42 (mounted on an otherwise decent 30-30) couldn't resolve any holes in the targets past 60 yards.

The main reason I mention this is 'cause I think it's a shame to not at least match the rifle with comparable optics. I used to get whatever basic Leupold I thought would fit the rifle and was generally happy (and generally still would be with those). But I have become a believer is quality optics in the last couple years. Well, if I get rich, I know what to get the old man for Christmas...although the SS variable isn't a terrible stretch.




Ain't we been say'in that!

Glass quality trumps magnification every time!
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote jetwrnch Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: June/22/2009 at 04:09
Sounds like a candidate for a Remington 760 or 7600 in .308. Have you considered an El Paso Weaver K2.5 on that 30-30? less than $100 and quick. Also the Burris FFII 1.75-5x24. I'm guessing it's a Marlin 336 or similar? I can post pics of both scopes on a 336.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote koshkin Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: June/22/2009 at 04:17
Originally posted by jonoMT jonoMT wrote:

Not that it would be a surprise, but I went out shooting yesterday with my father-in-law and brother-in-law and was amazed at the difference between the optical quality of the Tasco scope he had vs. my Nightforce. Now, I know it is often mentioned that NF glass is good but not the best. However, with my 2.5-10x32 I can spot .308 holes at 200 yards without much trouble. The Tasco 3-9x42 (mounted on an otherwise decent 30-30) couldn't resolve any holes in the targets past 60 yards.

The main reason I mention this is 'cause I think it's a shame to not at least match the rifle with comparable optics. I used to get whatever basic Leupold I thought would fit the rifle and was generally happy (and generally still would be with those). But I have become a believer is quality optics in the last couple years. Well, if I get rich, I know what to get the old man for Christmas...although the SS variable isn't a terrible stretch.



One comment about Nightforce glass, since I frequently make unflattering remarks about it:  I find Nightforce glass unexceptional at Nightforce prices (i.e compared to the optics in Zeiss, Swaro, Premier, IOR, etc). 
Compared to a lot of lower priced scopes, even some very decent ones, Nightforce glass is very good.  Compared to cheap stuff.... well, there is simply no comparison.

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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote jonoMT Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: June/22/2009 at 09:04
Originally posted by koshkin koshkin wrote:

I find Nightforce glass unexceptional at Nightforce prices
ILya


Ha, ha. I love it! Well said. Excellent

One thing I'll say in NF's favor is that they offer a lot of other features in a scope that at least I wanted...in particular the NXS 2.5-10x32 is a great package. However, that was before the debut of the SS variable, which trumps anything I can think of under $1200.


Edited by jonoMT - June/22/2009 at 09:04
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Tranan Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: June/25/2009 at 19:00
Well, comparing Trashco (as one aquaintance of mine described it) with a Nightforce sounds very unjust to the Trashco. Those scopes should never exist. They are bad, man, bad.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Randall45 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: June/25/2009 at 20:23
Isn't the Tasco Titan a very reliable scope or any of the Tasco scopes made in Japan.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote jonoMT Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: June/26/2009 at 06:27
Originally posted by Tranan Tranan wrote:

Well, comparing Trashco (as one aquaintance of mine described it) with a Nightforce sounds very unjust to the Trashco. Those scopes should never exist. They are bad, man, bad.


Well, it wasn't intended to be a direct comparison, more just an expression of my amazement that someone would ever stick a piece of crap like that on a good gun. I wasn't gonna say anything rude to the old man, but he obviously came of age as a hunter back when there wasn't much emphasis on optics quality. Even now, most of his shooting is with either shotguns or pistols, neither of which have optics attached. Before I knew better, I used to spend $600-800 on a rifle then put a $200-300 scope on it. Now I would budget the same or more for optics and mounts.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote mastsif man Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: June/27/2009 at 20:59
you definately found out the truth in optics, but at the extremes.  one does not have to expend that much money for optics that will provide one with the clarity that is needed for hunting.  benchrest competition is another matter.  for hunting there are many scopes in the 200 to 500 dollar range that can get the job done, fixed or a reasonable variable scope (ie, 2x7 or 3x9 or some other similar range like the Leupold vx-III 2.5x8 if i am correct that i own is great and now frequently discounted).  a tasco on a cheap 22lr or a bsa, would not be a bad choice, as long as you keep it in a reasonable variable.  my son has an inexpensive simmons on an inexpensive marlin 22wrm and it will shoot into a quarter at 100 yards all day long in decent light.  that is all he wants to do and will never shoot after or near dark, so why should he spend 800 dollars on a scope.  think about it.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote jonoMT Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: June/27/2009 at 22:59
Those are some good points, mastsif man, especially with the marlin 22wrm. Given a rifle, like the 30-30 I'd probably be happy with any decent scope in the $200-500 range. I've also found that optics like my $49 Leupold 8x24 binos work great most of the time when I use them - which is in broad daylight. One thing I'll say for the high-end stuff, however, is it will never let you down. Seemed like I used to fiddle with my simple 4X Leupold a lot...shoot a group @ 100 yards and have it be an inch to the right so I'd adjust 4 clicks and instead of being right on it would be half an inch to the left. That just does not happen with the Nightforce. For most shots I could take in legal light the optics of the Leupold are more than adequate. But I also bought the Nightforce for the ability to make rock-solid adjustments on the fly.
Reaction time is a factor...
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Ed Connelly Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: June/28/2009 at 12:30
Originally posted by Randall45 Randall45 wrote:

Isn't the Tasco Titan a very reliable scope or any of the Tasco scopes made in Japan.
 
I never did any optical comparisons of scopes back in the old days, but I always thought that the old Tascos were OK for the money back in the sixties and seventies.  The old Japanese ones.....  And some of the Old Binoculars were decent....kind of like Swift in the sixties... 
 
But who knows where they are built today......I stick with the ancient Tasco stuff now....
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote 308WIN Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: July/03/2009 at 11:08
I'll agree with koshkin here. I spent some days with a NF 2.5-10x32. It fared very poorly when compared to a diavari 2.5-10x42. I don't know if it was better than a conquest.I know mechanically & durability, the NF is solid but for the price, the glass isn't there
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote goat Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: July/03/2009 at 15:49
I don't buy the NF glass thing, I have had so many I lost count and while some have fallen short, by very little mind you, most are outstanding. I currently have 2, 5.5x2256s and the glass is as good on charts and 3x boosters as any glass I have, and that includes a few diavaris, 2 hensoldts a few mk4s  and around 8 schmidts. The fov is lacking and some think they can look a bit washed compared to others. This has more to do with the small retical than anything else I think, there is no bold black lines to contrast to as in scopes with larger reticles. My varmint ret sb 4x16 is a classic example, you have to know what to look for. The 50s(NF) usually won't resolve what the 56s(NF) will and they do fall short of other 50s but the 56 is another story, they are just to big for most.
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