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Worth While Upgrade... |
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jbsavage
Optics GrassHopper Joined: July/05/2012 Location: Georgia Status: Offline Points: 11 |
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Posted: July/05/2012 at 15:20 |
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Well, this is my first post to opticstalk.com, but I have been a long time lurker here. I currently have a Vortex Diamondback 4-12X40 (non adjustable objective lens) scope on my Savage Model 11 (.308) that I use for deer hunting as well as target shooting at the range. I purchased it after reading all of the favorable reviews on the Diamondback line. However, after owning it for about 2 years I have grown to dislike the incredibly short eye relief as well as the finicky eye position at maximum magnification.
I have been considering getting a Nikon Buckmaster 4.5-14x40 w/ side focus, mainly because of the amazing prices that I've seen on the Sample List. But I wasn't sure if this would be an upgrade or more of a side step. Or would my money be better spent stepping up & purchasing a Nikon Monarch 4-16x42 or Vortex Viper HS 4-16x44? Thanks |
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cheaptrick
MODERATOR Joined: September/27/2004 Location: South Carolina Status: Offline Points: 20844 |
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Welcome to Optics Talk.
Never looked through a Diamond Back, but I really liked the Buckmaster in that very flavor I had several years ago. Had it on a .300 RUM Sendero and it served it and me well. Really a great buy, IMO.
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If at first you don't secede...try..try again.
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jbsavage
Optics GrassHopper Joined: July/05/2012 Location: Georgia Status: Offline Points: 11 |
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How's the eye relief & eye positioning at max magnification? |
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RotoReuter_DM
Optics Apprentice Joined: December/09/2011 Location: WI Status: Offline Points: 296 |
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I would save for something nicer than the Buckmaster. The Diamondback is better IMHO than the buckmaster. The Diamondback does get picky in high mag. But I have some experience with the buckmasters and didn't like anything about them. Super narrow field of view.
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Old Mil ftw
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jbsavage
Optics GrassHopper Joined: July/05/2012 Location: Georgia Status: Offline Points: 11 |
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Ok. Well, looks like I have one yea & one nay. What is everyone's thoughts on the Viper HS 4-16x44 & the Nikon Monarch 4-16x42?
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Chris Farris II
TEAM SWFA - Admin MODERATOR Joined: August/13/2007 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 3196 |
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I would save up for the Monarch or Viper HS. Both great scopes for the $$.
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One day your life will flash before your eyes; Make sure it's worth watching.
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lucytuma
Optics Jedi Knight Joined: November/25/2007 Location: Wisconsin Status: Offline Points: 5389 |
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I agree with stepping up to the next level. Going from the diamond back to the buckmasters is as you said "a side step".
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"The democracy will cease to exist when you take away from those who are willing to work and give to those who would not." - Thomas Jefferson
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bugsNbows
Optics God bowsNbugs Joined: March/10/2008 Location: North Georgia Status: Offline Points: 11200 |
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jbsavage...welcome to posting on the OT Forums! IMO, the Viper HS barely edges out the Nikon Monarch. For the $, it's a winner. I'd go that route if the decision were mine.
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If we're not suppose to eat animals...how come they're made of meat?
Anomymous |
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KIMBER8400AT
Optics Apprentice Vig Joined: June/24/2012 Location: CA Status: Offline Points: 117 |
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Have u looked at bushnell elite doa?
I currently have one and the doa reticle is very accurate for holdovers. Just anither option to consider. |
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“Don't carry a gun. It's nice to have them close by, but don't carry them. You might get arrested.” J.G.
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jbsavage
Optics GrassHopper Joined: July/05/2012 Location: Georgia Status: Offline Points: 11 |
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I can't say that I have looked at one. I'll add it to my list, & try to look at it in person. Thanks! |
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Alan Robertson
Optics Master Joined: October/31/2009 Location: Oklahoma Status: Offline Points: 1763 |
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While the more expensive Bushnell Elites have better glass than the Diamondback, they don't have any better eye relief- 3.3". That's another side step. Don't know your budget, but here are some great scopes with longer eye relief: http://swfa.com/Minox-3-9x40-ZA3-Riflescope-P46135.aspx http://swfa.com/Pentax-3-15x50-Gameseeker-Rifle-Scope-P45834.aspx http://swfa.com/Zeiss-3-9x40-Conquest-Rifle-Scope-P608.aspx |
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"Garg'n uair dhuisgear"
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stickbow46
Optics Master Extraordinaire Joined: January/07/2009 Location: Benton, Pa Status: Offline Points: 4678 |
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Welcome to the OT! +1 with Alan.
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Pearls of Wisdom are Heard not Spoken
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jbsavage
Optics GrassHopper Joined: July/05/2012 Location: Georgia Status: Offline Points: 11 |
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I was trying to keep it under $500.00, but would really like a 4-16 or a 3-15 magnification with a side focus for parallax . The scopes that I was looking at was the Vortex Viper HS 4-16x44 or the Nikon Monarch 4-16x42. Both have a constant 4 inches of eye relief. However I'm not sure how finicky the eye positioning is on these two. Also how does the Pentax that you recommended stack up compared to these two? Thanks |
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DCAMM94
Optics Master Extraordinaire Joined: April/19/2008 Location: Fort Worth Status: Offline Points: 3491 |
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At 16x, the eye box is pretty narrow on the vortex HS. At just a little less, it's not bad, and as you cruise down toward 8x, it's very forgiving.
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Although personally I am quite content with existing explosives, I feel we must not stand in the path of improvement. -Winston Churchill
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jbsavage
Optics GrassHopper Joined: July/05/2012 Location: Georgia Status: Offline Points: 11 |
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How's the eye relief at 16x? |
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Alan Robertson
Optics Master Joined: October/31/2009 Location: Oklahoma Status: Offline Points: 1763 |
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jbsavage said:
"I was trying to keep it under $500.00, but would really like a 4-16 or a 3-15 magnification with a side focus for parallax . The scopes that I was looking at was the Vortex Viper HS 4-16x44 or the Nikon Monarch 4-16x42. Both have a constant 4 inches of eye relief. However I'm not sure how finicky the eye positioning is on these two. Also how does the Pentax that you recommended stack up compared to these two?" _______________________ The Gameseeker glass is between a Diamondback and Monarch or Viper. Pentax scopes were designed/built with a great deal of assistance from Burris, which is the king of the big eyebox, but you'd just have to check one yourself. Lightseeker XL's are Pentax best glass. This may be your answer: http://www.samplelist.com/-P54076.aspx Here are some more to look at: http://wfa.com/Meopta-4-12x50-Meopro-Rifle-Scope-P45968.aspx http://swfa.com/Hawke-45-14x42-Sidewinder-Tactical-30mm-Riflescope-P44553.aspx If you could swing it... http://www.samplelist.com/-P56934.aspx http://www.samplelist.com/-P55422.aspx One thing... if you don't like the Diamondback short eye relief, you don't like it, but it should be good to go on a .308, provided you don't crawl up on it and whack yourself. |
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"Garg'n uair dhuisgear"
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DCAMM94
Optics Master Extraordinaire Joined: April/19/2008 Location: Fort Worth Status: Offline Points: 3491 |
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I don't think it's bad at all, but I've never measured it. According to the Website, relief is 4", so even Vortex says it's almost a full inch more than the D-back. |
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Although personally I am quite content with existing explosives, I feel we must not stand in the path of improvement. -Winston Churchill
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Dyelynn
Optics Apprentice Joined: March/07/2011 Location: Washington Status: Offline Points: 231 |
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i don't think they've been mentioned before, but there's also minox...
4-20x50 with side focus http://www.samplelist.com/Minox-4-20X50-ZA5-Rifle-Scope-DEMO-B-P55325.aspx 3-15x50 with side focus http://swfa.com/Minox-3-15x50-ZA5-Riflescope-P48162.aspx |
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jbsavage
Optics GrassHopper Joined: July/05/2012 Location: Georgia Status: Offline Points: 11 |
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Thanks for the suggestions, but unfortunately those break the $500.00 budget. |
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Marine24
Optics Journeyman Joined: June/07/2010 Location: Monument, CO Status: Offline Points: 687 |
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I've been a big fan of Nikon's Monarch line with the 4-16x44 with the BDC or Mil-Dot reticle standard on my bolt guns. The eye relief has been consistent throughout the magnification range, which was a nice feature when I had it mounted on a 340 Weatherby.
Vortex's Viper/Viper HS line is also a very quality scope. I have the 2-7x on a Weatherby XXII and is a great scope for the rimfire.
Overall, the Monarch and Viper line are both quality scopes and represent good value for the money.
Lot of good choices in this price point, but believe you will be very pleased with either of them.
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