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SS 5-20X50 HD Compared

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3_tens View Drop Down
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    Posted: June/26/2011 at 14:56

We Had a BBQ at the house yesterday and later got the to show off the SS 5-20X50 HD to some of my friends. There were 7 people looking through the scopes as it got dark. Shooters and non-shooters,  ranging in age from 18 - 60. The purpose was to show off the SS 5-20 and to educate the difference in performance between low-end scopes and the better scopes.

I selected a wide variety of scopes.

1. Super Sniper 5-20X50

2. Zeiss Conquest 6.5-20X50

3. Leupold 4.5-14X50 VX III LR with the Varmint Reticule

4. Tasco world class 4-12X40

5. Nikon 2.5-10X42

6. Kahles 3-10X50 CL MZ

I used the Tasco because it is considered by a couple of the guys to be a very nice scope. Neither has ever owned a scope over $200. They were enlightened.

Everyone noticed in the last of the setting sun the edges fading away and the bland view from the lack of contrast in the Tasco. As the light started to fade the Tasco fell out fast and soon nobody could see a blue bucket on the pond bank at 200 yds. Even though it was still fairly light and well before legal shooting time.

Next fall out was the Leupold. The view was again somewhat flat because of lack of contrast. Fine lines of the Varmint Reticule faded quickly with the light, even though you could still see the blue bucket fairly well. Not really the best reticule choice in this comparison. 

The Nikon Monarch comes in next. The reticule is much bolder than the Leupold. The Nikon has much better contrast that improves the view especially as the light faded more.

Next to my surprise comes the Zeiss Conquest. I hold the Conquest in fairly high esteem and was very surprised that the SS beat it almost across the board. The Conquest only strong point over the SS was the much more forgiving eye box While much easier to get behind I could see where it could cause a greater chance of error in the Conquest if the  parallax adjustment was off a little or if your eye placement was not consistent.

Now the SS-20 HD. I had hoped it might tie the Conquest in clarity and contrast. The SS by a full step above beat the conquest in both. The turrets feel much better too. The SS has more contrast and definition allowing improvement in very low light performance. When as it gets even darker you can turn on the best illuminated reticule I have ever used. The tiny dots of light that show up well, yet never flood the view with too much light. The Parallax correction allows you to see much closer targets. Clearly by half the distance than the conquest would allow you to see.

Best scope I own in the low light department is the Kahles. The wow factor of the low light performance far exceeds any scope I have ever had my hands on.

This review is non-technical to be used only for comparison and was the unanimous decision of the 7 people that were on hand at the time. In the scopes selected for this demonstration there no very close calls. the SS 5-20 won as the best overall. The Kahles allowed you to see more and better under the lowest lighting. The SS 5-20 HD far exceeds my expectation's held before receiving the scope. SWFA has produced another a true winner.

Folks ain't got a sense of humor no more. They don't laugh they just get sore.

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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote 338LAPUASLAP Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: June/26/2011 at 15:33
I was about to yell out and scream "Oh NO, RICH IS BACK!!!" (thinking maybe one of his crazy friends hi-jacked your account) then I looked and saw you didn't make any outlandish claims and seemed to be particularly sober and not to rambling...

All statements seem to be factual about which goes where...

I believe the Kahles to be a scope not soon replaced by anything from that part of the world...


Edited by 338LAPUASLAP - June/26/2011 at 15:35
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote cjd223 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: June/26/2011 at 17:05
Two of the scopes mentioned did not have a 50 mm objective. Not sure we are comparing apples to apples.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote cjd223 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: June/26/2011 at 17:10
You also compared a $1,500 scope to a sub $100 Tasco. What does that prove?
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote ckk1106 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: June/26/2011 at 17:14
Originally posted by cjd223 cjd223 wrote:

You also compared a $1,500 scope to a sub $100 Tasco. What does that prove?

He described why he used the 100 dollar Tasco in the initial post. 
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote cheaptrick Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: June/26/2011 at 17:26
So.....how was the BBQ?  Bucky
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote mike650 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: June/26/2011 at 17:49
Originally posted by cjd223 cjd223 wrote:

You also compared a $1,500 scope to a sub $100 Tasco. What does that prove?


Who cares, that's one of the few scopes he had to test with.

Nice post Lile!!  Thunbs Up
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote helo18 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: June/26/2011 at 18:00
Originally posted by cheaptrick cheaptrick wrote:

So.....how was the BBQ?  Bucky

+1??

Thanks for the post and thoughts.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote shooter07 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: June/26/2011 at 18:34
Originally posted by cjd223 cjd223 wrote:

You also compared a $1,500 scope to a sub $100 Tasco. What does that prove?
 
It proves that there are some people not informed as to how BAD scopes like tasco are. And believe me, i understand not everyone has a grand or more to spend on a scope. Most average Americans don't buy many rifles for more than that. But it was nice to see how each scope compared to the other.
 
Some people are simply not well informed or plain ignorant to the different tiers of optics.
 
Thanks for the nice write up 3 tens!


Edited by shooter07 - June/26/2011 at 18:34
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote stickbow46 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: June/26/2011 at 18:58
Thanks for the heads up 10's,mine is suppose to be delivered tomorrow Yippee,after your review I'm glad I didn't wait to buy it....Enjoy
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Sparky Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: June/26/2011 at 20:45
Originally posted by shooter07 shooter07 wrote:

Originally posted by cjd223 cjd223 wrote:

You also compared a $1,500 scope to a sub $100 Tasco. What does that prove?
 
It proves that there are some people not informed as to how BAD scopes like tasco are. And believe me, i understand not everyone has a grand or more to spend on a scope. Most average Americans don't buy many rifles for more than that. But it was nice to see how each scope compared to the other.
 
Some people are simply not well informed or plain ignorant to the different tiers of optics.
 
Thanks for the nice write up 3 tens!


+1
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote cjd223 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: June/26/2011 at 21:36
Sorry if some feathers got ruffled, but once again comparing a $1,500 scope to a $100 one is like comparing a Ferrari to a Volkswagon. The rest were kind of in the same class.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote ckk1106 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: June/26/2011 at 21:44
Originally posted by cjd223 cjd223 wrote:

Sorry if some feathers got ruffled, but once again comparing a $1,500 scope to a $100 one is like comparing a Ferrari to a Volkswagon. The rest were kind of in the same class.

We know.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Bitterroot Bulls Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: June/26/2011 at 22:44
Originally posted by cjd223 cjd223 wrote:

Sorry if some feathers got ruffled, but once again comparing a $1,500 scope to a $100 one is like comparing a Ferrari to a Volkswagon. The rest were kind of in the same class.


I think this was a fun, informal comparison.

It wasn't like he was saying the Tasco WC competes with the good stuff.  Some have made such ridiculous claims.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Magnumdood Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: June/26/2011 at 23:34
Wonder how a Hensoldt would have compared...
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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/26/2011 at 23:58
My pick of scopes was very deliberate.  I was trying to show to my friends how much difference there is in the quality of scopes. While looking through the Tasco World Class in full sunlight it has a very usable view. This specific scope was one of the (made in Japan) Tasco's that is over 10 years old. They sold for about $199 at that time. These are much better scopes than the Tasco WC scopes of today that are made in China and sell for $49. My demonstration was to show how the cheap scope may look good in full daylight but falls flat on its face when there is less light. That point was achieved. The Leupold was chosen to demonstrate how the lack of contrast makes this scope less efficient at locating targets and its effect as the light dims. This point was also achieved.  The Nikon was chosen because I like the view and it has proven to be a better than average low light scope for its price. The Zeiss  was picked because it has proven to be a very good scope with very similar size and power to the Super Sniper. The Kahles was chosen because it is the best low light scope I have ever owned. To me is a known data point standard of excellence. It also has very similar aspects to the Nikon. I did not intend to do a side by side spec. comparison to the Super Sniper. I do not have, or have never had access to another scope that could be a side by side comparison to the long list of the special features of the 5-20 Super Sniper. Cool
It was a good day with lots of good barbecue. Good friends, enjoying life.
Lile

Magnumdood. I have never even seen a Hendsolt. You send me one and I will be happy to let you know how they compare. Pm and I will give you the address to ship it to.
Wink


Edited by 3_tens - June/27/2011 at 00:05
Folks ain't got a sense of humor no more. They don't laugh they just get sore.

Need to follow the rules. Just hard to determine which set of rules to follow
Now the rules have changed again.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote billyburl2 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: June/27/2011 at 00:03
Good write up! Sounds like a good time!
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote koshkin Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: June/27/2011 at 11:12
Nice write-up!

For what it is worth, I suspect that your assessment of where the 5-20x50 SS fits in terms of image quality it right on the money.

ILya
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote cheaptrick Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: June/27/2011 at 12:16
Good write up!  

I have a feeling that the newest scope in the SS line will be hit.  
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote hunterwingler Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: June/27/2011 at 14:01
+1 great write. really who care he used a tasco, its most common scope anyone buys
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