Rifle Scopes S&B vs. USO vs. Premier Reticles ?

[Fred @ Bison Tactical]

I am looking at scopes, and would like feedback by owners of scopes from Schmidt and Bender, US Optics and Premier Reticles. I would like to know if these companies are all stand up companies, stand behind their products, fix issues in a timely manner, and what turn around times for repairs are like. Essentially I am trying to evaluate the customer service, and repair for them not having owned any of their scopes yet.

 

[remau308]

Re: S&B vs. USO vs. Premier Reticles ?

I'm not quite following. You're judging a scope decision based on when you plan on sending it in for repairs? I have either owned or used all three companys, and my opinion is Schmidt>Premier>USO. With that said though, they are all built like tanks, and I wouldn't bet money on one out lasting another.

 

[Fred @ Bison Tactical]

Re: S&B vs. USO vs. Premier Reticles ?

ahh -- no, this is not my primary decision making factor, But just wanted to know if all 3 are sturdily built, have solid reliable company support for any changes (say reticle or repairs), and if repairs may take a long time.

Just something I wanted to factor into my decision not having any firsthand experience with any of these companies, and most of the other factors like specs etc are well covered in the forum here.

 

[sobrbiker883]

Re: S&B vs. USO vs. Premier Reticles ?

Too tired to type too much today, hit "search">"advanced" then stick USO in keyword and my screen name in user name, go back 2years.........you'll see how I feel on the matter at hand.

 

[neeley205]

Re: S&B vs. USO vs. Premier Reticles ?

Owned Schmidt. . never had to use customer service (best type of service)

Owned USO, had some foreign particles pop on the inside of my reticle after it being a couple years old (2nd owner) and they wouldnt come off with the old Phone book trick. That being said, they did a great job taking care of if for me. I actually sent it it to get cleaned on its way to the person who bought it from me, and they handled that with no issues at all and my purchaser got the scope correct and on time. Im pretty sure the guy called and had one of the new (at the time) internal bubble levels installed. the whole thing only two 2 weeks, start to finish. No issues.

 

[Fred @ Bison Tactical]

Re: S&B vs. USO vs. Premier Reticles ?

sobrbiker883, thanks, read it, just the kind of thing I was looking for.

 

[i_rep]

Re: S&B vs. USO vs. Premier Reticles ?

I would think hands down if its just customer service then its USO.

I own all three as well. I find myself behind the PH more than the others just cause I really like the XR reticle. It can be found if you look real hard in S&B (kinda rare) it can also be special ordered in a USO.

I would agree the best service is the kind not needed.

 

[Longshot38]

Re: S&B vs. USO vs. Premier Reticles ?

I've never had dealing with S&B but I hear nothing but good things. I demoed a USO once. The scope was nice but not the scope that I was looking for. However the fact that one of their dealers was nice enough to send one out to me to demo is a testament to the company. And I own a Premier. It is great optic that has been sent in for service once (I'm the second owner) and I have nothing but good things to say about Paul and Premier.

 

[Jeeprider]

Re: S&B vs. USO vs. Premier Reticles ?

I own S&B scopes and Premier scopes and have not had to send any of them back. In my opinion the best customer service is the one I never need to call. I really don't know too much about USO, they look like great scopes I just have no experience with them.

 

[turbo54]

Re: S&B vs. USO vs. Premier Reticles ?

I had to send my Bender in for a tracking issue. It was back to me in about 8 business days, which they claimed was uncommonly slow, because their nitrogen purging equipment was down for a couple days for service.

They installed a new erector housing, communicated well, and commented favorably on my krylon paintjob.

A good experience...

I prefer Premier's product in use (not that I disliked my Bender), but haven't had to deal with Premier yet.

While it's great when you have a "zero maintenance" experience with a product, the bottom line is the scopes in question here are lifetime investments - they're meant to be in service forever, essentially... They're all going to need a checkup/tuneup/service at some point, so I think it's rather wise for the OP to consider what the service experience might be like, for the day he, or the next owner perhaps, needs to use it... This of course kind of factors into resale value.

 

[Tackman11]

Re: S&B vs. USO vs. Premier Reticles ?

I like USO due the fact that you could custom your own feature for your scope. I love the Gap reticle, the service is great and they are local for me.

 

[lazy21]

Re: S&B vs. USO vs. Premier Reticles ?

USO has the best customer service I've ever dealt with. To be fair, Paul at premier was awesome too with a issue I had on one of mine. What sets USO from the others are the options, USO is much compared to whataburger. 36864 ways to build your scope(not that many but you get the point). On top of that, if you go with USO. I take care of all hide members and will do my best to earn your business.

 

[Sportin Wood]

Re: S&B vs. USO vs. Premier Reticles ?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: lazy21</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I take care of all hide members and will do my best to earn your business. </div></div>


+10000!!! Talk to Lazy if you have any questions about USO's or what kinda deal you can get through him. He busts his ass to get us the exact scope we need, with all the bells an whistles for a price we want

!! I've never ran a S&B, but I love my USO!!

 

[JKaiser]

Re: S&B vs. USO vs. Premier Reticles ?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: StanwoodSpartan</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: lazy21</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I take care of all hide members and will do my best to earn your business. </div></div>


+10000!!! Talk to Lazy if you have any questions about USO's or what kinda deal you can get through him. He busts his ass to get us the exact scope we need, with all the bells an whistles for a price we want

!! I've never ran a S&B, but I love my USO!!</div></div>

+ A million. I've changed all my rifle scopes to USO. Lazy will take care of you for sure.

 

[bward]

Re: S&B vs. USO vs. Premier Reticles ?

All 3 are equal in customer service in my opinion. All are very good in that area. Where the scopes are not equal is in overall quality. S&B > Premier >>> USO in my experience and I've owned 8 or so S&B's, 3 Premiers, and 4 USO's.

 

[stickbow46]

Re: S&B vs. USO vs. Premier Reticles ?

I own several S&B also Premier's never had a USO.I have never had to send any back but I have had dealings with Paul @ Premier & can't say enough good things about him.I've read nothing but good things about USO,that being said I don't think you can go wrong with any of these scopes.

 

[VKC]

Re: S&B vs. USO vs. Premier Reticles ?

I owned scopes from all those companies, but never had to send back my scope(s) with problems. They are all reputable companies.

 

[popndrop]

Re: S&B vs. USO vs. Premier Reticles ?

I can't speak to Premier, but own USO & Schmidt, I haven't had any issues with my Schmidts, but did have an issue with a USO. I live in so Cal, so I drove it over to them, and they were just great about fixing the issue very promptly as I waited, I was very impressed by the customer service.
I still have to say I prefer Schmidt glass, but am happy to own some USO.

 

[Rob01]

Re: S&B vs. USO vs. Premier Reticles ?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: bward</div><div class="ubbcode-body">All 3 are equal in customer service in my opinion. All are very good in that area. Where the scopes are not equal is in overall quality. S&B > Premier >>> USO in my experience and I've owned 8 or so S&B's, 3 Premiers, and 4 USO's.</div></div>

I would concur with that after owning about 7 S&Bs, 2 Premiers and 5 USOs.

 

[EventHorizon]

Re: S&B vs. USO vs. Premier Reticles ?

I've only owned Premier out of those 3.

I had an issue (my fault) with my Premier. On a Sunday I emailed Paul, he replied with documentation detailing how I should have done what I had tried to do without reading the online instructions. When I screwed that up he emailed me more advice. Then I got it working. Non-issue resolved.

On a Sunday.

What's also missing from your list is Hensoldt. I have one of those too. I ruin one of my O-rings when adjusting the turret. Phone Zeiss (on a Monday) and they had a new set in the mail and at my door by Thursday. My only gripe about Hensoldt is the thickness of the reticle, it makes trying to hit small stones at 600+ harder than it already is.

Good luck with your purchase.

 

[58blackflag]

Re: S&B vs. USO vs. Premier Reticles ?

Some good reading on the subject...

http://demigodllc.com/articles/optics-for-long-range-rifle-shooting-2009-update/

Outlines the different features as well as pros/cons for each co's stuff.

 

[paraiso]

Re: S&B vs. USO vs. Premier Reticles ?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: i_rep</div><div class="ubbcode-body">

I own all three as well. I find myself behind the PH more than the others just cause I really like the XR reticle. It can be found if you look real hard in S&B (kinda rare) it can also be special ordered in a USO.

I would agree the best service is the kind not needed.</div></div>

 

[shooterone]

Re: S&B vs. USO vs. Premier Reticles ?

I own several USO scopes and have shot them side by side with premier and S&B. It might be the 44mm objective on the USO compared to 56mm of the others, but I would rate the Schmidt and Premier as having better glass.

 

[25MAN]

Re: S&B vs. USO vs. Premier Reticles ?

I own S&B and USO both great scopes...I have not shot a Premier yet.

The schmidts I have owned definitely have nicer glass than the USO but that being said all three you mentioned are top quality scopes and you will be fine with any of them. In the few matches I have shot in my early comp career I have seen more US Optics atop comp guns than any other scope manufacturer...so they cant be that bad.

Biggest advantages to USO over the Schmidt in my opinion are that USO offers you better recticle choices, they are a huge sponsor of the shooting sports(nice to give back to those who give to us) and are made right here in the US which not many things are anymore, and lastly, price you can get a cutomized USO for alot less than a Schmidt...you can save a few hundred or more and put that towards other things you need.

I am by no means saying they are better than Schmidt since I believe they are the best scope going, USO are certainly great scopes to considered for the reasons I mentioned above.

Good luck...can't go wrong with any of the above mentioned

 

[BCP]

Re: S&B vs. USO vs. Premier Reticles ?

If I could afford to put S&B on everything I would.

USO I didn't like the variables I used but I loved the 10X USO I used and think it's the best 10X you can buy.

Other than the Libertyoptics vs Premier debacle I don't have an opinion on them. The one I saw looked as good as a S&B though and their being made in the US is a plus.

edit: you should put Nightforce in the running too. Whenever I go to long range shoots out here it's Nightforce Nightforce Nightforce Nightforce all the way down the line...there has to be a reason for that...

 

[dbsinh2o]

Re: S&B vs. USO vs. Premier Reticles ?

I own S&B and USO. S&B seems to have slightly better glass. USO is built like no other scope, and the EREK knob is almost better than sex.

I ran into an issue with the solid cover for my EREK knob contacting the center adjusting screw, and USO sent me an updated part - no questions asked. They're a class act.

Due to the way Premier and their foreign distributor conducts business, they won't be getting mine.

 

[Hk996]

Re: S&B vs. USO vs. Premier Reticles ?

I have both a 5-25 premier and S&B and like both of them. I've had great customer service with both also. My S&B was bought as a demo unit and my friend noticed that the turret felt mushy... I sent it in and had the scope back in a week. They replaced the internal parts on the turret and did a cleaning of the lens.

I sent the premier in for Paul to check after I saw a thread here about torquing the rings too tight. I didn't notice anything, but I asked Paul to see if he could check it anyways. He ckecked and cleans my lens also. Scope was back within a week and a half.

Now as far as reticles go... it's really hard to say... I really love the Gen2 XR AND the P4L.

Optics are the same... I try to compare them all the time at the range and can't see a difference. I do that at 400 or more yards out because less than that they are exactly the same unless you use less then 8x then S&B has the tunneling.

Other than that... only differences are the S&B parallax knob is easier to turn than Premier and the premier turrets with MTC is the best (for me).