Rifle Scopes Has Vortex improved the PST 2.5-10x44 since Ilya's less than flattering evaluation?

[scudzuki]

I like everything about this scope (except for the fixed parallax) but found a 2 year old camparo Ilya wrote where he found the optics in the Vortex were by far the weakest link in the scope and considerably worse than the products he compared it to.

I see Vortex uses XD glass in the 2.5-10x44. I can't imagine it's all that awful, and maybe Vortex has tweaked the design in the years since it first came out. I recently had a chance to look through a PST 6-24x50 FFP at my range on an overcast day and was pretty impressed with the clarity and brightness.

The scope I am looking for will be going on a Remmy 700 AAC-SD that I will use under 600 yards at the range and possibly for hunting deer.

In the same price range is a Sightron SIII 3.5-10x44 that I suspect has very good glass for the money, as I've heard nothing but rave reviews for SIII glass. Although the Sightron comes with a mildot reticle, it has MOA turrets, and I am an MRAD guy who likes matching turrets. The Sightron also has adjustable parallax; I'm not sure how much potential there is for inaccuracy from parallax error using a 100 yard fixed parallax scope at 600 yards target.

Anyone with experience with the PST 2.5-10x44 care to weigh in?

Thanks in advance.

Joe

 

[glock24]

Yes, they did.

It's called the 2.5-10x32mm PST.

 

[scudzuki]

Sure, for a couple hundred bucks more.

Trying not to spend that much, but thanks for the marginally useful response.

Joe

 

[Rob01]

Only $100 more and FFP.

 

[AtOne]

Have the 2.5-10 a 6-24 PST and a 5-20 Razor and have owned the 4-16 also.

I don't think they've done anything to change the glass but to me and my eye's I'm not complaining about 2.5-10.

For the price of the scope with zero stop, Mrad turrets, FFP at 10x with detents at other magnification ranges to allow you to compensate for it not being a true FFP it works for me.

I can see my bullet holes at 100 yards shooting my 5.56 and mark shooting order while I'm load developing, so clear enough for that distance, 200 yards not so much. Haven't tried it with the other scopes at 10x to see If I can with them or not.

Would I feel better about a parallax knob...sure but so far I don't feel its hindered any of my group shooting on paper and for steel there's not issues with it at all.

 

[SomeOtherGuy]

I bought a Viper PST 2.5-10x44 in November. Sold it, never mounted, in February. The glass was not good to my eyes. I just couldn't find any distance at which the target image was truly in focus. It was also very sensitive to eye position, and had a fair bit of chromatic aberration as well. The 2.5-10x32 PST has been described as having an entirely different optical system, which to me is an admission that the x44 was not great and not easily fixable. I also find it interesting that they put a side focus on a scope that maxed out at 10x32, which usually wouldn't really need a focus - again, to me an admission of, and hopefully total correction to, the issues with the x44.

I haven't handled the Sightron SIII, but would note it's now available in mil/mil flavor, though still with a simple Army style mildot instead of one of the newer mil-based reticles.

The SWFA SS 3-9x42 is pretty compelling at $599 if you don't need illumination. Other than lacking illumination it's in a class above the Viper PST 2.5-10x44. Of course it has less magnification range and no zero stop shim, but if you handle both side by side you'll see the difference in quality and clarity. And it really does not seem to miss anything from not having a focus/parallax adjustment.

 

[scudzuki]

Only $100 more and FFP.

Everywhere I've seen it the x32 is $200 more and out of stock. FFP is not important to me in a low power scope like this.

I bought a Viper PST 2.5-10x44 in November. Sold it, never mounted, in February. The glass was not good to my eyes. I just couldn't find any distance at which the target image was truly in focus. It was also very sensitive to eye position, and had a fair bit of chromatic aberration as well. The 2.5-10x32 PST has been described as having an entirely different optical system, which to me is an admission that the x44 was not great and not easily fixable. I also find it interesting that they put a side focus on a scope that maxed out at 10x32, which usually wouldn't really need a focus - again, to me an admission of, and hopefully total correction to, the issues with the x44.

I haven't handled the Sightron SIII, but would note it's now available in mil/mil flavor, though still with a simple Army style mildot instead of one of the newer mil-based reticles.

The SWFA SS 3-9x42 is pretty compelling at $599 if you don't need illumination. Other than lacking illumination it's in a class above the Viper PST 2.5-10x44. Of course it has less magnification range and no zero stop shim, but if you handle both side by side you'll see the difference in quality and clarity. And it really does not seem to miss anything from not having a focus/parallax adjustment.

I've read a number of reviews since my OP and there are more than a few people thrilled with this scope.
Apparently there is some variation between different examples of the same scope.
Still on the fence; I may go with the SS instead, since illumination is not a deal breaker.

Joe

 

[Rob01]

Everywhere I've seen it the x32 is $200 more and out of stock. FFP is not important to me in a low power scope like this.

And if you just LOOK and don't call you will pay $200 more. Street price is $699 vs the $599 for the x44. Call Scott at Liberty Optics.

As to stock, it might not be. You might have to wait a little. Way of the world sometimes.

 

[scatterbrains]

Still on the fence; I may go with the SS instead, since illumination is not a deal breaker.

If illumination isnt a deal breaker and it will be a hunting scope you could look into the Viper HS 2.5-10x44, its basically a PST w/o exposed turrets or illumination.

 

[scudzuki]

And if you just LOOK and don't call you will pay $200 more. Street price is $699 vs the $599 for the x44. Call Scott at Liberty Optics.

As to stock, it might not be. You might have to wait a little. Way of the world sometimes.

Waiting a little is fine. Waiting for months is not.
Scott apparently took the day off today.

If illumination isnt a deal breaker and it will be a hunting scope you could look into the Viper HS 2.5-10x44, its basically a PST w/o exposed turrets or illumination.

My concern with the PST (or the HS) is optical quality that's been rated much lower than competing products.
I am not a glass snob; I just sold an S&B PMII and replaced it with an XRS.
I do not have to settle, though; the SS 3-9 is reputed to have very good glass for the money.
Of course they are out of stock and with the stories I've heard regarding waiting for SWFA out of stock products to ship, looks like I'm not gonna be buying an SS either.

Joe

 

[priler]

the sightron Slll 3.5-10x44 LRMD/CM is mil/mil. the LRIRMOA is moa/moa and illuminated. both have lots of adjustment.

i think some of the pictures are wrong. this is what it looks like. Sightron SIII 3.5-10x44 LRMD/CM - YouTube

you can see the turrets there. very nice.

 

[scudzuki]

Scott from Liberty Optics called me back.
As a Hide member he offered me the 2.5-10x32 at a price no one else can touch.
Come to think of it, he does that every time I call him.

Decisions, decisions.

Joe

 

[scudzuki]

the sightron Slll 3.5-10x44 LRMD/CM is mil/mil. the LRIRMOA is moa/moa and illuminated. both have lots of adjustment.

i think some of the pictures are wrong. this is what it looks like. Sightron SIII 3.5-10x44 LRMD/CM - YouTube

you can see the turrets there. very nice.

Based on the website, it looked to me like the knobs on the mildot scope were MOA.
Being as they're mil, with adjustable parallax and Siii glass, this could be the scope to beat for the price.

Thanks.

Joe

 

[scudzuki]

I went with the Sightron.
Thanks Priler for bringing the mil knobs to my attention.

Joe

 

[priler]

dollars to donuts your going to love the glass first time out. sightron seems to spend it's money,in making these,on the right stuff that matters. they're slowly offering more of the frills/features,again that matter,as time goes by. they don't spend much on advertising and they're certainly not the "internet darlings". more money spent than on the Slll line will get you diminishing returns,...equal,can easily get you less quality where it counts,...less,and you can't touch the quality.


i'm sure they'll come out with FFP options later on. it'll cost more tough.




if i was wrong about the glass,make me eat me hat right here.