• Watch Out for Scammers!

    We've now added a color code for all accounts. Orange accounts are new members, Blue are full members, and Green are Supporters. If you get a message about a sale from an orange account, make sure you pay attention before sending any money!

Question on scope evolution

Wildfire1550

Private
Full Member
Minuteman
Aug 27, 2012
447
114
Arizona
I would assume scopes like everything else get better every year due to technology. With that said how would say a 10-15 year old SBII compare to a new model or even a lower model such as a vortex? Curious as to your thoughts
 
Older scopes tend to lack a few modern features but if they fit your usage work perfectly well.

Lack of elevation compared to modern scopes is a common occurrence, PMII and Hensoldt ZF 4x16 certainly suffer this as does my old Horus Falcon.

All three are still good to excellent scopes as long as they fit your needs.

My Horus works well on my 260 and a buddy does pretty well with a ZF on a 338 NM and plenty here still like the PMII
 
Some scopes are timeless. Somehow, S&B, Leupold, Nighforce all seem good 10 year old models. I am not sure how much the PM-II has changed, other than reticle. I think it is the same glass.
 
Same glass after 10 years? I’d be surprised if so, although I’m told I’ve been wrong before (jury still out).

Glass technology, particularly coatings, has advanced dramatically in the last 20 years, although maybe enough of that advancement happened early that top-end scopes from 10 years back can compete with mid-high tiers now, esp on value if you get a great “obsolete” discount.
 
What is the specific question? There is kind of a lot here to unpack if I try to address everything. There is also a terminology issue. The phrase "it is all the same glass" is both broad and blindingly meaningless, so I don't really know where to start.

ILya
Baseline question: can a 15-year-old scope stand up to modern scopes? Maybe (to speak for the OP) also, will a 15-year-old top-line scope compare well to modern mid- or upper-mid-tier scopes?
 
Baseline question: can a 15-year-old scope stand up to modern scopes? Maybe (to speak for the OP) also, will a 15-year-old top-line scope compare well to modern mid- or upper-mid-tier scopes?

That depends on the scope and scope type. S&B 5-25x56 still acquits itself pretty well and is easily a top tier scope. The latest TT and ZCO design are, generally better, but it is the same class of scope.

With some other designs, like LPVOs that went through a significant development process in the last decade, there is nothing from 15 years ago that would be truly competitive with them.

In general, I think the most improvement overall was with $1500-$2000 scopes. A 15-20 year old $1500 scope can't hold a candle overall to the modern designs in this price range.

ILya
 
That depends on the scope and scope type. S&B 5-25x56 still acquits itself pretty well and is easily a top tier scope. The latest TT and ZCO design are, generally better, but it is the same class of scope.

With some other designs, like LPVOs that went through a significant development process in the last decade, there is nothing from 15 years ago that would be truly competitive with them.

In general, I think the most improvement overall was with $1500-$2000 scopes. A 15-20 year old $1500 scope can't hold a candle overall to the modern designs in this price range.

ILya
Sweet, thanks. Also, loved your MDS podcast, I learned many new things from that one, always a pleasure!