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Rifle Scopes 34mm showdown

:

  • Athlon Ares ETR

    Votes: 50 38.5%

  • Brownells MPO

    Votes: 14 10.8%

  • Bushnell DMR2i

    Votes: 47 36.2%

  • Meopta Optika6

    Votes: 15 11.5%

  • Steiner P4Xi

    Votes: 24 18.5%
  • Total voters
    130
spife7980

spife7980

Luchador
Full Member
Minuteman
Feb 10, 2017
13,087
15,400
Central TX
34mm go



Edit: The Athlon Ares ETR won the poll but I found a cronus btr for only 100 bucks more than the ares so I went that route. Sorry for any disappointment this may have caused.
 
Last edited:
They are the $700-1000 34mm options. Really that’s all the criteria I had. Think I should add another before it gets going?
 
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I just read the title and was hoping to get an answer in but I really have no experience with any of those lol.

I think if they're all priced very similar, you should keep it as is. Unless you find others that can compete price wise...
 
stello1001 said:
Hell of a scope with great glass, almost bought a 3-15 yesterday for a bit over $500 new...
Click to expand...
I still think it has the best turrets. No tool zero adjustment? I haven’t seen all scopes but I’ve never seen anything like it. No more Alan wrenches to loose.
 
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Bender said:
I still think it has the best turrets. No tool zero adjustment? I haven’t seen all scopes but I’ve never seen anything like it. No more Alan wrenches to loose.
Click to expand...

The no tool zero adjustment was very nice. I never got to use my 6-30 so I don't know if those had a zero stop but my 3-15 did not have one. Though the 6-30 had 10 mil per revolution turrets and I doubt you'd need more than that for shooting out to 1000y.
 
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stello1001 said:
The no tool zero adjustment was very nice. I never got to use my 6-30 so I don't know if those had a zero stop but my 3-15 did not have one. Though the 6-30 had 10 mil per revolution turrets and I doubt you'd need more than that for shooting out to 1000y.
Click to expand...
Yes. The 6-30 has a zero stop. It’s like a vault doorstop. The erector in this is amazing. Only wish for a better reticle.
 
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Ryridesmotox said:
DMR2 pro is with the extra coin
Click to expand...
Ehh, Ive had one and sold it for lack of illumination. Illumination wont make or break my scope choice now, but it did at the time. Kept my lrtsi and xrs2 though. I dont really want to go over a grand this time.

wb00757 said:
Lots of votes for the Optika 6. Where does it gain advantage over the other options?
Click to expand...
I am surprised at that too, I assume people are wanting someone me to take the plunge first which Im not opposed to. I am equally surprised that the brownells mpo isnt right there with it in the polls though.

Bender said:
My no longer made Weaver 6-30
Click to expand...
Ill trade you my 3-10 for your 6-30.:cool:
 
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Just seen a DMR2 Pro go for 1100 I think their the scope to beat, proven tracking monsters decent-very nice glass, great price point. Decent reticles. No fluff
 
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Yeah I would have expected the MPO and Optika 6 to be flipped.... I'm putting in an order for an MPO on the 1st. Kept going back and forth with the Optika but the fact that it's from Brownells and @Shooter McGavin giving some good comparisons helped me make my decision. I feel like you are getting more for the money with these new scopes over options that are a few years old (not that those other options haven't rightfully earned their reputation).
 
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The DMR II is the only one on the list that I have experience with. I quickly sold mine. I didn’t know what chromatic aberration was until I bought that scope.

I would like an illuminated pro when they decide to make them.
 
I know I allowed it because I went and checked the options to see if it was possible but... people are changing their votes :unsure:
 
Ares ETR has been a rock solid scope for me since its release. Glass is above its price point IMHO. Love the dot RETICLE. Only one I would take on this list without blinking an eye. I did not like the DMR2 and would take the ETR over it all day
 
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koshkin said:
Which models are we considering for this? And for which platforms?

I am sorta familiar with all of these.

ILya
Click to expand...
It’ll be the higher powered models where there is an option available so 5-25or 5-30 and not the 3-18s.
And it’ll be going on something... what exactly depends on the choice. I can move some scopes around to put it where it fits best, replacing the lrtsi on a hunting rifle or straight into the new target rifle. Doesn’t really matter to me, I just need to fill a set of 34mm rings lol

black max said:
Can the illuminated DMR2 be had for 1k or less new?
Click to expand...
I just realized the cameralandny deal isn’t the illluminated, shit. Oh well, the non illuminated then if I can’t find the i on sale.
 
My meopta 4.5-27 is really nice. It feels solid, I have no doubt the 34mm is just as nice. I’m probably going to have one. The DMR2s I’ve had were lacking in the glass. But they are solid in the turrets and durability.
I think with the current list, it would be Meopta and Athlon. Mainly because of how nice the meopta glass is, and the Athlon has that quick turn around warranty. I could be wrong, but I don’t think meopta has the warranty benefits of the Athlon. It’s got a lifetime warranty, but I dont think it has the no questions asked what ever happens we’ll fix it warranty. That didn’t stop me from buying one and I’m glad I did.
 
spife7980 said:
I just realized the cameralandny deal isn’t the illluminated, shit. Oh well, the non illuminated then if I can’t find the i on sale.
Click to expand...

Sure it is, you must be looking in the wrong spot, $999 here:

Product Description

Product Description | Camera Land NY
cameralandny.com cameralandny.com

And for $100 more, $1099 with Kestrel:


Product Description

Product Description | Camera Land NY
cameralandny.com cameralandny.com

The DMRII PRO is more $$ and not offered with illumination but has the better ED (extra low dispersion) glass.


Regards,

TM6
 
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It was a deal I couldn't pass up or i wouldn't have bought it. Scope, Seekins rings and an Atlas CAL bipod for a grand.
 
Well, this is sort of an odd list.

The best low light scope in the group is P4Xi 4-16x56, but the magnification range is very different than the rest of them.

Brownells MPO might be the best rounded option of the bunch overall, but the 5-25x56 while very nice, is not quite as nice as the 3-18x50. If we were talking about the smaller versions, it would be the MPO 3-18x50 for 50mm scopes and PST Gen 2 3-15x44 for 42-44mm scopes.

I think Optika6 5-30x56 has the best reticle of the bunch (I know I am biased, but I designed this reticle because I like it), and it is very respectable optically.

Athlon ETR is very close to the Meopta in terms of image quality, but the reticle is thinner than I like. Both scopes track well and both benefit from a sunshade a fair bit. However, for my tastes, ETR reticle is too thin. I really prefer larger center dots.

With DMR, I has seen too much variability with DMR and DMR II. DMR Pro is better, but needs to be illuminated. Given the level of competition, I really insist on FFP scopes of this type having reticle illumination.

For me, depending on final use, the choice is between Optika 6, MPO and P4Xi.

ILya
 
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TM6 said:
Sure it is, you must be looking in the wrong spot, $999 here:

Product Description

Product Description | Camera Land NY
cameralandny.com cameralandny.com

And for $100 more, $1099 with Kestrel:


Product Description

Product Description | Camera Land NY
cameralandny.com cameralandny.com

The DMRII PRO is more $$ and not offered with illumination but has the better ED (extra low dispersion) glass.


Regards,

TM6
Click to expand...
It’s just not part of the sale for 100 bucks less than that like the h59 and nonilluminated models are.
 
I see your point!

Maybe Doug has an open box illuminated DMRII that he could offer for $899, might pay to call and ask? Otherwise, probably be best served with the MPO 3-18x50 as koshkin suggest at same price point of $999.


If you use coupon code "RTB" you can get the MPO for $909 shipped.

TM6
 
Are you sure about that code? If you have an MPO in your cart it removes the ability to enter discount codes
 
yep!

The code works but you must enter your zip code before applying the discount code.

TM6
 
Last edited:
TM6 said:
I see your point!

Maybe Doug has an open box illuminated DMRII that he could offer for $899, might pay to call and ask? Otherwise, probably be best served with the MPO 3-18x50 as koshkin suggest at same price point of $999.


If you use coupon code "RTB" you can get the MPO for $909 shipped.

TM6
Click to expand...
When I put it in my cart it says promo codes not applicable to MPO scopes
 
I don't know why it works for me and not others. I add scope to my cart, enter my zip in shipping destination box, and then manually enter "RTB" in promo code box and this is what I see. It accepts the code and subtracts 10%,($99.99). I have no plans to purchase the scope, just thought I'd pass along the code to others whom might be interested in it as it worked for me.

I did not click on the "RTB" code at top of Brownell's page, I manually typed it into the promo box and hit apply.

TM6

LRTS-MPO 008.JPG
 
TM6 said:
I don't know why it works for me and not others. I add scope to my cart, enter my zip in shipping destination box, and then manually enter "RTB" in promo code box and this is what I see. It accepts the code and subtracts 10%,($99.99). I have no plans to purchase the scope, just thought I'd pass along the code to others whom might be interested in it as it worked for me.

I did not click on the "RTB" code at top of Brownell's page, I manually typed it into the promo box and hit apply.

TM6

View attachment 7234296
Click to expand...
The discount code box doesn’t even show on mine when the scope is in the cart. I signed in and tried it. Same thing. Entered zip code. Same thing.
237C54A1-4592-48F1-A17C-C623FD99E8B3.png
 
This post got me thinking... @steve123 Would the Midas TAC 5-25 really be a better choice than the Ares ETR?
I was assuming the Ares ETR would reign supreme in the glass department and that the Midas TAC line had the same turret design as the ares ETR which would give the edge to the Ares overall...
 
spife7980 said:
This post got me thinking... @steve123 Would the Midas TAC 5-25 really be a better choice than the Ares ETR?
I was assuming the Ares ETR would reign supreme in the glass department and that the Midas TAC line had the same turret design as the ares ETR which would give the edge to the Ares overall...
Click to expand...

Having just bought a Midas Tac 6-24, as much as it’s a great value, and after looking at the 5-25, the Ares ETR is definitely the better scope and worth the double 6-24 price and well worth the $400 more than the 5-25 to me.
 
spife7980 said:
This post got me thinking... @steve123 Would the Midas TAC 5-25 really be a better choice than the Ares ETR?
I was assuming the Ares ETR would reign supreme in the glass department and that the Midas TAC line had the same turret design as the ares ETR which would give the edge to the Ares overall...
Click to expand...

No. The Midas TAC is a great scope for the money but the glass is not Ares ETR... I am highly impressed with both my Ares ETR glass. It's very very good.
 
spife7980 said:
This post got me thinking... @steve123 Would the Midas TAC 5-25 really be a better choice than the Ares ETR?
I was assuming the Ares ETR would reign supreme in the glass department and that the Midas TAC line had the same turret design as the ares ETR which would give the edge to the Ares overall...
Click to expand...

I defer to JCIII and Padom on this one. Reason being it's too hard to tell the differences in glass inside the ShotShow, and the fact that I haven't owned either the ETR or the TAC HD.

But the turrets and the feel of the controls are super nice on both!

Man it's hard for me to consider buying $1500+ scopes anymore since I have no need currently. I have the S&B's on the nicer rifles and the mid to less expensive Athlon offerings on everything else.

I've been badgering the Athlon guys for more all .2 mil reticles in their lines, might have to let the TAC's go down the road now that the Gen2 Ares has turned out so good.
 
wb00757 said:
Yeah I would have expected the MPO and Optika 6 to be flipped.... I'm putting in an order for an MPO on the 1st. Kept going back and forth with the Optika but the fact that it's from Brownells and @Shooter McGavin giving some good comparisons helped me make my decision. I feel like you are getting more for the money with these new scopes over options that are a few years old (not that those other options haven't rightfully earned their reputation).
Click to expand...
The MPI has great glass and a cool reticle too. Really nice turrets also.
 
koshkin said:
Well, this is sort of an odd list.

The best low light scope in the group is P4Xi 4-16x56, but the magnification range is very different than the rest of them.

Brownells MPO might be the best rounded option of the bunch overall, but the 5-25x56 while very nice, is not quite as nice as the 3-18x50. If we were talking about the smaller versions, it would be the MPO 3-18x50 for 50mm scopes and PST Gen 2 3-15x44 for 42-44mm scopes.

I think Optika6 5-30x56 has the best reticle of the bunch (I know I am biased, but I designed this reticle because I like it), and it is very respectable optically.

Athlon ETR is very close to the Meopta in terms of image quality, but the reticle is thinner than I like. Both scopes track well and both benefit from a sunshade a fair bit. However, for my tastes, ETR reticle is too thin. I really prefer larger center dots.

With DMR, I has seen too much variability with DMR and DMR II. DMR Pro is better, but needs to be illuminated. Given the level of competition, I really insist on FFP scopes of this type having reticle illumination.

For me, depending on final use, the choice is between Optika 6, MPO and P4Xi.

ILya
Click to expand...
ILya,
How would you compare say the P4Xi 4-16x56 vs the MPO 3-18x50? Not so much low light, but the turrets, reticle, overall glass quality (CA, depth, color, FOV)? Thanks in advance. My only "mid-range" optics are the LRTSi and LRTS (3-12x). Thanks!!!

If I were buying today it'd be for something out to 800 meters or so.
 
Last edited:
wade2big said:
The DMR II is the only one on the list that I have experience with. I quickly sold mine. I didn’t know what chromatic aberration was until I bought that scope.

I would like an illuminated pro when they decide to make them.
Click to expand...
Exactly what I did, I didn’t know what CA was either, sold it
 
BytorJr said:
ILya,
How would you compare say the P4Xi 4-16x56 vs the MPO 3-18x50? Not so much low light, but the turrets, reticle, overall glass quality (CA, depth, color, FOV)? Thanks in advance. My only "mid-range" optics are the LRTSi and LRTS (3-12x). Thanks!!!

If I were buying today it'd be for something out to 800 meters or so.
Click to expand...

That is a little bit of a tough call. Resolution wise, they are pretty close, but P4Xi has better contrast. Aside from the objective size, that is the thing that helps P4Xi in low light.
Both have good turrets. I think P4Xi click feel is a little more firm. I do like the covered windage turret of the MPO though.
Depth of field is a little better on the P4Xi, but MPO give you a little more flexibility with its greater magnification range and it is smaller.

They have very different reticles and MPO's N-OMR reticle has really grown on me, to be honest, and I like tree reticles anyway. That having been said, SCR reticle in the P4Xi is very good and has been around for quite some time. We know it works because there are thousand of people using it out there with good success. If you are primarily a dialer, SCR is a very nice design. N-OMR does have better visbility on low power.

P4Xi is a bigger scope. For a bolt gun, I'd probably lean toward the P4Xi. For an accurate semi-auto, I think MPO is a more flexible option and, honestly, I use the reticle for hold-offs more on semi-auto guns than on bolt guns.

ILya
 
Just in case anyone is wondering, here's a list of all optics with 34mm tubes (source: optics database):

Arken Optics4-16x50 FFP
Arken Optics6-24x50 FFP
AthlonMidas TAC 5-25x56 FFP
AthlonCronus BTR 4.5-29x56 FFP
AthlonAres ETR 4.5-30x56
BrownellsMatch Precision 3-18x50
BrownellsMatch Precision 5-25x56
BurrisXTR II 1-8x24
BurrisXTR II 2-10x42
BurrisXTR II 3-15x50
BurrisXTR III 3.3-18x50
BurrisXTR II 4-20x50
BurrisXTR II 5-25x50
BurrisXTR III 5.5-30x56
BurrisXTR II 8-40x50
BushnellSMRS 1-8.5x24
BushnellDMR II 3.5-21x50
BushnellDMR II Pro 3.5-21x50
BushnellXRS 4.5-30x50
BushnellXRS II 4.5-30x50
CabelasCovenant7 3-21x50 FFP
CabelasCovenant7 3-21x50 SFP
CabelasCX Pro HD 5-25x56
CabelasCovenant7 5-35x56 FFP
CabelasCovenant7 5-35x56 SFP
Crimson Trace3-Series 1-8x28
Crimson Trace5-Series 1-8x28
Crimson Trace5-Series 3-18x50
Crimson Trace2-Series 6-24x56
Crimson Trace5-Series 3-24x56
Crimson Trace3-Series 5-25x56
Delta OpticalStryker HD 4.5-30x56
EOTechVudu 3.5-18x50
EOTechVudu 5-25x50
EOTechVudu 8-32x50
GPOGPOTAC 1-8x24
Hensoldt3-12x56
Hensoldt4-16x56
Hensoldt6-24x72
Hi-LuxCMR8F 1-8x26
Hi-LuxUni-Dial 5-30x56
Hi-LuxPhenom 5-30x56
KahlesK318i 3-18x50
KahlesK624i 6-24x56
KahlesK525i 5-25x56
LeupoldMark 6 1-6x20
LeupoldMark 8 1.1-8x24
LeupoldMark 6 3-18x44
LeupoldVX-5HD 4-20x52
LeupoldVX-5HD 7-35x56
LeupoldVX-6 7-42x56
March5-40x56
March5-50x56
March10-60x56
March8-80x56
MeoptaOptika6 5-30x56 FFP
MinoxZP8 1-8x24
MinoxZP5 3-15x50
MinoxZP5 5-25x56
NightForceATACR 1-8x24 F1
NightForceATACR 4-16x50 F1
NightForceATACR 4-16x42 F1
NightForceATACR 4-16x50
NightForceATACR 5-25x56
NightForceATACR 5-25x56 F1
NightForceBEAST 5-25x56
NightForceATACR 7-35x56 F1
NightForceATACR 7-35x56 F2
Noblex-Doctervector 5-30x56 ED
Primary ArmsPLx8 1-8x24 FFP
Primary ArmsPLx5 6-30x56 FFP
RevicPMR428 4.5-28x56
RitonRT-S MOD7 1-8x28 IR-T
RitonRT-S MOD7 1-8x28 IR-H
RitonRT-S MOD7 5-25x56
RitonRT-S MOD7 4-32x56
Schmidt Bender1.5-8x26 PM II ShortDot
Schmidt Bender2.5-10x50 Polar
Schmidt Bender3-12x50 PM II
Schmidt Bender3-12x54 Polar
Schmidt Bender3-12x54 PM II Ultra Bright
Schmidt Bender3-12x50 PM II P
Schmidt Bender3-12x50 PM II LP
Schmidt Bender4-16x56 Polar
Schmidt Bender4-16x56 PM II Ultra Bright
Schmidt Bender5-20x50 PM II Ultra Short
Schmidt Bender3-20x50 PM II Ultra Short
Schmidt Bender3-20x50 PM II LP MTC
Schmidt Bender3-21x50 Exos
Schmidt Bender5-25x56 PM II LP
Schmidt Bender5-25x56 PM II LP MTC
Schmidt Bender3-27x56 PM II High Power
Schmidt Bender5-45x56 PM II High Power
Schmidt Bender12.5-50x56 Field Target II
Schmidt Bender12-50x56 PM II P
SIG SauerTango6 3-18x44
SIG SauerTango6 4-24x50
SIG SauerTango6 5-30x56
SightMarkPinnacle 3-18x44
SightmarkLatitude 6.5-25x56 PRS
SightmarkLatitude 6.5-25x56 F-Class
SightMarkPinnacle 5-30x50
SightmarkLatitude 8-32x60
SightmarkLatitude 10-40x60
SightronSV 4.5-24x56
SightronSIII LR 10-50x60
SightronSV 10-50x60 ZS
SightronSV 10-50x60
SteinerM8Xi 1-8x24
SteinerT5Xi 3-15x50
SteinerM5Xi 3-15x50
SteinerP4Xi 4-16x56
SteinerT5Xi 5-25x56
SteinerM5Xi 5-25x56
SteinerM7Xi 4-28x56
Tangent ThetaTT315P 3-15x50
Tangent ThetaTT525P 5-25x56
TrijiconAccuPower 1-8x28
TrijiconCredo 1-8x28
TrijiconCredo HX 1-8x28
TrijiconAccuPower 4.5-30x56
TrijiconTenmile 4.5-30x56
TrijiconAccuPower 5-50x56
TrijiconTenmile 5-50x56
US OpticsSVS 1-6x24
US OpticsBFX10 10x42
US OpticsB-10 1.8-10x42
US OpticsTS-12X 3-12x42
US OpticsB-17 3.2-17x50
US OpticsTS-20X 2.5-20x50
US OpticsB-25 5-25x52
VortexRazor HD Gen III 1-10x24 FFP
VortexRazor HD Gen II 3-18x50 FFP
VortexRazor HD Gen II 4.5-27x56 FFP
WeaverTactical 1-7x24
 
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