Rifle Scopes No bashing, just experienced. IOR SH ed vrs NXS R1

[strick9]

Any one owned both The IOR Snipers Hide FFP 3x18x42 and the Nightforce 3x15x50 with Npr1. I had the NXS and the glass kinda dissapointed me. I have read extensivly on the IOR and Mp 8 and get mixed feelings. I can mil or moa, no matter. Any professional opinions as I need another pretty quickly.

 

[Ratbert]

Re: No bashing, just experienced. IOR SH ed vrs NXS R1

Well, since the glass in the NXS was disappointing I really don't know what to tell you. The glass in my SH IOR was great, but then so was the glass in my NXS.

The form factor on the IOR turrets is nicer, but the NXS fit and finish feels better. The IOR clicks are a little bit soft, but not too bad. The reticle is where the IOR really shines, IMHO. It is thick enough and designed well enough to use hold overs even @ 3x, yet the center aiming dot makes it quite easy to shoot very precisely @ 18x.

The turret housing on the IOR is very close to the objective, on a bolt gun this severely limits how far back you can mount the scope, if you have a short neck or a really long LOP stock then you might have problems getting it close enough to your eye. I had EGW build a base for me that actually extended back over the bolt shroud and it's available as part of their regular catalog for R700 now.

The ocular obviously won't rotate the way the NXS does, which always annoys me, but the 35mm tube is going to severely limit your choice of rings. I like Seekins rings, so not an issue for me.

To summarize, I had one of the original SH edition scopes, sold it, bought several different USO's, a NXS, and a premiere since then, sold most of them, and just bought a replacement IOR. That's got to say something in their favor. Only NXS I see myself buying anytime soon might be another of the 2.5-10 models.

Good deals on SH IOR's can be found, that's the main reason I grabbed one. @ 1200 they're a great value, I'm not so sure how I'd feel about spending $1500+ on a new one, would probably rather have a Razor for that scratch.

 

[prplhaz72]

Re: No bashing, just experienced. IOR SH ed vrs NXS R1

I don't own the NXS, but I have compared them glass quality wise side by side with my IOR SH. I thought the IOR had a well defined advantage that way. Mechanically IORs are very good in my experience. I have owned 7 or them over the last few years and each one of them was tracked perfectly over and over again.

We also know that NIghtforce are great in that regard as well.

Most people will agree that IOR does have the advantage with glass quality. But some do not feel they are as durable, mostly because of the early SH editions that had issues.

 

[918v]

Re: No bashing, just experienced. IOR SH ed vrs NXS R1

I was also disappointed with NF glass. It lacks contrast.

 

[AK10mm]

Re: No bashing, just experienced. IOR SH ed vrs NXS R1

I just sold an NXS 5.5-22x50 and replaced it with a 3rd gen SH IOR,just got it today,came with Seekins rings.Guess I'll see how I like it.I do like the single turn elevation knob,and the glass is better than the NXS IMHO.That 35mm tube lets in a lot of light also.

 

[Ratbert]

Re: No bashing, just experienced. IOR SH ed vrs NXS R1

The amount of light transmitted is a function of exit pupil (correlating closely with objective size) and the efficiency of the optical coatings. The larger tube provides more room for the reticle to move and thus more available travel on your turrets, however it won't make your image any brighter.

 

[prplhaz72]

Re: No bashing, just experienced. IOR SH ed vrs NXS R1

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Ratbert</div><div class="ubbcode-body">The amount of light transmitted is a function of exit pupil (correlating closely with objective size) and the efficiency of the optical coatings. The larger tube provides more room for the reticle to move and thus more available travel on your turrets, however it won't make your image any brighter. </div></div>

True that. Didn't that myth come about because of our wonderful Leupold marketing BS. Claiming that their 30mm Euro scope was as bright as the 30mm European scopes because of the extra tube size. Then someone took one apart and found that it still had 1 inch internals. Gotta love Leupold.

 

[NorCal Vu]

Re: No bashing, just experienced. IOR SH ed vrs NXS R1

Friends don't let friends buy IOR.

NXS are freaking bomber scopes.

IOR...seen the SH Edition FAIL. Not one but each one of them that hit our line. One failed twice. After coming back from repair..failed again.

NXS...seen 2 go down in the last 3 years and the majority of our guys are NXS users.

 

[tman300wm]

Re: No bashing, just experienced. IOR SH ed vrs NXS R1

The IOR does have great glass, and so far mine has functioned quite well. However, the tubes on the IOR are very thin, and they have been prone to problems. My NXS is built like a tank, and has served me well. Honestly, the NXS is a better scope if you are competing with your rifle. It will survive the punishment of a match, can't say the same for the IOR. IOR just does not seem interested in doing what they need to do to make a truly superior optic. They make fine glass (it's a fact) but it takes a good bit more than glass to make a scope. The NXS would be my choice……

 

[Ratbert]

Re: No bashing, just experienced. IOR SH ed vrs NXS R1

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: tman300wm</div><div class="ubbcode-body">The IOR does have great glass, and so far mine has functioned quite well. However, the tubes on the IOR are very thin, and they have been prone to problems. My NXS is built like a tank, and has served me well. Honestly, the NXS is a better scope if you are competing with your rifle. It will survive the punishment of a match, can't say the same for the IOR. IOR just does not seem interested in doing what they need to do to make a truly superior optic. They make fine glass (it's a fact) but it takes a good bit more than glass to make a scope. The NXS would be my choice…… </div></div>

Yeah, I should point out that I'm keeping the Premier on my match gun, the IOR will be sitting on a range queen for casual shooting. But I know Boyette keeps his on his match 308 and hasn't had any problems I know of. One only has to take a look at the bullet holes in his pickup to see he doesn't exactly 'baby' his equipment.

 

[Rancid Coolaid]

Re: No bashing, just experienced. IOR SH ed vrs NXS R1

I've owned both, sold both. The SH IOR eventually failed the guy that bought it (a fellow Hide member, full disclosure before the sale.)

The glass in the IOR was sharper and better contrast, but the damn things fail allot.
The glass in the NXS wasn't as great, but the damn thing is all but bullet-proof.

What good is great glass if the damn scope fails when you need it most?

I replaced the NF with a Premier, seems just as tough to me, and glass (in mine) is better than IOR. If you can throw in a few hundred more $$, hold out for the Premier. If not, get the NXS.

I wouldn't recommend the IOR, they fail almost as much as Leupold.
Almost.

 

[paulyosh]

Re: No bashing, just experienced. IOR SH ed vrs NXS R1

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Vu</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Friends don't let friends buy IOR.

NXS are freaking bomber scopes.

IOR...seen the SH Edition FAIL. Not one but each one of them that hit our line. One failed twice. After coming back from repair..failed again.

NXS...seen 2 go down in the last 3 years and the majority of our guys are NXS users.</div></div>

Ssshhhhhh...don't tell anyone, but I've been running an SH3-18ffp at all our matches and practices, and haven't had any issues. That said, I've replaced it with a PR 5-25 which I need to get zeroed and tested. Hopefully I'll be out there on Friday, but all depends on work, as usual...

-Paul

 

[Ratbert]

Re: No bashing, just experienced. IOR SH ed vrs NXS R1

Mine just survived an unscheduled "1 yr old throws it down a flight of stairs" test. Though to be fair they are carpeted.

This is what I get for getting stuff out to have in hand while I write about it.