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Rifle Scopes Optics comparison Schmidt & Bender vs. U.S. Optics

Forrestman

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Full Member
Minuteman
Nov 1, 2009
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Louisville, KY
I am getting ready to make a decision on a scope for new GAP .308 custom build and want to get the thoughts of SH viewers who have had a chance to use both brands and give their opinion on which scope has the clearest glass between the 5-25 x 56 Police Marksman II LP and the SN-3 5-25X T-PAL, both scopes would be equipped with 34mm tubes.
 
Re: Optics comparison Schmidt & Bender vs. U.S. Optics

I have had the pleasure of shooting the 5-25 p4 fine against the 3.2-17x30mm USO. My scope is the us optics and my buddies is the s&b. I compared the 2 scopes while viewing a dark treeline 300 yards away around dusk. I hate to say that the s&b was more crisp and bright. If you look at the statistics though, you will note that the objective and tube diameter could have been the contributing factor in the clarity and light transmission. I just got finished box testing my sn-3 today and it is spot on the money. You will have the best of the best no matter which way you go.
 
Re: Optics comparison Schmidt & Bender vs. U.S. Optics

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Forrestman</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I am getting ready to make a decision on a scope for new GAP .308 custom build and want to get the thoughts of SH viewers who have had a chance to use both brands and give their opinion on which scope has the clearest glass between the 5-25 x 56 Police Marksman II LP and the SN-3 5-25X T-PAL, both scopes would be equipped with 34mm tubes. </div></div>I actually have both of those exact models, there seems to be very little difference in quality. Both have excellent glass, the turrets are nice, both are very rugged. You really can't go wrong with either.
 
Re: Optics comparison Schmidt & Bender vs. U.S. Optics

S&B has the better glass but the USO is built like I tank. I won both a USO 1.8x-10x-37 and a S&B Short Dot and both have great clarity but the S&B clarity is simply unreal. The USO has really good but not Best of the best clarity in my opinion.

In terms of toughness, the USO beats S&B hands down. Check out Youtube and you can see videos of scopes being thrown off bildings and still holding zero and not breaking.

Cant go wrong with either. If you can afford it be a badass and just get both!
 
Re: Optics comparison Schmidt & Bender vs. U.S. Optics

Thanks for all of the information, I already have the S&B 4-16x50 Varmint, it is by far the best scope I own, but I have not used the USO scope for a comparison. It looks like I will add another S&B to the group.
 
Re: Optics comparison Schmidt & Bender vs. U.S. Optics

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: SteelShot11</div><div class="ubbcode-body">S&B has the better glass but the USO is built like I tank.

In terms of toughness, the USO beats S&B hands down. Check out Youtube and you can see videos of scopes being thrown off bildings and still holding zero and not breaking.</div></div>

Guessing S&Bs are built pretty tough seeing as they are used by the USMC and just this past year won the USSOCOM PSR contract. Also S&B has been used for years by militaries around the globe. They are plenty tough. They don't need youtube videos to prove it. They prove it in actual use.

Also if you need videos maybe the video of the S&B being dragged behind a truck can pop up some time.

Good choice Forrestman. Having owned more than a few of each I will echo Mike's statement above.
 
Re: Optics comparison Schmidt & Bender vs. U.S. Optics

Rob you took the words out of my mouth. There are several very tough scopes out there: NF, S&B, USO, Hensoldt and they have all proven themselves time and time again in the "real world". They all have great customer service (if you ever need to use it). So the thing that sets any one particular brand apart is what you see when you look through it. I am a very big NF fan but I too choose the S&B for this reason. To the OP you will NOT go wrong with any choice you make but if you want to say damn thats a clear & bright scope when you get down behind it its the S&B, as you already know.
 
Re: Optics comparison Schmidt & Bender vs. U.S. Optics

Rob there was no video but plenty of pictures.

IMG_4470.jpg
 
Re: Optics comparison Schmidt & Bender vs. U.S. Optics

Thanks Trigger. I thought it was you that did that but wasn't sure.
 
Re: Optics comparison Schmidt & Bender vs. U.S. Optics

Both scopes are great. But, the S&B is better, and that's what you wanted to know. I too really enjoy my USO's, but my S&B's are truly the top performers in clarity and precision.
 
Re: Optics comparison Schmidt & Bender vs. U.S. Optics

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Rob01</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: SteelShot11</div><div class="ubbcode-body">S&B has the better glass but the USO is built like I tank.

In terms of toughness, the USO beats S&B hands down. Check out Youtube and you can see videos of scopes being thrown off bildings and still holding zero and not breaking.</div></div>

Guessing S&Bs are built pretty tough seeing as they are used by the USMC and just this past year won the USSOCOM PSR contract. Also S&B has been used for years by militaries around the globe. They are plenty tough. They don't need youtube videos to prove it. They prove it in actual use.

Also if you need videos maybe the video of the S&B being dragged behind a truck can pop up some time.

Good choice Forrestman. Having owned more than a few of each I will echo Mike's statement above. </div></div>

If we wanna play that game, don't forget the NF that was shot through by an AK round and functioned for the duration of the mission until it could be replaced. Granted, the mag ring was busted but it was accurate. Just throwin that out there. And to keep things on topic, I own a couple USOs and I'd trade em both for 1 SB.

20ha4pw.jpg
 
Re: Optics comparison Schmidt & Bender vs. U.S. Optics

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: THEBEARRRRRRJEW</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Rob01</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: SteelShot11</div><div class="ubbcode-body">S&B has the better glass but the USO is built like I tank.

In terms of toughness, the USO beats S&B hands down. Check out Youtube and you can see videos of scopes being thrown off bildings and still holding zero and not breaking.</div></div>

Guessing S&Bs are built pretty tough seeing as they are used by the USMC and just this past year won the USSOCOM PSR contract. Also S&B has been used for years by militaries around the globe. They are plenty tough. They don't need youtube videos to prove it. They prove it in actual use.

Also if you need videos maybe the video of the S&B being dragged behind a truck can pop up some time.

Good choice Forrestman. Having owned more than a few of each I will echo Mike's statement above. </div></div>

If we wanna play that game, don't forget the NF that was shot through by an AK round and functioned for the duration of the mission until it could be replaced. Granted, the mag ring was busted but it was accurate. Just throwin that out there. And to keep things on topic, I own a couple USOs and I'd trade em both for 1 SB.

20ha4pw.jpg
</div></div>

Thats an awesome story!!!
 
Re: Optics comparison Schmidt & Bender vs. U.S. Optics

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Mike</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Saying these scopes are peers makes me LOL.

I think John is a great guy. I think he builds an extremely nice scope. There are MANY benefits to the USO. However, hands down, it cannot come close to competing with the S&B in almost every category.</div></div>
+100, now we just need all the butt hurt USO fans to start arguing that customization is more important than tracking and optical quality lol.
 
Re: Optics comparison Schmidt & Bender vs. U.S. Optics

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Mike</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Saying these scopes are peers makes me LOL.

I think John is a great guy. I think he builds an extremely nice scope. There are MANY benefits to the USO. However, hands down, it cannot come close to competing with the S&B in almost every category. </div></div>What categories would those be? What is close?
 
Re: Optics comparison Schmidt & Bender vs. U.S. Optics

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: ut755ln</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Mike</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Saying these scopes are peers makes me LOL.

I think John is a great guy. I think he builds an extremely nice scope. There are MANY benefits to the USO. However, hands down, it cannot come close to competing with the S&B in almost every category. </div></div>What categories would those be? What is close? </div></div>

Pick any.
 
Re: Optics comparison Schmidt & Bender vs. U.S. Optics

I won both a a uso 1.8x-10x and a s&b short dot. The s&b's optical clarity is like nothing I have ever seen,mits like looking through a microscope the glass is so good.

The USO scope is almost as badass but for different reasons. For one, they are about the only made in the US scope where you can truly have it spec'd out however the hell you want it.

Neither of them are cheap and you could easily spend more than 3k on either of some of their models. However, the USO looks and feels like its built a bit tougher in my personal opinion.......but the s&b glass is just ridiculous.

If you got the cash just get one of each and everybody will crap themselves looking at your gear with envy. Nothing like having 6k plus in optics!