Re: SS 5-20x50 HD MIL-QUAD
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: RFutch</div><div class="ubbcode-body">John's review of the SS 5-20 I think he was using a very early model. Someone correct me if I'm wrong.</div></div>
Let's try to put this to rest.
There were two distinct but interrelated turret issues that I highlighted with my original SS 5-20.
a). due to 100 marks around the perimeter and 60 splines, depending on where your zero fell, the hash marks may or may not align. SWFA has addressed this and it now works as it should.
b). due to some "slop" in the actual detent for each click (which got worse with use on mine), coupled with the above problem, made it nearly impossible to tell which hash I was on quickly.
I have handled a new production SS 5-20 and while (a) is fixed (b) was better, but they were still not on par with my NXS, Razor or DMR with regard to click quality, detent precision and compared to the HS NXS knobs (10 mil/rev.), ability to quickly and accurately obtain the result I desired. Could I use them? Yes. Did I like them? Better, but not great. I think I gave them an 8/10. These are my opinions. I'm calling no one out or implying anything other than it did not meet my expectations or need and I reported what I observed. Yes, it placed last of four, but last is relative and the four are so close, that the order would be eight different ways if eight guys reviewed them. Remember, at one point I rated it a better buy than the Razor, but the Razor improved in a key area, and my usage of the two scopes also changed from ELR to shooting tactical style steel matches, so my need of what a scope does for me changed. Also keep in mind what Frank said, I rated the DMR better even though it has pop-bottle glass, because it's really inexpensive by comparison and I can use it. If it was the same price as the SS, the order would DEFINITELY be reversed.
The SS 5-20 is a fine scope. But if I bought one today without knowing what I know today, I'd STILL be disappointed. Especially to the tune of $1500 vs. $1000. I simply communicate to others my observations. You guys should know not to take anyone's word as gospel. I try to give as much objective analytical feedback as I can, as I believe its a lot more useful than, "It's a bitchin' scope dude. Totally rocks". If you don't like my input, or it doesn't jive with your observations, simply disregard it.
Obviously many, many people are happy with this scope and I have no issue with that. I have unreasonably high expectations of myself and my equipment. Bushnell and I are still sorting through my issues with their DMR... so SWFA is not alone here and Sam and Scott at Vortex hear from me on a semi-regular basis. The good news is that these guys ARE LISTENING and seem to care what we think. My hope is that this type of feedback winds up with us all having better scopes.
John
