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Rifles, Reloading, Optics, Equipment
Long Range Scopes and Other Optics
Nightforce SHV, Zeiss HD5 or Viper PST gen2
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<blockquote data-quote="catorres1" data-source="post: 1279372" data-attributes="member: 80699"><p>I have an HD5, a Vortex HST, and sorta have a VX6. I say sorta because it was defective out of the box (misaligned lens), so it is with Leupold at the moment. I did not have it long enough to make a really strong comparison with my other scopes, but I have compared another VX6 to the HD5 in a non-lowlight setting in the past, and found them to be fairly equal. That said, low light is where the rubber hits the road. </p><p></p><p>Between the Vortex (not the gen 2) and the HD5, in low light, the 42mm HD5 easily beats my 50mm Vortex at any setting, even comparing the HD5 on max mag vs the vortex in the center of it's mag (15 pwer vs 15), the HD5 is significantly sharper, brighter and better to my eyes. And as someone mentioned already, I find the HST to be soft on it's top mags in any light, not so with the HD5.</p><p></p><p>I don't own a Nightforce. The ones I looked through were absolute tanks...seemingly indestructable, but very heavy. The SHV that is closest to my scopes weighs 30 oz...9-10 more than either the vx6 or the hd5. But then you could probably beat a rhino to death with a nighforce and still hold zero, from what I hear, at least with the atacr's. So that is a consideration. As far as their low light capability, can't say, I have heard both sides but have never had a chance to compare myself.</p><p></p><p>My scopes are for carry around rifles, so I prefer a lighter scope, except for the HST, which is on a target only rifle. In fact, I considered Swaros and VX3's for this reason, but rejected those for my purposes for a couple reasons. But they sure were light.</p><p></p><p>One thing I do like for the HD5 and the new VX6's...the turrets lock. On the HD5, it works for both windage and elevation, on the Leupold, only elevation, windage is capped. Some people don't care about this, but it's a nice peace of mind thing for me. (My VX6 did not come with a locking turret, Leupold is putting a two turn lock on it for me...but the newest models come with them).</p><p></p><p>Downside to the HD5 and Leupold....their zero stops kinda suck if you are going to shoot really long. The HD5's only gives you one turn...17 or 18 MOA. The new Leupolds have a two turn system, so you get 40 MOA, which is better. But you can't use that same system for windage, so you would have to remove caps or hold...which is fine as they have alot of good reticles for this.</p><p></p><p>The HD5 is a 1 inch...with zero lock turrets, weighs like 21 ounces. Mine has 75 MOA or total travel. The HST, can't remember the weight, but it was more...but its also a 6-24x50...has 70 MOA IIRC. The VX 6 weighs, I think 20 ounces or so....my particular one had 83 MOA. So as you can see....going to a 30 mm did not necessarily get me much, so it's not a downside to be in a 1 inch in this case.</p><p></p><p>Note that the new PST gen 2 is an unknown to me. I have to believe it's going to be lots better than the gen1's. I imagine they must have really improved the glass, but I don't know. I do know if weight is a concern, they are supposed to run about 28 oz for a 3-15. </p><p></p><p>Hope that helps!</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="catorres1, post: 1279372, member: 80699"] I have an HD5, a Vortex HST, and sorta have a VX6. I say sorta because it was defective out of the box (misaligned lens), so it is with Leupold at the moment. I did not have it long enough to make a really strong comparison with my other scopes, but I have compared another VX6 to the HD5 in a non-lowlight setting in the past, and found them to be fairly equal. That said, low light is where the rubber hits the road. Between the Vortex (not the gen 2) and the HD5, in low light, the 42mm HD5 easily beats my 50mm Vortex at any setting, even comparing the HD5 on max mag vs the vortex in the center of it's mag (15 pwer vs 15), the HD5 is significantly sharper, brighter and better to my eyes. And as someone mentioned already, I find the HST to be soft on it's top mags in any light, not so with the HD5. I don't own a Nightforce. The ones I looked through were absolute tanks...seemingly indestructable, but very heavy. The SHV that is closest to my scopes weighs 30 oz...9-10 more than either the vx6 or the hd5. But then you could probably beat a rhino to death with a nighforce and still hold zero, from what I hear, at least with the atacr's. So that is a consideration. As far as their low light capability, can't say, I have heard both sides but have never had a chance to compare myself. My scopes are for carry around rifles, so I prefer a lighter scope, except for the HST, which is on a target only rifle. In fact, I considered Swaros and VX3's for this reason, but rejected those for my purposes for a couple reasons. But they sure were light. One thing I do like for the HD5 and the new VX6's...the turrets lock. On the HD5, it works for both windage and elevation, on the Leupold, only elevation, windage is capped. Some people don't care about this, but it's a nice peace of mind thing for me. (My VX6 did not come with a locking turret, Leupold is putting a two turn lock on it for me...but the newest models come with them). Downside to the HD5 and Leupold....their zero stops kinda suck if you are going to shoot really long. The HD5's only gives you one turn...17 or 18 MOA. The new Leupolds have a two turn system, so you get 40 MOA, which is better. But you can't use that same system for windage, so you would have to remove caps or hold...which is fine as they have alot of good reticles for this. The HD5 is a 1 inch...with zero lock turrets, weighs like 21 ounces. Mine has 75 MOA or total travel. The HST, can't remember the weight, but it was more...but its also a 6-24x50...has 70 MOA IIRC. The VX 6 weighs, I think 20 ounces or so....my particular one had 83 MOA. So as you can see....going to a 30 mm did not necessarily get me much, so it's not a downside to be in a 1 inch in this case. Note that the new PST gen 2 is an unknown to me. I have to believe it's going to be lots better than the gen1's. I imagine they must have really improved the glass, but I don't know. I do know if weight is a concern, they are supposed to run about 28 oz for a 3-15. Hope that helps! [/QUOTE]
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Rifles, Reloading, Optics, Equipment
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Nightforce SHV, Zeiss HD5 or Viper PST gen2
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