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3-12x42 sightron big sky

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527varmint View Drop Down
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Joined: March/20/2010
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote 527varmint Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Topic: 3-12x42 sightron big sky
    Posted: March/23/2010 at 05:54
Let me start off by saying I am no optics guru. I have used or own the following scopes to make comparison with.
 
weaver rv-7 2-7x28 rimfire
weaver v-16 fine xhair and duplex
simmons 22mag 4x
mueller APV 4.5-14
nikon monarch 3-12 SF (i think thats what it was) duplex
4200 2.5-10x40 duplex
 
I have used the sightron for about 1.5 years. Its spent about 10 days in the field and a few days at the range. I have used it from almost total darkness to bright sunshine.
 
I had just been looking thru the 4200 the day before and very first thing I thought was this image is not quite as good when I looked into the scope. I adjusted the ocular and it got a little better but still the image just didn't seem as bright and sharp. when I looked in that 4200 I just thought wow.
 
Then I used it at an indoor range. The light is pretty dim. At first I thought the image looked sort of faded and smokey. After a while I realized it is so good its picking up the light refracting off the gunsmoke in the air. I couldn't even see that with the naked eye. It tracked great but I didn't ever try the box test for the real test.
 
Then I went to an outdoor range. I definently noticed there is a sort of swirly look to the edge  image at all powers(no its not heat mirage) However it looks similar to mirage. I am not sure if it has to do with parallax or I been reading about light coming in from the sides sort of distorting the image? I think its parallax. The AO objective scopes i've used look similar when looking at stuff with the AO on the wrong setting. I noticed this same thing at the indoor range. its sort of like faint lines that go in a circle all the way around the image.
 
I then took it hunting. I noticed when I was sitting in the shade looking into the bright sun the circular distortion around the side was MUCH better.  I estimated 100 yards and looked at lots of stuff the image was better then I remembered leading me to think it has something to do with the way the light was entering the scope. Maybe a sunshade would help.
 
when it got dark is when it really shined. Just before dark I was on a stand and I started checking out the image. I would look into a dark spot in the bushes with the naked eye and just see darkness. look with the scope and wow it was much brighter then my naked eye I could make out all the bushes easily. Had there ben a coyote in that bush he would of been dead.
 
between this sightron and all the scopes i've listed the 4200 seemed to have the best image. However, I didn't get to spend alot of time with that scope I sent back and exchanged it for this one.
 
Overall I like the scope alot. considering the 4200 price tag for an image that is about as good i'm not sure it was worth the extra cash. I suspect, like leupold, you are paying a bit more for the great warranty.
 
This scope is really lightweight and thats GREAT for any hunter.
 
They claim this constant eye relief. Yes its better then other scopes but I can't dial it from the lowest to highest setting without having to move my head about .5"
 
 I should mention the 4200 is the only scope as good as the sightron. The sightron is better then the nikon and weavers for sure.
 
The rain coating didn't impress me. It still fogs right up when you breath on it in the cold. Maybe its less then no coating but either way if you breath on a cold scope you can't see. When the rain is falling I get out the iron sight guns or shotgun so i could care less if raindrops are smaller. No way in heck i'm taking a 500 dollar scope in the rain.
 
I was standing on steep slope. There way this tiny ledge I was going to sit on to start calling. I set the rifle down and it slipped. The gun slid maybe 30 feet down a 45 degree slope of gravel. the muzzle pointed at me! thank god the scope caps where on! just a minor scratch on the adjustment cap. its still holding zero and working great. I got real lucky!
 
 
 
 
 
 
The only good coyote is a dead one.
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WestOfPecos View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote WestOfPecos Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: September/09/2010 at 16:14
Thanks for the review - very useful! 
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lucytuma View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote lucytuma Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: September/09/2010 at 17:01

I've considered purchasing this exact scope more than a few times but never settled on it, for unknown reasons.  Glad you shared the review.

"The democracy will cease to exist when you take away from those who are willing to work and give to those who would not." - Thomas Jefferson
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supertool73 View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote supertool73 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: September/09/2010 at 17:08
Originally posted by 527varmint 527varmint wrote:

 
The rain coating didn't impress me. It still fogs right up when you breath on it in the cold. Maybe its less then no coating but either way if you breath on a cold scope you can't see. When the rain is falling I get out the iron sight guns or shotgun so i could care less if raindrops are smaller. No way in heck i'm taking a 500 dollar scope in the rain.
 


Good review, I like my big sky very much as well.

Just a note.  The rain coatings many manufacturers are putting on these scopes are not an anti-fog coating.  A lot of people are confused by that.  They are designed to sheet water off of them so you can shoot.  Kindof like rainx on your windshield.   They are not designed to allow a person to breath on them and not fog up.  Pretty much any optic is going to fog up if you breath directly on it when it is cold and your breath is warm. 
Lifetime warranty and excellent customer service don't mean a thing when your gun fails during a zombie attack.

"A Liberal is a person who will give away everything they don't own."
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