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Simmons Master Series Review

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tarboroheel1 View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote tarboroheel1 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Topic: Simmons Master Series Review
    Posted: December/03/2006 at 19:16

OK, I bought two of the new Master Series scopes, the Aetec 4-14x44 and a Prosport 3-9x40. The Aetec was to be mounted on a Savage 110 7mm mag and the Prosport for a 100ATR 30-06 I bought for my son. I needed two inexpensive scopes for two inexpensive rifles.

1. The Aetec has a rubber power ring that doesn't fit very good. It is very loose and makes me uncomfortable to think about it. The ring is hard to turn as is the paralax adjustment.

2. The paralax knob has no yardage settings marked.

3. The finish of the scope was decent.

4. The clarity of the scope is pretty good, probably better than a 3200 Bushnell.

5. The eyebox as advertised is great, very non critical on eye relief and head movement.

6. The scope sighted right in and was easily adjustable.

7. In conclusion, I really don't like the scope and wish I had bought the 4.5-14x4 Buckmaster.

 

1. The Prosport, I was impressed with for a $70 scope until I looked through it. There is a paint chip or something hanging on inside the tube. You can visibly see it. Bummer.

2. The optics are decent for this price range, probably better than anything at this price point by far.

3. The finish is good.

4. The power ring fit is better than on the Aetec.

5. It sighted right in as well.

6. In conclusion, I'm gonna say I am happy with the Prosport for the price, but will send it in to Simmons after hunting season for them to either replace it or fix the paint hanging on inside.

 

I don't recommend the Aetec for cost comparison reasons, but the Prosport was a nice surprise. You probably won't find anything comparable in the price range. I wonder what the Prohunter is like, but I won't be buying one to find out. I will be getting rid of the Aetec. Man, if Simmons had just taken care of a few quality issues, they might have something, but again, it is a Simmons.

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Roy Finn View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Roy Finn Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: December/03/2006 at 20:05

WTF is an "eyebox"?

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tahqua View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote tahqua Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: December/03/2006 at 20:23

From an article in Guns and Ammo

 

"Though the company lists eye relief at 3.75 inches, I found the actual "sweet spot" about four inches from the lens. The claim of a bigger eye box is well founded. You can move your eye forward and back and even slightly off-axis without instant blackout. You will aim faster, follow moving animals easier, recover from recoil sooner and cycle your action without losing the target"

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never e nuff View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote never e nuff Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: December/03/2006 at 21:57
Thanks for the review tarboroheel, I am sad to hear of the decline in quality in the new meade owned simmons scopes. Unfortunately this leaves even less choices for people with little money to spend and still get some quality for their money. I hope meade improves the quality control,or I might have to look at Sightron(GASP).Darn the influence of the lord of darkness.  
"The only interesting rifle is an accurate rifle."     Townsend Whelen
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koshkin View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote koshkin Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: December/04/2006 at 10:07
And here is the lord of darkness descending onto (or rising up to, depending on your point of reference) this thread 

I see my name has been mentioned in vain again. 

Anyhow, I am not impressed with meade, so we'll see what they do in the future.  For the time being, I am going to abstain from recommending any Meade product until we have a better understanding where Meade's scope brands (Simmons, Weaver and Redfield) are going to go.

ILya
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tarboroheel1 View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote tarboroheel1 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: December/04/2006 at 11:02
I bought a Sightron S2 3-9x42 last year for another rifle. The scope had a terrible glare problem. The lense on the objective end of the scope is nearly completely exposed on those scopes. In other words, it's not recessed into the objective body of the scope like most are. I was wondering if that was the problem or did I just get a lemon. I have heard nothing but good about Sightron, but just couldn't get past the glare at sunset. It would be nice to be able to use the money from the Aetec on another similarly priced scope, and the Sightron seems to fit the bill nicely. Any opinions?
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koshkin View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote koshkin Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: December/04/2006 at 11:41

I have that particular Sightron among others and if you are running into unusually significant glare problems, there is something wrong.  I'd give Sightron a call (it would also be useful for you to compare it to some other scope in the same light and see if the glare issue is specific to your Sightron scope).

 

ILya

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Dolphin View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Dolphin Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: December/05/2006 at 07:33
I am disappointed to hear about this about the new Aetec series.  I own several of the old models and they have performed well without any problems on rifles such as a Howa 270win. and a Howa 300win. mag., always holding zero.  The scope build was great and the E/W was reproducible.  Neither has an AO, as they are 3x9 scopes, but when I buy inexpensive scopes, I buy just the basics, as I have learned that the more you try to pack into a scope for less money, the more problems you get and in the end the less you get.  I bought those scopes at close out prices, around 100 dollars and they are as clear as a bell and at low light perform reasonably well.  I have never compared them against nose bleeders, but I would not expect them to do as well, purely based on cost.  Oh well, I will not be buying any Simmons, unless its a 3x9 at close out, to keep in the closet as a back-up.  Oh, but I forgot, I do not think they make a 3x9 in their top of the line series.  Someone correct me if I am wrong.
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