OpticsTalk by SWFA, Inc. Homepage SWFA     SampleList.com
Forum Home Forum Home > Scopes > Tactical Scopes
  New Posts New Posts RSS Feed - SS HD owner thinking of trying a PST
  FAQ FAQ  Forum Search   Events   Register Register  Login Login

Visit the SWFA.com site to check out our current specials.

SS HD owner thinking of trying a PST

 Post Reply Post Reply
Author
Message
prodgi View Drop Down
Optics GrassHopper
Optics GrassHopper


Joined: February/22/2006
Location: United States
Status: Offline
Points: 40
Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote prodgi Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Topic: SS HD owner thinking of trying a PST
    Posted: August/23/2012 at 22:00
So I already have the SS HD 5-20 and love it. Unfortunately I'm too impatient to save my money long enough to buy another one for a new project gun and came across a good deal on a Vortex Viper PST.  Just wondering what my expectations should be? Where is the SS going to out class the Viper and what should I expect from it?
I guess to preface the question, earlier this year I chose the SS over the Viper because I felt the Viper was too low of a price to be that good. Sounds silly I know, I fall back on the idea that you get what you pay for and the Viper comes in a lot less than every other scope with the same features and I was a little too nervous to buy one then. Well months later and all the reviews are still sounding good so I'm a lot less nervous about saving a few bucks this time around, just wondering what I'm going to notice between the two.
Thanks. 
Back to Top
koshkin View Drop Down
MODERATOR
MODERATOR
Avatar
Dark Lord of Optics

Joined: June/15/2004
Location: United States
Status: Offline
Points: 13181
Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote koshkin Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: August/24/2012 at 00:07
Which one of the PSTs are you looking at?

ILya
Back to Top
prodgi View Drop Down
Optics GrassHopper
Optics GrassHopper


Joined: February/22/2006
Location: United States
Status: Offline
Points: 40
Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote prodgi Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: August/24/2012 at 00:22
the 4-16 FFP
Back to Top
koshkin View Drop Down
MODERATOR
MODERATOR
Avatar
Dark Lord of Optics

Joined: June/15/2004
Location: United States
Status: Offline
Points: 13181
Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote koshkin Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: August/24/2012 at 00:26
It is a nice scope and seems to have held up well to market scrutiny.  Its only direct competition to date is Weaver 3-15x50FFP.  I think Weaver is a little better optically, although current production PSTs are better than the early samples as well.

Mechanically, PSTs have been very good.

The SS is a better scope optically and probably mechanically, but it is in a different price range.

ILya
Back to Top
SVT_Tactical View Drop Down
MODERATOR
MODERATOR
Avatar
Chief Sackscratch

Joined: December/17/2009
Location: NorthCackalacky
Status: Offline
Points: 31233
Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote SVT_Tactical Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: August/24/2012 at 07:27
I had the 4-16 SFP, Also have a SS 5-20, after using the 5-20 and then using the PST i was always felt wanting more.  Got the PST on the way out the door soon, gonna get another SS.
"Most folks are about as happy as they make their minds up to be" - Abraham Lincoln
Back to Top
prodgi View Drop Down
Optics GrassHopper
Optics GrassHopper


Joined: February/22/2006
Location: United States
Status: Offline
Points: 40
Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote prodgi Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: August/24/2012 at 07:47
So is the glass where the corners have been cut on the PST?
Back to Top
SVT_Tactical View Drop Down
MODERATOR
MODERATOR
Avatar
Chief Sackscratch

Joined: December/17/2009
Location: NorthCackalacky
Status: Offline
Points: 31233
Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote SVT_Tactical Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: August/24/2012 at 07:58
I'm not going to say corner cut, they built the scope for a specific price point and it falls into that.
"Most folks are about as happy as they make their minds up to be" - Abraham Lincoln
Back to Top
billyburl2 View Drop Down
Optics Master Extraordinaire
Optics Master Extraordinaire
Avatar

Joined: January/08/2009
Location: Cottonwood, AZ
Status: Offline
Points: 4015
Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote billyburl2 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: August/24/2012 at 08:34
+1 to everything  already said, especially about the Weaver. I checked one out at a match last weekend, and it is much closer to my SS than the Vortex is.

 That being said the glass in the Vortex is quite adequate for most applications. I have shot steel with the PST 4-16 as the sun was going down at 500 yards and it good enough to get the job done.
If it is tourist season, why can't we shoot them?
Back to Top
koshkin View Drop Down
MODERATOR
MODERATOR
Avatar
Dark Lord of Optics

Joined: June/15/2004
Location: United States
Status: Offline
Points: 13181
Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote koshkin Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: August/24/2012 at 11:01
Originally posted by prodgi prodgi wrote:

So is the glass where the corners have been cut on the PST?

That is not a good way of thinking about it.

All scopes are built to a price point.  it is not like they start with a flawless design and then start corners.  The PST was designed from scratch for a particular price range and in that price range it is very good.

ILya
Back to Top
Bitterroot Bulls View Drop Down
Optics Master Extraordinaire
Optics Master Extraordinaire
Avatar

Joined: May/07/2009
Location: Montana
Status: Offline
Points: 3416
Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Bitterroot Bulls Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: August/24/2012 at 11:15
I have the 4-16X50 PST SFP as well. The glass quality of the scope is good. In fact, it is pretty darn awesome until max power.   It is really a non-issue when actually using the scope to shoot. I have no problem identifying even small targets a long ways off in low light.

The "milky" lack of contrast at max power is present, but gets overstated a lot. I am happy with the glass quality of the scope, and really like the other well-executed features of the scope. It is a scope that offers a LOT fot the money. I would choose the PST over a similarly configured Mark 4 any day, and I have them both.
-Matt
Back to Top
Urimaginaryfrnd View Drop Down
MODERATOR
MODERATOR
Avatar
Resident Redneck

Joined: June/20/2005
Location: Iowa
Status: Offline
Points: 14962
Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Urimaginaryfrnd Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: August/24/2012 at 20:46
I had a 4-16 PST briefly looked it over sent it back bought the 5-20x50 Super Sniper then had to have a second 5-20x50 Super Sniper. What can I say there are a couple of rifles that I have where I really would like to upgrade the scopes that are on them. I just chip away at it a little at a time.

"Always do the right thing, just because it is the right thing to do".
Bobby Paul Doherty
Texas Ranger
Back to Top
FireEMT5 View Drop Down
Optics Journeyman
Optics Journeyman
Avatar

Joined: September/07/2010
Location: S.E. Minnesota
Status: Offline
Points: 317
Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote FireEMT5 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: August/27/2012 at 08:46
I concur with Ur.  I recently was able to do a side by side with a SS 5-20 and a PST 6-24...... To my eyes there was no comparison when taking both scopes to the upper powers.  The PST got fuzzy or milky looking and the SS was super clear at all power levels.  The PST really fell off at around 16 power and above.
If it were me and I already had the SS 5-20 which I do, I'd either suck it up and wait for SS to roll out the scope you are wishing for, spend more for another brand, or get another SS 5-20, fixed or SS 3-9.  I wouldn't buy a PST after looking through and using a SS with HD glass, but that just me.
Back to Top
gulf1263 View Drop Down
Optics Apprentice
Optics Apprentice
Avatar

Joined: June/15/2011
Location: Alaska
Status: Offline
Points: 212
Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote gulf1263 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: August/27/2012 at 20:42
I have compared my 3-15 Weaver to two different 4-16 and IMHO the view through the Weaver is better.
I like the Weaver, it kind of feels svelt and a little more precise.
That is a personal observation.
Ilya has tested both and has a much better understanding of their strengths and weakness's.
Good luck on your purchase.
Art

Good day.
Back to Top
prodgi View Drop Down
Optics GrassHopper
Optics GrassHopper


Joined: February/22/2006
Location: United States
Status: Offline
Points: 40
Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote prodgi Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: August/29/2012 at 19:37
Who is Ilya and where is the review? 
Anyone know how the weaver tracks compared to the pst?
Back to Top
kesi View Drop Down
Optics Apprentice
Optics Apprentice
Avatar

Joined: July/23/2009
Location: Czech Republic
Status: Offline
Points: 83
Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote kesi Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: August/30/2012 at 04:54
Back to Top
SVT_Tactical View Drop Down
MODERATOR
MODERATOR
Avatar
Chief Sackscratch

Joined: December/17/2009
Location: NorthCackalacky
Status: Offline
Points: 31233
Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote SVT_Tactical Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: August/30/2012 at 07:39
Originally posted by prodgi prodgi wrote:

Who is Ilya and where is the review? 
Anyone know how the weaver tracks compared to the pst?
ILya is the choosen one when it comes to optics evaluations.
 
His site is www.opticsthoughts.com  Check it out.
 
Rumor is he once correct Chuck Norris on an Optics issue.Big Grin
"Most folks are about as happy as they make their minds up to be" - Abraham Lincoln
Back to Top
smesk403 View Drop Down
Optics Apprentice
Optics Apprentice


Joined: September/27/2012
Status: Offline
Points: 53
Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote smesk403 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: September/28/2012 at 10:20
I have a 4-16 ffp pst. I'ts a great scope for the price counscious guy still looking for FFP. optically it is good, but not great. 
Back to Top
prodgi View Drop Down
Optics GrassHopper
Optics GrassHopper


Joined: February/22/2006
Location: United States
Status: Offline
Points: 40
Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote prodgi Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: October/01/2012 at 20:29
Well I've had the PST for a few weeks now, it's going back to Vortex. Sad
I've tried not to let the disappointment be too great but I think I ended up with an exceptionally bad one. 
At 16x and a 100yd target I'd say about the outer 2/3 of the optic is quite blurry and the "milky" affect is pretty bad. In fact I was surprised at how bad it really was. 
Don't get me wrong, it's more than usable and for the features it comes with it's still a good buy I think, it's just not an impressive scope like all the reviews I had been reading said it was. 
I just contacted them via e-mail so we'll see what they say. 
Back to Top
Sparky View Drop Down
Optics Master Extraordinaire
Optics Master Extraordinaire


Joined: July/15/2007
Location: SD
Status: Offline
Points: 4568
Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Sparky Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: October/01/2012 at 22:56
Just wondering, but how did you set your scope up? Or how did you adjust the diopter setting?
Back to Top
Rainman View Drop Down
Optics Apprentice
Optics Apprentice
Avatar

Joined: August/25/2012
Location: Washington Stat
Status: Offline
Points: 281
Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Rainman Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: October/02/2012 at 00:33
I haven't used a 4-16 PST so have  no idea how it compares to the Weaver 3-15 Tactical.  I can say that so far I am very pleased and impressed with my Weaver 3-15 Tactical and think it is a viable option for the budget conscious user.  My use has been limited at this point and only out to 200 yards but I sure like the optical quality and how all the controls work and feel.  I O M it is a lot of scope for the money.  I've had good luck with other Weaver scopes from several generations, new and used.  In general they offer good quality and value.  I'm also a VX III/3 and Nikon Monarch user and will be doing some comparisons to the Weaver.  Lots of good products available now so this is my two cents worth.Bucky
Back to Top
 Post Reply Post Reply
  Share Topic   

Forum Jump Forum Permissions View Drop Down

Forum Software by Web Wiz Forums® version 12.01
Copyright ©2001-2018 Web Wiz Ltd.

This page was generated in 0.702 seconds.