Sightron vs Nikon vs Leupold

[estone]

I am looking at four different 3x9 scopes for a Tikka T3 hunter in .308. By budget is $225 or less.
I have four that I've narrowed it down to:

Sightron SII (new) - $205 shipped
Nikon Monarch (used, I believe it is a couple of years old) - $200
Leupold Vari-X II (older model, used) - $175-200 shipped
Leupold VX-I (new) - $200

They all have similar warranties and have heard very good things about all of them. Any comments or suggestions would be greatly appreciated!

 

[Izaak Walton]

I have the Nikon Monarch 3x9. It’s a really nice scope.
Not sure about the price in today’s $$$.

 

[Roadkill]

I have a Leupold on a 30-06 that I really like, just bought another for an Ar15. I think its the first model you have listed.

 

[lipadj46]

In order of best to worst:

New Sightron SII > older Monarch >older VX-II > New VX-I

Just my opinion many will live a die by Leupold but the Sightron is a really good scope better than a VX-III IMO. They all have great CS and warranties but I am not sure the Monarch will transfer to you though.

 

[MMCSRET]

Sightron can be warranteed by a dealer, none of the others can, they all must be sent in.

 

[rbernie]

Sightron is best value by far, the Nikon may have the best glass of the three but also have the worst mechanicals (including the thinnest body shell), and the Leupold has the best demonstrable warranty and is a solid performer with the most solid body and the most durable finish but the glass isn't as good as the other two.

 

[lipadj46]

I don't think the VX-I has a one piece tube this is a deal breaker for me. Do you have the specs on the thickness of the body shell I have never heard that one before.

 

[estone]

1. I've read alot of good things about Sightron. A few forums note that the SII may have some parallax issues in comparison to the SIII (which I cannot afford).
2. The new Monarchs are $300+. Is that anything to look at? Even though the SII is less expensive it is a better value?

3. Also I have read the new VX-I is the same as the old Vari-X II's. I that correct?

 

[rbernie]

Do you have the specs on the thickness of the body shell I have never heard that one before.

No - just dents (or lack thereof) on multiple optics of each brand, to tell me how well they're made.

 

[lipadj46]

The SII vs. the new Monarchs or even the Monarch UCCs is probably a toss up. Personally I would go Sightron but that is just me. If you want Leupold you should look at the VX-III's as that would be on the same level as the other 2 and you might find a deal as Leupold is clearing them out for a new line.

 

[freonr22]

you could check out more in depth @ opticstalk.com and also when your ready samplelist.com... just a thought

 

[estone]

Thanks for the info. Very hard choice.

 

[lipadj46]

There is always the Nikon Team Primos 3-9x40, hard to beat a monarch ucc for under $200. Also the Bushnell Elite 4200 3-9x40 is good glass for $280.

 

[Birdhunter1]

The Sightron SII I believe is also what they call accu trak or micro trak and it is gauranteed to track correctly. I've got the SI- 3-9X40 md on a .22 and it is very clear glass. Not long ago I compared a SII, SIII, Kahles (Helia I think), Nikon Monarch, Buckmasters, and Pro-staff, the Ziess Conquest and the Leupold's in one of my favorite gunshops focused on a door to a house 400 yards away and I was most impressed with the Kahles, the Monarch and the Sightron's (SII and SIII) and least impressed with the Conquest (nice scope but I think my expectations were too high for it with all the reviews I had heard). All of them were nice but for the dollar the Bushnell Elite's, the Nikon Pro-Staff's and the Sightrons are hard to beat.

 

[homers]

I'm looking for a new scope for my 700 in 30-06. I don't have a dealer around me that has a Sightron SII I can look at.

How does the SII compare against, say the Nikon Buckmaster or the Bushnell 3200 (3x9~40)?

 

[estone]

SWFA.com has the SII's for $200 and ebay has them for around $200 if you don't mind ordering stuff online.

 

[estone]

opticsplanet.com SII $175

 

[homers]

I know where to buy a SII, but I'd like to know how the SII compares with the buckmaster and 3200's?

 

[lipadj46]

The SII's are better IMO.

 

[homers]

Can I still use low rings with the SII with its 42mm or does going above 40 require med rings.

 

[kolob10]

I vote for the Leupold VariX II. Great scopes for the $$. I have several - a couple for over 30 years with no issues. You can find a slightly brighter immage but no better quality. Good shooting.

 

[lipadj46]

Can I still use low rings with the SII with its 42mm or does going above 40 require med rings.

I don't think 2 mm will make much of a difference. I guess it would depend on the rifle and mount.

 

[Dr. Tad Hussein Winslow]

I like the Sightrons as the best value myself.