IOR Valdada

[c_bass16]

Has anyone considered and avoided, or purchased and regretted IOR's tactical line of optics because of the reticles offered?

To preface this, I have had and currently have some great glass in my stable, Tangent, Razor II, Razor III, MK5, ATACR and the 5-42 March High Master....BUT

I keep wanting to pull the trigger on some offerings from IOR... most notably
3-25x
9-36x
5.8-40x

However, their website is poor, their info and specs on the reticles they do offer is lack luster, and the pictures and descriptions of the reticles are just down right BAD.

This MP8 Extreme X1 appears to be their pinnacle...but the image associated with it is poor at best when you compare it to the full detail and actual vector display provided by most manufacturers like Nightforce with their MilXT

Anyone care to voice their opinions? I've even gone as far as to contact Valdada and request photos through the optic to get an actual representation of the reticle, but was denied.
I'm to the point where I'm actually designing my own reticle and it's nearly finalized. Since they build them to order anyway...I'm wondering if they would even entertain a custom for me.

The Nightforce Mil-XT for comparison. All reticle details are well displayed on the website.

 

[6bra1k]

well i do not shoot tactical
i sold my 7-35 atacr for poor performance
bought the 40mm tube 5-40 and love it
getting ready to buy 1 maybe 2 of the 10-60
based on barts review at the tackdriver
moa not mil
2000 yard group and score.
600/1000 benchrest

 

[newbieshooter]

well i do not shoot tactical
i sold my 7-35 atacr for poor performance
bought the 40mm tube 5-40 and love it
getting ready to buy 1 maybe 2 of the 10-60
based on barts review at the tackdriver
moa not mil
2000 yard group and score.
600/1000 benchrest

Doesn't the Precision 10-60 come with a "tactical" reticle?

 

[c_bass16]

well i do not shoot tactical
i sold my 7-35 atacr for poor performance
bought the 40mm tube 5-40 and love it
getting ready to buy 1 maybe 2 of the 10-60
based on barts review at the tackdriver
moa not mil
2000 yard group and score.
600/1000 benchrest

That's encouraging but not quite relevant to what my concerns are.
Tactical line is going to be FFP and I assume you're looking at 2FP 1/8 moa options for bench shooting.

What were your issues with the 7-35 or was it simply not designed for the shooting you do?

 

[6bra1k]

That's encouraging but not quite relevant to what my concerns are.
Tactical line is going to be FFP and I assume you're looking at 2FP 1/8 moa options for bench shooting.

What were your issues with the 7-35 or was it simply not designed for the shooting you do?

paralax that would not go away ...never been so frustrated with a top end scope in my life. nf said there was nothing wrong with it, well my rifle shoots well with the valdada and for crap with the actar

 

[6bra1k]

Doesn't the Precision 10-60 come with a "tactical" reticle?

View attachment 1343338

i think not or both
"LLUMINATED NEW "GAP" RETICLE, SUPER PRECISE 1/8 MOA CLICK ADJUSTMENTS"

 

[Knotwild]

I'm wondering if they would even entertain a custom for me.

I'll preface this with this statement - "I know someone who....." and the information is therefore not first hand. I'm pretty sure they will do a custom for you, but not sure about a one off. A friend from very long ago developed a PRS style reticle with the idea of ranging targets using a design similar to an M1 Garand front sight. He wanted to market it to the military. He had Valdada put his reticle in enough scopes to demo the reticle. It never went anywhere, but I think he did donate a couple for use in Afganistan with good reviews.

 

[Ned Ludd]

Has anyone considered and avoided, or purchased and regretted IOR's tactical line of optics because of the reticles offered?

To preface this, I have had and currently have some great glass in my stable, Tangent, Razor II, Razor III, MK5, ATACR and the 5-42 March High Master....BUT

I keep wanting to pull the trigger on some offerings from IOR... most notably
3-25x
9-36x
5.8-40x

However, their website is poor, their info and specs on the reticles they do offer is lack luster, and the pictures and descriptions of the reticles are just down right BAD.

This MP8 Extreme X1 appears to be their pinnacle...but the image associated with it is poor at best when you compare it to the full detail and actual vector display provided by most manufacturers like Nightforce with their MilXT

Anyone care to voice their opinions? I've even gone as far as to contact Valdada and request photos through the optic to get an actual representation of the reticle, but was denied.
I'm to the point where I'm actually designing my own reticle and it's nearly finalized. Since they build them to order anyway...I'm wondering if they would even entertain a custom for me.

The Nightforce Mil-XT for comparison. All reticle details are well displayed on the website.

I have two of the IOR Valdada older model fixed 36X BR scopes. The glass is pretty much as good as it gets - end of story. Their other features are all more than sufficient to satisfy my needs. However, I've been looking at the new 9-36x44 Spyder with 1/8th minute turrets. It would be just about perfect for my needs in F-TR matches, but that MP-8 Xtreme "Christmas Tree" reticle reticle might be a deal-breaker. It's way too busy in the bottom/center, which is really not necessary or desirable in F-Class shooting. I wish they offered something much simpler in the Spyder (i.e. get rid of the Christmas Tree).

 

[Beiruty]

I have the 5.8-40X56 Gen 1 MOA. It failed on me after few years (would not hold zero and would lose focus after each 300WM shot). It was replaced for free with same but in MRAD.
The scope is very heavy, I did not own a March scopes, but I would like to know how are the new wide models are doing with magnum rifle shooters

 

[c_bass16]

I have the 5.8-40X56 Gen 1 MOA. It failed on me after few years (would not hold zero and would lose focus after each 300WM shot). It was replaced for free with same but in MRAD.
The scope is very heavy, I did not own a March scopes, but I would like to know how are the new wide models are doing with magnum rifle shooters

I've had mine (March 5-42 HighMaster) on multiple rifles, 7mm Rem Mag with 190s, 6.5 PRC, 6.5 Creed, 6 Creed. and probably a few others. I haven't had any issues yet. Just wish the center dot was a little more refined for a 40X+ top end magnification. For me...I want .05 Mil at the most (Horus H59). .04 is better (Vortex EBR 7D) and .035 .036 like ZCO offers might even be the best.

 

[Rob01]

I've had mine (March 5-42 HighMaster) on multiple rifles, 7mm Rem Mag with 190s, 6.5 PRC, 6.5 Creed, 6 Creed. and probably a few others. I haven't had any issues yet. Just wish the center dot was a little more refined for a 40X+ top end magnification. For me...I want .05 Mil at the most (Horus H59). .04 is better (Vortex EBR 7D) and .035 like ZCO offers might even be the best.

The 7D center dot is .03 mils.

 

[c_bass16]

I have two of the IOR Valdada older model fixed 36X BR scopes. The glass is pretty much as good as it gets - end of story. Their other features are all more than sufficient to satisfy my needs. However, I've been looking at the new 9-36x44 Spyder with 1/8th minute turrets. It would be just about perfect for my needs in F-TR matches, but that MP-8 Xtreme "Christmas Tree" reticle reticle might be a deal-breaker. It's way too busy in the bottom/center, which is really not necessary or desirable in F-Class shooting. I wish they offered something much simpler in the Spyder (i.e. get rid of the Christmas Tree).

I ended up buying a 9-36x56 with the Xtreme X1 Mil Reticle I'll be doing a brief "first impression" review before I either sell or return it.
For what it is...it's probably a pretty solid option. For what I need...it's probably not going to work.

 

[c_bass16]

The 7D center dot is .03 mils.

Yes that's right. The old 7C was .04 and that one was good at 27x
The .03 is great at 36x

ZCO is .036 but I'd be curious to see what that looks like with their 8-40x

 

[c_bass16]

As I expected...the way IOR markets their reticle is just down right bad.
I'll hook my TactiCam one of these days and get a few through the optic pictures of some various options.

 

[6bra1k]

you picked the mil...
try one of the moa's

 

[c_bass16]

you picked the mil...
try one of the moa's

With all due respect.
Hard pass.
I have no interest in going back to MOA to make one optic useful when virtually EVERY OTHER top tier optic makes a Mil/Mil scope with far superior reticle options.

I don't shoot bench of any kind...not a knock on those that do. It's a very popular discipline.
For me...fast pace, positional shooting is better suited to a Mil based reticle with 1 mil gradation and .2 mil subtententions.

I have one rifle that this would be useful on and that's my LR prone rig. 7mm Rem Mag that's is my 1500-2500yd rifle...but even on that....it has drawbacks. I feel my March HM is better for it.

The actual reticle itself is nice and fine, but I don't see anything in the documentation (a piss poor photocopy that you can't read) that says how fine it actually is.
The dot (.1 Mil according to what info i can find)...is WAY to heavy, but there is a secondary dot at the 1.5 Mil windage and 1 Mil down (which makes ZERO SENSE)....but it's a much more refined dot.
The rhyme/reason with their reticle layout is just ridiculous.

The elevation turret has nice clicks, not the best by any means, but nice. However, it rotates way to easy to not have a lock. Something I see they now offer in a few of their other scopes. For a prone gun...it's probably no big deal.

That said...by comparison...the windage turret is poor. Harder to turn, less distinctive clicks, less audible, less tactile.
With only .5 Mil hashes to make wind holds...a poor windage turret is a very bad thing.

I really really wanted this to be mindblowingly awesome...but at the price point, they cut WAY TO MANY CORNERS.

 

[6bra1k]

With all due respect.
Hard pass.
I have no interest in going back to mils to make one optic useful when virtually EVERY OTHER top tier optic makes a Mil/Mil scope with far superior reticle options.

I don't shoot bench of any kind...not a knock on those that do. It's a very popular discipline.
For me...fast pace, positional shooting is better suited to a Mil based reticle with 1 mil gradation and .2 mil subtententions.

I have one rifle that this would be useful on and that's my LR prone rig. 7mm Rem Mag that's is my 1500-2500yd rifle...but even on that....it has drawbacks. I feel my March HM is better for it.

The actual reticle itself is nice and fine, but I don't see anything in the documentation (a piss poor photocopy that you can't read) that says how fine it actually is.
The dot (.1 Mil according to what info i can find)...is WAY to heavy, but there is a secondary dot at the 1.5 Mil windage and 1 Mil down (which makes ZERO SENSE)....but it's a much more refined dot.
The rhyme/reason with their reticle layout is just ridiculous.

The elevation turret has nice clicks, not the best by any means, but nice. However, it rotates way to easy to not have a lock. Something I see they now offer in a few of their other scopes. For a prone gun...it's probably no big deal.

That said...by comparison...the windage turret is poor. Harder to turn, less distinctive clicks, less audible, less tactile.
With only .5 Mil hashes to make wind holds...a poor windage turret is a very bad thing.

I really really wanted this to be mindblowingly awesome...but at the price point, they cut WAY TO MANY CORNERS.

naw they just did not build it for you,,,ouch

 

[moondog]

Who services IOR? It's been many years now, but their failure rate put me off. Service was non-existent. Great glass though!

 

[6bra1k]

well i just bought the 10-60x-56 moa dot
i'll post what i think after install and some shooting
its replacing a 15-55x nf on a 600/1000 yd heavy br 300 wsm
larger tube, larger objective, small power increase, significant price bump.

 

[dickn52]

Not sure if the original question was ever answered or not. The old IOR scopes used Hensoldt glass for their lenses. IOR provided all scopes for the old Russian military and were manufactured in Bucharest RO. They were and are excellent glass. They are also a bit high priced. Mr. Valdata came along when the wall came down and bought into the company I believe, and got the exclusive export/import rights for the product line. BUT IOR continued to make excellent scopes. I was stationed with the UN in 1995/96 in western Romania, and came across these scopes from time to time. I may be completely wrong about everything I just wrote, but at the time that's what I was told. I would not hesitate to own one of them, but I can't afford it yet.