Sightron SIII 45x ED glass

[Ranger188]

Does anyone have or looked thru one?
I'm thinking about purchasing one. Thought it would be a good way to see if the ED glass in the Sightron is better than the Golden Eagle and SIII standard versions. (I own both) I'm concerned about the 45mm objective lens not letting in enough light and being a little dark.
Not sure if I want to pony up the money for the 10-50 SVSSED.
I know it's very subjective to each person, but still would like some feedback.
I personally think the SIII glass is clearer and brighter than the GE

 

[USMCDOC]

Just one word, i want another..

 

[jpx2rk]

I had the pleasure of looking thru one yesterday at my local ABRA match. Looked at the target backer board (old political yard sign stuff) @ 50 yds. Backer board was close to a colbalt blue in color with white lettering, the FCH/dot was difficult to see in the blue, but showed up well in the white lettering. The dot is very small compared to a Weaver/Sightron dots I have (and not a fan of the 1/8" dot) but I could maybe get use to it after a bit of use. I could plainly see the ragged and smooth edges of the bullet holes in the backer material.

The owner says he can read the numbers on the ABRA target at 50y, with a 36x they are blurred to him. I did not get to look at a target, just the backer board. It could be $$ well spent depending on your use.

 

[USMCDOC]

I had the pleasure of looking thru one yesterday at my local ABRA match. Looked at the target backer board (old political yard sign stuff) @ 50 yds. Backer board was close to a colbalt blue in color with white lettering, the FCH/dot was difficult to see in the blue, but showed up well in the white lettering. The dot is very small compared to a Weaver/Sightron dots I have (and not a fan of the 1/8" dot) but I could maybe get use to it after a bit of use. I could plainly see the ragged and smooth edges of the bullet holes in the backer material.

The owner says he can read the numbers on the ABRA target at 50y, with a 36x they are blurred to him. I did not get to look at a target, just the backer board. It could be $$ well spent depending on your use.

i actually like the 1/10th dot of the Sightron.

 

[Hi-NV Shooter]

Does anyone have or looked thru one?
I'm thinking about purchasing one. Thought it would be a good way to see if the ED glass in the Sightron is better than the Golden Eagle and SIII standard versions. (I own both) I'm concerned about the 45mm objective lens not letting in enough light and being a little dark.
Not sure if I want to pony up the money for the 10-50 SVSSED.
I know it's very subjective to each person, but still would like some feedback.
I personally think the SIII glass is clearer and brighter than the GE

I had the same concerns about brightness, I got one and after testing it, I sold my 10-50x 60mm S-III
IMO it is brighter than the S-III 50x
Lee

 

[jimmymac]

Thanks to the OP and those who've chimed in here. I'm in need right now, but choices are pretty limited in high magnification fixed power scopes. I don't have March money to spend, so that limits me even further.

 

[Ranger188]

Thanks, guess I'll be calling Lance.

 

[ridgeway]

I have a NF Comp, NF BR, GE, and SIII 10-50. I went with a 45x on a new 1K LG. I am quite satisfied with the 45x. It shoots and holds POA. It's bright and clear, generous eye relief and forgiving focus. It's good.

 

[dstoenner]

I have both the SIII 45x45 and the Golden Eagle. I really do like the SIII. The ED glass is REALLY sharp. When I first got it mounted I focused in on a pillow across the street (about 50 yards). I could easily see the weave of the canvas on that pillow, sharply. So I got my Golden Eagle out and looked through it. At 40X it was a little less sharp but still good. At 50 - 60 it was dimmer and less sharp again. I might say a little less contrast too.

I shoot indoors with my the SIII and the GE. With the SIII at 100 yards the target is very sharp. I am another that likes the fine dot. BTW, the difference between 1/10 (.100 inches) and 1/8 (.1250) is really pretty small. The eye box takes getting used to. It is different than my 36X Sightron but nothing you cannot get used to. I shoot this scope on my 40X benchrest so once you get the hang of it, you just go with the flow.

The Golden Eagle on this range is only good to about 40X and then it starts getting dark. I have not had both rifles side by side but my impression is that the GE even at 40X is dimmer than the 45x45. That makes sense because a fixed magnification design has fewer lens elements than a variable, and I would have to believe the GE has a lot more lenses that do not transmit the light and add to a little less contrast in the view.

I have to agree with USMCDOC that I would buy another SIII 45x45 if I needed another. The only scope i own that beats the SIII 45x45 is my 12-42X56 Nightforce NXS but then that was more than double the price and I bought the NXS used. New it would be not quite triple the price.

So yes this is a GREAT buy for the money.

David

 

[wadekow]

Excellent scope, especially for the money! I've been using one for a little over six months now, I like it better than the Luepold 45x. It's clear, tracks well, no poi shifts and I prefer the 1/10 moa dot over the 1/8. I wouldn't hesitate to buy another. I believe they also offer a fine crosshair as well. The only thing I would like, is for it to come with screw in lens caps, I've never been a fan of the flip up caps.

 

[jpx2rk]

i actually like the 1/10th dot of the Sightron.

I had no real complaints about the 1/10 dot, it seemed to match the CH's on it, and was not "distracting" to me like the larger dot on my SII 36x. Just comparing the dots, nothing else here, so turn off the flame throwers.

 

[USMCDOC]

I had no real complaints about the 1/10 dot, it seemed to match the CH's on it, and was not "distracting" to me like the larger dot on my SII 36x. Just comparing the dots, nothing else here, so turn off the flame throwers.

 

[garandman]

Lovin my S3 8-32... far clearer glass than the Leup 45x Comp.

 

[Ranger188]

Does someone have Lance's #? (Sightron guy)
I have 2 different one's and want to know which is correct.

Chuck @ridgeway How would you compare the SIII 45xED to your NF comp.?

 

[lancexxx]

Model 25150 is the dot, other is fine cross hair

 

[MrG52D]

I have not looked through the GE so I have now way to compare, the only Sightron I ever had was a SII 36X, not real pleased, sent the first one back it was cloudy, then sent me another one and it was dark. Got my money back and bought Leupolds.

I sold one of my Leupold 45Xs with the dot back in the summer, hoping to find a 45X Leupold FCH, I got to look through a Sightron 45X ED, I was so impressed I bought one. Love it so much, I sold my other Leupold 45X with Dot and bought another one. Both are very clear and track very well. 1 click at 50 Yds = 1/2 bullet hole. YMMV but I would buy another in a heartbeat.

 

[ridgeway]

Does someone have Lance's #? (Sightron guy)
I have 2 different one's and want to know which is correct.

Chuck @ridgeway How would you compare the SIII 45xED to your NF comp.?

Glass wise, it's very comparable. The NF might have a slight edge on clarity. The BIG but is, the POA is solid on the Sightron. Not saying the comp won't hold because I have one that holds and checked two others and they hold. Had one that didn't, so...

 

[USMCDOC]

I have not looked through the GE so I have now way to compare, the only Sightron I ever had was a SII 36X, not real pleased, sent the first one back it was cloudy, then sent me another one and it was dark. Got my money back and bought Leupolds.

I sold one of my Leupold 45Xs with the dot back in the summer, hoping to find a 45X Leupold FCH, I got to look through a Sightron 45X ED, I was so impressed I bought one. Love it so much, I sold my other Leupold 45X with Dot and bought another one. Both are very clear and track very well. 1 click at 50 Yds = 1/2 bullet hole. YMMV but I would buy another in a heartbeat.

there is no comparison between that SII 35 and the newer 45 .. i like mine so much that the next one will be the same!

 

[johara1]

The new Sightron 45 and the SVSSED10-50x60TD are the two best scopes I ever had.... jim

 

[ridgeway]

And Jim has had them all, lol