SIII10-50x60 vs Golden Eagle

[ASbobcat]

Has anyone compared these two side-by-side, and hopefully with more than one set of eyeballs?

I chose the Sightron for it's bigger objective, but am not thrilled with image clarity. Plenty of light and big eye box, which is very comfortable, but seeing 6.5mm holes at 600yds is marginal.

 

[dkhunt14]

Seeing 6.5 holes at 600 yards is tough to do, even with good spotting scopes. Everything has to be right. Little to no mirage, light (angle of sun), no haze and a few other things. In black they are next to impossible to see. Matt

 

[ranger3]

I have looked through both, GE is very nice but the thin ECR reticle is hard for me to see depending on target and light. I own the Sightron 10-50 and will give the edge on glass to GE, I'm very happy with my Sightron.
I can't say there is 400 difference in price. I like the MOAH reticle a lot. I shoot my Sightron at 1k hardly ever go more than 24-28 power. The clarity is great. My spotting scope won't show 6.5 bullet holes at 600. If you want the extra 10 power and money is not an issue, go with GE. I have 3 Sightron and 3 Viper PST''s. Like them all.

 

[ASbobcat]

Seeing 6.5 holes at 600 yards is tough to do, even with good spotting scopes. Everything has to be right. Little to no mirage, light (angle of sun), no haze and a few other things. In black they are next to impossible to see. Matt

Thanks. I don't use black, so that's not an issue. Just white paper, sometimes with orange target circle.

 

[ranger3]

There is a trick to seeing the bullet holes. Take a foam board, paint it black and when you shoot the target on the board, it will show up well.

 

[ASbobcat]

I have looked through both, GE is very nice but the thin ECR reticle is hard for me to see depending on target and light. I own the Sightron 10-50 and will give the edge on glass to GE, I'm very happy with my Sightron.
I can't say there is 400 difference in price. I like the MOAH reticle a lot. I shoot my Sightron at 1k hardly ever go more than 24-28 power. The clarity is great. My spotting scope won't show 6.5 bullet holes at 600. If you want the extra 10 power and money is not an issue, go with GE. I have 3 Sightron and 3 Viper PST''s. Like them all.

Thanks very much for the information. That's exactly what I'm looking for.
I suspected the glass would be slightly better in the GE, but I really like my Sightron MilHash reticle (#25004). just the right thickness. My range goes to 500M and we don't have target pullers/markers, so being able to see 6.5mm holes at that range is the acid test for my purposes. To that end, I would go with the GE reticle if the image contrast is better.

I would welcome more opinions from other eyes too.

 

[ASbobcat]

There is a trick to seeing the bullet holes. Take a foam board, paint it black and when you shoot the target on the board, it will show up well.

Thanks for the tip, but my range uses white paper with orange target circles for matches.

 

[CharlieNC]

This year I switched from the SIII 8-32 to the GE. While I liked the SIII, I can run the GE at much higher power when the mirage gets tough and still see the Ftr target rings. That made it worthwhile for me.

 

[ASbobcat]

This year I switched from the SIII 8-32 to the GE. While I liked the SIII, I can run the GE at much higher power when the mirage gets tough and still see the Ftr target rings. That made it worthwhile for me.

Thanks very much. Good information. Very helpful.

 

[Zero333]

On the GE, the exit pupil is a little narrow (eye relief threshold), especially at higher magnification... and the turret clicks are quite mushy.

On the other hand the GE's glass is better than the S-III's, especially when comparing them at same magnification.

 

[MislMan]

A few weeks back I had the opportunity to look through rifles with GE, Sightron 10-50 and Night Force 15-55 side-by-side. The three of us were on neighboring benches shooting at 200 yards. It was mid-day and bright here in Central Florida. We each looked through all three of the scopes and compared opinions. The concensus was that all three appear equal with none noticeably better than another. At 200 yards the GE did seem a little more "tempermental" with mirage when using 60x. I own the GE and I love it. Previously used a Mueller 8-32x44mm but moved up to the GE for shooting 600-1000 yards (I haven't shot past 200 yds yet). Of note, Vortex used to offer discounts to military vets, you have to call them to get the discount.

 

[ASbobcat]

On the GE, the exit pupil is a little narrow (eye relief threshold), especially at higher magnification... and the turret clicks are quite mushy.

On the other hand the GE's glass is better than the S-III's, especially when comparing them at same magnification.

Good info. Thanks.

Most seem to agree that the GE and NF have better glass if one is willing to live with the smaller exit pupil.

 

[ASbobcat]

A few weeks back I had the opportunity to look through rifles with GE, Sightron 10-50 and Night Force 15-55 side-by-side. The three of us were on neighboring benches shooting at 200 yards. It was mid-day and bright here in Central Florida. We each looked through all three of the scopes and compared opinions. The concensus was that all three appear equal with none noticeably better than another. At 200 yards the GE did seem a little more "tempermental" with mirage when using 60x. I own the GE and I love it. Previously used a Mueller 8-32x44mm but moved up to the GE for shooting 600-1000 yards (I haven't shot past 200 yds yet). Of note, Vortex used to offer discounts to military vets, you have to call them to get the discount.

I suspect the SIII was comparable in this case because of the relatively close distance to target. I should have been more specific, that I'm looking for comparisons at 600 to 1000yds.

Thanks

 

[Willow]

I suspect the SIII was comparable in this case because of the relatively close distance to target. I should have been more specific, that I'm looking for comparisons at 600 to 1000yds.

Thanks

I have owned a Sightron SIII and put more than 2000 rounds downrange with it ranging from 100 to 800 metres, even took it hunting once and it was fine. For the money, they're a good choice to get you into the target shooting world. I did move the Sightron on though and have two Vortex GE's, one with the ECR reticle, and one with the SCR. For the money I reckon they're great. I looked long and hard at the NF Comp, got a few friends that run them so getting behind their rifles wasn't hard. In the end I prefer the GE over the NF and Sightron. I find both the Sightron and Vortex to be quite flexible with eye relief and ease of getting a clear sight picture. Prefer the glass and turrets in the GE and I can use it at a higher magnification more easily in comparison to the Sightron. Haven't had any issues with tracking with either of my scopes.

I'm debating whether to buy a 3rd one later this year or wait and take a close look at the upcoming Sightron SV with ED glass and 1/8 clicks, I think that scope will be a good option. And then there's part of me which may even go for a March HM, just for the sake of owning one as that scope seriously impressed me when I got behind it.

 

[carlsbad]

I shot them both today. First time out with the Vortex. I've owned 3 different Sightrons and today I was shooting a brand new one with the Horus reticle. Have to say I prefer the Vortex. Love the reticle and the optics were sweet. Sightron has more light gathering but that isn't a problem since I never shoot at dusk or dawn (range not open).

I'm a fan of the sightron and still recommend it as the best buy in quality optics but the vortex was nicer.

My third rifle was a nightforce competition and I still like the nightforce better but it is close. Both the nightforce and the GE have nice 1/8 moa nobs with better feel than the sightron.

--Jerry

 

[fultonbig9]

I shot them both today. First time out with the Vortex. I've owned 3 different Sightrons and today I was shooting a brand new one with the Horus reticle. Have to say I prefer the Vortex. Love the reticle and the optics were sweet. Sightron has more light gathering but that isn't a problem since I never shoot at dusk or dawn (range not open).

I'm a fan of the sightron and still recommend it as the best buy in quality optics but the vortex was nicer.

My third rifle was a nightforce competition and I still like the nightforce better but it is close. Both the nightforce and the GE have nice 1/8 moa nobs with better feel than the sightron.

--Jerry

Has anyone compared these two side-by-side, and hopefully with more than one set of eyeballs?

I chose the Sightron for it's bigger objective, but am not thrilled with image clarity. Plenty of light and big eye box, which is very comfortable, but seeing 6.5mm holes at 600yds is

Has anyone compared these two side-by-side, and hopefully with more than one set of eyeballs?

I chose the Sightron for it's bigger objective, but am not thrilled with image clarity. Plenty of light and big eye box, which is very comfortable, but seeing 6.5mm holes at 600yds is marginal.

Yes I own both and love both of them, i shoot 600 and mostly 1000yds now. I have always used the fine crosshairs but decided to try the ecr reticle ( which I think is the best reticle design I've seen for benchrest, my opinion only) the only problem is with my eyes I have to make the dot bigger to even make it clear so I'm still getting used to that part but the GE is very clear and the clicks are not mushy at all there actually better than any scope I've ever clicked, also the side focus is way better than the sightron. Now the sightron to me is just as clear,now I'm only talking around 45 or so power ( that's where I shoot it mostly)maybe the GE just a tick more clearer but it's really not much if any. I was shooting the other day beside a march and I looked through it and I thought the GE was way clearer now again everyone's eyes are different. I'm a fan of sightron and GE now also. If I can't get used the the dot I may see if someone would trade for a crosshairs one. I wouldn't hesitate a second on getting either one there both excellent scopes for the money. I'm sure this probably didn't help much, just my thoughts. Joey Combs

 

[ASbobcat]

Yes I own both and love both of them, i shoot 600 and mostly 1000yds now. I have always used the fine crosshairs but decided to try the ecr reticle ( which I think is the best reticle design I've seen for benchrest, my opinion only) the only problem is with my eyes I have to make the dot bigger to even make it clear so I'm still getting used to that part but the GE is very clear and the clicks are not mushy at all there actually better than any scope I've ever clicked, also the side focus is way better than the sightron. Now the sightron to me is just as clear,now I'm only talking around 45 or so power ( that's where I shoot it mostly)maybe the GE just a tick more clearer but it's really not much if any. I was shooting the other day beside a march and I looked through it and I thought the GE was way clearer now again everyone's eyes are different. I'm a fan of sightron and GE now also. If I can't get used the the dot I may see if someone would trade for a crosshairs one. I wouldn't hesitate a second on getting either one there both excellent scopes for the money. I'm sure this probably didn't help much, just my thoughts. Joey Combs

The information is very helpful and I appreciate your input.

 

[ASbobcat]

I shot them both today. First time out with the Vortex. I've owned 3 different Sightrons and today I was shooting a brand new one with the Horus reticle. Have to say I prefer the Vortex. Love the reticle and the optics were sweet. Sightron has more light gathering but that isn't a problem since I never shoot at dusk or dawn (range not open).

I'm a fan of the sightron and still recommend it as the best buy in quality optics but the vortex was nicer.

My third rifle was a nightforce competition and I still like the nightforce better but it is close. Both the nightforce and the GE have nice 1/8 moa nobs with better feel than the sightron.

--Jerry

Thank you very much for your input.

 

[ASbobcat]

Has anyone compared these two side-by-side, and hopefully with more than one set of eyeballs?

I chose the Sightron for it's bigger objective, but am not thrilled with image clarity. Plenty of light and big eye box, which is very comfortable, but seeing 6.5mm holes at 600yds is marginal.

I wish to thank everyone who has contributed their experiences. The consensus seems to be that a better comparison would be between the GE and NF Comp with regard to contrast and image quality at highest magnification.