I've had both, if I did not "need" an Ultra Short design I would choose the standard PMII. I did not have them side by side, but the copy of my standard PMII 3-20 seemed to perform better optically at higher magnifications than the Ultra Short version. As "Ultra Shorts" go I prefer the 5-20 over the 3-20 (just think it's a better design overall). For my eyes, the standard PMII 3-20 had more depth and really gave that "wow" experience, not saying the US 3-20 did not, but I ended up selling my US 3-20 in favor of the Kahles K318i because I felt the K318i performed better optically and has a much better reticle, that and I'm not a huge fan of the MTC turrets with their tendency to overtravel after the full mil clicks. The only reason I do not still own the standard PMII 3-20 is because of reticle, while Schmidt has many reticles to choose from none of them really turn me on, the LRR-Mil and MSR2 are compelling but neither are Christmas tree, but the LRR-Mil seems very busy to me and I wish they had something more along the lines of the MR4. If Schmidt offered the PMII 3-20 with an MR4/SKMR3/Gen 3XR style reticle I'd probably have one on every rifle, I loved the scope that much (minus the MTC turrets). If you don't mind the reticles you can find some great deals on the PMII 3-20 in the classifieds as well as from some of the Hide dealers on special from time to time. You can read my review in my signature below where I talk about the PMII 3-20 and give some comments about its performance.
