Did Steiner just quietly build the MPO we have all been asking for? H6xi

[white_rushin]

Agreed, awesome write-up @Ape_Factory. I can’t wait to get it in next week.

I think the main question I have is not so much is the main center of the reticle usable at 2x (I know it’s not) but moreso, do the lines 3/6/9 lines extend and have enough thickness to act as a solid duplex / bracketing at min power. Then using illumination when needed in complex environments.

Also, forward of the elevation turret, how difficult is it going to be for most folks to mount a piggyback optic. It certainly seems finicky depending on the mount.

Is there anything you wish they had done differently? Or maybe, what would a company like NF / PA / Vortex have to do in order to gain a substantial advantage over this

 

[gearguywb]

I certainly could have missed it in my Oxy induced fog (recent surgery), but I did not see anywhere that gave the actual distances/dimensions for the sub tension lines on the 2-12 and 3-18.

The 2-12 seems like it would make a heck of a good hunting scope given a robust platform and light weight....

 

[jbuck88]

Lots of us were hoping it would make a nice crossover hunting scope. Instead they put a 100mph reticle in it that's too fine to use on the bottom end. Not sure what the substentions are on the tree. You get 20 mils of hold offs on the horizontal stadia though (10mils each side)

 

[Ape_Factory]

Had an LTC class today so no real time behind scope, maybe tomorrow. I need to see if the center of the reticle, along with the three thick stadia(?) is enough to provide a good point of aim. Like if you were hunting pigs at 50-100 yards with thermal clip on. Could you realistically take an ethical shot. I almost never spend time at the wide end of any of my scopes unless its the 1-8 and its run and gun sort of stuff. Dual reticle is the way to go but March scopes are pricey.

If I have time today I’ll try to get more comparison shots, weights and measurements.

 

[Ape_Factory]

I certainly could have missed it in my Oxy induced fog (recent surgery), but I did not see anywhere that gave the actual distances/dimensions for the sub tension lines on the 2-12 and 3-18.

The 2-12 seems like it would make a heck of a good hunting scope given a robust platform and light weight....

I’ll pull the manual and see if it has that info.

 

[Earnhardt]

I certainly could have missed it in my Oxy induced fog (recent surgery), but I did not see anywhere that gave the actual distances/dimensions for the sub tension lines on the 2-12 and 3-18.

The 2-12 seems like it would make a heck of a good hunting scope given a robust platform and light weight....

I was incorrect… it looks like the center reticle is .07” on the H6xi MOA models

This pic is from the Steiner website

 

[Burdy]

Lots of us were hoping it would make a nice crossover hunting scope. Instead they put a 100mph reticle in it that's too fine to use on the bottom end. Not sure what the substentions are on the tree. You get 20 mils of hold offs on the horizontal stadia though (10mils each side)

I'll be honest, I've hunted with nothing but FFP scopes on longer range capable guns for as long as I can remember. But recently I "built" a 7 PRC for my first hunt out west. I tried several options and then had a bit of an epiphany: I'll always be dialing. So I decided to give SFP a shot in the NX8 2.5-20 to maximize my low mag FOV and have a nice solid reticle (MIL-C F2) at all magnification levels. I have been shocked by how much I like this setup. A SFP option in this Steiner would be the ticket if hunting was the use case.

 

[Ape_Factory]

I quickly ran home and pulled out both scopes to look at them again at 2x and 3x respectively. No problem using the 3-18 at base mag with a simple cross hair reticle with no illumination. Same with the 2-12 although it's harder to see. If you turn on illumination, it's easily visible without question. I could see it against an overcast sky as well as with trees/brush as background.

Comparing it to the Athlon, I don't see the Athlon as having any advantage other than there's a larger circle of death surrounding the center dot. The reticle lines are just as "thin" as the Steiner so it's not any easier to see at base magnification of 2X. I could use either without question. Is the March dual reticle superior? Of course.

 

[Twotoomany]

What is the Coupon Code to get an extra 10% off?

Thanks

10off2324 for 10% off when >$75 spent.

 

[gearguywb]

10off2324 for 10% off when >$75 spent.

From where?

 

[Twotoomany]

From where?

see post #443

 

[gearguywb]

I have only used FFP scopes on hunting rigs, particularly out west.

I typically dial for elevation, but it would be nice to know what the vertical lines represent so that if you needed to make a faster shot you could use them to hold.

 

[gearguywb]

Well sh!!!. "You are not eligible for this promotion"

 

[white_rushin]

Well sh!!!. "You are not eligible for this promotion"

It might still be worth contacting Otto who was mentioned a few pages back and seeing if he still has more of this model to sell out of the end of year inventory

 

[gearguywb]

Any of you guys that bought one (or two) that want to part with them? I am not having any luck finding any type of discount code that works.

It looks like you either get the goofy looking MHR reticle in MOA, or a tree in Mills.

My Googlefu is lacking as I can't find a single place that actually lists what the spacing is on either of these

 

[C_Does]

Hey Yall, Im finally getting ready to start filming my mega MPVO comparison. I got the H6Xi setup as good as possible. The illumination is on full and these stills at 2x increments. So 2x, 4x, 6x etc...

I dont mind the reticle past 6x. Unlike the Delta Stryker 5-30 reticle, I like the '+' at the full mil marker for the drops section. Its easy and fast to pick up and makes sense to me. Below 4x and it gets incredibly fine. Im glad that Steiner opted to have the posts extend to the outisde of the image. But its still missing something to pick up the center easily. Illumination isnt half bad tho, and I like what they did with the control for it.

Overall its an interesting optic. I am very curious to see how it will really fair at longer ranges.

 

[Ape_Factory]

Agreed, awesome write-up @Ape_Factory. I can’t wait to get it in next week.

I think the main question I have is not so much is the main center of the reticle usable at 2x (I know it’s not) but moreso, do the lines 3/6/9 lines extend and have enough thickness to act as a solid duplex / bracketing at min power. Then using illumination when needed in complex environments.

Also, forward of the elevation turret, how difficult is it going to be for most folks to mount a piggyback optic. It certainly seems finicky depending on the mount.

I did a preliminary mount in an extra Scalarworks I had lying around. I've never run an RDO on any of my scopes but I think I might try one at the 12 o'clock position. There isn't a lot of room though. I'll take measurements tomorrow.

Not sure what I want to do mount wise, looking to try something new just for the sake of trying something new. I'd do Scalarworks but I don't like the idea of a 45 degree offset RDO and due to the ring design, there's no option for a top mount.

I've owned/tried Badger, Scalarworks, PA PLX, American Defense, and LaRue. I have an ARC M-Brace one piece on the bolt gun which is an awesome mount but fucking heavy. I'd kill for a skeletonized version of that scope mount. I'd really like the mount to be QD since I do tend to swap scopes around often, especially when I'm doing load development. But I can't find anything QD out there with the RDO top mount option that's as light as something like the Scalarworks.

For a non-QD mount, it's hard to beat the Primary Arms PLX mounts. They're lighter than the Scalarworks and have incredible build quality with all top notch components (bolts). But looking to try something new so open to suggestions other than Reptilia.

 

[white_rushin]

I did a preliminary mount in an extra Scalarworks I had lying around. I've never run an RDO on any of my scopes but I think I might try one at the 12 o'clock position. There isn't a lot of room though. I'll take measurements tomorrow.

Not sure what I want to do mount wise, looking to try something new just for the sake of trying something new. I'd do Scalarworks but I don't like the idea of a 45 degree offset RDO and due to the ring design, there's no option for a top mount.

I've owned/tried Badger, Scalarworks, PA PLX, American Defense, and LaRue. I have an ARC M-Brace one piece on the bolt gun which is an awesome mount but fucking heavy. I'd kill for a skeletonized version of that scope mount. I'd really like the mount to be QD since I do tend to swap scopes around often, especially when I'm doing load development. But I can't find anything QD out there with the RDO top mount option that's as light as something like the Scalarworks.

For a non-QD mount, it's hard to beat the Primary Arms PLX mounts. They're lighter than the Scalarworks and have incredible build quality with all top notch components (bolts). But looking to try something new so open to suggestions other than Reptilia.

I have a PLX with the RMR piggyback ring top as well as a NF Ultramount on the way. Koeng sells a top ring that I plan to pair it with. I think I’m going with the NF but will try out both setups to see what will work

 

[white_rushin]

Hey Yall, Im finally getting ready to start filming my mega MPVO comparison. I got the H6Xi setup as good as possible. The illumination is on full and these stills at 2x increments. So 2x, 4x, 6x etc...

I dont mind the reticle past 6x. Unlike the Delta Stryker 5-30 reticle, I like the '+' at the full mil marker for the drops section. Its easy and fast to pick up and makes sense to me. Below 4x and it gets incredibly fine. Im glad that Steiner opted to have the posts extend to the outisde of the image. But its still missing something to pick up the center easily. Illumination isnt half bad tho, and I like what they did with the control for it.

Overall its an interesting optic. I am very curious to see how it will really fair at longer ranges.

Those images came out great. Can’t wait for the comparison and also for the MPVO review. I know you favor the MK4HD 2.5-10 but I can’t get on board with the TMR (if I did it would have to be the thinner non-illuminated reticle)

It sounds like you’re not quite satisfied with the performance below 4-6x which may be a reoccurring opinion on this model.

 

[gearguywb]

Certainly makes the 1150 (or better) price tag seem to be very worth it.

 

[gearguywb]

Bringing this up again...anyone have a working code or want to get rid of one they purchased previously. Would like to grab two of them for hunting rifles.

 

[C_Does]

Those images came out great. Can’t wait for the comparison and also for the MPVO review. I know you favor the MK4HD 2.5-10 but I can’t get on board with the TMR (if I did it would have to be the thinner non-illuminated reticle)

It sounds like you’re not quite satisfied with the performance below 4-6x which may be a reoccurring opinion on this model.

Whilst I agree that Leupold is just being Mega lazy by constantly throwing the TMR in everything they make for the last 30 years. It does seem to work in the magnification range they have for this scope. I would still love to see something focused around the 2.5-10 magnification range to maximize effectiveness. But it seems like only Athlon is really paying attention to that detail.

 

[Ape_Factory]

I made it out to the range today but it was a really bad day as the 308 gas gun let me down. I managed to shoot enough to get both scopes sighted in and when I went to do my first ladder test, the rim on the first round ripped off and left the case in the chamber. Pulled the BCG and there was a ton of wear that hadn't been there before. Need to do a total teardown to find out what's causing it. The case came out with almost no effort once I got home so not sure what happened.

Anyway, I didn't achieve everything I wanted to achieve in terms of assessing both scopes. So a few thoughts. First, the glass was really, really good on both of them. Zero complaints and the edge to edge sharpness was as good as I've experienced. Good contrast, bright, no complaints and right out of the box I was pleasantly surprised. I didn't notice any difference in brightness between the two. I brought the Meopta Optika6 3-18 but didn't pull it out of the bag. The Athlon 2-12 is now sans mount.

The scope body disappears and there's really no tunneling to speak of, regardless of magnification, on either model. Eye relief on the 2-12 is really good and is tighter on the 3-18, possibly not as good as the Meopta but I found the Steiner to be less fiddly in that regard. None-the-less, both were easy to get behind and the eyebox was on par with the better scopes I've used. I felt immediately comfortable behind both.

The parallax adjustment does not have distances. It's easy to get a crisp reticle and a sharp picture. There's a little bit of pincushion distortion if the diopter is not set correctly. On the 2-12, at 2X, the view is wide enough that my weapon light was visible.

The illumination knob's adjustment is too light. Love the fact it goes to 11. Spinal Tap anyone? But it's easy to turn so I suggest always turning it down past 1 so if you do knock it on somehow, the battery won't drain out in five hours. On white targets, I couldn't see the illumination unless I was at 10 or 11 with the 2-12. Was better with the 3-18.

On the turrets, love them. I thought they felt too "fine" at first but in use, behind the gun, I really liked their feel and they weren't too stiff. I feel the Cronus BTR Gen2 turrets are a bit stiff. But you're still not going to bump them out of adjustment. The zoom ring effort is spot-on perfect. Steiner includes a throw lever with two different handle heights. The small one is more than enough.

Steiner includes the focus ring, battery, capped turret conversion for the elevation, lens caps and lens cleaning cloths along with the "case candy" or paperwork/stickers and decals. Have a few photos and I'll post them tomorrow.

 

[white_rushin]

Thanks for the part II write-up. It might seem minor out of all the detail you provided, but I’m happy they didn’t put distances on the parallax adjustment. Everyone’s eyes are different so it’s nice to not be fixated on “my scope isn’t perfectly clear at 200YDs when I set it to 200 mark on my PA!”

 

[Ape_Factory]

I agree, I'll take smaller adjustment turrets over labels. On the other hand, it's probably handy to have with a thermal or for a quick adjustment.

The third part of my order from Steiner is shipping, likely today, just got a notice. So if you ordered and didn't get everything, you may have a second order coming.

 

[Shoreglide]

It might still be worth contacting Otto who was mentioned a few pages back and seeing if he still has more of this model to sell out of the end of year inventory

No more H6Xi mils left. He did have some 2-12 and 5-30 MOA remaining as of 1/2 hour ago along with a few other goodies from the list.

 

[Shoreglide]

I agree, I'll take smaller adjustment turrets over labels. On the other hand, it's probably handy to have with a thermal or for a quick adjustment.

The third part of my order from Steiner is shipping, likely today, just got a notice. So if you ordered and didn't get everything, you may have a second order coming.

Tomorrow makes a week since they charged my card but I haven’t received notification anything has shipped. What carrier did they use for your order?

 

[white_rushin]

Tomorrow makes a week since they charged my card but I haven’t received notification anything has shipped. What carrier did they use for your order?

I’m in the same boat. They said via email we should receive tracking this week.

 

[Ape_Factory]

Fed Ex for me.

 

[Earnhardt]

Delete…

 

[white_rushin]

Cmon Steiner, give us the shipping notice and a Trump W on the same day!

 

[Slateman]

Wow, didn't realize that reticle are different

 

[Shoreglide]

Anybody get a shipping notice lately? Crickets here.

 

[Ape_Factory]

A couple of pics while people wait for theirs to arrive.

Here's a comparison of the Athlon and Steiner turret heights. I didn't have the Steiner mounted yet but you can see the difference. The Steiner's turrets are half the height.


On the 2-12 you have about 32mm clearance between the prism housing and where the scope flares out. It'll be a tight fit with any top ring RDO mounts so choose wisely and measure twice before ordering. I'm looking at the Area 419 cantilever mount which has a probably too tall RMR mount but could be an optical illusion.


Weight! The Steiner had the OneHundredConcepts shock collar and rear scope cap so take off half an ounce.


The Athlon, naked, isn't far behind.


The 3-18 isn't too bad in the weight department.


Mounted on a small frame 308 gas gun.


Included accessories.


I think I have the 308 back in shape, hoping to head back to the range tomorrow or Sunday and I'll try to get some reticle photos out in the field with different backgrounds.

 

[Ape_Factory]

Got out with both scopes today. A few more observations.
-Tunneling is pretty much non-existent on either regardless of magnification It's not like a PA PLxC 1-8 on 1X but it's not far off.
-FOV is definitely better than my other scopes in the same magnification range.
-The 3-18 eye relief is tighter by a good bit than the 2-12 but it's not horrible and it's comfortable to get behind. I think the Meopta is ever so slightly better in eye relief.
-I initially had some eye fatigue with the 3-18 but my diopter was set wrong. I adjusted it slightly today and was so much better I can't believe I got by with it when the diopter was set wrong.
-The 3-18 handles mirage better than the Meopta or my Cronus Gen 2 4-29. It was hot out there today and there was plenty of mirage right off the bat. Once my titanium suppressor got hot, it was that much worse. No cover for it as I managed to burn up the allegedly hard use cover I had for it. Haven't bought anything new yet. The 3-18 handled the mirage well and while I still don't believe it "cutting through" mirage, I do think sharper glass keeps the target more defined. Made it easier to identify when the reticle was on target.
-The 2-12, despite the smaller front objective is still very bright, brighter than the Athlon 2-12.
-Did I mention how good the glass was edge to edge?

So far so good. I think the 2-12 is tidy enough to make a nice setup with a clip-on thermal without switching out to my PLxC 1-8x. And I have to say, swapping scopes with QD mounts is the chef's kiss. Almost no POI shift whatsoever. If I were shooting 500 yards or more, yeah, I'd probably want to re-zero but damn is it close. Was using an ADM and a Scalarworks today. I'd also say for me and my use, the 2-12 is very flexible and would likely be my go to over the 3-18. I found it fine for load development/paper punching. I haven't used either in challenging light conditions just yet but they should perform well.

 

[white_rushin]

For anyone that got a charge but no shipping notice on their 2-12x42, I got info from their ordering department that the next batch to be shipped won’t be until December. So it looks like they’ll honor the order but don’t have immediate inventory to send out yet