Anybody who ordered a scope and had it shipped to them had it drop tested multiple times.
Rifle Scopes Does anything rival the Burris XTR3 for the money? If so, what ?
- Thread starter bb6kid
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I've heard countless examples like yours now for a multitude of issues with XTR3s and T6xis
Everything from turrets failing to snowstorms in the tube, to poor image quality (xtr3).
Try as I might I haven't found any bad feedback on the Elite tactical series or LRHS, they even pass that retarded Rockslide drop test shit..
I went ahead and ordered one of those "Trash" DMR3s today, their Mil discount sealed the deal
Cool. Like I said. I’ve had about $6000 worth of Steiner products with QC issues since 2019 … so not just a sample size of one but rather several product lines from Steiner … all had QC problems out of the box … which tells me people there are slipping with QC and they are letting things go that my “amateur” eyes can spot right out of the gate. Again. They fixed it but huge let down on my end.
Factor in the reports from people about Burris XTR3 issues … I’ll stay away from Steiner/Burris for a while.
I’ve had 0 issues with my Bushy Elites DMR3/XRS3s … so I’ll keep using them.
I only run Elite Tactical line and they have lifetime warranty …
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Coworker finally got his xtr3 yesterday that he ordered a couple weeks ago and it came with a small bottle of head and shoulders in the box so it seems like Burris is serious about fixing things. Bravo.
I'm so worried about Burris that i ordered another XTR III on EV.
I still own four Burris scopes, and three Bushnells. (XTR Pro, XTR III, 2x XTR II & DMR II, LRTS, Elite Tactical).
If I had to buy another scope between those two manufacturers, I'd go Burris. The CA in the Bushys is too much for me to really enjoy being behind for extended periods.
To each their own. My next optic will be from someone else.
If I had to buy another scope between those two manufacturers, I'd go Burris. The CA in the Bushys is too much for me to really enjoy being behind for extended periods.
To each their own. My next optic will be from someone else.
You're talking the DMR2, I've heard similar reports about bad CA in that model, many others are saying the same thing about the XTR3 though..
I got issues with the XTRIII but bad CA ain't one of them. At least in the short time i was looking at the XTR III i at home i came away so impressed that i ordered another one on ev.
Steiner used to be my go to brand for several years so needless to say. I hated seeing the downfall of quality over the years from my purchases …
Good to hear
I've read other reviews (not on this forum) saying CA was pretty bad.
One thing I'm hearing is there seems to be a lot of inconsistency in image quality between xtr3 models.
This is not first hand experience by any means, but there's enough ho hum reviews that I personally don't feel comfortable buying one at the moment.
That may change in the future, TBD
FOR THE RECORD … I want Steiner and Burris to succeed. I want to get back into a M-Series scope with the MSR2 reticle.
Not my experience with the XTR III at all. Mine is a US Made 5.5-30, so if I wanted to gripe about anything it is the cheese grater knurling and overly tight magnification ring. However, some may experience differently and I certainly won't call someone a liar if they said they had a problem. I haven't seen the same reports as you about those claiming CA on the XTR III.
The glass on mine is exceptional for what I paid ($1,100), and I'd happily put it up against anything in the $1,500 - 1,750 street price range. Where it will start to fall a tad short is on cutting mirage, and again those knurled turrets that I do remember seeing a lot of griping about. From what I understand, the Philippine made XTR III might have addressed some of that.
If the DMR3 is as repeatable as the DMR2 with the ability to cut the CA down, then it would be a pretty solid option. I'm not unhappy with using my DMR2 in the role I have it in now (canine removal). I did not enjoy using it during load development however. YMMV.
There’s virtually zero CA in my XTR-3i 5.5-30x. And it was not a hand-picked optic. It was random luck of the draw sealed in plastic. I think a lot of people out there think they know what CA is, but actually don’t, and just want to sound cool or knowledgeable in conversations.
That’s where a lot of internet Fuddlore and gun counter bullshit comes from. Having been on both sides of that gun counter, I can confirm that the average hunter doesn’t know shit about shit. They buy green box core -lokt ammo and shoot cheap off-the-shelf rifles, and think “gold ring” scopes in dovetail rings & bases are top-tier optics, think minute of pie-pan is “good ‘nuff” and that a 200 yard shot is “a long ways off”.
I grew up hunting around these same people, too. 
DMR3 is an upgrade from the DMR2 by a good bit in the image department.
However I’d say near all optics have improved from where their previous models were 5+ years ago.
Image wise … I’ve yet to look through something better than my old PMII 12-50 … that glass was just stupid (no experience yet with ZCO or TT).
I zeroed the rifle I put my new XTR III 3.3-18x50 on 12/31 for the first time. I'm really pleased with the IQ and brightness of the image, but I did experience some significant purple fringing CA at the bottom of the white champion paper zeroing target I was using (the standard one with the red diamond aiming points). I'm not sure how I feel about it as that is the only place I could see any CA. Looking at steel targets or just the landscape, I didn't notice any CA. Interestingly enough, I had the same CA show up at the white target on my Athlon Cronus UHD 7-42x60 spotting scope in the same spot. I'm pretty new to this type of scope and the only other example of a higher-ish tier scope I own is my Vortex Razor Gen II-E 1-6x24. Is CA at the bottom of a white target concerning for this scope, or par for the course? I'm not equipped to take good pictures through the scope like on @Glassaholic 's review of this optic, but it looks like the white snow in his pictures was what triggered the CA on that example as well.
You’ll get CA somewhere on none Alpha glass. Wouldn’t be a concern. CA is annoying but it can be managed.
Well, aside from the terrible jokes and general nerdiness of the host, I thought this was somewhat informative. They kind of run through the process and give a 30k ft view of the assembly of a scope. After seeing the amount of money they have in equipment in there, the employees, etc, I am surprised if these guys make any money at all. I was also surprised at how much QC is done just by the human eye. I wonder how many of the issues that people report are because ol Olivia had a few too many margaritas the night before? They even cover the CS side at the end.
Learning has occurred, thanks for the clarification on how CA should be assessed. What I'm gathering is that unless we are in Zero Compromise or Tangent Theta territory, extreme contrast will induce some purple fringing on the edge. This matches with my experience on my spotting scope as well as I will see some purple fringing on power transformer boxes against the light blue sky. I'm guessing if you see CA all over the place in the natural environment, then it's time to sound the alarm and send back a scope in the $1000 range.
Basically, yes. Until you start getting into the $3k+ territory (scopes with SCHOTT, Fluorite, or top-end ED/ELD glass), you’re bound to have some CA.
Because it doesnt come anywhere near the scope that is the subject of the post? Why would they mention it?
I dont hate on Arken but good lord, the irresponsible fan boying is getting out of hand lmfao
Forgot about them. I've had a RS2 2-10x38 before but quickly sold it because it was like looking through a straw. I had no issue with the glass in my copy but really couldn't take the extreme tunneling. Not sure if the RS1.2 suffers the same issues. How do they track?
Not speaking on Steiner's behalf as I know nothing of this particular circumstance but I can confirm that during Covid there were changes in the "ingredients" of multiple brands of adhesives, gasket makers etc, with no warning to the manufacturer. Virtually impossible to catch until the end product starts failing or performing differently. Every company has been on the receiving end of a QC crisis from time to time, I do like to judge them based upon how they handle it. Of course, if the product is always failing then that's a different story.I've been to the offices and the production facility in Greeley. They spent a good part of the day giving my buddy and I a tour, took us to lunch, it was a good time. There's some great folks there. Everyone was super friendly.
We didn't go into the clean room where final assembly occurs, but it has windows all along it, so we could see what they all were doing. We also visited with the folks who do the final QC inspection. It's pretty detailed. I don't see how it could be done by any means other than the human eye.
The recent issue that got so much mileage wasn't really a QC issue in the manner a lot of folks believed. There was definitely a breakdown by an individual in customer service. But the scope issue that uncovered wasn't something you catch in the QC inspection. The glue was breaking down, not curing properly, not to spec, something wrong with it. They had no way of knowing it wouldn't perform as it had for years in the past. Not until it was reported by scope owners. Normally there is a grease inside the scope tube to capture that dust or debris, but it's not foolproof.
This is a common problem. Search this forum and you'll find these issues reported by USO, Vortex, Nightforce, and S&B. Probably just about everyone. It happens, it's hard to catch. Luckily, they figured it out and corrected it and not too many optics were affected by it.
I think the big takeaway for Burris folks was the CS end. They learned they need to have better oversight on ole' Olivia and make sure it's not tequila night..
I've been researching optics to put on my 6 creed match rifle for months, the reputation of durability and tracking swayed me to the DMR3.
Thanks @thehun for answering my questions about the glass.
I mounted and zeroed this morning I can confirm that the glass is excellent! It's much closer to my March 4.5-28 than I'd have imagined.
The eye box is huge and theres no tunneling, I didn't observe any CA in the bright snow on white plates.
There was a little mirage on 21x but we're talking eye squinting brightness today.. It's a full on arctic front with Temps at 19 below zero this morning!
I went 2 for 3 at 975 on a torso sized plate, it didn't move but I could Cleary see the 115 dtacs splatter on impact.
Pretty damn impressed so far.
Thanks @thehun for answering my questions about the glass.
I mounted and zeroed this morning I can confirm that the glass is excellent! It's much closer to my March 4.5-28 than I'd have imagined.
The eye box is huge and theres no tunneling, I didn't observe any CA in the bright snow on white plates.
There was a little mirage on 21x but we're talking eye squinting brightness today.. It's a full on arctic front with Temps at 19 below zero this morning!
I went 2 for 3 at 975 on a torso sized plate, it didn't move but I could Cleary see the 115 dtacs splatter on impact.
Pretty damn impressed so far.
Glad to help @762 ULTRAMAGA … it’s a great piece of glass the DMR3 is! I love getting behind it.
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Hey Doug just saw your post and wanted to say hello. I ordered a Arken SH4 a few days ago after seeing a bunch of really good posts about your store. Looking forward to receiving it. Also like the fact that you post and monitor this sight. As long as my scope shows up without issue or with issue and they are promptly fixed I will continue to use you guys and recommend you. I thinks it great that you are active in here.Give Doug a call at cameraland... here's the Sightron at 1K. I need to try the newer version, have the older 6-24's and have been happy with them.
Nice way of doing business with a vendor! And all that for an arken sh4…..
Wdf is wrong with people?
LOL if he called me with an attitude like that after he bought some cheap shit and it crapped out I’d promptly tell him to get fucked.
Sounds like scopeeye2.0.
I really hope Doug reads this and hasn’t shipped the arken yet, just refund the money and tell him to get lost.
Nothing wrong with me. Just cause I find it odd to receive no email or no tracking info. And you don’t agree with my scope choice. Maybe that is what I afford right now. One reason why these forums suck. Bunch of snotty judgmental people mixed in with some decent people who encouraging people who are new to something. Hope you have a great day
You could just pick up the phone and call them or email them about your concern instead of quoting someone that isn’t even Doug or a cameraland account with some crappy response.
Act like a fool and you’ll get treated like one. It’s not the forums fault you said what you did, can’t address your concern appropriately, and can’t even quote the right person.
Well asshole if you bothered to find out I did email them through the link
In their website 3 days ago. And I never heard a reply. But I did see today that my piece of shit scope is arriving today. Even with now word from them. You really seem to get your oanties in a bunch about things that really have nothing to do with you. It’s easy to be a keyboard tough guy on Internet forum. I’ll be sure to check with you before I buy anything or post anything that you might find offensive or just stupid.
So if they never sent your tracking information as you stated and never replied to your email, how do you know it’s coming today?
Also since you can’t seem to figure it out, when your air something out on a public forum it’s no longer a private matter. So if you don’t want responses you may not like them don’t say dumb shit on the internet. Judging by everything you’ve posted here and your weird ass reply in another thread you come across like you’re made of fucking spare parts.
Because I have something with the postal service called informed delivery. I can see everything being delivered to my address in a email sent to me every morning. You should look into it. I get it that it becomes public. Just because something is public you don’t have to be a dick. But look into informed delivery. UPS FED EX and the post office all have there form of it. They will notify you if any package coming to your address. And as soon as you move out of your moms basement maybe you will have something to do instead of being a internet dick
You'll soon learn that the guy you're fighting with is universally despised by everyone on the Hide.
Play along and watch him make an ass of himself, or activate the ignore button
Thanks for the heads up. Can’t hit the ignore button. I still believe every one is entitled to their opinion even if it sucks. But I appreciate the people who have been pleasant. I am new on this forum so still learning
Xtr3 5-30 can be had for $1k currently, anything better for $1k or less?
Bushnell Match Pro Rifle Scope 5-30x 56mm for $700?
Bushnell Match Pro Rifle Scope 5-30x 56mm for $700?
My $0.02. If your application works with the reduced FOV and higher magnification, the Vortex Razor HD LHT 4.5-22x50 FFP with mil tree reticle is a little better than the XTR III 3.3-18x50 SCR-2 IMO for a similar price (when both are on sale). I have both scopes and really like them both for this price range. They are similar in optical quality, but the LHT is just a little easier to get behind at a given mag level, has slightly better optical performance, and the LHT turrets and controls are not stiff like the XTR III (which is my one complaint about the XTR). If anything, the LHT turrets are a little bit mushy but not bad at all for this price range. The LHT is also lighter by a few ounces. I use the XTR III 3.3-18 when the extra FOV is important, otherwise the LHT is a better enough IMO to be worth the extra $. Right now the XTR III is on clearance pricing at EO and the LHT is not on sale anywhere I found, so the price difference is more than normal. The current EO XTR III pricing is quite good. When the LHT is on sale (or if you call around and ask for better pricing than online) you can get the LHT for just a couple hundred more than the XTR III sale price.
How about the XTR2 on sale at EO? Is there any better optic for a rimfire for the money or should I quit being cheap and just get the XTR3?
Under $650... IMO, nothing else out there touches the newer XTR-II 5-25x50 SCR scopes on sale at EO. I have several of them, and have replaced numerous Vortex and Arken scopes with them...Including an Arken EP5 & SH4 Gen2, a Strike Eagle 5-25x56 EBR-7C and a couple of Viper HST/PST scopes, which were known to have pretty good glass.
If you can afford the extra $350 for the XTR-3 5.5-30x56 SCR2, then I'd go that route. My XTR-III is noticeably better than my XTR-II's.
