Rifle Scopes Help with new glass IOR Valdada

[tommyc279]

Looking at purchasing a IOR Valdada 3-13x42 with MP-8 A5, mil/mil and ffp. IF you have one or know anything about them please let me know what you think. I currently shoot a Nightforce, which I liked but wish the glass was better. Before I shot a Mark 4 and hated the scope. I am looking for a scope with great glass but want to keep the price around the 1500-2000 dollar range. I also use the dials pretty regularly so they need to hold up to a little abuse. Thanks Tom

 

[billyburl2]

Re: Help with new glass IOR Valdada

I would say look at this one.
http://swfa.com/SWFA-SS-5-20x50-Tactical-30mm-Riflescope-P51642.aspx

 

[mluning]

Re: Help with new glass IOR Valdada

I've been nothing but happy with their new 3-18x50 FFP digital illumination model. I also give props to Scott at Liberty Optics for for hooking me up with a great price and customer service. The glass in the IOR is amazing. Good luck with your choice cause I know it was a hard one for me.

 

[19Scout77]

Re: Help with new glass IOR Valdada

You would have to be insane to give up a NF in favor of an IOR.

 

[kimberseries1]

Re: Help with new glass IOR Valdada

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: 19Scout77</div><div class="ubbcode-body">You would have to be insane to give up a NF in favor of an IOR. </div></div>

I'm with the op. NF glass did not impress me. USO was more clear and brighter. I'd look for a used USO or Premier. Haven't looked through an IO. Got rid of my Zeiss very quickly.

 

[19Scout77]

Re: Help with new glass IOR Valdada

If good glass is your sole concern, then buy a Zeiss Diavari. If a accurate, dependable "tactical" scope is what you desire you'd be better served by the NF than the IOR.

 

[gac700]

Re: Help with new glass IOR Valdada

I have the same scope you are referring to and it is great. If I were to order one today I'd contact Liberty Optics and order the 3.5-18x50 FFP Mil/Mil for $1699 - they are throwing in binos this month. I believe the eyebox is more forgiving on the 50 rather than the 42. The illumination is great and visibility at night is amazing.

 

[BCP]

Re: Help with new glass IOR Valdada

Other than short eye relief my 3-18 FFP was great and I regret selling it. The new 4-16 and 3-18 models seem to have fixed that eye relief problem.

For 2k you could get a premier light tactical as well I've seen a few used ones on this forum for 1800ish. Great reticule and the glass quality is about as good as S&B.

 

[BCP]

Re: Help with new glass IOR Valdada

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: billyburl2</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I would say look at this one.
http://swfa.com/SWFA-SS-5-20x50-Tactical-30mm-Riflescope-P51642.aspx </div></div>

If he's picky enough about glass to where NF kind of disappointed him then he wouldn't be happy with that either. That is a great scope though and I would use one all day long without complaint.

 

[tommyc279]

Re: Help with new glass IOR Valdada

I really appreciate all the responses and it's not that the nightforce is that bad it is just not what I hoped it would be. This next scope I would like to find a scope with great glass, good adjustments, and features I am looking for. The IOR seems to fit these needs. Has anyone compared glass between a Nightforce and SWFA SS?

 

[FLIGHT762]

Re: Help with new glass IOR Valdada

I have an IOR 4th gen. 3-18X50. The two complaints I have with it is the large turrets are very sensitive to moving when they are bumped, even when taking the rifle out of a case. Also, when unscrewing the 4- 2mm turret screws to re-set your zero. Twice, I've had the turret screws loosen and lost my zero and had to re-tighten the screws. I'm careful not to torque them too tight since they're only 2mm allen screws.

I e mailed Valdada 2 weeks ago and haven't heard a word back from them.

Other than those two issues, the glass is great. I like the reticle and the digital illumination.

 

[javy]

Re: Help with new glass IOR Valdada

I currenty have 2 of the 3.5x18x42 and one 2.5x10. They have been through numerous matches, beat up, changed from rifle to rifle, hunted with, traveled with, in the dirt and dust, they are used the way a tactical piece of equipment is expected to be used. They have never failed me in any aspect, always come back to zero, dials stay as set.

I cannot speak in comparison to other scopes as I have only owned IOR scopes but my shooting partner has USO,Razor's and Schmidt's and I never feel at a disadvantage.

Find what works for you and run with it.

Good Luck

 

[BCP]

Re: Help with new glass IOR Valdada

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: tommyc279</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Has anyone compared glass between a Nightforce and SWFA SS?
</div></div>

Lots of people have. Opticsthoughts.com by Ilya he does side by sides with them.

My take on the SS 5-20 is that it was about as good as my bushnell 3-12s, it was clear but the color was a little flat. The IOR has very warm color tones and is a bit contrasty which I like. I couldn't tell a difference between the NF and SS.

The Zeiss Diavari I own and S&B I've played with clarity was just like my IOR however the color was more realistic.

Also I should end this by saying 1) people have sworn up and down to me that the SS 5-20 is as good optically as an IOR and 2) people also say that the new NF F1 is as good as S*B. So your best bet is to find people who have these scopes and get behind them. You may like everything about a scope but hate the eyebox for instance so it's best to see them in person.

 

[BCP]

Re: Help with new glass IOR Valdada

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: FLIGHT762</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I'm careful not to torque them too tight since they're only 2mm allen screws.
</div></div>

Tighten them a bit harder they can take it. Also my turrets were very firm and made clicks that you could feel and hear quite easily. I thought they were great excepting the numbering on them looked like it was done by a kid with a crayon.

Call Valdada or better yet Scott at Liberty.

 

[Tcw015]

Re: Help with new glass IOR Valdada

I have about 10 IOR scopes in my shop right now and very unhappy with them not to mention two of the ten came in broke. They have very poor eye relief, the turrets are horrible and very expensive for what you are getting. They make about two products that are worth a damn and that is about it. The rest I wouldn't even spend $1000 on. Buy a NF or used USO or SWFA or Leupold.

 

[tman300wm]

Re: Help with new glass IOR Valdada

I have had two of the 3-18 SH models, as well as a 2.5-10, and a 3x CQB. I had issues with each and every one of them. If you decide to get a 3-18 make sure you buy it from Scott at Liberty Optics, that way when you have problems (and you almost certainly will) at least you will be in good hands. I'm done with IOR. Seems like they use their customers as a test-bed for products, and their customer service is pretty much non existent. Scott on the other hand is the man, and if it weren't for him I doubt IOR would still be moving scopes to this community.

NF, Vortex Razor, and Bushnell HDMR scopes are where it's at for your price range. I wouldn't fret over glass too much, warranty, customer service, and build quality are far more important in my opinion. That being said, Vortex probably reigns supreme for the above mentioned qualities.

 

[oinco]

Re: Help with new glass IOR Valdada

I have/had four of the 3-18, two were ffp still think they are a very good value, would definitely recommend above posters' advice and get the 3.5-18x50- the new zero stop, and cat tail are worth the cost difference alone imho at msrp-and if you can pick one up here for around $1700 sweet! I'm sure the glass will meet your expectations at the very least.

 

[Twitch2120]

Re: Help with new glass IOR Valdada

Razor?

 

[2ndamendfan]

Re: Help with new glass IOR Valdada

Oh the great IOR debate. I have three and so far been happy. 3-18x50, 2x10 and 1x10 Eliminator. Also have to say I have 2 Vortex Razors. The IORs have much better glass in my opinion. But with all the horror stories about IORs customer service I have more confidence in the Razor. I probably treat my IORs a little nicer than the Razor because the last phone call I want to make is to IOR. I agree that Liberty optics IS IOR. Without Liberty IOR would just be a faint blip in scope history (and I like my IORs). If Val would just adopt Vortex customer service (and apply it) I think they would do much better

 

[BCP]

Re: Help with new glass IOR Valdada

I had to use ior warranty when ascope i got used was doa. They took care of me about week and a half turnaround. So not bad.as to the fellow with 10 of them that he doesnt like...are they for sale?

 

[CrazyDonkey]

Re: Help with new glass IOR Valdada

I have an IOR 3.5-10x50 and love it. Never had an issue with it and it gets decetly used. Done a sibe-by-side with a S&B and NF. S&B was a little a head. IOR was second and NF was last.

Mine is currently for sale too....

 

[billyburl2]

Re: Help with new glass IOR Valdada

Razor.
http://swfa.com/Vortex-5-20x50-Razor-HD-35mm-Rifle-Scope-P57206.aspx

 

[BigJimFish]

Re: Help with new glass IOR Valdada

If you are unhappy with Nightforce glass you will also be unsatisfied with SWFA, and Vortex Razor. All of these are reliable optics with good but not Shott glass. All are pretty comparable to each other optically. IOR does have better glass but my one ownership experience with them was not positive (lens cracked when mounting a pitbull using a torque wrench and IOR rings). I have also noticed a great deal of variation model to model in design quality. Some models seem to be a great deal clearer and consequently better liked than others. Many folks seem to have issues with customer service and durability. For what it is worth, when mine broke I was able to send it in and get a replacement.

For just under 2k you can find, from time to time, a used USO SN-3 3.2-17x ergo. This is a step up glass wise from Nightforce and the like and does not seem to have issues with durability or customer service.

 

[phillip61]

Re: Help with new glass IOR Valdada

I don't know dick about scopes, but I have an 3.5-18X50 SFP IOR that rocks. I love it. I struggled with what scope to buy for months. Finally decided on the IOR and I could not be happier.

 

[springer01]

Re: Help with new glass IOR Valdada

I have owned the 3-18x42, currently have the 3.5-18x50 and the 2.5-10x42. The 3-18x42 was an older generation and one day while shooting went tits up. IOR had a new model to me within a few weeks. The only reason it took that long was they were waiting on a parts to finish up some new scopes. But kept me in the loop the entire time. After I received the new one I sold it and bought the new 3.5-18x50.

I would be hard pressed to get rid of either of my IORs I think for the money you cant find a scope with the features and glass of IOR. I am actually looking at buying another IOR pretty soon. All scopes have problems some you just don't hear about as often.. maybe because people don't like to admit $3000 scopes break, but they do. I say buy what you like if something happens to it IOR will take care of you, as will Vortex, Nightforce, Premier, S&B.

 

[fdkay]

Re: Help with new glass IOR Valdada

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Tcw015</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I have about 10 IOR scopes in my shop right now and very unhappy with them not to mention two of the ten came in broke. They have very poor eye relief, the turrets are horrible and very expensive for what you are getting. They make about two products that are worth a damn and that is about it. The rest I wouldn't even spend $1000 on. Buy a NF or used USO or SWFA or Leupold. </div></div>

Seems to me you should have stopped buying them by the time you got to three.

I only have one and have been very pleased.

 

[LibertyOptics]

Re: Help with new glass IOR Valdada

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: springer01</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I have owned the 3-18x42, currently have the 3.5-18x50 and the 2.5-10x42. The 3-18x42 was an older generation and one day while shooting went tits up. IOR had a new model to me within a few weeks. The only reason it took that long was they were waiting on a parts to finish up some new scopes. But kept me in the loop the entire time. After I received the new one I sold it and bought the new 3.5-18x50.

I would be hard pressed to get rid of either of my IORs I think for the money you cant find a scope with the features and glass of IOR. I am actually looking at buying another IOR pretty soon. All scopes have problems some you just don't hear about as often.. maybe because people don't like to admit $3000 scopes break, but they do. I say buy what you like if something happens to it IOR will take care of you, as will Vortex, Nightforce, Premier, S&B. </div></div>

A very sane post, by someone with experience

 

[LibertyOptics]

Re: Help with new glass IOR Valdada

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Tcw015</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I have about 10 IOR scopes in my shop right now and very unhappy with them not to mention two of the ten came in broke. They have very poor eye relief, the turrets are horrible and very expensive for what you are getting. They make about two products that are worth a damn and that is about it. The rest I wouldn't even spend $1000 on. Buy a NF or used USO or SWFA or Leupold. </div></div>

Hi,

Since you've been here barely a month, more info would help. Did you order 10 scopes, and have issues with them? Which models? How were they broke?

Which two scopes, in your estimation, are worth a damn?

Scott

 

[BCP]

Re: Help with new glass IOR Valdada

Yeah I'm interested in the broken ones who much for them?