Never had opportunity to look through an IOR, but read a lot of good things about it, especially the glass made by Schott, which supposedly also supplies Zeiss and S$B. Is the optical quality of IOR scope really at par with Zeiss and Swarivski as some claimed, especially at high magnifications? How about low light conditions? Any first hand experience appreciated
Rifle Scopes IOR first hand experience
- Thread starter yej0001
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Re: IOR first hand experience
Rather than me trying to figure out what IOR scope you are trying to compare to what Zeiss/S&B/Swarovski scope, and for what uses you are contemplating, how about you just read these articles, and decide for yourself.
High End Tactical Scopes - Part 1
High End Tactical Scopes - Part 2
As you will note, there is a bunch more stuff to consider, than just "optical quality".
Note, there are no Swarovski scopes tested as they make mainly hunting scopes, not tactical scopes.
Rather than me trying to figure out what IOR scope you are trying to compare to what Zeiss/S&B/Swarovski scope, and for what uses you are contemplating, how about you just read these articles, and decide for yourself.
High End Tactical Scopes - Part 1
High End Tactical Scopes - Part 2
As you will note, there is a bunch more stuff to consider, than just "optical quality".
Note, there are no Swarovski scopes tested as they make mainly hunting scopes, not tactical scopes.
Re: IOR first hand experience
I have an IOR 3.5-18x50 35mm Tactical scope FFP SH and I have a S&B PMII P4f. The better scope is the S&B. Also, the S&B is $1400 more than the IOR. The reason I got an IOR is it was less expensive than the S&B. I like everything the IOR has to offer and it's comparable to features the S&B on it scopes. The glass on the IOR has a yellow hue to it and the S&B doesn't have any hue to it, which may be the reason the S&B looks brighter to me. The clarity of both scopes is the same.
I have had a NF F1 and to me the clarity of the IOR was better (NF F1 had no hue to it). That said the glass doesn't make the scope. Does it have the features your looking for in a scope? Is it reliable? Does it track properly?
For me the answer to those questions is the IOR had the feature I was looking for in a scope. It tracks perfectly. Now is it reliable? The jury is still out on this question. I haven't had mine long enough to answer if it's reliable. There are plenty of threads here that have gone over the reliability and warranty issues of IOR scopes. I will say this the S&B is more refine than the IOR. However, for my future builds I will be using the IOR scopes because of the price and features this scope.
Jamie
I have an IOR 3.5-18x50 35mm Tactical scope FFP SH and I have a S&B PMII P4f. The better scope is the S&B. Also, the S&B is $1400 more than the IOR. The reason I got an IOR is it was less expensive than the S&B. I like everything the IOR has to offer and it's comparable to features the S&B on it scopes. The glass on the IOR has a yellow hue to it and the S&B doesn't have any hue to it, which may be the reason the S&B looks brighter to me. The clarity of both scopes is the same.
I have had a NF F1 and to me the clarity of the IOR was better (NF F1 had no hue to it). That said the glass doesn't make the scope. Does it have the features your looking for in a scope? Is it reliable? Does it track properly?
For me the answer to those questions is the IOR had the feature I was looking for in a scope. It tracks perfectly. Now is it reliable? The jury is still out on this question. I haven't had mine long enough to answer if it's reliable. There are plenty of threads here that have gone over the reliability and warranty issues of IOR scopes. I will say this the S&B is more refine than the IOR. However, for my future builds I will be using the IOR scopes because of the price and features this scope.
Jamie
Re: IOR first hand experience
I have a 3-18 IOR, other than a bit of tunneling at around 3-4X it is great throughout the power range. And yes the optical quality is extremely good.
It isn't as good as a friend's swarovski z6 but it is close, and it is a mega-jump above mid range optics like leupold vx2/3, nikon monarch, vortex pst, etc.
However you really should mention how much you want to spend and what you want to do with it as nightforce, uso, razor hd all have good glass too and might suit you better.
I have a 3-18 IOR, other than a bit of tunneling at around 3-4X it is great throughout the power range. And yes the optical quality is extremely good.
It isn't as good as a friend's swarovski z6 but it is close, and it is a mega-jump above mid range optics like leupold vx2/3, nikon monarch, vortex pst, etc.
However you really should mention how much you want to spend and what you want to do with it as nightforce, uso, razor hd all have good glass too and might suit you better.
Re: IOR first hand experience
I have an IOR 6-24x56mm FFP. Very good scope I like it a lot. I have never seen a Ziess or S&B, but My IOR does every thing I want it to. It is also less expensive than anything else that has the same options. For the price you will not find anything close. IMHO. Check out my sig. for their CS.
I have an IOR 6-24x56mm FFP. Very good scope I like it a lot. I have never seen a Ziess or S&B, but My IOR does every thing I want it to. It is also less expensive than anything else that has the same options. For the price you will not find anything close. IMHO. Check out my sig. for their CS.
Re: IOR first hand experience
Thank you for all the posts. I see the points you are all making. Great! Seems for the money, IOR cannot be bitten, but S&B still have a niche. Swarovski's glass of course is great
For me, I use scope for target shooting so the tactical features are nice to have, but can be considered luxuries. I like luxuries too
Thank you for all the posts. I see the points you are all making. Great! Seems for the money, IOR cannot be bitten, but S&B still have a niche. Swarovski's glass of course is great
For me, I use scope for target shooting so the tactical features are nice to have, but can be considered luxuries. I like luxuries too
Re: IOR first hand experience
I just mounted my IOR 3.5-18 FFP 50mm that i bought from Libertyoptics.com. It is the nicest scope i've personally ever handled and owned. The glass is super clear, the controls are large and the clicks are audible and solid. I like the fact that the magnification ring does not rotate the whole eyepiece like the Nightforce. Also the Illumination is adjustable externally, where as the nightforce you have to open the battery compartment, which if you use the illumination at different intensities, thats a pain.
I will say though, that eye relief is a little bit better on a Nightforce F1. The nightforce i got to play with was much easier to get behind, not that the IOR is incredibly difficult, but its something i noticed now that the scope is on my rifle and i'm about to shoulder the gun. And there is some tunneling when you get to the lower power magnification.
If you are considering IOR, you definitely aren't making a bad decision. For me personally, the IOR was a perfect scope for the money.
I just mounted my IOR 3.5-18 FFP 50mm that i bought from Libertyoptics.com. It is the nicest scope i've personally ever handled and owned. The glass is super clear, the controls are large and the clicks are audible and solid. I like the fact that the magnification ring does not rotate the whole eyepiece like the Nightforce. Also the Illumination is adjustable externally, where as the nightforce you have to open the battery compartment, which if you use the illumination at different intensities, thats a pain.
I will say though, that eye relief is a little bit better on a Nightforce F1. The nightforce i got to play with was much easier to get behind, not that the IOR is incredibly difficult, but its something i noticed now that the scope is on my rifle and i'm about to shoulder the gun. And there is some tunneling when you get to the lower power magnification.
If you are considering IOR, you definitely aren't making a bad decision. For me personally, the IOR was a perfect scope for the money.
Re: IOR first hand experience
I have a IOR 2.5-10x42 FFP and it has the best scope I've ever owned. Now I've never handled/owned a S&B or NF or USO but it has definetly got me thinking twice about what brand I buy and I'm guessing it can only get better as the prices go up but for the price you can't go wrong
I have a IOR 2.5-10x42 FFP and it has the best scope I've ever owned. Now I've never handled/owned a S&B or NF or USO but it has definetly got me thinking twice about what brand I buy and I'm guessing it can only get better as the prices go up but for the price you can't go wrong
Re: IOR first hand experience
I have a Gen 4 3-18x42 FFP and as stated above the glass is very good.... Nice controls...nice features. Whether it will hold up like my USO's remains to be seen. So far it has done well and I use my stuff with lots of dialing up and down the range. That said, due to some history of crapping out, I am not 100% trusting of the internals.....time will tell. Mine did have a canted reticle out of the box and I had a new one in 1.5 weeks so their CS in my case was responsive and no questions asked. From what I can tell their newer stuff has been performing well and I think their main issues were with the early generation 3-18 FFP's.
I have a Gen 4 3-18x42 FFP and as stated above the glass is very good.... Nice controls...nice features. Whether it will hold up like my USO's remains to be seen. So far it has done well and I use my stuff with lots of dialing up and down the range. That said, due to some history of crapping out, I am not 100% trusting of the internals.....time will tell. Mine did have a canted reticle out of the box and I had a new one in 1.5 weeks so their CS in my case was responsive and no questions asked. From what I can tell their newer stuff has been performing well and I think their main issues were with the early generation 3-18 FFP's.
Re: IOR first hand experience
I've got a 2.5-10x42 form IOR, I think gen. II. I realy like the MP recticle but the illumination is too weak for day use and too bright for night use. I compared it side by side to my NF and Leupy, I like it better than the Leupold but like the NF better but that is just personal preference.
I've got a 2.5-10x42 form IOR, I think gen. II. I realy like the MP recticle but the illumination is too weak for day use and too bright for night use. I compared it side by side to my NF and Leupy, I like it better than the Leupold but like the NF better but that is just personal preference.
Re: IOR first hand experience
The IOR glass is good, even at low light. I had one of the 2.5-10x42 FFP models and I would say it was comparable to my Zeiss scopes.
The IOR glass is good, even at low light. I had one of the 2.5-10x42 FFP models and I would say it was comparable to my Zeiss scopes.
Re: IOR first hand experience
I have an ior 3-18x42mm FFP and it's the best scope I own so my opinion is gonna be bias. For the money which I bought used on the hide is by far the best glass you can get in that range. The mp-8 reticle is my favorite and the glass is very clear. I would think after looking at nf that the glass is on par with it. Not s&b glass or USO glass but on par. Everything works great with it and no issues on a .300wm. Good luck and whatever you get you will be happy with.
I have an ior 3-18x42mm FFP and it's the best scope I own so my opinion is gonna be bias. For the money which I bought used on the hide is by far the best glass you can get in that range. The mp-8 reticle is my favorite and the glass is very clear. I would think after looking at nf that the glass is on par with it. Not s&b glass or USO glass but on par. Everything works great with it and no issues on a .300wm. Good luck and whatever you get you will be happy with.
Re: IOR first hand experience
IOR - great scopes and great customer service. I have owned several and never regretted using them. The MP-8 dot reticle is my favorite reticle. Like the Nightforce 5.5-22 with the MLR reticle I own but prefer the MP-8 reticle.
IOR - great scopes and great customer service. I have owned several and never regretted using them. The MP-8 dot reticle is my favorite reticle. Like the Nightforce 5.5-22 with the MLR reticle I own but prefer the MP-8 reticle.
Re: IOR first hand experience
I have an older 16x IOR with the MP-8 reticle, actually its 11 years old, it was the best entry level scope that I could buy at the time, the glass was then and still is now amazing, the optical clarity surprises me every time I look through the scope. I also have a NXS 12-42x56 and a NXS 2.5-10x24, they are both fine scopes but the glass in the IOR is better, but as mentioned before the glass is not everything, I do feel that some IOR scopes offer a great value package thats hard to beat.
I have an older 16x IOR with the MP-8 reticle, actually its 11 years old, it was the best entry level scope that I could buy at the time, the glass was then and still is now amazing, the optical clarity surprises me every time I look through the scope. I also have a NXS 12-42x56 and a NXS 2.5-10x24, they are both fine scopes but the glass in the IOR is better, but as mentioned before the glass is not everything, I do feel that some IOR scopes offer a great value package thats hard to beat.
Re: IOR first hand experience
I love my IOR. Glass is outstanding very reasonably priced. Only gripe I have with them is in the finish on the scope. It tends to scratch very easily compared to my other scopes.
I love my IOR. Glass is outstanding very reasonably priced. Only gripe I have with them is in the finish on the scope. It tends to scratch very easily compared to my other scopes.
Re: IOR first hand experience
My 6-24x56 FFP is GTG.Best value for the money I could find.Needs a little more elevation travel and I agree the finish could be tougher.
My 6-24x56 FFP is GTG.Best value for the money I could find.Needs a little more elevation travel and I agree the finish could be tougher.
Re: IOR first hand experience
I have looked through and used a 3-18 FFP and was really impressed. The glass is good but the reticle is amazing. Knobs look nice track well and feel good too. The only down side is available adjustment Wichita with the right base can be overcome.
I have looked through and used a 3-18 FFP and was really impressed. The glass is good but the reticle is amazing. Knobs look nice track well and feel good too. The only down side is available adjustment Wichita with the right base can be overcome.
Re: IOR first hand experience
I have had a 3.5-18x50 for a month or so. Initial impressions are very, very positive from a features/performance vs. price standpoint. Obviously I haven't had it long enough to really know how it will hold up.
I have had a 3.5-18x50 for a month or so. Initial impressions are very, very positive from a features/performance vs. price standpoint. Obviously I haven't had it long enough to really know how it will hold up.
