Rifle Scopes S&B 3-20 UltraShort vs standard PM2 questions

[TacticalPlinker]

Is there any performance difference between the two worth mentioning ? Only interested in the 3-20 Ultra Short versus 3-20 PM 2 full size.

Is there any tunneling effect in either one?
Do they both have the same prescription in terms of resolution, contrast and CA control ?

Does the full size have better turrets compared to the Shorty's low profile setup ?

All information is greatly appreciated

Thanks ~ TP.

 

[Jerry R]

Regarding the tunneling there is non on either model and no worries, lens and image quality are equal on both. The knobs on the standard 3-20 are the same taller locking style that can be found on the 5-25 and 3-27. The short knobs are of course limited to the 5-20 and 3-20 ultra's and 1-8.

The 3-20 Ultra Short was brought about to meet the size requirements for CSASS and was ultimately chosen with the HK G28.

 

[EXTREMEPREJUDICE]

I have both and really the only things I can add (of course, Jerry is the man) is that the windage on US is capped and of course in general runs about $500 more for the compact size, neither directly answer your "performance" inquiry though.

 

[TacticalPlinker]

I have both and really the only things I can add (of course, Jerry is the man) is that the windage on US is capped and of course in general runs about $500 more for the compact size, neither directly answer your "performance" inquiry though.

Add that's cool to hear. If the only real difference is the obvious physical changes to the US then it's good to know that. I was just curious if the newer US had a change in coating that might hand it and edge over the older PM2 full size design.

 

[Jerry R]

Add that's cool to hear. If the only real difference is the obvious physical changes to the US then it's good to know that. I was just curious if the newer US had a change in coating that might hand it and edge over the older PM2 full size design.

The ultra short came out about two years after the original 3-20 so it really isn't that much older. I personally prefer the shorter knobs and capped windage yet I've heard the opposite from some people who prefer the taller ones. It's truly not a one size fits all world.

 

[Glassaholic]

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.

 

[TacticalPlinker]

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.

Thanks for the thoughtful response. I'm a big fan of the tree style reticle for competition and hopefully a fan of the MSR2 for everything else.

Have a great holiday !

 

[Scotch_egg]

I have a 5-20X50US and the large 3-20X50

The image in the 3-20 is better. It was sat on a TRG and the turrets are great to grab. It’s going back on an AI AT with AC stock. It looks right on the bigger rifle.

The US is great don’t get me wrong. For me it’s as good as my Zeiss V8’s and will sit on a Fix by Q when it lands here in England.

 

[TacticalPlinker]

I have a 5-20X50US and the large 3-20X50

The image in the 3-20 is better. It was sat on a TRG and the turrets are great to grab. It’s going back on an AI AT with AC stock. It looks right on the bigger rifle.

The US is great don’t get me wrong. For me it’s as good as my Zeiss V8’s and will sit on a Fix by Q when it lands here in England.

Good to know. Here's my large'ish 6.5 Creed . Looking like the full size is where it's at for my needs...

 

[VegasHKShooter]

I have both the 5-25 PMII and the 3-20 PMII, neither are US, but I have put my 3-20 next to an US to compare. For ME... the full size has more pop, seems like it’s just a cleaner image. I absolutely love my 3-20, and just TODAY moved it to my competition gun, my AI AT 6.5CM. I did it due to the reticle: H2CMR vs the Gen 2 XR in my 5-25.
The .2 wind holds in the H2CMR are better for me. Optically, I think the full size 3-20 has the best image of the PMII’s that I have looked through. I’ll probably be trading off my PMII 5-25 here soon for a NF. But that’s another story.