Rifle Scopes S&B or Steiner

[lh leggtowner]

Quick question..... I have along with all of you that the S&B pm2 5-25 is on sale at Eurooptic. Also the Steiner T5xi 5-25 is on sale at places around the web. There is around 500 bucks difference. My question is, is the S&B worth the extra bucks or can the Steiner stand up to the . I believe both are great choices and deals for that matter. But, I have seen mixed reviews on the S&B since it is the older of the two. Not because of the quality, mainly just aged. Thanks in advance for the feedback.

 

[BigTex]

If you can swing the $500, get the Schmidt, if not, look for a used one in the px and get the Schmidt.

 

[Kadams1563]

Schmidt all day over those two.

 

[lh leggtowner]

I had talked myself into buying one and then seen a review and it startled me on how they sort of picked it apart compared to newer releases from different companies ie, IOR , Swarovski, etc.....

 

[lennyo3034]

For $500 difference, I would go with the S&B. $1000 difference is a toss up.

Steiner has better turrets (assuming updated version) and reticle. S&B better glass and build quality.

 

[snarkscarbine]

Schmidt. Steiner isn't bad, but they're not the same class.

 

[patriot07]

Buddy of mine owned a Steiner and I got to use it a bit. I didn’t personally care for it at all. I preferred my SWFA HD 5-20 and Cronus 4.5-29 by a lot. I don’t believe the Steiner is even near being in the same league as an S&B.

 

[mojavejim]

The Military Steiner would be a better comparison. S&B is mounted up & my M5Xi is my back up. I do like the Steiner turrets over the MTC that my S&B has. I run S&B 5-25 over the M5Xi 3-15 because sometimes it is nice to go a little more than 15x, never used the T series but I feel the M series is underrated by most.

 

[Angel0632]

I have owned the T5Xi and now have a PM2, I did like the Steiner as it was compact and with the updated turrets tracked well, the scr reticle was easy to use also, I ended up selling for more magnification and to try a S&B, over all the pm2 is worth the extra money and the locking turrets are not bad either, for the reticle the h2cmr is close to the scr. In the end if you can swing the extra cost go for the pm2 but imho you will not be disappointed with the T5Xi either

 

[Acer76]

I’m really surprised there’s not more Steiner support voiced here... especially from the guys who bought the Military series... you know, to justify and defend their decision!

I had really seriously considered one and might still be serious but I never had opportunity to handle one.

Anybody know anything about their newest series to be introduced (M7somethingsoandso)?

 

[Bandit31]

I’m really surprised there’s not more Steiner support voiced here... especially from the guys who bought the Military series... you know, to justify and defend their decision!

I had really seriously considered one and might still be serious but I never had opportunity to handle one.

Anybody know anything about their newest series to be introduced (M7somethingsoandso)?

The M7xi is looking to be released in the US around October, maybe later but hopefully sooner. IMO, the reason you don't hear a tremendous amount of support for the Steiner M5xi's is the cost vs features, especially compared to recent scopes that have come out. The M7xi is meant to compete with todays offerings with a large mag range, locking turrets and a compact design but is still going to be out of reach for some with MSRP being around $3560 last I saw.

 

[mpk1996]

as others have said, the S&B is the way to go. I would take the S&B over the M series, never mind the T series. if you can swing it go for it

 

[lennyo3034]

I’m really surprised there’s not more Steiner support voiced here... especially from the guys who bought the Military series... you know, to justify and defend their decision!

I had really seriously considered one and might still be serious but I never had opportunity to handle one.

Anybody know anything about their newest series to be introduced (M7somethingsoandso)?

The OP asked about the T series.

I own T, M, and S&B.

 

[Acer76]

The OP asked about the T series.

I own T, M, and S&B.

Fair enough.

Would you be willing to share how the Steiner models perform as compared to S&B, sir?

 

[lennyo3034]

Fair enough.

Would you be willing to share how the Steiner models perform as compared to S&B, sir?

Sure, the T series is not in the same league IMO. As stated above I like the turrets and reticle of it, but glass is not close. Particularly the amount of CA.

The S&B and M series are pretty close, with a slight edge in the glass department going to the S&B. Again CA is the biggest difference although it's not nearly as bad in the M series as T series. Pure resolution might actually go to the M series. Contrast to the S&B.

Turrets between M and S&B are a toss up. The S&B has better clicks, the Steiner M has better second rev indicator.

Both can be had with the MSR reticle which is the best either offer. The T series SCR is better IMO.

 

[lh leggtowner]

The main reason I asked about these 2 in particular is because there is a lot of great deals on these 2 scopes. The Steiner is floating around on the web for around 1500. I believe these are "demo" scopes. This particular scope is generally well more expensive. It does have a lot of great features and seems like a steal for what you are getting. But, the S&B is, as everyone on the site probably already knows is a touch over 2000 bucks. That seemed like a HUGE savings for what you were getting. This scope retails for around 3200 bucks. I would never be able to justify ( like i have ever) spending that kind of dough on a scope. Not to mention my attorney fees for the divorce (HA). Your insights on the two particular scopes has been invaluable. Considering I have only held these scopes and never put neither through their paces. As to the other scopes that have been mentioned, I did not include them, not because they were flawed but, because they were just a little out of range for me. Thanks again and I would really like to have and hear more opinions on these plus whatever you folks have to say about the matter. Thanks.

 

[sheepdog697]

Those schmidts are fancyyy

 

[Apnea]

http://opticsthoughts.com/?page_id=145

Not the current generation but in this review the Steiner Military series compared quite favorably.

Not sure what a used SB like the one in the evaluation would cost, but Cameraland has the Steiner for $1200, which I think is less than you'd have to pay for SB.

 

[gr8fuldoug]

http://opticsthoughts.com/?page_id=145

Not sure what a used SB like the one in the evaluation would cost, but Cameraland has the Steiner for $1200, which I think is less than you'd have to pay for SB.

We just got in a nice delivery of Steiner demos for those looking

 

[arm017]

Us precision rifle guys have a tendency to be brash. Someone does us wrong one time, we spread the word, never willing to change course until overwhelming evidence to the contrary. I think much of the reason we're not seeing as much steiner is based on the previous fiasco in 2015 w/ all the turret issues and the lack of ownership of problems till their PR was damaged. The T series steiner still had some of my favorite feeling turrets to this day. I tried one out after the turret was replaced. Reticle was fantastic for my taste, everything else was ehhh. Been behind the M series as well.

SB definitely has the glass and the reputation which unfortunately means a bit in the high end optic market. Scopes are a goldy locks affair, and it takes forever to figure out what you actually like. So that's where the resale on SB/ NF/ TT are in your favor. Or just buy off the exchange and you're never out too much if you decide against it.

 

[m6z]

For $500 difference, I would go with the S&B. $1000 difference is a toss up.

Steiner has better turrets (assuming updated version) and reticle. S&B better glass and build quality.

This. Nothing wrong with the Steiner(I own one), but S&B is superior in both glass and resale.

The Steiner's are great buys at $1k-$1,200 used.

 

[longshot2000]

The M7xi is looking to be released in the US around October, maybe later but hopefully sooner. IMO, the reason you don't hear a tremendous amount of support for the Steiner M5xi's is the cost vs features, especially compared to recent scopes that have come out. The M7xi is meant to compete with todays offerings with a large mag range, locking turrets and a compact design but is still going to be out of reach for some with MSRP being around $3560 last I saw.

It will likely be much later. We are still waiting on the first M6Xi to ship.

 

[lancetkenyon]

Steiner really stumbled out of the gate with the T5Xi.....several times....again and again with mine. It went back for repair 3 times. I sold it without even mounting it when I got it back the third time. I cannot get that bad taste out of my mouth, ever. So I will never recommend them. The only thing Steiner had going for them over the S&B is the SCR reticle. I love it.

I own two S&Bs. Worth every penny. Both have the H2CMR. Still waiting on the LRR-Mil to come out.

 

[djarecke]

If I was given a free Steiner to run in competition or had to buy my own Schmidt (which I do), I’d get the Schmidt every time.

That’s the short version of my answer...

 

[lh leggtowner]

Just as an update... I pulled the trigger on the S&B. Came in this week and I haven’t had a chance to mount it yet.

 

[djarecke]

Just as an update... I pulled the trigger on the S&B. Came in this week and I haven’t had a chance to mount it yet.

Awesome! Let us know what you think.