Re: Schmidt & Bender vs. NightForce... Let me have it
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Hakshot</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Schmidt & Bender vs. NightForce
Is Schmidt & Bender really worth the extra $$$?
I do really get a piece of glass that is that much better?
I was looking at a Schmidt & Bender 5-25x56 PM II/LP/MTC/LT With P4 Fine Reticle and was shocked at the $3700 price tag. Thoughts </div></div>
You're new at this. That's what I'm thinkin...
The least important feature is the glass quality IMO. Sure, in low light or longest range, the image quality can be critical. But a scope is primarily a mechanical sight, so it HAS to be reliable, repeatable, and durable. A Leupold VX3 will serve well enough. A Nightforce for sure. If you want bragging rights, then mebbe the S&B is worth the extra coin. It all depends on what you want it to do. I know a guy who drives a Porsche Cayenne instead of a Chevy Equinox (or whatever). By his own admission, he's never driven the Porsche offroad, or in bad weather, nor exceeded 80 miles an hour. It cost him more than double the Chevy. But he loves the damn thing.
I've tried all the glass from all over the world. Otherwise, I wouldn't know. But paying retail new price is painful, so I try to get something like new but at a reduced cost. Then, if it ain't for me, it's on the trade block without too much of a loss.
Lastly, in this era of fiscal insanity, don't buy what you can't afford. Don't let some friggin' blowhard dipshit spend your money or guilt you into "buy the best and cry once". Screw that unless you're well off. Pay cash and never owe more than what you can sell something for in a pinch if you don't pay cash up front. Sure, it's sweet to have a bling scope on a bling rifle. And it's sweeter to be the guy with the run-of-the-mill gear who beats the blingers at comps, because you were better that day or have your shit more together.