Upgrade from PA SLX 3-18x50 FFP

[Ape_Factory]

I have a Primary Arms SLX 3-18 FFP on my POF Revolution DI and I like it well enough, especially given the cost. Great reticle, glass is clear enough, I generally don't have a problem using it except when shooting into the sun. One of the ranges I use has the sun setting behind the targets and I rarely have a chance to get out there early enough to avoid the light angle from 5pm onward.

I know it's a multi-coating issue and I get extreme flare/whitewash in said conditions. Every other sort of condition, the scope is great. I've added a big lens hood which has not helped.

Now I'm a glass junkie when it comes to still cameras and I have some super high dollar lenses, same price as a compact car, LOL. I've seen some pretty incredible stuff out there from the likes of March (much want there!) but I cannot justify the cost given my own shooting ability and budget. So I'm looking for something in the same zoom range but with better multi-coating/optics. And I definitely want to keep it closer to $1K than to $2K. I'm just not seeing anything out there without giving up the low end or high end of the zoom range. Is there anything I'm overlooking? Thanks in advance.

 

[Primary Arms]

Our GLx series of optics feature a new and advanced optical coating that is highly improved over the SLx series as we as upgraded glass that really sets the GLx apart.

 

[Ape_Factory]

I was actually looking to see if there was a GLX version in that zoom range but didn't see one. I like the reticle and zoom range so would prefer to stay with those. Everywhere else the optic performs really well honestly and it's just that one situation that I have trouble with. For the money, it's a killer scope. I just have a feeling I'd need to triple or quadruple the cost of the scope to see any real improvements.

 

[Glassaholic]

Check out used:
Burris XTR III 3.3-18
Leupold Mark 5 3.6-18

used prices should be close to what you’re looking for. If you have to have illumination then you may need to rethink your 3-18 range as there really isn’t much close to $1k. I think there a big sale on Crimson Trace 3-18’s but don’t know much about them. Maybe Brownells MPO?

 

[rhsc]

A gently-used Burris XTR III 3.3-18 as Glassaholic suggested is almost certainly going to be the best-performing scope you can get that falls in your price range as it's comparable to a Vortex Razor HD and arguably superior in certain aspects. If you feel you need an illuminated reticle, then you might look at the Athlon Ares ETR 3-18 or Brownell's MPO 3-18.

 

[Ape_Factory]

I'll take a look at those. What about Meopta? They have the Optika6 in the 3-18 range. I'd imagine it's Chinese glass like the others in that price range. The Burris might be Japanese glass but non-illuminated. U.S. Optics has something in that range but I'd have to find it on sale with the reticle I want.

Was typing this as you posted rhsc...will take a look at those now too. The Burris is Japanese glass but no illumination. I have the Burris XTRII 1-8x and optically it's very solid.

 

[rhsc]

I just don't know enough about the Meopta Optica line to give much of an opinion, as I've never seen or handled one myself.

 

[Ape_Factory]

I took a chance on the Meopta 3-18x50, not realizing they had a 56mm as well. Somehow overlooked it. Got the reticle I wanted for under $700 so we'll see how it performs in challenging light conditions. I'll be able to transfer the hood and mount over to the new optic.

I did come close to pulling the trigger on a new USO TS 2.5-20x50 as that bit of extra range looked interesting but it didn't seem to be the most reliable and the customer service seemed to be lacking. It was just north of $1K new but if the Meopta works out, I'll use the $300+ to go towards a Scalarworks LEAP.

 

[rhsc]

I took a chance on the Meopta 3-18x50...

When you've had a chance to shoot with it, post back and let us know your impressions of the scope.

 

[Ape_Factory]

Absolutely! Should have it in about seven days (guessing) and hoping I get a chance to hit the range within a week of receiving it.

 

[Ape_Factory]

The Meopta arrived today so here's a quick, dirty initial comparison. Pulled it out of the box and thought "man that's a big scope." But pulling my rifle out with the PA 3-18 mounted on it, the Meopta was about an inch longer. The Meopta is least 6oz heavier than the PA which feels featherweight in comparison.

The Meopta's front element is set back a bit more or should I say the barrel extension is longer which is where part of the length difference comes in. The Meopta is also taller by about half an inch at the elevation knob.

I couldn't swap my lens hood over, too small for the Meopta. Same with my throw lever. The Meopta's overall zoom ring diameter is quite a bit larger but they do include a screw-in, non-folding lever.

All of the "controls" on the Meopta are rubberized with aggressive knurling or treading and immensely grippable. I never had an issue with the PA knurling but I suspect, with heavy abuse, the PA, which is metal or hard plastic, would last a bit longer than the Meopta knurling. But you'd have to drag it in the dirt to put any substantial wear on the knobs.

The elevation knob on both are push/pull to lock.
The windage knob on the Meopta is covered, the PA is push/pull. Can't remember but it may be convertible to a covered. Have to pull out the box and see if there's a cap in there.

The Meopta feels more solidly built, probably due to the additional weight. I've never held or used a $3K scope but I do have a high end Burris and I'd say the Meopta is equal to the Burris and a touch better than the PA which is surprisingly good.

The zoom was a hair gritty in a section of it's rotation but it'll probably break in and smooth out. The tension on all the controls is tight and even throughout their rotation.

The click detents on the elevation and windage knobs is really solid on the Meopta. Very tactile and defined. It crushes the PA. The PA has larger markings and as I'm far sighted, I appreciate that.

Clarity...the Meopta has more contrast. Just looking out to read a street sign, the actual resolution seems very similar with similar edge to edge clarity but the Meopta has more contrast and controls flaring a bit better.

I prefer the PA reticle but the Meopta's reticle isn't bad at all and it's just shy of daylight bright at the 3X setting. It's highly visible at higher magnifications. One thing I did notice is there seems to be a bit of illumination bleed in the reticle. The Meopta has a horseshoe and you can see a bit of illumination at the 7 and 2 o'clock position, enough that I thought maybe the illumination was damaged somehow. I looked up the reticle online and the horseshoe is not illuminated. No issues with the PA in that dept. but I think the Meopta reticle has slightly thinner lines. The PA would be quicker to acquire at 3X.

I'll have a few photos later and I've made time to hit the range either tomorrow or Monday to test it out a bit more.

 

[Ape_Factory]

Couple of photos as promised.
PA on top, Meopta on bottom


The big end, you can see how the Meopta front element is set back further.


The Meopta elevation knob makes the Meopta taller overall.


Went out to the "problematic" gun range on Sunday and although I wasn't there late afternoon to early evening, the Meopta, optically, was an improvement, no question. Took me no time whatsoever to dial in the scope. When I can swing it, I'll be going to a sturdier Scalarworks LEAPmount.

Have to say, I really liked the reticle, seemed to block less of the target overall and I had no problem adapting to it vs. the Pa reticle. I did crank up the illumination just to see if it was daylight bright and I'd rate it at the "barely" level, depending on what your background is. Noticed quite a bit of bleed though, enough that I'm going to inquire about it. I can't say it bothers me but I did notice. I'd say both are equally bright so no clear winner.

When dialing in the scope, the elevation detents were positive but my initial assessment on the windage knob was off. It took finesse to dial in the windage and the clicks were not as positive from the shooting position. It took a fine touch to change a click or two.

Overall I'm happy with the scope at this point but I admittedly haven't shot enough with it to really find any major flaws. We'll see how it holds up long-term. At the price point it should come with flip up caps and I'll need to get a lens hood.

On the downside I took my 300 blackout as well and realized the reticle just doesn't work between supers and subs (Bushnell 1-4x FFP) and ordered a Primary Arms SLX 1-6 FFP with a 300BO reticle. The 300BLK, 10.5", even with subs, is just dead on, most likely sub-MOA at 100 yards. Easiest rifle I've ever shot. Makes the POF Revolution feel like an unwieldy cannon.

 

[cake5150]

I'm curious about your thoughts regarding chromatic aberration between the two scopes. I have one of the SLX 3-18s and, while the CA present isn't NEARLY as bad as some of the other scopes I've tried in the price range, it is still noticeable (the Bushnell Forge 2.5-18 was terrible in that regard). The Vortex PST 2 3-15 really smokes everything else I've tried anywhere near its price point when it comes to optical clarity and CA. I really do like that PA scope, though. It is the perfect answer for my Ruger Precision Rimfire 22 LR. It also plays remarkably well with my PVS-27.

 

[Ape_Factory]

I didn't really notice any issues with chromatic aberration in the Meopta but I did notice it a bit, like you, with the SLX along with an overall reduction in contrast (probably not helped by CA). I need more time behind the scope time (which means I need more ammo!) before making any definitive conclusions. Generally speaking, I had zero issue in terms of clarity and focusing on the targets from 12x to 18x with the Meopta in the brutal Texas sun. The light here is harsh, a massive contrast to say the light in Florida. When CA is really bad, it's straining on the eye and I did not experience that with either scope honestly but I do remember, in less than perfect light, the SLX, did show signs and generally was more washed out. But for the money, the SLX is a great scope and I may just keep it around as I do like the reticle and it's 308 specific.

I've decided to SBR the POF and go to a 12" barrel, piston upper, keeping the 16.5" DI upper for deer. I feel a little bit funny having a 3-18x on a 12.5" barrel so I'll need yet another scope! This sh*t never ends.