Just getting a feel on what you would chose and if you’d be kind enough to disclose a reason or two why. It will be going on a 6.5 I’ve had built with intentions of taking game 800 yards and in along with the one or two matches i shoot a year. I haven’t held the Mark5HD yet but it intrigues me. As for the PST Gen2, I have held one but not looked through one at distance. The weight is close so now I’m looking for personal opinions. Thanks!
Rifle Scopes Viper PST Gen2 vs Mark 5HD for dedicated light(ish) mid to long range hunting rifle????
- Thread starter Wright406
- Start date
Mark 5HD has the advantage in pretty much every category except reticle selection and maybe eyebox when comparing both 25x. I think the turrets on the PST Gen II are better but that's pretty subjective. The PST Gen II is very impressive for the money but it's not quite where the Mark 5HD is. The Mark 5HD while priced aggressively is more or less Gen II razor, ATACR, or XRS II quality of glass.
Agree with @5RWill. The PST Gen 2 is a nice scope for the $, but I think the MK5 is nicer in most categories. Price reflects it though as the PST is $700-$800 less than MK5 in the 25x offerings.
Yeah i mean if the OP needs to save some cash i'd have no issue recommending a PST Gen II as far as the quality of the scope is concerned. I can't comment on it's durability but i took the two scopes in question out last i was home to compare them, and as stated the MK5 is just in a different class. PST Gen II would be my number 1 oriented budget scope though if i was looking to spend $900-1300.
I know i'll sound like a broken record at this point but if Leupold just design something remotely comparable to the EBR2C/EBR7B/SKMR3 it would be an impossible optic to pass up for the money.
Its to note while not out yet the Bushnell E-DMR is priced at $1715 and will have ED glass like the XRS II. Not due to release until the summer though.
I know i'll sound like a broken record at this point but if Leupold just design something remotely comparable to the EBR2C/EBR7B/SKMR3 it would be an impossible optic to pass up for the money.
Its to note while not out yet the Bushnell E-DMR is priced at $1715 and will have ED glass like the XRS II. Not due to release until the summer though.
The PST? sure. The Mark 5? Not so much. Not to mention the near half pound difference in weight.
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These two scopes are not even in the same league, MK5 wins by a large margin. I wouldn't even consider topping one of my rifles with a PST due to the reliability issues, let alone a rifle that I need to depend on to make an ethical shot on game.
Hasn't Vortex posted their return rate is +/- 1% or so?
People only post about their bad experiences. Considering its probably the most purchased optic on the market, I don't think there are actual "reliability issues."
I use AMG, Atacrs, etc. So I'm not a vortex fanboy by any means, but stating that something has reliability issues is a tall statement.
Even a 5% return rate wouldn't qualify as issues.
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My failure rate with them is 100%, and yes I had more than one optic. I personally know accounts of others who have had multiple failures with them as well including the gen 2's.
I would not touch a PST nor could I ever recommend one.
Statistical variance is a bitch.
Even knowing others who have had bad experiences doesn't give enough sample size to even begin to validate a claim there are "issues."
We are on a site that promotes "weaponized math," lets try to apply the same math and logic to the rest of the experience.
We’ve sold a fare share of PST gen 2s and haven’t sent a single one back.
Mark 5 is a superior optic to the DMR2 as well, I have both.
There's not an optic under $2K that I'd take over the Mark 5.
There's not an optic under $2K that I'd take over the Mark 5.
I agree having owned the HDMR II, LRHS, and been behind a Cronus. FWIW the DMRII/HDMR II of the two i've looked through don't come close to the mark 5 in glass quality. Brightness, edge to edge clarity, contrast, and CA control all go to the MK5. The Mark 5 as it sits especially if you can get it on sale is impossible to argue with under 2K.
Really need to go ahead and grab a 3.6-18 for my SPR.
Nope, buying two more actually. Another 3.6-18 and a 5-25, both Tremor 3. I'm getting the MK5 5-25 instead of another S&B 5-25 if that tells you anything.
Since this has morphed into a Mark5HD versus thread, I hope OP wont mind me asking... what about the Mark5HD vs the XRSII?
I haven’t officially used the XRS ii. Just been behind one when it was a prototype. I don’t think you can go wrong with either and the DMR II pro is going to be hard to argue with for $1700, as you’ll be getting Gen II like glass for under $2000
I like the mark 5, wish it had better turrets but that’s really my only complaint. I’ve not seen any turrets from bushnell that I’d consider premium though.
I just bought one as well.... couldnt pass up on it for the price GAP has it at. I've heard it exhibits a lot of CA which has a tendency to annoy me, but we will see how it goes.
Thanks for the feedback. I have a gun I was thinking about putting an XRSII on, but I think that EDMR might be the ticket for the price point.
