Rifle Scopes Vortex pst gen II vs Burris xtr II

Matt_3479

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Oct 12, 2009
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looking at probably picking up one of these optics in the next little bit for a new build I'm trying to collect parts for. I finally got both in my hands side by side and I think the vortex had the nicer glass, escpeically on the higher mag. I'm trying to do more of a budget build! I just want to know what everyone's opinion on these two optics and which way to go? I can get a pretty good discount on these two optics as well and is another reason I'm looking at these two
 
I'm going Burris purely due to the lower prices/rebates floating around for em'. But I'd like to see some comparisons as well. If I had to guess, I don't think either one will have toooo noticeable a difference in the glass department, I don't think either of em' use "HD" glass. I do like the 34mm tube and rugged reputation of the XTRs tho, which helped in my choice personally. But I've never looked thru a PST 2 so who knows!
 
I finally got my hands on them side by side and is the reason I'm posting now. Would like to hear others thoughts but this is what I thought so far! Checked them out on 5, 10, 15 and 25 power at 50-350 yards. I had a PST gen I and both of these optics are a huge huge step above! I had the Burris xtr II beside my nightforce nxs at another time and it was just maybe a little less on optical clarity but pretty close. When looking at the vortex and Burris side by side, maybe I just had a good one but the vortex definitely had the edge over the Burris! The turrets on the vortex felt better! Reticles weren't nearly too big on 25 power compared to the gen 1 as it got too big in my opinion! I liked the small cross hair in the centre of the reticle on the Burris a lot!!

I can get both at a local store for a good price and I'm trying to figure out which one id rather!!
 
I posted this in the GEN 2 PST Thread but I'll post it again here also. I have owed a Burris XTRII 1.5-8 and 3-15, a NF NXS, and most recently a Steiner T5Xi 5-25x56 which I do not have in hand. Excerpt from other thread below:

"Cabelas has the SFP MOA models in stock at the stores. I was able to compare a 3-15 PST GEN2 to an 3-15 XTRII in the store.

My quick first impressions were, in no particular order of importance:
-good magnification ring. Very clean and smooth throughout the entire zoom range. It had just the right amount of resistance.
-parallax knob was nice and easy to use even with the illum on that side. It is a nice knob setup. The parallax knob doesn't get in the way of the illumination knob and vice versa. This is one thing I did not like about the XTRII as the illumination and battery compartment gets in the way of the parallax knob
-illumination was excellent; by far brighter than the XTRII and NXS I have
-illumination knob is nice and just like the Razor 2. The battery compartment is a PITA (already noted on several threads) and you could tell that someone had issues getting a battery in there since it was all marked up
-turrets were tactile and audible, noticeably easier to move than the XTRII or NXS. I don't think they are too easy to move. I also don't think they wouldn't get shifted accidentally, but it was something I noticed.

I am really impressed with the what Vortex did with the PST GENII."

Sport Optics has the Burris XTRIIs discounted nicely and has the 4-20 available with the H59 reticle. Burris also has a $100 rebate until July 31st. If you can't wait to get your hands on a scope I would go with the XTRII. If you can be patient and wait a bit I would give the GEN 2 PST a shot. You can't go wrong with either.
 
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The new pst gen 2s are hard to beat for the price. Especially if you can proform or 3point5 them. (5-25 is like $550). Very good values and as long as the tracking holds up long term, they will be a huge winner.
 
isn't it a great thing that we now have affordable, quality tactical scopes that check close to every box?
About the only exception is a 2nd rev indicator.
I think you'll be splitting hairs between the two.
 
The new pst gen 2s are hard to beat for the price. Especially if you can proform or 3point5 them. (5-25 is like $550). Very good values and as long as the tracking holds up long term, they will be a huge winner.

i guess im not in the privileged class. Ive not seen pst gen 2's in useful lr specs much below a grand.
 
I have the Burris XTR II 8-40 on a 6.5CM RPR. I like it. I does get a bit fuzzy at the top end of the mag, but I like the fact that the reticle is thin (at least to me) and usable all the way down. Tracks well, and have nice audible and tactile feedback on both turrets.

I also have the Gen I PST and it is fine for what I paid for it. Vortex CS is top notch. Haven't had to use Burris CS.

RMD