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Rifle Scopes Vortex Viper PST Gen 2 3-15x44 VS. Steiner T5Xi 3-15x50
- Thread starter Mr. Monday
- Start date
If you can find a T5Xi used in the PX or blem/refurb model from EuroOptic or NatchesSS it will most definitely be an upgrade. They can be found in the $1300-$1500 range typically.
The glass is better, illumination is nuclear daylight bright, and second rev indicator on the turrets is second to none in the industry.
All this being said, go with which one has the reticle you like more. Vortex is a x-mas tree design where Steiner is more conventional.
The glass is better, illumination is nuclear daylight bright, and second rev indicator on the turrets is second to none in the industry.
All this being said, go with which one has the reticle you like more. Vortex is a x-mas tree design where Steiner is more conventional.
The Steiner is quite a bit nicer. 34mm tube, 50mm objective, much nicer glass, and the turrets are far superior to the PST.
I like my PST Gen 2, but the Steiner is like $1,000 more expensive, so they're not really comparable price-wise. I'm sure the Steiner has better glass, although the glass on my PST Gen 2 is the best in the price range by a good margin IMHO. Both have zero stop, both have illumination. If you want to spend an extra $1k for better glass and better build quality, then it's up to you. They're both good scopes. I think the turrets on the PST Gen 2 are very tactile and well done, but I haven't felt the Steiner turrets so if they're "far superior" then that's another plus. The illumination on the PST Gen 2 is really excellent (dimmest settings are great for low/no light, brightest settings are great for daylight).
I also agree that the reticle choices are somewhat different, so that's a matter of personal preference on which you like best.
I also agree that the reticle choices are somewhat different, so that's a matter of personal preference on which you like best.
I'd be curious to hear a little more experience from current owners of the T5Xi (with the updated turrets) in either 3-15 or 5-25. It seems that they can be found used for 1300-1500 these days... I like the features and specs of the scope, but am aware of the issues they had with tracking in the past.
If the tracking issues are solved with the new turrets, is this a solid optic for that price range?
If the tracking issues are solved with the new turrets, is this a solid optic for that price range?
I bought a T5Xi 3-15x50mm a few months back for $1250. I haven't been able to run the tracking to it's limit, but from what I have done it tracks 100% with the undated turrets. The glass is pretty good, but this is my first mid-range optic and I have nothing to compare it against. I do think that CA could've been controlled better, but it's not too big a deal. The illumination is superb, I really like the SCR reticle, I am very happy with the locking diopeter, the Tenebraex flip caps it comes with are great, and the turret clicks are precise and tactile. I have no buyer's remorse at $1250 in any sense of the word.
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Good input, thank you. I️ agree that’s a good value at 1250 if it’s been tracking straight.
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I love my Steiner T5Xi but the ATACR F1's are in the next class up. I absolutely lust after the 5-25 MIL-C lol. I have not handled any USO's so I cannot comment on them.
The NF 4-16 is indeed a great optic, I love mine.. I was only considering something else just to have something different.. All the controls on the NF are silky smooth and the tracking and glass is perfect.. Love it...
Okay so what if I threw a wrench into this thread, and added the SWFA HD 5-20x50 to the comparison... how would that scope compare to the Gen2 PST and T5Xi? Obviously feature-sets can just be compared on paper, I'm more interested in glass clarity, CA, etc.
Basically I am doing some research for buying my second mid-range optic. I currently have a DMR2 and am pretty happy with it, but am considering picking up a Gen2 PST, T5Xi or SWFA HD 5-20.
Gen2 PST has a great feature set and can be found used/new for $700-1000.
T5Xi again has a great feature set and can be found used for around $1300, but of course there were the past issues with tracking (which seems to be resolved with updated turrets).
5-20 HD is an older scope with a relatively basic feature set, but is known for its quality and durability, and can be found used around $900 and new around $1100-1200 during SWFA's black friday sale.
Any thoughts?
Basically I am doing some research for buying my second mid-range optic. I currently have a DMR2 and am pretty happy with it, but am considering picking up a Gen2 PST, T5Xi or SWFA HD 5-20.
Gen2 PST has a great feature set and can be found used/new for $700-1000.
T5Xi again has a great feature set and can be found used for around $1300, but of course there were the past issues with tracking (which seems to be resolved with updated turrets).
5-20 HD is an older scope with a relatively basic feature set, but is known for its quality and durability, and can be found used around $900 and new around $1100-1200 during SWFA's black friday sale.
Any thoughts?
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Steiner > SWFA > Gen2 PST
The PST will outclass the SWFA in features, but the SWFA is known to be a rugged optic. I don't care what "Gen" it is, I can't bring myself to trust a PST.
Don't forget that Cabela's has a sale on the Cronus right now too. I'd take the Cronus over the SWFA and over the PST all day long.
To me the T5xi, the Cronus, and the SWFA are all playing at a certain level, the Gen2 PST is not there. I'll admit the Gen2 glass and turrets are certainly an upgrade from the Gen1, but it's still a PST.
Thanks for your insight. Do you have personal experience looking through all those optics?
Yes. I own the T5xi, the Cronus, and the SWFA 5-20HD. I *do not* own a gen2 PST, I was only able to get behind one for long enough to know that the glass and turrets are upgraded. I've also handled a few out of the box (not on rifles).
I did own a gen1 PST once. After having it replaced the 3rd time I decided to stop owning a PST. I'm not just trying to bash Vortex, I've got a gen1 and gen2 Razor and never had an issue with either one.
I guess I'll just continue to pick your brain then... You find the optical quality of the Steiner to be superior to the SWFA HD?
Also how does the T5xi stand up to the gen1 razor? To be honest I'm really not a fan of the gen1's illumination control location and the bronze color never really works well with my typical color schemes. That aside, I have looked through my buddy's gen1 razor and its a nice piece of glass, and I know they can be found in the same ballpark price range as the others in this thread.
Maybe in the ones you looked through, but not in the three I looked through.
I have seen two now locally that had to go back. That's two out of the three scopes I know of owned by local shooters that broke. If you buy Vortex, buy a Razor. They are solid.
I agree that the Razors have a good reputation. More expensive typically implies better quality, features, and/or performance, and the Razor is well over $1k even used. Not in the same price point as a new PST2 and not even close to the price point of a used PST1 or PST2.
This topic is kind of odd in terms of comparing optics at completely different price points based on features/performance and ignoring price. Steiner T5xi, SWFA HD, and PST2 are $2k, $1500, $1k. Sure, the Steiner is better. It's much more expensive and it should be better. Same with a Razor and PST2. The PST2 is also brand new, so some quality issues up front are somewhat to be expected. It's not like the Gen 1 PSTs were horribly unreliable or that other scopes don't sometimes have issues when first released. Since Vortex showed up, all manufacturers started offering good customer service, and the known issues with scope reliability are generally quickly and effectively addressed.
Not trying to pick a bone, but these scopes can be had for very similar prices if you look around. I don't think there are many people here who would spend $2k for a T5Xi or $1500 for a SWFA HD. The T5Xi can be found used for $12-1300, and SWFA has a black friday sale that usually puts the 5-20 HD under $1100 (and used ones can be found cheaper in the PX). So if you were considering buying a new gen2 PST for $1k, then its acceptable to ask for a comparison with these other scopes that you could find for only 100 or 200 more.
Its that feeling that we all get one when we are considering high dollar purchases like optics... you are always wondering if its worth a little extra cash to try to step up to the next tier.
Comparing used to used and new to new, the prices are still meaningfully different, although I agree the price difference is less. PST2 will be around $700-$800 used when it's been out for awhile. SWFA is around $1k used. Steiner is $1200-$1300.
I'm not saying it isn't acceptable to ask. It's perfectly reasonable to ask about price upgrades versus performance, but much of the discussion above has kind of shoved the PST2 to the side because it's not at the same level as the others. Doesn't mean it's not a good value though. The question here isn't whether one is better than the other - it's what the extra money buys you.
All PSTs have to go back. By default, they don't work. The difference is Vortex will fix them and eventually you get a working, low quality scope. Better than the alternative I've bitched about enough times to roll everyone's eyes.
