Rifle Scopes Zeiss LRP S3 6-36 VS Steiner T6xi

[rockymountainamateur]

Hi All,

I am in the market for a new scope for my heavy barreled 6.5 cm. I plan on competing in a few PRS matches next year and general long range shooting.

Question is how do they stack up against each other? I know I can get both around the $1500 mark and really like both reticles.

Any experience with tracking issues, CA, and what is the overall glass clarity like? I am leaning toward the Steiner now, but second guessing after reading more about the Zeiss.

Thanks!

 

[ChrisAU]

Hard to go wrong with either, I've had both. The S3 has more elevation travel in the 4-25 if that matters to you. A LOT more. The turret design of the T6Xi limits you to just below 24 MILs of elevation up travel. Never had any tracking issues with either, that's with both 4-25 and 6-36 S3's and 3-18 and 5-30 T6Xi's. I slightly prefer the turrets of the S3, but I prefer the illumination and parallax controls of the T6Xi. Small thing, but I also dig how the T6Xi is designed to accommodate the Tenebraex caps it comes with, as-in the rear just pops onto the eye piece, no compression ring. Both have great glass. No issues spotting impacts and splash at 1200+ with a T6Xi this past weekend.

 

[rockymountainamateur]

Hard to go wrong with either, I've had both. The S3 has more elevation travel in the 4-25 if that matters to you. A LOT more. The turret design of the T6Xi limits you to just below 24 MILs of elevation up travel. Never had any tracking issues with either, that's with both 4-25 and 6-36 S3's and 3-18 and 5-30 T6Xi's. I slightly prefer the turrets of the S3, but I prefer the illumination and parallax controls of the T6Xi. Small thing, but I also dig how the T6Xi is designed to accommodate the Tenebraex caps it comes with, as-in the rear just pops onto the eye piece, no compression ring. Both have great glass. No issues spotting impacts and splash at 1200+ with a T6Xi this past weekend.

Making my decision harder! I really like the 5-30 magnification for the FOV and exit pupil. But I like the Zeiss turrets. Do you give the edge to either on glass clarity?

 

[ChrisAU]

Making my decision harder! I really like the 5-30 magnification for the FOV and exit pupil. But I like the Zeiss turrets. Do you give the edge to either on glass clarity?

I never had them side by side so I couldn't say.

 

[diggler1833]

Having a Zeiss LRP S3 and a Burris XTR Pro (which I'd consider the equivalent of a T6Xi since they are flagship models from sister companies) I'd give the contrast of the S3 glass the edge. I don't see any difference in clarity with my eyes, but the colors pop a little more in the S3.

If you can get an S3 for $1,500, I'd go that route for sure. Most of the time they will be a few hundred more than the T6Xi from what I've seen when I look online.

 

[rockymountainamateur]

Having a Zeiss LRP S3 and a Burris XTR Pro (which I'd consider the equivalent of a T6Xi since they are flagship models from sister companies) I'd give the contrast of the S3 glass the edge. I don't see any difference in clarity with my eyes, but the colors pop a little more in the S3.

If you can get an S3 for $1,500, I'd go that route for sure. Most of the time they will be a few hundred more than the T6Xi from what I've seen when I look online.

I am considering it. I have an XTR Pro and really like it. I have heard the T6Xi glass is better than the Pro. But I know the Zeiss glass is supposed to be great. I am waiting on a Black Friday sale to ultimately decide

 

[Rob01]

I am considering it. I have an XTR Pro and really like it. I have heard the T6Xi glass is better than the Pro. But I know the Zeiss glass is supposed to be great. I am waiting on a Black Friday sale to ultimately decide

The Steiner is maybe a hair better than the Pro but the Zeiss is better than both. The Zeiss reticle is much better than both also. I have owned all three and have 3 Zeiss now( 1 4-25 and 2 6-36). The reticle is great for holds and being able to see it as it's darker. Not thicker but darker. If you look through one you will see what I mean.

 

[rockymountainamateur]

The Steiner is maybe a hair better than the Pro but the Zeiss is better than both. The Zeiss reticle is much better than both also. I have owned all three and have 3 Zeiss now( 1 4-25 and 2 6-36). The reticle is great for holds and being able to see it as it's darker. Not thicker but darker. If you look through one you will see what I mean.

View attachment 8544773

How is the FOV and eye box on the 6-36? That is my only concern, my eyes are sensitive to a tight eye box for some reason. Reason I have like the XTR Pro so much

 

[Rob01]

How is the FOV and eye box on the 6-36? That is my only concern, my eyes are sensitive to a tight eye box for some reason. Reason I have like the XTR Pro so much

FOV and eye box on both Zeiss are fine for me. No issues getting on the rifle and a good sight picture. I'd get the S3 6-36 over the Steiner all day. That pic above is the 4-25 as I figured you might want to get an idea of how it looked on the rifle also.

 

[rockymountainamateur]

FOV and eye box on both Zeiss are fine for me. No issues getting on the rifle and a good sight picture. I'd get the S3 6-36 over the Steiner all day. That pic above is the 4-25 as I figured you might want to get an idea of how it looked on the rifle also.

I like the 5-25 form factor a lot. It is going on a 26 inch heavy 6.5 so it might look small. Any difference in glass between the 5-25 and the 6-36

 

[Rob01]

I like the 5-25 form factor a lot. It is going on a 26 inch heavy 6.5 so it might look small. Any difference in glass between the 5-25 and the 6-36

That's the 4-25x on my 6.5 Creedmoor above. It's an M24 contour and 28" long plus brake. Doesn't really look small.

Glass in both is very good but given the choice I would get the 6-36x just because you have more power if needed. If you needed a lot of elevation then the 4-25x is the answer.

 

[Rob01]

Here is an idea of size difference with a side by side of 4-25x and 6-36x.

 

[rockymountainamateur]

That's the 4-25x on my 6.5 Creedmoor above. It's an M24 contour and 28" long plus brake. Doesn't really look small.

Glass in both is very good but given the choice I would get the 6-36x just because you have more power if needed. If you needed a lot of elevation then the 4-25x is the answer.

Good point on not looking small. I think the 6-36 is the move. Hoping to get one on sale for Black Friday. Seems most people get decent deals on them. Thanks for the help