I didn’t have time to adjust the eyepiece beyond roughly, but the parallax focus ring worked for sure as I was able to move focus between the brush obscuring my target (tree in the yard) and the target (house down the road). Getting it to focus on the further target was tougher, but like I said light was fading and I had the elevation dialed up. Optically my comparison/evaluation is going to be incomplete and I won’t be doing a tall target or box test either since I’m going to return because I don’t think it has everything I want and the illumination left a bad taste in my mouth. Turrets wise I’m not not hot on translating turrets and the two rows of numbers engraved wasn’t really my thing. That said, the turret adjustment aural and tactile quality is probably the best in the under $3K range; not sure if it’s just my sample or what but the spacing is great, the adjustment is audible, and plenty tactile. The reticle is also nice, much better in person than on the webpage - I’ll apologize for back talking it in the S5 thread.
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Rifle Scopes Zeiss LRP S3 New First Focal Plane Riflescopes for Long-Range Precision Shooting
- Thread starter Lowlight
- Start date
I just received my S3 6-36 today and am having the same issue. It is not focusing correctly at various distances when adjusting the parallax resulting in a blurry image, it also doesn’t seem to maintain focus when adjusting the magnification. I’m also having some bleeding of the illumination as well. I’m returning it.
Well this is not what I was hoping, sounds like not what you were hoping either, that is unfortunate. Hopefully it is early QC issues that could possibly be rectified over time like I've seen from some other manufacturers - sometimes they try to get something to market so quick they don't take the time to work out all the kinks...
Ok, so.... my S3 636 just came today from MKmachining, I have a pretty good opinion of Tyler over there, and the work they do. I have not mounted it yet or done any kind of tracking test, that will follow. However, I did get it in a pig saddle on a tripod and started surveying some structures and areas from 500y, to two miles away, in stormy weather with lower light conditions. I could also clearly focus on the other side of my patio at 20y and see ants doing their thing, that seemed crazy to me. I must say from my limited time with the Zeiss the glass is very...very good, great contrast, true color representation, and no problem producing a sharp image from edge to edge for my fucked up eyes. To me, and this is very subjective, the image quality is better than my ATACR, and on par with my SnB 5-25, just my opinion there. I'm coming from a place where my friends ZCO was pretty much the nicest thing I have ever looked through.
Of course at max magnification "36x" the eyebox got a little sensitive, and a darkened image, but my ATACR 36x, and Vortex Gen3 36x does that as well. I have high hopes for this optic and will put it through it's paces. So far I'm impressed, especially for the price point where similar glass goes for at least $500 more. We will see if I can maintain my enthusiasm in the coming months.
Of course at max magnification "36x" the eyebox got a little sensitive, and a darkened image, but my ATACR 36x, and Vortex Gen3 36x does that as well. I have high hopes for this optic and will put it through it's paces. So far I'm impressed, especially for the price point where similar glass goes for at least $500 more. We will see if I can maintain my enthusiasm in the coming months.
Just locked my 636 down, no problems with parallax, ocular and illumination.
Used Zeiss UltraLight 1.5” Rings with bubble.
Nice, relatively inexpensive rings and since it’s on a Ruger 22lr, will work fine.
The initial adjustments that the Ruger Stock is set at seem to be just fine but that will wait for the range, hopefully tomorrow.
So far, I am satisfied with the scope, deal from Doug and the rings.
Now to see how this rig performs at 200yds.
-Richard
Used Zeiss UltraLight 1.5” Rings with bubble.
Nice, relatively inexpensive rings and since it’s on a Ruger 22lr, will work fine.
The initial adjustments that the Ruger Stock is set at seem to be just fine but that will wait for the range, hopefully tomorrow.
So far, I am satisfied with the scope, deal from Doug and the rings.
Now to see how this rig performs at 200yds.
-Richard
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Anyone else running this on a magnum like 6.5prc or 300 prc? If so, how does it handle the recoil (suppressed and unsupressed)?
Thanks!
Thanks!
Worked fine on the 7mm PRC I mounted one on or at least for the first 20-30 rounds it’s been fine.
Back from the range, sighted in the Ruger RPR to 100 yds, next time 200 yds.
First time I have used a scope where I can see my pulse in the cross hairs.
Best scope I have ever used!!!
Up to now my Leica PRS was the best scope followed by Leupold Mark 4’s.
I have never used or even looked through a Tangent Theta or high Mag S&B.
-Richard
First time I have used a scope where I can see my pulse in the cross hairs.
Best scope I have ever used!!!
Up to now my Leica PRS was the best scope followed by Leupold Mark 4’s.
I have never used or even looked through a Tangent Theta or high Mag S&B.
-Richard
Some new observations regarding the S3 636:
Above 30x image darkens by quite a bit, if it's a bright day optic is usable above 30x, shooting at a bright target and backdrop then it's not so bad, but on an overcast day it's not going to work that well. I have had similar results with my 36x Vortex Razor, same darkening of the image on both optics.
Zeroing is easy and straight forward, but keep in mind it uses a Torex T8 and not regular Allen keys.
Tracking seems good, but only took it 4 mills, next outing I should be dialing 10-12 mills.
Once focus is set at 20-30x magnification and then dropped down to around 10x the image blurs considerably and requires re-focus, a little annoying and not sure if that is some flaw in the system. One would think it should stay in focus at all magnifications?
Parallax is forgiving and was easy to set quickly.
Glass is top tier, as good as SnB or my old Premier 5-25, I could read text on a portapotty that was 2 miles away with the S3.
Above 30x image darkens by quite a bit, if it's a bright day optic is usable above 30x, shooting at a bright target and backdrop then it's not so bad, but on an overcast day it's not going to work that well. I have had similar results with my 36x Vortex Razor, same darkening of the image on both optics.
Zeroing is easy and straight forward, but keep in mind it uses a Torex T8 and not regular Allen keys.
Tracking seems good, but only took it 4 mills, next outing I should be dialing 10-12 mills.
Once focus is set at 20-30x magnification and then dropped down to around 10x the image blurs considerably and requires re-focus, a little annoying and not sure if that is some flaw in the system. One would think it should stay in focus at all magnifications?
Parallax is forgiving and was easy to set quickly.
Glass is top tier, as good as SnB or my old Premier 5-25, I could read text on a portapotty that was 2 miles away with the S3.
I had the same issue with the scope losing focus after making an adjustment to the magnification. Seems like a pretty serious design flaw to me if it’s going to be used for competitions.
I think that’s pretty normal, but I could be wrong. Don’t have immediate access to my rifles to check.
In photography/film/videography a lens that is designed to stay in focus regardless of magnification/focal length is called a parafocal lens, is more expensive, and is unusual in photography. More common in motion fields for obvious reasons.
My ATACR does stay in focus across the mag range. But it also has a narrow parallax range, there's always some design issue seemingly, always some compromise. My SnB would tunnel...etc...
As long as the Zeiss doesn't crap out on me and tracks well I will enjoy it. Now if it doesn't track well after taking it out to distance then we have a real problem
You think the glass is better than the Leica prs?
My Vudoo needs a dedicated scope, local range does some PRS 22 matches but would mostly be shot for fun/trainer.
Sure like the sound of the 4-25 for the elevation and versatility, any reason other than magnification to go 6-36?
Sure like the sound of the 4-25 for the elevation and versatility, any reason other than magnification to go 6-36?
Well I got my s3 425 yesterday evening, played with it in the house and was very happy until I put it on the gun and tripod today and was looking at distance. So here's my initial takes
The bad :
To get it focus the image at 150 yards I was nearly out of parallax adjustment (yes I set diopter before doing this). It would resolve images from ~125yds to 450ish and then I was maxed out in parallax to be able to go any further.
I feel that for the price of the scope it should come with caps or a sunshade (minor complaint)
Now the good:
When called the zeiss customer service was easy to talk to a person and fast to deal with. They asked a few questions and then sent me a prepaid rma with no fuss. Total call was 14 minutes and that was with listening to the menu twice and then the initial gal transferring me. Overall while not happy to have to send in a new scope this is being handled exactly how I would expect good customer service to handle it.
The scope actually had 54.9 mils of total turret travel when I recieved it vs the 46.5 that is advertised with. No one's going to complain about extra elevation.
I'll reserve any opinions on image quality until I recieved back a fully functioning scope but I will say the one I had displayed no image darkening on the upper end of the mag range and when I was able to focus the image it didn't go out of focus when changing magnification as some have had happen. Over all I look forward to getting a fully functional one back because when the image was focused it was noticably better then my kahles, atacr and mk 5
I'm sure this is a @Glassaholic said above, growing pains from getting something to the market before they were truly ready leading to qc issues. Suffice it to say they are handling it better than some have in the past (I'm looking at you steiner with the t5 turret tracking denial fiasco) and with the company track record will most likely get it ironed out
The bad :
To get it focus the image at 150 yards I was nearly out of parallax adjustment (yes I set diopter before doing this). It would resolve images from ~125yds to 450ish and then I was maxed out in parallax to be able to go any further.
I feel that for the price of the scope it should come with caps or a sunshade (minor complaint)
Now the good:
When called the zeiss customer service was easy to talk to a person and fast to deal with. They asked a few questions and then sent me a prepaid rma with no fuss. Total call was 14 minutes and that was with listening to the menu twice and then the initial gal transferring me. Overall while not happy to have to send in a new scope this is being handled exactly how I would expect good customer service to handle it.
The scope actually had 54.9 mils of total turret travel when I recieved it vs the 46.5 that is advertised with. No one's going to complain about extra elevation.
I'll reserve any opinions on image quality until I recieved back a fully functioning scope but I will say the one I had displayed no image darkening on the upper end of the mag range and when I was able to focus the image it didn't go out of focus when changing magnification as some have had happen. Over all I look forward to getting a fully functional one back because when the image was focused it was noticably better then my kahles, atacr and mk 5
I'm sure this is a @Glassaholic said above, growing pains from getting something to the market before they were truly ready leading to qc issues. Suffice it to say they are handling it better than some have in the past (I'm looking at you steiner with the t5 turret tracking denial fiasco) and with the company track record will most likely get it ironed out
An update, I will be getting a replacement scope when new ones come into the states.
The warranty and customer support question was my biggest concern before purchasing a Zeiss over another ATACR, as no one beats Nightfoce for warranty, and service. But it's good to hear that if my 636 craps then they will handle it. I've had problems with Leupold and IOR in the past.
No problems on my 636 focusing from 10 yards to infinity, loving the image quality. I was randomly checking out details on the moon, it's cool to be able to see details in the craters. As well, I plan on tracking the optic out to at least 1000 next weekend, report to follow.
Knowing my luck however my turrets will explode on my next shoot and Zeiss randomly decides to void warranty.
Really???
Nightforce is known to have the worst customer service and warranty. So kudos to you if you had a good experience with them.
Yeah, they were responsive and on it with my warranty stuff for two optics. That said .... I'm sure not everybody is gonna be happy 100 % of the time.
Two Nightforce Optics for warranty service!!! But those things are bomb proof.
Be careful. Those words will bring out the pitchforks.
To be fair I’ve warrantied every Vortex I’ve owned.Two Nightforce Optics for warranty service!!! But those things are bomb proof.
Be careful. Those words will bring out the pitchforks.
Can't remember, think one thing was a parallax issue, and other was a diopter ring that was super tight.Two Nightforce Optics for warranty service!!! But those things are bomb proof.
Be careful. Those words will bring out the pitchforks.
As stated I've had way worse luck with Leupold, oh and dealing with an old Premier optic was rough. Worst ever was when my Vectronics LRF broke down, some here might remember that bullshit, a full nine months to get it fixed.
I’ve had every scope brand fail on me except for a Theta and ZCO. I am just making a joke because people say Nightforce scopes don’t break.
I will take them out to the range together and then make a subjective conclusion.
But 36X sure trumps 25x when looking at holes.
-Richard
BTW, hard to understand how some scopes are OK and some have problems?
Mine appears to be one of the problem free ones? So far!
My S3 6-36 got here yesterday, now I need a sunshade and a pair of flip-up caps.
I seems wrong to put Vortex Defenders on a Zeiss Scope, like putting Motorcraft parts in your Chebby...
I seems wrong to put Vortex Defenders on a Zeiss Scope, like putting Motorcraft parts in your Chebby...
Looks plastic to me.
When a source for a sunshade is found, please Post.
-Richard
BTW had my 10/22 Custom Shop with Aries BTR Gen2 4.5-27 at the range with the RPR and S3 536.
The Zeiss is much better optically and the illumination is much brighter.
Haven’t compared to the Leica PRS yet, that is on my AI 6CM and tucked away.
When a source for a sunshade is found, please Post.
-Richard
BTW had my 10/22 Custom Shop with Aries BTR Gen2 4.5-27 at the range with the RPR and S3 536.
The Zeiss is much better optically and the illumination is much brighter.
Haven’t compared to the Leica PRS yet, that is on my AI 6CM and tucked away.
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I'm in the same boat....Going on a centerfire PRS rig but the only time I shoot over 20x is during load development and checking zero....
I went 4-25 on the MKM Black Friday sale, unfortunately stuck at work now for 3 weeks and haven’t gotten my mitts on it.
The additional elevation sold me for the 22 stuff. With my center fire guns I constantly shoot between 7-25x and really only use the above 28x to inspect targets on perfect lighting conditions.
Figure the 4-25 could see more use on a center fire gun and would fit more roles if I decide to swap it around.
The additional elevation sold me for the 22 stuff. With my center fire guns I constantly shoot between 7-25x and really only use the above 28x to inspect targets on perfect lighting conditions.
Figure the 4-25 could see more use on a center fire gun and would fit more roles if I decide to swap it around.
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Midway USA has both the 50mm and 56mm in stock...
Zeiss LRP S3 Rifle Scope Sunshade
Seems that scope caps for the LRP S3 4-25x50 are going to take longer to show up. Neither MK Machining or Aadland have the 4-25x50 caps. But MK Machining does have the 6-36x56 caps.
I ordered a set of tenebraex covers for my 3-18 s5, which also fit a lot of older Zeiss models. I would be surprised if they didn’t fit the s3.
Well mine arrived today from Mile High Shooting…just gotta wait till Sunday. My gf and I went halves on it and I told her to wrap it and put it under the tree.
I did find a generic sunshade on Amazon that was metal. I forgot to check it for fit when I opened the Zeiss box.
I did find a generic sunshade on Amazon that was metal. I forgot to check it for fit when I opened the Zeiss box.
So what you think of it? Thinking about picking one up to replace my Razor Gen III. Thanks.
Have there been many problems with the Zeiss LRP S5 series? I've had zero problems with my two ZeissV6s
Not with the s5 series but the s3 series that this thread is about three send to be a running theme that many of us are having issues with either focus/parallax and/or illumination
So when I replied back I was holding it in my hand checking to verify that it is indeed metal and not plastic
Only on snipershide does someone want to question if you can identify something is metal. Did I scratch test it for you no, do I have lab grade trading equipment to give you lab tests results. You can feel that it's metal, you can hear that it's metal, you can see its metal in person. I'm sure you could taste that is metal if someone is so inclined.I literally made a point of checking after I saw the question asked.
So take it or leave it because at this point because there is nothing further I can do for you. Meanwhile I'll wait for my replacement since I just sent mine off this morning for the second time.
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Went back for the parallax /focus the first time. Got it back and my illumination is now fubar. They are replacing it with a new one after I told them I have zero faith in this particular optic at this point.
Thanks. Was thinking about one but maybe now I should wait a little bit until they get these bugs worked out.
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