Viper vs Lightstream
Used a Lightstream on a fellow clubmember's gun today, immediately after putting 100+ shots through my MTC Viper equipped Airwolf. I was amazed at the difference in clarity. Admittedly the Lightstream is approaching twice the price, so its unfair to knock the Viper with which I'm still very happy.
But....Anyone have any experience with similar scopes in the £400 price range? Is the Lightstream fairly typical at this price point or is there better (or worse)?
Happy Shooting,
Paul.
optically the lightstreams are superb but they do suffer a badly from paralax error and build quality has been an issue on some that i've seen/used. but they are nice scopes undoubtedly but for the 400 quid mark i'd be importing a leup, or 4200.
I have a Lightstream and have owned several VX111's and a 3200, much prefer the Lightstream. Don't understand the Parallax comment and the build on mine is fine.
do a search on paralax error unfortunatley the lightstreams are renowned from suffering badly from it, but they are incredibly clear scopes and optically on par with some leups.Originally Posted by JRDS
Shot a 57 at Basingstoke yesterday with my 10X44 Viper.
Works fine for me and nothing to touch it for the money.
Nealsey
You can change my signature, but you'll never take my freedom!!!!!
http://img687.imageshack.us/img687/7...cture012ka.jpg
I sometimes think that optical quality is over rated in respect of scopes. It is arguably more important to have a scope that will hold zero. I have a couple of scope that have superb optical quality, but never have the same zero on two seperate occassions. On the other hand, I have a couple of scopes that, while not as good optically, as the others, will hold zero after being chucked down stairs (OK, I don't chuck my rifles downstairs, but you know what I mean.). Even more annoying is the scope that, when adjusted four clicks up, decides that it will also move a couple of click left on POI.
The best scope I have, FWIW, within the useage intended is a Meopta 7X50. I tend to prefer fixed mag scopes as I believe that having less glass, and fewer moving bits is an advantage. Better scope for the money.
Thanks for the input. I wasn't attempting to make a direct comparison - that's why I made a point of emphasising the fact that the lightstream was twice the price. What I was trying to say is that I now see that there is certainly a bigger difference in clarity of optics than I had realised - albeit at a price. Therefore, given around £400 to spend, would I go for the lightstream or is there something better available at the same price? You seem to feel that the NIkon is better than the Lightstream - what model Nikon are you referring to? - I'll try to get a look at (through!!!) one and a Bushnell 4200 as suggested above, before parting with my hard earned cash.I have a Viper and the optics are spot on superb, I looked through someones Zeiss Conquest yesterday and yes it was a bit brighter but not £400s worth brighter!!!
To compare scopes in different price brackets is unrealistic mate, the very expensive, Swarovski, S&B, Zeiss etc are going to be brighter but not bright enough for me to warrant spending in some cases £600 more!
I have a top end Swarovski spotting scope costing over a grand and to be honest I wish I had bought a Bushnell at half the price cos the difference is not so great!
If you really want to spend £400 on a scope take a look at the Nikons, but I would say save your money and use the Viper.
Best wishes.
Thanks and Happy Shooting!
Paul.
that ziess is £300 mateI have a Viper and the optics are spot on superb, I looked through someones Zeiss Conquest yesterday and yes it was a bit brighter but not £400s worth brighter!!!
To compare scopes in different price brackets is unrealistic mate, the very expensive, Swarovski, S&B, Zeiss etc are going to be brighter but not bright enough for me to warrant spending in some cases £600 more!
I have a top end Swarovski spotting scope costing over a grand and to be honest I wish I had bought a Bushnell at half the price cos the difference is not so great!
If you really want to spend £400 on a scope take a look at the Nikons, but I would say save your money and use the Viper.
Best wishes.
IMO the Lightstream is far brighter than any of the 4 Leupolds I have owned and dare I say better built.
You can say it, what model of Leupolds did you own ? They do budget models too. I've got a VXIII with 30mm tube, 50mm lens and it's damn good.
As far as build quality goes, I believe US Army are using Leups on their 0.50 Sniper rifles - that must mean something.
Gary posted that the next generation MTC scopes will have Lightstream quality optics at MTC prices - now that's going to be a bargain !
The dearest I have had was a VX111 4.5 - 14 X 50 30MM Tube with the Varmint Hunter Reticule. I really don't rate Leuplods at all for the money they are.
Not any more LOOK HERE
Kev
Everyone's eye's are different etc, but from my experiences with Leups. they are far better than lightstreams and build quality is much better, ask the US Army.
Kev USMC are seperate from the US Army mate.
Each to his own, certainly not better optically by a long chalk to my eyes.
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