Sightron SIII 10x44 MMD - First blush review...

[Russ6357]

I received my new Sightron SIII 10x44 MMD this morning and thought i'd post a "first blush" review.

Any product experience begins with purchasing, this is especially true with high-end items, and the experience with AIM fieldsports was as good as one could hope; the lady who aswered the phone was polite and helpful and John is clearly a subject matter expert who listened to my questions and answered them well.

The scope arrive really well packaged, with a cap, a sunshield and the usual cleaning/storing cloths.

I'm going to compare this scope to my current favorite, the Lightstream 4.5-14x44, which is a fan-bloody-tastic scope in it's own right!

The finish is a bit different, the Lightstream has a semi-gloss finish whilst the Sightron has what appears to be a much thicker matt finish. The Lightstream finish looks like it might be a dip/paint whereas the Sightron appears anodized - I use these terms to describe their appearance not how the actual finish is applied.

The overall heft and finish on both scopes is first class and I for one would find it difficult to discern which is "better" - they are different in their approaches but each is executed really well. I would say that the clicks of the turret adjustments are more precise and solid on the Sightron.

Setting the Lightstream to 10x I compared the performance of the glass between the two. It should come as no real surprise that a top quality fixed power has better performance than a vari-power scope but lets talk some specifics.

To MY EYES (note the shouty text... ) the Sightron provides not only a brighter image but also truer color seperation and presentation that makes details easier to see. It's field of view seemed to be a bit narrower to me but the image crisper edge-to-edge.

It's PX adjustment is to the rear of the scope and is very nicely executed, in fact I think I prefer it to AO and not having Side focus means the scope's a tad less clunky. It works really well and is smooth and reassuring, also pretty darn close to dead-on too.

The Lightstream, being a FFP mil-dot vari, does have a reticule that looks more substantial at 10x than the Sightron and it doesn't have 1/2 mil marks either. That said it does have the distinct advantage of being a vari-power with a broad range of mags that make it more generally useful for close range to long range applications. A fixed 10x is probaby not a best choice for ratting in a barn

I bought the Sightron to go on the SFS Spectre that I have being built, the 1/2 mil will be useful given it's a .22 and I fancied a quality fixed power...well....just because really!

On balance it's tough to pick between the two, the Sightron is definitely the better scope at a fixed power but the Lightstream has the benefit of more utility. Pays your money, takes you choice

(and I might end up putting the Lightstream on the Spectre and the Sightron on my .177 Airwolf to complete the "tactical look")

I hope this is of some use to those considering nice glass for their pride and joys. I will say that, also owning MTC-priced scopes that you do get what you pay for with glass but, much like true high-end HiFi, there are price/value brackets (<100, 150-250, 500, 1G) and that moving from the first to the second provides a bigger performance jump than from the 3rd to the 4th but it has ever been so, that last 10% costs 10x as much

Russ.

[Trenchfoot]

Nice review Russ. I think FFP is the way to go in .22. The Spectre is deadly accurate, but a little hold sensitive. The half mil dot really comes in useful as you start to stretch the range out to what the rifle is capable of. I'd be interested to see how you get on. PM if you prefer

[CameronWilson]

Good review, Fella.

I've also got a Lightstream, which is markedly better than anything else I've ever looked through – so I'll have to check out the Sightron, now.

[Amac]

Bottom line for me is that I get far less parallax error using the Sightron. Both great scopes, but the Sightron edges it for me.

Andy

[DEAN C.]

I have found very little PX error at all, and the clarity is superb. If you could lock the turrets it would be the perfect scope.
I think I will be looking for another soon for a second HFT/SFT back up rig.
The other thing that I really like is that it is very easy to get good head alignment with very quickly, which gives confidence, especially prone when you don't always contact the cheek piece.
Dean.

[Petervw]

I bought one this weekend , allready set up on my Steyr LG110
allways used MTC or Hawke scopes for HFT , in my everlasting quest for the holy scope I decided to try better glass for a change , I'm not saying MTC or Hawke is bad , they are great value for the money
more expensive as the above but image is much clearer , the half mildot ret is very usefull
depth of view is ok , 15-35 meters clear , longer and shorter is blurry , I hope this will improve my poor rangefinding ...
have to get used at 10x allways shot at 7x or 8x with 25 mm tube
head alignment is indeed easy , eye relief seems to be a bit longer than on other scopes I have used
haven't noticed px error , moving the head it gives clear image only on one place
it looks well built , is compact and not heavy at all
I also would like a way to lock the turrets , they click very easy
the afternoon I tried it it looks good but I realise the scope won't take away my errors ...

Peter

[Tommo]

Nice review.. I have the SIIISS 6-24x50 LRMOA which I use to great effect from 50 to 1000m. As said it gives a great clear, crisp image with excellent colour rendition. Turrets are firm but extremely positive with great feel to them. The quality of the build is evident right out of the box. I am delighted with mine.

It has to be said that purchasing anything with nearly a £1000's worth of value to it is not to be taken lightly but, as said, John goes out of his way to accommodate all Q&A a prospective buyer might have. And it's not just down to 'high end' value scopes. I have an AIM drag bag and buttstock pouch costing way less than the Sightron but the service was just as good when I bought them.

Well done Sightron, well done AIM FEILDSPORTS, well done John.

[leadpig]

+1 i have the 6-24x50lrmd fantastic scope

[gordon&jo]

I have a 10x44, nothing I would want too change it for .

[Petervw]

first shoot with the 10x42 yesterday
it was a clear day and it did the job, consistent in clear/blurry and the combination of rangefinding by eye and checking with the scope worked fine
it didn't help on the standers though

Peter

[rogb]

first shoot with the 10x42 yesterday
it was a clear day and it did the job, consistent in clear/blurry and the combination of rangefinding by eye and checking with the scope worked fine
it didn't help on the standers though

Peter

What does, Peter, what does?

[Russ6357]

I can confirm that this scope is a great option for a .22 springer, mine being the SFS Specter - the 1/2 mill reticule and a range finder really help with a loopy .22 and I've got it nicely mapped from a zero of 25 yards, 30, 35, 40, 43, 46 and 50 yards.

Great clarity and a good weight/size.

Only ask I could possible have is perhaps an illuminated reticule option would be nice for dark-woods scenarios.

[Amac]

Is it just me, or has anybody else resorted to taping up their scope turrets? Very easy to move them if removing/replacing the gun into a carrier during competition I am afraid. Apart from that, the Sightron remains the best scope I have used to date, and is, to my eyes, the best I have used with the ability to blur the image with minimal parallax alterations, allowing reasonably accurate HFT ranging. Mine is set at 21yards.

Andy

[DEAN C.]

Is it just me, or has anybody else resorted to taping up their scope turrets? Very easy to move them if removing/replacing the gun into a carrier during competition I am afraid. Apart from that, the Sightron remains the best scope I have used to date, and is, to my eyes, the best I have used with the ability to blur the image with minimal parallax alterations, allowing reasonably accurate HFT ranging. Mine is set at 21yards.

Andy

I have not taped mine but I do zero the turrets to keep an eye on them. I have turned mine a couple of times putting it in an out of the bag. Fantastic scope apart from this, and I have owned and used most scopes out there for HFT. I started counting the number of scopes that I had owned for hunting and HFT over the years, and I stopped a over 40. These are quality though.
Dean.

[Amac]

Now moved my parallax setting out to just over 28 yards as getting the odd miss at 40 plus with it set at 20.