Thanks Ilya, you deserve more subscribers and views. I have both the 4.5-30 and 5-50 strykers, and they are both fine scopes, but my PM2 5-25 is definitely a class better. Way less critical to setup, and a more generous eyebox.
Well at least where I live the pm2 costs double so it shouldnt be on par. Kinda like comparing a lamborghini to a normal civilian car like honda civic.
@@tiputipu777 That's a fact, but I've seen reviews (sharpshootingUK) which insinuated that the Delta Stryker was a better scope than the PM2 5-25. I've bought my Strykers out of curiosity and to test, and if they indeed would be better than my PM2, I would replace the PM2 by another Stryker. However, while the Strykers are very decent scopes, the PM2 is still something else compared to the Strykers. The PM2 is not critical at all to adjust, and will bring a brilliant image for everyone who takes place behind it. The Strykers are pretty hard to adjust to get the perfect image. Diopter adjustment for instance, especially from my 5-50 is a pain in the hole to adjust. Also, I don't really like the Strykers parallax adjustment, way too finicky to adjust with that small dial and too short throw. My 4.5-30 is undoubtedly the better one of the 2 Strykers, and once adjusted correctly, upto a certain level it comes pretty close to the PM2. Resolution is very good, it has decent contrast, and I really like the reticle with floating dot. But regarding ease of view, FOV, contrast, parallax adjustment, eyebox, clicks, and overall feel, the PM2 is something else, and for me personally definitely worth the extra money. With other words, I'm glad I haven't sold it☺ Having optics OCD is a bitch.....😉
Absolutely great videos! Thanks for sharing your knowledge with everyone. Between the Delta Stryker hd and the NF nx8 which would you choose. Comparing optics, eye box and tunneling
Hello sir, thanks for all the reviews. I checked your website for specific reviews on the delta stryker scopes but i cant find them. Can you please link me to them here?
Just got the delta stryker on discount and it was the new locking turret model. Such an amazing scope, 0.05mil adjustments, toolles super easy and quick zero, just love it. Its the 5-50 model. Havent figured out if the diopter is a locking, since it is very tight to turn and scared if I break it but fortunately it is set up very good for my eye so dont have to change it.
Greetings DLO! Hey I have another pesky question about weight again. In a video I saw that you did on the Element Nexus you mentioned that it was on the light side for scopes of that build that were manufactured in Japan. However that scope is a 30mm tube, 50mm objective and only a 4 power mag range. Now I am not at all trying to put the scope down or likewise, instead i am trying to understand how it potentially “should have been heavier.” If that makes any sense. In relation to this question I can’t understand at all how Leupold makes their VX6 4-25 for example around the 23 to 24 oz. range (going off memory right now) however I don’t really notice a certain large brand of other scopes to consistently come in on the fairly far end of “light “ as compared to other scopes with similar major design elements. I am fairly new in regards to my knowledge of modern scopes but I am intensely trying to catch up! I hope what I am trying to get at is clear enough. Sorry to ramble. Oh last thing, speaking of weight, what’s your thoughts on the Valdada 3-18x35mm? Think it’s Schott glass and weighs 24oz from what I can find. Yes it’s pricey alright., that much is for sure.
Most precision oriented scopes are a little heavier, especially if they try to maintain good FOV with high erector ratio. Also, keep in mind that FFP scopes are usually heavier. I suspect one of the reasons they stuck with the 4x ratio is to keep those two qualities in check at a moderate weight and reasonable price. I am onboard with that. Leupold is generally very good at making lightweight scopes, but keep in mind that VX-6 is SFP and these are easier to make light. If you are looking for light weight, Leupold and March are really good at that. If you want light weight with a high erector ratio and FFP, March is probably the best at it. IOR does not make a 3-18x35 scope. Are you talking about 3-18x42? It is right around 28 ounces or a touch more if memory serves me right. I have seen it listed anywhere between 24 and 34 ounces. IOR also has a 3.5-18x50 that is around 34-35 ounces. I generally do not review IOR scopes any more due to a litany of historical issues with the brand and their US distributor. The manufacturer of the glass they use is not important. It is a mind-numbingly stupid idea supported by the various marketing departments that it does. There are several good manufacturers of optical glass, including Schott.
Llya, well in “the market” again:). Looking at the Crimson Trace 3-24x56. CTL right now , mainly due to a very limited amount of good “feedback” but combined with a huge discount at Midway. Think its currently 600 bucks at Midway. Believe the company is discontinuing this model and discounted it accordingly. Uses I would potentially use it for aside, I am interested in looking strictly at “current technology used, build construction and quality and of course the Optical performance” first as the scope would probably be a “secondary” and without a permanent rifle home as it would probably move around from use to use. You haven’t lead me astray so far in my “Optical Journey” over the past 16 months as I have been very pleased with scopes I bought on your opinions and expertise. Do you have any thoughts or maybe reviews on this Scope. Crimson trace certainly isn’t one of the first scopes that jump to my mind when I think “Good Rifle scope” like the other big names do. But it did catch my interest when I saw the price on it. What’s your take? Just an over priced , less known brand scope? OR “wow that’s actually a great scope for that kinda money scope.”? Sorry to be long winded. Thanks so much, good to see your channel is still going strong thru all this total insane BS I have ever seen in this country. Cheers!
So is the P4Xi a good buy for mid range scope for the 308? Or I should step up for something better? I had the Razor Gen II already but that’s double the price tag. Thanks
P4Xi is a good option. To do better with a precision scope you have to more or less double the price and look at something like Vortex Razor Gen 2 or Delta Stryker.
The distortion per se is a function of how the optical system is built so it happens in FFP and SFP scope regardless of how the system is built. The way it looks to you is often different depending on where the reticle is located and also depending on where within the windage and elevation adjustment range you are.
Which scope would you say is better between the Delta Stryker HD 4.5-30x56 and the Athlon Cronus 4.5-29x56? The Ares ETR seems very close to the Cronus 4.5-29x56 and the differences seem negligible but are noticeable. If the Delta Stryker HD or the Cronus were limited to the same magnification range as the SteinerP4Xi, without changing any of the optical performance from their 4.5-30x56 / 4.5-29x30 models, which scope would you say is best between the 3 options assuming that all of the scopes cost the same?
Cronus BTR and Delta Stryker are clearly related designs, but with the samples I have seen, Delta is the better scope in terms of optical quality and click feel, while Cronus has a better parallax turret. Reticle is in the eye of the beholder. Compared to the P4Xi, both of these are better optically during the day and all three are very close to each other during the night. The turrets on the P4Xi I have are very good and they are probably a little better than Cronus and Stryker in terms of feel. However, with Delta coming out with locking turrets, it is a bit of a wash. All else being equal, Stryker would be my choice. However, all else is not equal, since you can get P4Xi from Cameraland for $800 right now.
@@DarkLordOfOptics Would you happen to know if the P4Xi is better than the ARES ETR? To me the Cronus and ETR are a wash in terms of optical differences but I have a very limited experience with both optics. The Athlon Ares 4.5-27 is on sale now for $600. My guess is that you would recommend the P4Xi 4-16 over the Ares 4.5-27?
New Subscriber !!! Absolutely GREAT OPTICS REVIEWS ! I follow your posts on the forums . You set the bar pretty high for the rest of us :)
Thank You!
Thank you. Very thorough review.
Thanks Ilya, you deserve more subscribers and views.
I have both the 4.5-30 and 5-50 strykers, and they are both fine scopes, but my PM2 5-25 is definitely a class better. Way less critical to setup, and a more generous eyebox.
Well at least where I live the pm2 costs double so it shouldnt be on par. Kinda like comparing a lamborghini to a normal civilian car like honda civic.
@@tiputipu777 That's a fact, but I've seen reviews (sharpshootingUK) which insinuated that the Delta Stryker was a better scope than the PM2 5-25.
I've bought my Strykers out of curiosity and to test, and if they indeed would be better than my PM2, I would replace the PM2 by another Stryker.
However, while the Strykers are very decent scopes, the PM2 is still something else compared to the Strykers.
The PM2 is not critical at all to adjust, and will bring a brilliant image for everyone who takes place behind it. The Strykers are pretty hard to adjust to get the perfect image. Diopter adjustment for instance, especially from my 5-50 is a pain in the hole to adjust.
Also, I don't really like the Strykers parallax adjustment, way too finicky to adjust with that small dial and too short throw.
My 4.5-30 is undoubtedly the better one of the 2 Strykers, and once adjusted correctly, upto a certain level it comes pretty close to the PM2. Resolution is very good, it has decent contrast, and I really like the reticle with floating dot.
But regarding ease of view, FOV, contrast, parallax adjustment, eyebox, clicks, and overall feel, the PM2 is something else, and for me personally definitely worth the extra money.
With other words, I'm glad I haven't sold it☺
Having optics OCD is a bitch.....😉
Great review. Im super interested in the Meopta dichromatic reticle for hunting scopes, especially for night time varminting with scope light.
Absolutely great videos! Thanks for sharing your knowledge with everyone. Between the Delta Stryker hd and the NF nx8 which would you choose. Comparing optics, eye box and tunneling
I did not like the NX8 too much, so I would go with the Stryker between these two. ATACR is a different ballgame, but NX8 is not my cup of tea.
@@DarkLordOfOptics Thanks for reply. Do you have any videos on the Atacr?
@@JJ-tf2qs I tested the 4-16x42 a while back, but that may have been a write-up.
@@DarkLordOfOptics It sounds like you really liked it.
Hello sir, thanks for all the reviews. I checked your website for specific reviews on the delta stryker scopes but i cant find them. Can you please link me to them here?
They are mostly in various videos. I'll pull a few together for the website.
Just got the delta stryker on discount and it was the new locking turret model. Such an amazing scope, 0.05mil adjustments, toolles super easy and quick zero, just love it. Its the 5-50 model. Havent figured out if the diopter is a locking, since it is very tight to turn and scared if I break it but fortunately it is set up very good for my eye so dont have to change it.
are both turrets locking turrets? i cant find any info about that anywhere. or is it just the top turret?
How the low light test goes? Enyone beat the meopta? :)
Greetings DLO! Hey I have another pesky question about weight again. In a video I saw that you did on the Element Nexus you mentioned that it was on the light side for scopes of that build that were manufactured in Japan. However that scope is a 30mm tube, 50mm objective and only a 4 power mag range. Now I am not at all trying to put the scope down or likewise, instead i am trying to understand how it potentially “should have been heavier.” If that makes any sense. In relation to this question I can’t understand at all how Leupold makes their VX6 4-25 for example around the 23 to 24 oz. range (going off memory right now) however I don’t really notice a certain large brand of other scopes to consistently come in on the fairly far end of “light “ as compared to other scopes with similar major design elements. I am fairly new in regards to my knowledge of modern scopes but I am intensely trying to catch up! I hope what I am trying to get at is clear enough. Sorry to ramble.
Oh last thing, speaking of weight, what’s your thoughts on the Valdada 3-18x35mm? Think it’s Schott glass and weighs 24oz from what I can find. Yes it’s pricey alright., that much is for sure.
Most precision oriented scopes are a little heavier, especially if they try to maintain good FOV with high erector ratio. Also, keep in mind that FFP scopes are usually heavier. I suspect one of the reasons they stuck with the 4x ratio is to keep those two qualities in check at a moderate weight and reasonable price. I am onboard with that.
Leupold is generally very good at making lightweight scopes, but keep in mind that VX-6 is SFP and these are easier to make light. If you are looking for light weight, Leupold and March are really good at that. If you want light weight with a high erector ratio and FFP, March is probably the best at it.
IOR does not make a 3-18x35 scope. Are you talking about 3-18x42? It is right around 28 ounces or a touch more if memory serves me right. I have seen it listed anywhere between 24 and 34 ounces. IOR also has a 3.5-18x50 that is around 34-35 ounces. I generally do not review IOR scopes any more due to a litany of historical issues with the brand and their US distributor. The manufacturer of the glass they use is not important. It is a mind-numbingly stupid idea supported by the various marketing departments that it does. There are several good manufacturers of optical glass, including Schott.
Llya, well in “the market” again:). Looking at the Crimson Trace 3-24x56. CTL right now , mainly due to a very limited amount of good “feedback” but combined with a huge discount at Midway. Think its currently 600 bucks at Midway. Believe the company is discontinuing this model and discounted it accordingly. Uses I would potentially use it for aside, I am interested in looking strictly at “current technology used, build construction and quality and of course the Optical performance” first as the scope would probably be a “secondary” and without a permanent rifle home as it would probably move around from use to use. You haven’t lead me astray so far in my “Optical Journey” over the past 16 months as I have been very pleased with scopes I bought on your opinions and expertise. Do you have any thoughts or maybe reviews on this Scope. Crimson trace certainly isn’t one of the first scopes that jump to my mind when I think “Good Rifle scope” like the other big names do. But it did catch my interest when I saw the price on it. What’s your take? Just an over priced , less known brand scope? OR “wow that’s actually a great scope for that kinda money scope.”? Sorry to be long winded. Thanks so much, good to see your channel is still going strong thru all this total insane BS I have ever seen in this country. Cheers!
Delta stryker vs Elemet Nexus, which one would you choose? Thanks
That depends on the application. This is not an apples to apples comparison.
@@DarkLordOfOptics Shooting PRS with it. and some FPR (which is like F-Class but with PRS/tactical style rifles)
@@dirkvanvuuren2598 For that, Stryker's higher magnification would probably have an edge. I'd go with the 4.5-30x56 Stryker.
@@DarkLordOfOptics Thanks. Lastly how do they stack up optically?
@@dirkvanvuuren2598 they are quite comparable one you account for objective diameter differences
Of the 3 reticles available for the Stryker, which do you feel is best suited for the scope’s design or best features?
It is very individual. I like tree reticles, so I use LRD-1T.
So is the P4Xi a good buy for mid range scope for the 308? Or I should step up for something better? I had the Razor Gen II already but that’s double the price tag. Thanks
P4Xi is a good option. To do better with a precision scope you have to more or less double the price and look at something like Vortex Razor Gen 2 or Delta Stryker.
P4Xi is amazing at the price. TBH once you get comfortable you can shoot out to 750yd on 4x no issue.
@@danielKravtsov You speak of only this particular P4Xi configuration, right? Not the lesser P4Xi, like 1-8x, right?
Does the distortion occur only in first focal plane reticles or does it also occur in the second focal plane?
The distortion per se is a function of how the optical system is built so it happens in FFP and SFP scope regardless of how the system is built. The way it looks to you is often different depending on where the reticle is located and also depending on where within the windage and elevation adjustment range you are.
Hey have an urgent question. Us optics b25 for 2.2k or the stryker for 1.65k?
I have not seen a B25 lately, but I like the Stryker a lot. Earlier 5-25x USO was not my favorite.
Which scope would you say is better between the Delta Stryker HD 4.5-30x56 and the Athlon Cronus 4.5-29x56? The Ares ETR seems very close to the Cronus 4.5-29x56 and the differences seem negligible but are noticeable. If the Delta Stryker HD or the Cronus were limited to the same magnification range as the SteinerP4Xi, without changing any of the optical performance from their 4.5-30x56 / 4.5-29x30 models, which scope would you say is best between the 3 options assuming that all of the scopes cost the same?
Cronus BTR and Delta Stryker are clearly related designs, but with the samples I have seen, Delta is the better scope in terms of optical quality and click feel, while Cronus has a better parallax turret. Reticle is in the eye of the beholder. Compared to the P4Xi, both of these are better optically during the day and all three are very close to each other during the night. The turrets on the P4Xi I have are very good and they are probably a little better than Cronus and Stryker in terms of feel. However, with Delta coming out with locking turrets, it is a bit of a wash. All else being equal, Stryker would be my choice. However, all else is not equal, since you can get P4Xi from Cameraland for $800 right now.
@@DarkLordOfOptics Thanks for the information, great review as always!
@@DarkLordOfOptics Would you happen to know if the P4Xi is better than the ARES ETR? To me the Cronus and ETR are a wash in terms of optical differences but I have a very limited experience with both optics. The Athlon Ares 4.5-27 is on sale now for $600. My guess is that you would recommend the P4Xi 4-16 over the Ares 4.5-27?
@@MrBenji515 I talked about that in the P4Xi review on my website. P4Xi is better at night, ETR is better during the day.