Another "help me decide" thread

[sethr]

Watch out with Optics Planet. I have found MUCH of their ads very misleading. Even when you "Contact us n chat" for better pricing, they turn around and tell you it's already including.

The big key is that Black Friday is a couple of weeks off. That's a couple of weeks to add a little money, then jump a sale.

 

[romack991]

OP, I recently finished upgrading all my defensive rifles with Vortex Optics. I went with them for value, quality, lots of options and the lifetime warranty. I chose 2 different scopes with the same reticles for my medium to long range setups and one with a reticle that would be fast into action for self defense and competion for my short range rifle.
I have the Vortex Viper PST 2.5-10x FFP with the EBR-1 MOA reticle on my 20" AR. It is the first Generation, but still carries the same lifetime warranty. AA Optics has refurbished ones for $560, which also carries the Lifetime Warranty. I have 2 refurbished PST's and they are great scopes for a whole lot less money.
If you still want a 1-4x or 1-6x for your 20" rifle, I can recommend the Viper PST 1-4x. It is second focal plane, but has a 1 MOA red dot in the center of the reticle. AA OPtics has these refurbished for $330. Both of the scopes I mentioned have exposed turrets, positive click adjustment, and zero stop features. In the 1-6x scope, the Vortex Strike Eagle is a good choice, and can be had for $245 on AA's refurbished page and new for $329. You get alot of scope for your money there. The 1-8x Strike Eagle is $449 new, so depending on your budget, that might be a better option for you 20" rifle.
I know I am coming off as a Vortex fanboy, but I bought several different optics because they were cheap, and were not happy with them. I did alot of research before settling on Vortex and I really feel that for the money, you get a whole lot of quality and options.
My only non-Vortex scope is on my house rifle. It is a Bushnell AR Optics 1-4x FFP with the "Throwdown" lever. The reticle is awesome on it, virtually identical to the Vortex Strike Eagle 1-6x, but it does not have zero stops or locking turrets. It does have really good glass for the money, but I do not think it is as robust as the Vortex scopes.

Just my opinion, but I'd take better glass over more magnification. The PST 1-4 is discontinued and going for $350 new from Cabelas, and $330 refurb from AA (and possibly cheaper next week). There's no way I'd pick a StrikeEagle over the PST if prices are similar. Now if you have extra $ and really want the 1-6, you probably can pick up the Gen 2 PST for ~$630. That is an great scope as well.

 

[42769vette]

Part 2 of the sale starts tonight. Part 2 will be the Refurbished PST 1-4 (your choice, MOA, or MRAD) for 285 shipped. As always, price is good while supplies last. No code necessary, the price will automatically be updated at midnight, and will last until I run out, or until the part 3 sale starts.

REFURBISHED - VIPER PST 1-4X24 RIFLESCOPE (EXPOSED TURRET)