Zeiss LRP S3, Trijicon Tenmile, or Nightforce ATACR

[TWard]

Looking to purchase one of the three scopes above and needing guidance.

Zeiss LRP S3 6-36x56
Trijicon Tenmile 4.5-30x56
Nightforce ATACR 5-25x56

Going to go with an illuminated model.
First vs second focal plane doesn't matter to me. I like dialing vs holding.
Weight not an issue (they're all essentially the same 36-39 ounces)

Mainly need reliable tracking and best in low light conditions. Hunting situation shooting out to about 500 yards.

 

[JohnJohnson]

What kind of hunting/shooting do you plan to do with it?

 

[AlpineBeard]

If you like the Zeiss LRP S3 you may consider the Element Theos 6-36x56 it’s the same optic family as the S3 and the Vortex Razor gen 3, but it’s lighter and has a better turret. I’m not knocking the S3 (I currently own two of them). They just aren’t the lightest. This last year I picked up the S&B 6-36x56 it’s only 35 ounces with the turrets I got and you can get it down to 33oz with the DT27 turrets. It’s nice to have a “spotting scope” on top of your rifle out west!

In theory the 5-25 ATACR should have a slight advantage in low light being lower power and having a 5x erector vs 6x but I haven’t compared them back to back in low light. During the day the S3 is superior optically (the NF 7-35x56 is much closer to the S3 in terms of image quality but I have a small sample size).

If you live near me you’re welcome to take an S3 for a spin to see if you really like it.

 

[TWard]

What kind of hunting/shooting do you plan to do with it?

Hunting the flat lands of Maryland and Virginia for Whitetails. Shots range from 100-500+ depending on the field. Little to no windage.

 

[TWard]

If you like the Zeiss LRP S3 you may consider the Element Theos 6-36x56 it’s the same optic family as the S3 and the Vortex Razor gen 3, but it’s lighter and has a better turret. I’m not knocking the S3 (I currently own two of them). They just aren’t the lightest. This last year I picked up the S&B 6-36x56 it’s only 35 ounces with the turrets I got and you can get it down to 33oz with the DT27 turrets. It’s nice to have a “spotting scope” on top of your rifle out west!

In theory the 5-25 ATACR should have a slight advantage in low light being lower power and having a 5x erector vs 6x but I haven’t compared them back to back in low light. During the day the S3 is superior optically (the NF 7-35x56 is much closer to the S3 in terms of image quality but I have a small sample size).

If you live near me you’re welcome to take an S3 for a spin to see if you really like it.

Thanks for the offer, Eastern Shore of VA

 

[AlpineBeard]

Thanks for the offer, Eastern Shore of VA

I’m in western WA state. If you ever come out this way I have a LOT of different optics lol