longhornfan69
Member
Has anyone had any experience with an NcStar Mark III scope? I have read good and bad reviews.
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NcStar scope
- Thread starter longhornfan69
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Some may disagree but you can do better with your money. Optics are one of the things that you get what you pay for.
Andrew911tt
Member
You say you can do better for the money but do you mean that someone should spend at least some amount of money or not get a scope
or do you have a better recommendation for $100-$150
Amazon.com: 3-9X42 Compact-Red and Green Illuminated P4 Sniper/Green Lens/Quick Release: Sports & Outdoors
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Splittiebus66
Member
NC star is well documented **** 
I've heard good things about the Nikkon pro staff P223 from one of my students at work. It was introduced this year at SHOT IIRC.... I know you can find deals on them every now and again....Midway has this for $200 for example but I've seen it closer to your $150 budget.
P-223 Rifle Scope 3-9x 40mm BDC 600 Reticle Matte
It is not illuminated but has the BDC reticle....
I've heard good things about the Nikkon pro staff P223 from one of my students at work. It was introduced this year at SHOT IIRC.... I know you can find deals on them every now and again....Midway has this for $200 for example but I've seen it closer to your $150 budget.
P-223 Rifle Scope 3-9x 40mm BDC 600 Reticle Matte
It is not illuminated but has the BDC reticle....
I'd say it's all relative to what you're planning to use it for. For general plinking, I'm sure it's fine. I've owned a few NCStar products for my paintball guns and they're not bad, but I wouldn't want to rely on them if my life were on the line. They just feel a bit cheaply made, and some folks who I know and trust have had bad experiences with them. That being said, I've never used the specific scope you're asking about.
Something to keep in mind when looking at illuminated dot scopes - the 2 and 3 color dots are fun, but every time you add another wavelength (green, blue) that's reflected back to your eye by the prism, you're decreasing light transmission through the optic. The thing that makes Burris, Aimpoint and the like pricier (besides the name) is their fancy band-pass filters that reflect ONLY the wavelength produced by the diode and transmit everything else. That's why the top-end sights are still only red. Maximizing light to your eye maximizes your ability to see your target in all conditions.
I heartily second the ProStaff recommendation. I've been shooting a Nikon (I have the basic 3-9x40, here's the BDC version for $166) on my R700 for a while now and after trying several other optics, I'm convinced it's the best scope for under $200. The glass transmits a LOT more light than cheaper scopes, so you can see and shoot the deer (or whatever you're shooting at) later into twilight when they're becoming more active.
If you're sure you want a red dot, have a look at the Bushnell TRS. It is unmagnified, but (IMHO) the best red dot for under $200- think 95% of an Aimpoint Micro for 15% of the price. You can find them for $80-$100. Bushnell also makes a magnified tactical red dot (linky linky) that's a bit pricier, but I've heard good things about it.
Something to keep in mind when looking at illuminated dot scopes - the 2 and 3 color dots are fun, but every time you add another wavelength (green, blue) that's reflected back to your eye by the prism, you're decreasing light transmission through the optic. The thing that makes Burris, Aimpoint and the like pricier (besides the name) is their fancy band-pass filters that reflect ONLY the wavelength produced by the diode and transmit everything else. That's why the top-end sights are still only red. Maximizing light to your eye maximizes your ability to see your target in all conditions.
I heartily second the ProStaff recommendation. I've been shooting a Nikon (I have the basic 3-9x40, here's the BDC version for $166) on my R700 for a while now and after trying several other optics, I'm convinced it's the best scope for under $200. The glass transmits a LOT more light than cheaper scopes, so you can see and shoot the deer (or whatever you're shooting at) later into twilight when they're becoming more active.
If you're sure you want a red dot, have a look at the Bushnell TRS. It is unmagnified, but (IMHO) the best red dot for under $200- think 95% of an Aimpoint Micro for 15% of the price. You can find them for $80-$100. Bushnell also makes a magnified tactical red dot (linky linky) that's a bit pricier, but I've heard good things about it.
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Yup, you got it. BDC is "bullet drop compensator" - the markings on the reticle. And that's the difference - the normal ProStaff has the "Nikoplex" crosshairs (which look a lot like regular crosshairs), and the P223 has the bullet drop compensator calibrated for the ballistics of most .223 loads. The P223 also has "tactical" adjustment turrets, meaning you don't have to take the caps off to adjust them, but that's the only difference I can come up with.
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CENTURION24
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I have the mark 3 fixed 4x., want to buy mine?
It's a good scope. Its worth the $80 I spent on it if you want a 4x scope. Quality build for the most part. The only problem with it is the red and green lights are useless. The red reticle at night makes it impossible to see through the scope. The green reticle for the daytime is no better then the standard black reticle.
If the lit reticles is a needed feature for you then I would not recommend.
It's a good scope. Its worth the $80 I spent on it if you want a 4x scope. Quality build for the most part. The only problem with it is the red and green lights are useless. The red reticle at night makes it impossible to see through the scope. The green reticle for the daytime is no better then the standard black reticle.
If the lit reticles is a needed feature for you then I would not recommend.
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i have this on my m p 15 stp tac mark 111 works great ,i take it off when i travel but it back on and it is still dead on at 250 yards and under , i have it a real good scope on my other ar15 one that cost close to 899 and they work the same ,
cyphertext
US Veteran
I do not have experience with the exact scope you are referring to, but let me just say that any NcStar optic that either I or friends have purchased are now riding on my son's airsoft guns....they look cool to him.
batmann
Member
Good optics are cheap when you find out the bargin optics are not what you need or want. You will buy the Nikon, Burris AR332 or similar optics only AFTER you find out the reason these brands cost more. Save your pennies and go with good optics and you will save money in the long run.
I am speaking from experience as I went with bargin optics and wasted a couple hundred rounds of ammo only to find out it (no brand name) wouldn't hold a true zero.
I finally went with a Burris AR 332 w/the quick detatch mount on my M&P and haven't looked back.
If you get a scope with the BDC, you will love it once you get used to it. It makes a very easy way to zero using the compensation dots.
I am speaking from experience as I went with bargin optics and wasted a couple hundred rounds of ammo only to find out it (no brand name) wouldn't hold a true zero.
I finally went with a Burris AR 332 w/the quick detatch mount on my M&P and haven't looked back.
If you get a scope with the BDC, you will love it once you get used to it. It makes a very easy way to zero using the compensation dots.
OP
longhornfan69
Member
I decided to start with the Centerpoint 4-16x40 as it has really good reviews. When I eventually get my son a .22 I will give it to him and I will buy me a Nikon P223.
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