Choosing SDB 2000 or Precihole NX100

[noviceairgunner]

Dear friend,
Please help me to choose between Sdb 2000 and Precihole Nx 109
Any info about Sdb 2000 is most welcome....

[Basu]

I have neither of these ARs.Yet I have fired both of them.
SDB 2000M is the pure clone of Diana 35 , made in Germany , where as SX and NX inspired by Theoben.
Significant traits in both these guns are trigger mechanism and difference in weight.
SDB 2000 has Diana ball bearing trigger , which breaks very crisply.Precihole SX/ NX has modern trigger which I found , can go softer.
All SDBs require serious tuning , where as Precihole comes factory tuned.
SDB2000M is 10+ fpe AR and Precihole has written the fpe on their website.
SDB2000 uses traditional wood butt and weigh approx 3.7 kgs , whereas Precihole uses synthetic butt and it weight 3.1 kgs.
Both the guns are very accurate , if tuned properly.
I felt in any given day NX is much better than SX.
Availablity of 2000 is always an issue, specially in 0.177 as it is made on demand only.

Basu

[bennedose]

Dear friend,
Please help me to choose between Sdb 2000 and Precihole Nx 109
Any info about Sdb 2000 is most welcome....

I have an Orion and an SDB 65. Both are accurate and powerful. I cannot make out any difference in power or accuracy provided i use the pellet brand that each rifle "likes"

The Orion has a slightly larger bore than SDB. GSmith Pellets are a very tight fit in SDB rifles.

As a personal problem I find that the Orion with a shorter barrel has a foresight that is slightly more difficult for me to focus on than the SDB - using the same pair of shooting glasses that I use.

The SDB trigger is tight - the Orion trigger is two step and much lighter and more sophisticated. I am accustomed to both and get good results from both. On the other hand I need to tighten the Orion's Hex screws after every 30-40 shots, but the SDB has required no maintenance other than routine oiling and dusting so far.

I cannot comment on the NX - Nitro piston. Most people are all praise for it - but Nitro pistons have not been adopted across the board internationally when you Google for info on Gas Ram powered air rifles abroad. Besides it is 1.5 t0 2 times more expensive, which is what made me postpone buyng the NX. I am deliberately going to wait for some more time to see what happens over time before buying one. The laws of physics will ensure that all gas rams will eventually lose power because it is impossible to make a seal that seals off all gam molecule leakage permanently in a moving device where the gas is compressed and released regularly. All car boot raising devices are powered by gas rams and those rams all lose power over several years. The question is how good service will be or how much it would cost to repair/recharge. Currently springers have the advantage that I can service them myself - but the disadvantage is the hassle of doing that and a huge change in performance until you can tune it to your liking.

When I read information about springers versus gas rams online - the main stated advantages of the gas ram are the fact that they can be left cocked - which hunters abroad find useful No hunting in India so this feature does not concern me. Gas rams are quieter - and there is no "torque" of uncoiling spring. Frankly I don't think this is an issue unless you start holding extra powerful 27 Joule (20 ft-lb) hunting rifle. This is an "America problem". The "twang" of my rifles does not bother me - as a dedicated plinker the sound of tins cans being hit and clang of the metal sheet backing of my target sheet makes a louder noise.

My viewpoint is obviously biased but my current rifle choices are based on these thoughts. If one of my rifles fails miserably and is not worth repairing, I may consider replacing it with an NX 100 but I have not decided for sure. My hesitation is based on the fact that I can, in theory "play" with the power of a springer - but I have no control over an Nitro piston. People speak of "recharging" Nitro pistons to a higher pressure - but guess what - it won't be in India.

The one thing I will say about the SDB is that I have been pleasantly surprised at its accuracy and power and can vouch for its longevity. They are also priced attractively and I believe that it would be a great first air rifle. The reason I keep saying this is that people keep mentioning Precihole and IHP as the top brands. I am much much happier with my SDB than my IHP 35 in both accuracy and power. And I know the company has ben around for the last 25 years or more - having owned an SDB 50 from 25 years ago. The IHPs days as king may be numbered unless they buck up and deliver something fresh.

[Ultimate Sniper]

@noviceairgunner : Am going through a similar phase now, choosing the right second AR for me... All the best on choosing one.
Am as well lured by the AR offered by SDB, the model 2000. However, am a more old school person when it comes to AR and would like to have the feel of the piece, inspect and fire it initially before I make it mine. Apparently I could not find any of the stores in B'lore having the SDB-2000 in stock. I have my apprehensions in getting one from the Aimco Kovibazaar.com, as it is the only channel where we can source the said AR. Not having doubts about the service from Aimco Kovibazaar.com, but the particular piece of AR that would be tagged for me.

@Basu : The PH AR trigger system had a fair share of issues as well. The more they made it complex and sophisticated, (ofcourse to give us a good shooting experience) more were the issues to it. Though heard almost all has been ironed out by now, I still have my doubts on them and would prefer manual safety trigger system if given a choice.
No second thought on the fact that the PH triggers are smooth, soft and crisp, in comparison with IHP that I own or the Jimmy I have fired before.

I cannot comment on the NX - Nitro piston. Most people are all praise for it - but Nitro pistons have not been adopted across the board internationally when you Google for info on Gas Ram powered air rifles abroad. Besides it is 1.5 t0 2 times more expensive, which is what made me postpone buyng the NX. I am deliberately going to wait for some more time to see what happens over time before buying one. The laws of physics will ensure that all gas rams will eventually lose power because it is impossible to make a seal that seals off all gam molecule leakage permanently in a moving device where the gas is compressed and released regularly. All car boot raising devices are powered by gas rams and those rams all lose power over several years. The question is how good service will be or how much it would cost to repair/recharge. Currently springers have the advantage that I can service them myself - but the disadvantage is the hassle of doing that and a huge change in performance until you can tune it to your liking.

When I read information about springers versus gas rams online - the main stated advantages of the gas ram are the fact that they can be left cocked - which hunters abroad find useful No hunting in India so this feature does not concern me. Gas rams are quieter - and there is no "torque" of uncoiling spring. Frankly I don't think this is an issue unless you start holding extra powerful 27 Joule (20 ft-lb) hunting rifle. This is an "America problem". The "twang" of my rifles does not bother me - as a dedicated plinker the sound of tins cans being hit and clang of the metal sheet backing of my target sheet makes a louder noise.

My viewpoint is obviously biased but my current rifle choices are based on these thoughts. If one of my rifles fails miserably and is not worth repairing, I may consider replacing it with an NX 100 but I have not decided for sure. My hesitation is based on the fact that I can, in theory "play" with the power of a springer - but I have no control over an Nitro piston. People speak of "recharging" Nitro pistons to a higher pressure - but guess what - it won't be in India.

@bennedose : Exactly my concern as well. There are a few people saying Nitro Piston looses it thump after 2K to 3K shots.
Going by science & physics, its inevitable that the power has to decline over time (use).
The question is whether to stay away from the latest technology, which ofcourse is taking a chance in this given context or to go with the aged, tested & proven old school springer way. Tough call it is...
Having the limited options we have on table, it all now boils down to the money you have to invest and the perseverance you have to deal with any dismay.
If the contemplation is for buying one's first AR, its always advisable to stay with the trusted Springer.

-Arvind S.

Edit : Changed the SDM-2000 AR available channel from Aimco to Kovibazaar, as I have seen the piece only at Kovibazaar online store and not at Aimco.

[noviceairgunner]

I am ready to tune sdb 2000....its weight is 3.5 kg....then my question to mr basu is
What do you prefer a tuned sdb 2000 with synthetic seal or NX 100

[bennedose]

Apparently I could not find any of the stores in B'lore having the SDB-2000 in stock. I have my apprehensions in getting one from the Aimco, as it is the only channel where we can source the said AR. Not having doubts about the service from Aimco, but the particular piece of AR that would be tagged for me..

Try kovibazaar
http://www.kovibazaar.com/SDB-Model-2000-id-672408.html

[Ultimate Sniper]

@bennedose - My bad, I actually meant Kovibazaar.com online store only and not Aimco, have edited my previous post.
Well as I said, its not about the delivery service that am worried about, but imperfections that I wouldnt be happy about, may be its cosmetic like fit and finish, etc or technical like barrel droop, trigger, sights, etc.
I feel less confident in getting an AR online, its not because am afraid of online purchases, I buy a lot of stuffs, including high end mobile phones online.
May be it has to do with the trust factor on the Indian AR makers.

-Arvind S.

[Basu]

Dear noviceairgunner,
Like any other springer , SDB2000 is subjected to further fine tuning.
It is seen that the Co.takes better care whlie assembling this gun since it is their top most product.
Most complex issue is reassembling the trigger after strip down.It is adviced that one should be accompanied by a knowledgable person about Diana type ball bearing trigger mechanism.
It can be fitted with synthtic piston seal and tuned for superior performance.
Design of Nitro piston is different and so the same can not be fitted in any SDB model.

Basu