Best dusk scope, and best value dusk scope

[Lars Munk]

Looking to buy a new scope for dusk hunting here in Northern Sweden.
I’m trying to figure out What to buy, prefering second hand, due to the price.
Some of the once I’ve been looking at are:
Zeiss HT 3-12x56
Swarovski z4i 3-12x50
Meopta R1r 3-12x56
Do you guys have any other reccommendations. Please add two, the best and the best value for money.
Feel free to spit some knowlege
Cheers!

 

[JTO]

A lot of people seem to think Schmidt and Bender 8x56 is the ultimate for low light conditions.
I read somewhere that fixed mag scopes let more light through to your eye.

 

[Marrajack1]

I have the Ziess Victory HT in the 50mm objective. That is the best scope for Dawn and dusk I have used for my eyes. A pro hunter I know says the 56mm Ht is his best ever scope

Sure people will have the same opinion on Swaro, however I think the Ziess is very much better

 

[the scudd]

I would be buying the swarovski

 

[Bowland blades]

I would go for the very best 7x50 you can find for the money or one of the 8x56 S&B Hungarian scopes second hand . Folks are obsessed about high mag variables today but truth is 90% of shots are best taken at 6x - 10X and at low light your not going to be shooting on higher magnification at small targets without a lamp etc , its going to be an easy shot into the hart / lung area

 

[dlz90]

Don't look past the Swarovski Z4i range stunning lowlight performance probably the best I've used to be honest.

D

 

[dlz90]

I would go for the very best 7x50 you can find for the money or one of the 8x56 S&B Hungarian scopes second hand . Folks are obsessed about high mag variables today but truth is 90% of shots are best taken at 6x - 10X and at low light your not going to be shooting on higher magnification at small targets without a lamp etc , its going to be an easy shot into the hart / lung area

Can't go against this advice I have had a 8x56 S&B and still have a Zeiss diatal 7x50, the swaro Z4i I mentioned in my last post is the best variable in low light I have personally used, the 7x50 probably the best fixed I've used, others to consider are the variable meopta R2 range super scopes, so many choices it really depends on you, can't really go wrong with the advice given by previous posters all excellent choices.

D

 

[Fair Hill]

Best value Hawke Sidewinder 3-12 x 50.

 

[Acm]

I’ve been amazed at how good my leica 3-15x56 is in low light. Easily enough to hunt under a full moon with no lamp.

 

[HonestJohn]

Fixed S&B 7x50 with a relatively thick reticle. German made

 

[Koenig]

The 8x56mm S & B’s are very good and not too heavy on the wallet.

 

[User00036]

If you want to know how to gauge low light performance in scopes, nail a newspaper front page to a tree, look at it at night with a lamp, 100 yds, first with no filter. & then with a red filter. If you got some mates with different scopes you will soon see the results. Fixed scopes may give the best results, 8x56 is the one to beat. Best scope glass I ever used was Pecar.

 

[foxerklw]

I'd certainly take a look at the leica magnus! I've owned a swarovski Z8i which I found slightly disappointing to be honest!, a S&B polar which was fantastic, and a leica magnus which suited my eyes the best and performed as well as the S&B. Each of the three had pros and cons. Personally I liked the 100y notch on the swarovski side focus, and the illumination settings on the same scope were better than the leica. The polar is one hell of a scope, just a little bulky and heavy! The only thing I disliked about the leica was the disc illumination, I was forever having to check it but it was a small price to pay, the low light performance was brilliant and the image/colour pallet was very nice, summer evenings were an absolute delight on the eyes!

 

[paulux]

I have been very disappointed with a Meopta Meostar R1 3-12x56 bought new in 2022, great most of the time but horrible glare issues in certain light conditions.

 

[Freeforester]

Best value dusk scope is the one that lets you see and shoot your target at last light. This comes down to the best quality glass coupled with a decently visible reticle. All contained in one package.

Sold: - Brand New In Box Schmidt & Bender 8x56 Klassik Hungarian

Hi, a brand spanking new scope, 30mm tube, A7 reticle; still wrapped up in its cardboard roll, never been out, nor in mounts - Fire new. Caps still on and paperwork still in the box; I bought this for a project that went in another direction! The ultimate fixed magnification last light/early...

www.thestalkingdirectory.co.uk

 

[Lars Munk]

Forgot, has to be illuminated, and fixed power is fine by me!

 

[Tazz]

Swaro Z8 in 56 objective lens

 

[tarponhead]

Z4i - but it will depend on what you personally see through the scope. Other good low light glass includes Steiner and Leupold - for me, and at much cheaper price. Hope you get one to enjoy and keep.

 

[Zio65]

Docter Noblex Jena 8x56 ir

 

[mealiejimmy]

I don't know the legal position in Sweden, but the current crop of digital day/night scopes like the Pulsar C50 are far, far better at dusk that any pure glass scope.
They are also significantly cheaper

Cheers

Bruce