Low light scope

[Beretta V]

Hi guys I’m looking for a good low light scope for woodland and open stalking.
I have tried c50 but really didn’t like it as the day image wasn’t that good in my opinion.
Had a low magnification S&B which is very clear but I want more magnification for the open field.

What do you guys use that fit the bill for this situation? I was going to try an 8x56 S&B next

Regards Dan

 

[dlz90]

Hi guys I’m looking for a good low light scope for woodland and open stalking.
I have tried c50 but really didn’t like it as the day image wasn’t that good in my opinion.
Had a low magnification S&B which is very clear but I want more magnification for the open field.

What do you guys use that fit the bill for this situation? I was going to try an 8x56 S&B next

Regards Dan

This subject has been talked about extensively on the forum, a search will bring you up enough information to keep you reading a while.

I've went down the rabbit hole searching for the holy grail for low light performance scopes and spent far to much £££ over the years lol.

I currently have a Swarovski Z4i and it's fantastic in low light but in reality I keep it at about 7 mag for all my shooting so is a variable really worth it given the extra cost ..?

I've used Meopta Zeiss and Schmidt in various guides but I started out with a Schmidt 6x42 and had an 8x56 they are as good as low light as anything out there.

In my storage box is a Zeiss distal 7x50 and it also is as good as low light as any

I do like the illuminated dot nowadays especially now my eyesight is not what it was..lol

Get the 8x56 you won't get much better.

Good luck whichever you decide.

D

 

[HonestJohn]

Not sure I angree about illuminated, if it’s so dark you cannot see the crosshairs, it’s probably too late to take a shot - can you clearly ID backstop and background? Could another deer have moved in behind your target? After your shoot, will you have lost the chance of a follow up shot? With a muzzle flash in the dark, will you be able to see deer-shot reaction and how it reacted/ran off to?

I know a lot don’t come out till late, but I still find non-illuminated fine in the time it feels safe to shoot

But! If it’s for eyesight issues as above, makes sense

 

[Will the chippy]

S+b 8 x 56 is a great simple scope. I've shot foxes at midnight with no illumination with a bright moon.
I had a nv scope but sold it. Just wasn't for me.

 

[KernowX]

I have a 4x16 S&B which works really well at dusk. As the light drops you can dial out the mag to the point you can't see buy eye but you can throught the scope.
With the mag dialed up its also great for the range!
Happy hunting, Dan

 

[Jon69]

Recent S&B 8x56 convert here… genuine +20mins of light on my previous (admittedly smaller objective) Leupold. Very little to worry about with a fixed mag, although x8 is quite a lot at close range in the woods - for the money I don’t think you can go wrong!

 

[Edinburgh Rifles]

The highest light transmission scope currently on the market is the S&B T96 Polar
The 4-16x56 is an incredible scope

No plastic on it either which is the most common failing of the majority of the competition

 

[doric_prince]

I have the common variety s & b 8x56 Hungarian, which is good for the monies (c£500 new). I upgraded to a s & b polar 4-16 x 56, which has a brighter picture although at around 4 times the cost (c£2k) with bdc, these combined features of this scope was my main reason for going down this route.

 

[Beretta V]

The highest light transmission scope currently on the market is the S&B T96 Polar
The 4-16x56 is an incredible scope

No plastic on it either which is the most common failing of the majority of the competition

I have sent a msg ref 8x56

 

[CBH Australia]

@Beretta V
In Australia the Kahles 8x56 was the most sought after low light scope for years. Now many manufacturers offer good glass and coatings that help in low light.

Just remember that high magnification with reduce the field of view and brightness over a lower magnification in the same scope

Depends on your budget but Meopta are pretty good in their price point

My Zeiss Diavari 2.4-10x 50 is good and probably offers the best low light performance at 7x or lower because higher magnification reduces the exit pupil and that applies to all scopes

 

[Dickie]

There is a zenith in the classified a cracking scope for your requirements.

 

[Dickie]

There is a zenith in the classified a cracking scope for your requirements.

For Sale: - Schmidt and Bender Zenith 3-12 × 50 German scope

Great condition, been sat in optilocks on my 243 but now surplus to requirements as replaced it with an IR model A7 non illuminated ret Been hanging on to it "just in case" as it's bomb proof and has great image quality but time for it to go Few minor marks from cabinet that I've tried to...

www.thestalkingdirectory.co.uk

Nothing to do with me or not connected with the seller.

 

[HonestJohn]

Hi guys I’m looking for a good low light scope for woodland and open stalking.
I have tried c50 but really didn’t like it as the day image wasn’t that good in my opinion.
Had a low magnification S&B which is very clear but I want more magnification for the open field.

What do you guys use that fit the bill for this situation? I was going to try an 8x56 S&B next

Regards Dan

What’s the low mag s&b you have

 

[nun_hunter]

The highest light transmission scope currently on the market is the S&B T96 Polar
The 4-16x56 is an incredible scope

No plastic on it either which is the most common failing of the majority of the competition

Is all the light that's transmissible actually visible to the human eye? I can't remember where but I read something (may be complete rubbish) that said they were being slightly generous with their testing. They are using equipment that is more sensitive than a human eye and can detect wavelengths we can't, so although the transmission % is very high we can't actually see as much of it as quoted so it's not such an accurate test as far as how good a scope is to actually look through.

 

[Klenchblaize]

Caberslasher will be along soon to put the Op on the right track. Rail unlikely to be optional.

K

 

[HonestJohn]

Caberslasher will be along soon to put the Op on the right track. Rail unlikely to be optional.

K

And lots of throwing the rifle on the ground to prove sturdiness of course

 

[Lateral]

Try and have a look through an Alpex "day night" sight !

 

[zerovarm]

Caberslasher will be along soon to put the Op on the right track. Rail unlikely to be optional.

K

I know @caberslash is a huge fan of a steel tubed 6x42 Swaro with claw mounts for shooting under moonlight

 

[Klenchblaize]

I know @caberslash is a huge fan of a steel tubed 6x42 Swaro with claw mounts for shooting under moonlight

Even with those ugly & clunky Parker Hale rings.

K

 

[mak]

Is all the light that's transmissible actually visible to the human eye? I can't remember where but I read something (may be complete rubbish) that said they were being slightly generous with their testing. They are using equipment that is more sensitive than a human eye and can detect wavelengths we can't, so although the transmission % is very high we can't actually see as much of it as quoted so it's not such an accurate test as far as how good a scope is to actually look through.

Generally, manufacturers measure their optics on highly calibrated machines. The human eye may pick up light transmission variances of between 3-5%. It is also the case that the highest figure quoted is at a specific nm figure across the visible light spectrum and could be lower than other models at various nm readings. Looking at some of the comments about brand x being brighter than brand y is down to the individual, as on paper some of the comments do not relate to tested figures, that I have seen. Nothing wrong in that as each of us are different, that is why IMHO best to test as many options as possible and find the unit which suits you.