S&B vs Meopta

my 2p

you won't be able to tell the difference between a x50 and a x56 in the same scope.
glass and coatings count for so much more than physical size (at least that is what I keep telling my wife)

for the extra price of the S&B you really have to think if it is going to hold its value to maintain that differential and justify the cost.
I have a S&B and a meopta (recent purchase 2nd hand) and as my first Meopta I was VERY impressed with both the build quality, the sight picture and the clarity.

It is easily as good as the comparable 6x42 S&B but less than half the cost

I buy and sell a few second hand scopes, yes and S&B will sell faster but you will always have that hole in your wallet if that is a concern
 
for the extra price of the S&B you really have to think if it is going to hold its value to maintain that differential and justify the cost.

I agree with pretty much all of your post, but I think the OP said that both scopes he was looking at were the same price? Presumably new Meopta vs S/H S&B.

willie_gunn
 
When I lived in Germany back in the late sixties, early seventies MEOPTA were like truffles amongst my German friends, hard to find but when found, appreciated like gold dust.
They were of course 'Grey Imports' then because of the Eastern Bloc country's restriction on Exports.
I might point out for the 'unaware' that they were not used only for 'Fat pigs' but all manner of other game also.
I have had a few 3-12 x 50 Meopta's and was not aware of any difference between them and my S & B or any other makes that I owned at the time.
There is one critical difference between Meopta and any other scope, apart from the price, and that is eye relief, the Meopta has very little room for variance in the position of the eye.
I have no proof but was told by quite a few German hunters that I had no reason to disbelieve, that MEOPTA has a history of high quality optical lense manufacture, mainly photographic.telescopic or medical, going back to the time before Swarovski.
 
When I lived in Germany back in the late sixties, early seventies MEOPTA were like truffles amongst my German friends, hard to find but when found, appreciated like gold dust.
They were of course 'Grey Imports' then because of the Eastern Bloc country's restriction on Exports.
I might point out for the 'unaware' that they were not used only for 'Fat pigs' but all manner of other game also.
I have had a few 3-12 x 50 Meopta's and was not aware of any difference between them and my S & B or any other makes that I owned at the time.
There is one critical difference between Meopta and any other scope, apart from the price, and that is eye relief, the Meopta has very little room for variance in the position of the eye.
I have no proof but was told by quite a few German hunters that I had no reason to disbelieve, that MEOPTA has a history of high quality optical lense manufacture, mainly photographic.telescopic or medical, going back to the time before Swarovski.

Correct. Meopta also make lenses for all the European scope manufacturers bar S&B too.

personally, I'd have a new meopta over a s/h S&B any day.

​Pete
 
I agree with pretty much all of your post, but I think the OP said that both scopes he was looking at were the same price? Presumably new Meopta vs S/H S&B.

willie_gunn

Thats the way I read it as well and at that point its a no brainer, the meopta you will loose money on buying new whereas the second hand S&B won't loose much if anything.
 
Thanks for all the info. I forgot to mention my hunting styles. Its mostly in a high seat for roe. But I will be going at hunting trips to other countries to hunt in Dusk, dawn and night.

I wont be doing much driven hunts I think. But maybe later, who knows. But anyway I think it would be ok to use 2,5magnification at a driven hunt.

And yes, I have choosen these 2 brands of all others because I think Meopta is best value and S&B is probably the best glass of all. Ive also considered Swaro and Zeiss, but I can get S&B cheaper + its probably better.

When I pick a high quality scope I would like to stay with the brand and buy future products from the aswell. So if i buy the Klassik S&B 2,5-10x56 then ill later get a S&B Zenith 2,5-10x56 Illuminated.

I can get a S&B Klassik 2,5-10x56 in a good condition to the same price as a Meopta 3-10x50.
 
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I think I have decided. Ill probably go for the Minox(Germany) ze5i 2-10x50 Illuminated and a pair of Minox binos.

Perfect magnification for me. And if/when ill update my rifle scope again then ill go for the S&B zenith 2,5-10x56 or 3-12x50.
 
I think I have decided. Ill probably go for the Minox(Germany) ze5i 2-10x50 Illuminated and a pair of Minox binos.

Perfect magnification for me. And if/when ill update my rifle scope again then ill go for the S&B zenith 2,5-10x56 or 3-12x50.

Renico

I am sure that both scope and binos will serve you very well. Enjoy them and let us know how you get on.

​willie_gunn
 
I would personally rate S&B better at low light than Meopta , i have had both in similar configurations at the same time and directly compared them in fading light - the S&B gave the longest shootable sight view- for 7-8 min's longer , subjective of course and not a comprehensive test .

For some wider comparisons have a look here http://www.opticstalk.com/topic9913_page1.html it makes interesting reading
Steve
 
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