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S & B Zenith vs Variable Hunting

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mantley View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote mantley Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Topic: S & B Zenith vs Variable Hunting
    Posted: February/08/2011 at 08:47
What is the difference between the S&B Zenith and the S&B Variable Hunting line of scope.  I see the tube is shaped differently but are the optics the same?  I am looking at the 2.5-10x56 and will be using the scope for deer hunting.  I keep hearing how good the S&B scopes are and wanted to give one a try and see how it compares to my Zeiss Victory 3-12x56.

Thoughts...
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ccoker View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote ccoker Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: February/08/2011 at 08:57
Zenith has illuminated reticles
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OLI62 View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote OLI62 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: February/08/2011 at 09:09
Originally posted by ccoker ccoker wrote:

Zenith has illuminated reticles

Is that the only difference? The glass in the Zenith isn't different? I ask, because I like mantley am looking at the same scope except in the 3-12 x 50.
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RifleDude View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote RifleDude Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: February/08/2011 at 09:20
I asked S&B the same question a few years ago, and according to them, the optics are the same.  In the 2.5-10X56 model, the Zenith is shorter than the equivalent variable hunting model.  As ccoker said, Zenith offers the Flashdot option.  Beyond the obvious aesthetic differences in the external contours, the turrets and reticle position indicators look a little different, but I don't know if that equates to any functional mechanical difference. 

Edited by RifleDude - February/08/2011 at 09:23
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Glock View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Glock Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: February/08/2011 at 12:44
Optics are the same, the Zenith just comes in a shorter package.I find the Zenith a little more pleasing to the eye, the flasdot reticle works well in all light conditions. Even bright sunlight, I use mine quite a bit, but if I had to buy over I would opt for the 3-12 x 50 instead of the 2.5-10- x 56

Regards Chris
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote OLI62 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: February/08/2011 at 13:14
Chris, what reticle do you have in yours?
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Glock Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: February/09/2011 at 15:55
It is a no 7 flashdot, extremely happy with the scope. I should have just gone for the 3-12 x50 though, miss the exra magnification sometimes. Not hunting but on the range.

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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote jleinum09 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: February/22/2011 at 17:45
The glass in the Zenith and the Klassik is the same, however the zenith is a little shorter in a few of the models, and it is also offered in the flashdot models.  One distinct diference is the Zenith has the POSICON display, when the classic models do not.  THe posicon display basically tells you where the reticle position is so you can get the most adjustments out of your windages and elevations.  I dont own a Zenith but i have heard that it is a pretty cool feature.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote RifleDude Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: February/22/2011 at 18:05
Originally posted by jleinum09 jleinum09 wrote:

 One distinct diference is the Zenith has the POSICON display, when the classic models do not.  THe posicon display basically tells you where the reticle position is so you can get the most adjustments out of your windages and elevations.  I dont own a Zenith but i have heard that it is a pretty cool feature.
 
The Posicon is indeed a neat feature.  Unless something has recently changed, I'm almost certain the Klassic series scopes have it as well, though it looks a little different.
 
The only Zenith model that is shorter than it's Klassic counterpart is the 2.5-10X56 Zenith, which is 2" shorter.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote ccoker Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: February/22/2011 at 19:47
one thing I like on the 1.5-6 Flashdot #9 I have is how thin the center sections of the reticle are
Meaning they don't cover too much of the target up, and they are still plenty visible

When you turn on the illumination, you simply get a red dot that gets projected onto the crosshair intersection...  very cool
Get the best of both worlds, a nice precise crosshair with the option to illuminate if needed

Both the daytime and night time illumination works well
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote koshkin Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: February/23/2011 at 15:33
Just a comment: if one scope is shorter than the other, the optical systems has likely been changed.  They may be built to the same quality standard, but they are not the same.

ILya
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