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Need more help - Swarovski or S&B or Zeiss

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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: Need more help - Swarovski or S&B or Zeiss
    Posted: February/08/2011 at 21:45

The more I read the more confused I get.  In your opinion, which of the following scopes would be better for deer hunting in low light conditions?


Swarovski PH 2.5-10X56mm Riflescope Illuminated 4N

Schmidt & Bender 2.5-10x56 Variable Hunting Rifle Scope

Zeiss Victory 3-12X 56MM

Or is there another scope I should be looking at.  I currently have a Zeiss and am in need of a couple more scopes.  Not long range hunting but would like great low light capability.

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Ed Connelly View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Ed Connelly Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: February/08/2011 at 22:10
I don't know but I'd love to do a comparison ....................on an elk hunt in British Columbia......
 
 
 
 
 
 
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tman1965 View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote tman1965 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: February/09/2011 at 00:10
I think you could probably just reach in a bucket and pick any one of those 3, and be just fine!
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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/09/2011 at 07:51
mantley of the three scopes you listed I own the Swarovski and the Zeiss, and I bought them specifically to hunt WT in low light. Of the two I prefer the Swarovski.
To my eye, and this is my opinion only, The glass in the Swaro provides a brighter, crisper sight picture at low light. That said I like the illumination system in the Zeiss better. 

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Tip69 View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Tip69 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: February/09/2011 at 16:23
I'm not a big fan of anything over 50mm for an objective size..... puts scope too high for a good cheek weld.  I have a Kahles 3-10X50 and it's awesome in Low Light... I can see well past legal light, which here in Nebraska is 30 min. after sunset.  You are talking about the upper crust with these 3 scopes... either or all will work great.  I would try to find a way to "test drive" each one and see which looks best to your eyes!

Good luck and please post a pic when you get it installed!
take em!
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Plange Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: February/10/2011 at 14:51
I agree with Tip69.
You cannot go wrong with any of the listed scopes, all are well built and come from optical companies that excel in low light optics.
It really comes down to what YOU want. I don't know if it is possible to handle these scopes side by side and see which one seems to be the best fit for YOU.
 
If that's not possible, I (just my opinion as is based on just my experience) would go with the S&B or Swaro.
 
Good Luck,
Paul
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Rancid Coolaid Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: February/10/2011 at 14:55
When I had to make the same choice, I went with the Zeiss, if only for the hydrophobic coating and its effectiveness at shedding water.

All have great glass. All are good scopes.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote RifleDude Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: February/10/2011 at 14:59
Deciding between those choices is like deciding between a Ferrari, Lamborghini, or Bugatti.  There's no right or wrong answer.  You really have to look at them personally and decide which you like the best. 
Having a lit reticle provides a big advantage in low light, so if you're comparing an illuminated scope against 2 that don't have illumination, it wins out on low light utility.  This assumes the scope in question has a well designed illumination system, which the Swaro certainly does.  If you were comparing illuminated models of all those scopes, I personally like the illumination system on the Swaro and S&B better than Zeiss.  Optically, they are pretty much equal.
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DD View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote DD Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: July/19/2011 at 23:45
Here I go...the S&B is probably the best, however I am partial to the Swaro then the Zeiss. I have a Swaro and Zeiss and they are more than I need quality wise, they are excellent, the S & B is a cut above...
DD
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote DD Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: July/19/2011 at 23:48
Just wanted to add that Leupold make some very nice scopes, plus it keeps our dollars here.
DD
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote brodeur272 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: July/20/2011 at 05:28

What caliber are you putting this on.  I only have Swarovski and Kahles and they're both good.  My only problem with the Swarovski's is the eye relief.  It only has just a tad over 3 inches and depending on the rifle caliber, you might need the 3.5 inches of the Zeiss or S&B.  Other than that, I'd say you can't go wrong with any of them.  My choice on the Swaro and Kahles came from the steep discounts I was able to find them for.

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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote stickbow46 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: July/20/2011 at 11:52
Did anyone notice the date....You guys might be a little late in responding Wink
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Alan Robertson View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Alan Robertson Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: July/20/2011 at 21:17
Originally posted by DD DD wrote:

Just wanted to add that Leupold make some very nice scopes, plus it keeps our dollars here.
The idea of keeping our dollars here is a good idea which I try to practice as much as possible.
Leupold does make nice scopes. Back in the 70's and early 80's, I looked no further than Leupold.
I bought my most recent Leupold in the past year or so.
The words "Made In USA" did not appear anywhere on the box. There's a reason for that...

A Leupold VX3 is very competitive with and in some ways better than my Zeiss Conquests, which do have the words "Assembled in USA" on the scopes and boxes. However, a VX3 isn't a match for the higher-end Zeiss and Swarovski and S&B scopes (thread topic.)
I don't know if Leupold doesn't make a scope at the top- end because they aren't able to, or just decided not to for 'business' reasons.
Speaking for myself, if I had the capability to build something better than everyone else, I would do it; at least give it my best shot. (You will note that I am not an optics company executive.)
Is the VX series Leupold's best shot at making hunting scopes?
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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: July/20/2011 at 22:54
I would say to date, the Firedot series are their best hunting scope

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http://tacticalgunreview.com

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