Guys, first of all fantastic review and I can tell that I've also tested and owned some of the scopes and finally I bought the low light specialist. And you were 100% true regarding the low light performance. BUT, BE AWARE as Blaser scopes are very badly manufactured scopes: One of the worst decisions I have ever made was to buy this scope - Blaser Infinity 4-20x58 IC. It effectively broke after less than 50 rounds. The glass inside shuttered (and think about it - it's a VM/ZM system, you can't go wrong with mounting it - should have been the safest thing ever) so I suppose their manufacturing process is one of the worst (the optic was mounted on a Sako S20 - 300 Win Mag using the ZM/VM rail mount from Recknagel - the recoil is far less than the one felt with a Blaser R8 - the Sako is a heavier gun and has much better recoil pad). I had a LOT of scopes and the only 2 that broke were Bushnell and Blaser. To me, these are now at the same level. I would NEVER EVER recommend this scope to anybody. Don't get me wrong, overall the glass is beautiful, indeed a low light specialist but are you willing to risk on burying almost 3k? I've contact them on the website, send direct messages to the leadership in Germany. Haven't received a word back. I don't think they stand by their warranty either. It's such a shame. Don't be fooled by the name. Stick with a proven brand, they have no idea how to build quality scopes. I am writing this review to all the videos I've watched before buying it. I hope that this way people will be better informed about the problems they have. Especially these times when everything is uncertain in Europe I am now left without a scope... Absolutely heartbreakingly disappointed and left without a shooting solution! And when I think that I wanted to order the Blaser Primus binoculars and replace my Delta Stryker HD 1-6x24 with the Blaser 1-7x28... Thanks God haven't buried more money in their optics.
I have owned Infinity 4-20, HT 3-12, V8 2,8-20 and Z8 2-16, Z6 2,5-15x56 and Polar 4-16 and don´t argee with your conclusions. When it comes to raw optical low light performance I would say that Polar 4-16 is #1. Might be that there are difference between particular examples, who knows? I have also made lots of comparisons between premium scopes during a 10 year period so I´m not a googlingphantom :-). Comparing the Z6 to the HT that I owned there was a BIG difference in favor of the HT. It might be that the environmental factors contribute? The Z6 and the HT was compared during wintertime with snow and that probably makes for a difference. Good review anyway :-)
My next Schmidt Bender is the PMII 6-36x56 with the new P5F reticle. No tunneling like the PMII 5-25x56 plus the illumination adjustment is now integrated with the parallax knob and not a separate knob like the previous PMII models. This is going to compare with the IOR Valdada Crusader 5.8-40x 56 40mm main tube, FFP Mil/Mil also with German Schott glass. Wonder why Schmidt Bender hasn’t gone to a 40mm main tube instead of staying with a 34mm main tube. I think this also helps gather light with a larger main tube. Also the parallax adjustment is in line with the tube which doesn’t have additional internal mirrors and will help with glass clarity. The IOR Valdada Crusader was in the $3500usd cost.
Hello, very good explanation. I would like to know if you can help me, between the ZEISS V8 4.8-35X60 riflescope and the Schmidt Bender 5-45X56, which of the two is better in terms of lenses and clarity? Thank you
Great job Optics Trade! Thank you guys for the hard work, hope you had some fun too! I been watching and waiting for this type of buying guide and you guys hit it out of the park. I do have three questions in helping myself to determine whats is the best scope for the value I can afford. In the low light comparison, has does the Minox All-Rounder compare to the Steiner Ranger 6 for low light hunting? And how does the two compare to the Polar T96 at low light hunting? I know each of these won in their price group category. My goal is picking one of the two to buy but I'm looking for the best dollar value of the two. I do recall that the Minox low light performance was favorable to some of the more expensive scopes but is the resolution as good as those...mainly referring to the Steiner Ranger 6? Again thank you guys, well done, and I appreciate any answers to those questions to point me to the right choice. Thank you.
10+ years ago some German magazine tested riflescopes with some decent lab equipment, the full light spectrum. Two low-light winners - S&B (Polar did not exist at that time) and Nikon. I am surprised that there is no Nikon here. After my brother dropped his rifle on a road, with S&B 8x56 Hungarian on it, scratched the scope badly but didn't even have to adjust the reticle - I am happy not to have to watch such tests any longer. BTW - I dropped a Swarovski on a very soft forest litter and my hunting was over, the reticle went off so badly that I couldn't adjust it in the field, 200km back home, to the range.
Hvala decki !, zaista ste si dali truda . Vasa recenzija je vrlo realisticna, posjetio sam ovogodisnji sajam "Jagd & Hund Messe Dortmund "unatoc smanjenoj prezentaciji imao sam prilike usporediti veliki broj optickih nisana a u nabavci sam novog u cjenovnom razredu od 1500-2000 eura.Za moje oko i prema karakteristikama tu je apsolutni pobjednik steiner Ranger 6 kao sto ste i sami prezentirali.Vec veliki niz godina koristim opticke nisane Swarovski Z6 prve i druge generacije ( jedan je kupljen zajedno sa karabinom u Slovarms Divaca i mislim da dolazi sa vasih polica) a Steiner Ranger 6 ,subjektivno, u nicemu ne zaostaje.Prezentant na sajmu nije mi "mogao" reci koje komponente se koriste i gdje je finalna montaza Steiner Ranger 6 ciljnika, a kod nas ( dolazim iz Hrvatske) to je vrlo vazan podatak pri razmjeni misljenja. Mozete li mi vi dati te informacije ? , u vasoj internetskoj prodaji takodjer nema zemlje porijekla !? Ljepi pozdrav i hvala vam.
Pozdravljeni! Prosili bi vas, da nam napišete elektronsko sporočilo na info@optics-trade.eu. Prodajna ekipa vam bo z veseljem pomagala v najkrajšem možnem času.
I understand its a different price class, but if the z6 performed better than the z8, than how are we supposed to know what the best LOW LIGHT SCOPES are? Take the price class out, and tell us which had best brightness, image etc. rate them on performance rather than by price
If the s&b polar was best in class, beating out the Swarovski z6, and the z6 was brighter than the z8, why wasn't the polar compared to the z8, blazer, Magnus?
Interesting review leading me to believe there are sample variations. I compared a Leica Magnus to my Swarovski Z3, in hopes of replacing the Z3, and the Magnus performed identically to the Z3 in low light. The Magnus had better fov and controlled stray light better, but did not do any better in low light, unfortunately, than my Z3. I also performed the same test with a Meopta R2 and it was ever so slightly worse in low light than my Z3. If I absolutely knew the Swarovski T96 Polar would outperform my Z3 I would order it today, but since your Magnus outperformed the T96 I have no idea who to believe or what scope actually is better.
Thanks for watching! If you need help choosing the right riflescope for you, you can write us an email at info@optics-trade.eu, and we might be able to help.
According to our tests, Meopta Meostar R1 3-12x56 performed better in dusk than Meopta Meostar R2 2.5-15x56. Please keep in mind, though, that during our tests, we focused on the riflescopes' low light performance. The daytime performance, features, etc. were not taken into account.
noting you leave Vortex out of the converation.. I can't get past your under 500 euro review since all the things you say those scopes do/don't have, Vortex exceeds... I thought this vid would actually have some objective info rather than simply writing off tools based on price. big "eh"....
Guys, first of all fantastic review and I can tell that I've also tested and owned some of the scopes and finally I bought the low light specialist. And you were 100% true regarding the low light performance. BUT, BE AWARE as Blaser scopes are very badly manufactured scopes: One of the worst decisions I have ever made was to buy this scope - Blaser Infinity 4-20x58 IC. It effectively broke after less than 50 rounds. The glass inside shuttered (and think about it - it's a VM/ZM system, you can't go wrong with mounting it - should have been the safest thing ever) so I suppose their manufacturing process is one of the worst (the optic was mounted on a Sako S20 - 300 Win Mag using the ZM/VM rail mount from Recknagel - the recoil is far less than the one felt with a Blaser R8 - the Sako is a heavier gun and has much better recoil pad). I had a LOT of scopes and the only 2 that broke were Bushnell and Blaser. To me, these are now at the same level. I would NEVER EVER recommend this scope to anybody. Don't get me wrong, overall the glass is beautiful, indeed a low light specialist but are you willing to risk on burying almost 3k? I've contact them on the website, send direct messages to the leadership in Germany. Haven't received a word back. I don't think they stand by their warranty either. It's such a shame. Don't be fooled by the name. Stick with a proven brand, they have no idea how to build quality scopes. I am writing this review to all the videos I've watched before buying it. I hope that this way people will be better informed about the problems they have. Especially these times when everything is uncertain in Europe I am now left without a scope... Absolutely heartbreakingly disappointed and left without a shooting solution!
And when I think that I wanted to order the Blaser Primus binoculars and replace my Delta Stryker HD 1-6x24 with the Blaser 1-7x28... Thanks God haven't buried more money in their optics.
I have owned Infinity 4-20, HT 3-12, V8 2,8-20 and Z8 2-16, Z6 2,5-15x56 and Polar 4-16 and don´t argee with your conclusions. When it comes to raw optical low light performance I would say that Polar 4-16 is #1. Might be that there are difference between particular examples, who knows? I have also made lots of comparisons between premium scopes during a 10 year period so I´m not a googlingphantom :-). Comparing the Z6 to the HT that I owned there was a BIG difference in favor of the HT. It might be that the environmental factors contribute? The Z6 and the HT was compared during wintertime with snow and that probably makes for a difference.
Good review anyway :-)
Considering the z6 was as good as z8 I think it seems to be a great buy great review guys will help future buyers a lot
Thank you! That's our goal - to help you guys choose the best riflescope for your own needs.
Always the best vids. Absolutely love all your videos.
Excellent review, thank you very much!
Great job guys!So according to this test the Magnus is the best low light scope with 56mm objective lens?
Good review now ill look see if you have a driven scopes review and general stalking scope review
My next Schmidt Bender is the PMII 6-36x56 with the new P5F reticle. No tunneling like the PMII 5-25x56 plus the illumination adjustment is now integrated with the parallax knob and not a separate knob like the previous PMII models. This is going to compare with the IOR Valdada Crusader 5.8-40x 56 40mm main tube, FFP Mil/Mil also with German Schott glass. Wonder why Schmidt Bender hasn’t gone to a 40mm main tube instead of staying with a 34mm main tube. I think this also helps gather light with a larger main tube. Also the parallax adjustment is in line with the tube which doesn’t have additional internal mirrors and will help with glass clarity. The IOR Valdada Crusader was in the $3500usd cost.
Hello, very good explanation. I would like to know if you can help me, between the ZEISS V8 4.8-35X60 riflescope and the Schmidt Bender 5-45X56, which of the two is better in terms of lenses and clarity? Thank you
If the next buying guide of this kind and quality is about spotting scopes, I'll be a very happy birder.
Great video!! Your explications are very helpful.
Great job Optics Trade! Thank you guys for the hard work, hope you had some fun too! I been watching and waiting for this type of buying guide and you guys hit it out of the park. I do have three questions in helping myself to determine whats is the best scope for the value I can afford. In the low light comparison, has does the Minox All-Rounder compare to the Steiner Ranger 6 for low light hunting? And how does the two compare to the Polar T96 at low light hunting? I know each of these won in their price group category. My goal is picking one of the two to buy but I'm looking for the best dollar value of the two. I do recall that the Minox low light performance was favorable to some of the more expensive scopes but is the resolution as good as those...mainly referring to the Steiner Ranger 6? Again thank you guys, well done, and I appreciate any answers to those questions to point me to the right choice.
Thank you.
Thank you for watching! You can write us an email at info@optics-trade.eu and we'll help you choose the right devices for you.
10+ years ago some German magazine tested riflescopes with some decent lab equipment, the full light spectrum. Two low-light winners - S&B (Polar did not exist at that time) and Nikon. I am surprised that there is no Nikon here. After my brother dropped his rifle on a road, with S&B 8x56 Hungarian on it, scratched the scope badly but didn't even have to adjust the reticle - I am happy not to have to watch such tests any longer. BTW - I dropped a Swarovski on a very soft forest litter and my hunting was over, the reticle went off so badly that I couldn't adjust it in the field, 200km back home, to the range.
Hvala decki !, zaista ste si dali truda . Vasa recenzija je vrlo realisticna, posjetio sam ovogodisnji sajam "Jagd & Hund Messe Dortmund "unatoc smanjenoj prezentaciji imao sam prilike usporediti veliki broj optickih nisana a u nabavci sam novog u cjenovnom razredu od 1500-2000 eura.Za moje oko i prema karakteristikama tu je apsolutni pobjednik steiner Ranger 6 kao sto ste i sami prezentirali.Vec veliki niz godina koristim opticke nisane Swarovski Z6 prve i druge generacije ( jedan je kupljen zajedno sa karabinom u Slovarms Divaca i mislim da dolazi sa vasih polica) a Steiner Ranger 6 ,subjektivno, u nicemu ne zaostaje.Prezentant na sajmu nije mi "mogao" reci koje komponente se koriste i gdje je finalna montaza Steiner Ranger 6 ciljnika, a kod nas ( dolazim iz Hrvatske) to je vrlo vazan podatak pri razmjeni misljenja. Mozete li mi vi dati te informacije ? , u vasoj internetskoj prodaji takodjer nema zemlje porijekla !?
Ljepi pozdrav i hvala vam.
Pozdravljeni! Prosili bi vas, da nam napišete elektronsko sporočilo na info@optics-trade.eu. Prodajna ekipa vam bo z veseljem pomagala v najkrajšem možnem času.
Which magnus was tested ? Magnus vs polar ?
Great review! Love the detailed videos. Top notch!
Thank you for watching! We're glad you liked it! You can write us an email at info@optics-trade.eu and we'll give you our objective opinion.
@@OpticsTradeEU Thank you, I will!
Amazing job! Please tell me, which device, if any, could compete in a higher price range, than the one in which it was rated?
Thank you! You can write un an email at info@optics-trade.eu and our sales department will help you as soon as possible.
How much better is Leica Magnus compared to Fortis 6?
I will ask otherwise, is there a better option than Fortis 6, in the same price category?
Hello! You can write un an email at info@optics-trade.eu and our sales department will help you as soon as they can.
Nice video. Can you make seme video for wide angel scope?
I understand its a different price class, but if the z6 performed better than the z8, than how are we supposed to know what the best LOW LIGHT SCOPES are? Take the price class out, and tell us which had best brightness, image etc. rate them on performance rather than by price
If the s&b polar was best in class, beating out the Swarovski z6, and the z6 was brighter than the z8, why wasn't the polar compared to the z8, blazer, Magnus?
Interesting video but I'm still not giving up my Swaro 8x56 Kurz with the illuminated centre dot in a No4 ret ;)
1:35
Excellent video
Glad you liked it!
Geat job boys!
Thank you!
Interesting review leading me to believe there are sample variations. I compared a Leica Magnus to my Swarovski Z3, in hopes of replacing the Z3, and the Magnus performed identically to the Z3 in low light. The Magnus had better fov and controlled stray light better, but did not do any better in low light, unfortunately, than my Z3. I also performed the same test with a Meopta R2 and it was ever so slightly worse in low light than my Z3. If I absolutely knew the Swarovski T96 Polar would outperform my Z3 I would order it today, but since your Magnus outperformed the T96 I have no idea who to believe or what scope actually is better.
Thanks for watching! If you need help choosing the right riflescope for you, you can write us an email at info@optics-trade.eu, and we might be able to help.
Was R1 better than R2?
According to our tests, Meopta Meostar R1 3-12x56 performed better in dusk than Meopta Meostar R2 2.5-15x56. Please keep in mind, though, that during our tests, we focused on the riflescopes' low light performance. The daytime performance, features, etc. were not taken into account.
@@OpticsTradeEU My Swarovski Z3 outperformed the R2 by a tiny bit in low light. Isn't that unusual?
noting you leave Vortex out of the converation.. I can't get past your under 500 euro review since all the things you say those scopes do/don't have, Vortex exceeds... I thought this vid would actually have some objective info rather than simply writing off tools based on price. big "eh"....
i can accurately shoot 100 yards at dusk with open sights, hey
And what about the Kahles Helia?!???? The Helia is way far the BEST in his Class.... Built quality shok proofing... Optical performance ir. Ect ectr..