The UK's Finest Independent Forum for Shooters and Gun Owners. Est 2010.

I am not ashamed to admit I a big Schmidt und Bender fan. I can see stuff and hit things with them. Endof. The Viking, well she is not convinced, in fact she is quite anti SuB and tells me Kahles is the way to go.

So which European 'scope would you choose? It needs to be in the region of 3-12X50 ish. The options as I see it are:

Schmidt und Bender
Kahles
KAPS
Zeiss
Swarovski

Have I missed anything?

S&B of Course

James

Heh, I would have set this up as a Poll but I suspect she would delete it :)

I have a 3-12x50 Swarovski . Had it for donkeys years. I really think it is a brilliant scope. I also have a Zeiss Diatal 6x42 Had it even longer than the Swarovski. Also VVV good. couple of years ago after a range day in the rain it fogged up :shock: :shock: sent it back to Zeiss they wanted £300 + to sort it. about what I paid for it. I declined. They sent it back, I put it in the airing cupboard for a couple of weeks. It has been ok since. mind you it dosen't go out in the rain any more.
I have never owned a S&B but have shot friends rifles with them on top. First rate. I also have a pair of Swarovski 10x42 EL binos. once again highly rated.


Jenks

PS..
Dave.... I also have a very nice old Rolex submariner, :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol:

Jenks wrote:Dave.... I also have a very nice old Rolex submariner, :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol:

Pah! Far East copy, you should have taken the fifty quid when I offered it. PLUS... I am sure I saw a picture of you waving it over some water so it has probably gone all manky inside

Forty quid last offer.

You missed Meopta.

I think Zeiss is as good as owt.

Regards

Phil*

Don't forget that there is Zeiss and then there is ZEISS The cheaper Zeiss scopes which were made to compete with the lower end of the market while good do not really compare with their better scopes.

Guys,

Let's not forget IOR Bucuresti established in 1936 or Doctor!

I have no experience with Kahles or S&B, although I've examined them closely. The S&B are nicely made but they just seem too expensive when there are alternatives.

Scopes i own:

Schmidt und Bender - Zenith 1.5-6 X 42, 3-12x50 Hunter. Both fantastic scopes. My only gripe is how expensive they are.
Kahles - Helia 8x56 IR, 6x42. Actually owned by Swarovski. Fantastic optics which believe are actually better than everything else. They also still offer the german sniper post reticule. My favourites - sorry mate!
Swarovski - Habicht 3-10x50, Z6 1.7-10x42. Great scopes but the 1click=1cm at 100yds can be a pain if intended for target shooting.
Zeiss - Conquest 3.5-10x44, Victory Varipoint 3-12x56. No particular strengths over the others. Would only choose again if i was saving money in the deal.
IOR - Tactical 6-24x50. Very good optically and tactical turrets are fantastic but heavy and a bit clunky in shape.

If choosing a hunting orientated scope then i'd choose kahles every time. If target orientated, i'd choose an IOR specifically with their tactical turrets and save some money. The IOR is every bit as good as the others, just too heavy for anything other than targets.