I have a Polar in 3-12x54 and had a Klassik in 8x56. Didn’t do a side by side but I think the 8x56 was very close. For most eyes, probably as good. And a fraction of the cost. I bought mine (8x56) from Opticstrade in Europe and passed it along to a fellow member to help fund my Polar. To do it over again I wouldn’t feel let down in the lowlight capability of the fixed 8x Klassik.
This thread is what initially led me to buy the Polar.
Tell you what, I have shot a couple of hogs at midnight with a Trijicon Credo HX in 2.5-10x56 and that thing is impressive. Especially for the money.
I like those Trijicons as well. I haven't used that one, but a few of the others have been really good.
I have Zeiss with 56 objective lens. I think any of the top names with 56 obj will serve you well. I bought a used Zeiss Divari years ago for under a thousand. Works great on my CZ FS 308.
Bushnell elite...iirc. They boasted the highest light transmission at one point. 94% on one of their models. Have several
Bushnell Elite 4200 are great hunting scopes for sure.
But not in the same "league" as the S&B Polar or the Zeiss Victory HT when it comes to low light performance. (these will have at least 50mm OBJ lens' of course)
on my target and hunting rifles Nightforce scopes , Seal team use mostly Nightforce scopes , our American military snipers use Nightforce scopes too. Nightforce scopes are made in Idaho .
I agree with you guys, Johnny Loco, and Hammer 2506.
I'll toss in a 1980s or 90s, Weaver K 4 also... to a lesser extent, but still awfully good if the moon is shining.. the K 6 Weaver from that time period also.
I'm not a scope snob type.. if I can see out of it, that is all that matters to me...I don't think I've ever had a straight 4 power, 6 power or the Bushnell 1.5 x 4 or 1.5 x 4.5 shot gun scopes, that I've had to send back for repairs....
honorable mention goes to a Leupold 2 x 7 shotgun scope I've had a couple of...
"Minus the killings, Washington has one of the lowest crime rates in the Country" Marion Barry, Mayor of Wash DC
“Owning guns is not a right. If it were a right, it would be in the Constitution.” ~Alexandria Ocasio Cortez
I used to think my Leupold LPS 3.5 x 14 with Leica glass was the best low light scope. Until my buddy bought a Zeiss Victory Divari. This scope was king in my eyes for low light. I have never looked through a S & B Polar, but would like too.
I used to think my Leupold LPS 3.5 x 14 with Leica glass was the best low light scope. Until my buddy bought a Zeiss Victory Divari. This scope was king in my eyes for low light. I have never looked through a S & B Polar, but would like too.
Buy my "NIB" Zeiss Victory HT 2.5-10X 50mm with the #06 NON-illuminated reticle & it will show up your buddies Diavari.
most glass for scopes glass is made in Japan most of us know that
and i don`t care still is a much better scope than any other scope mentioned ,must be true most bench shooters use them !
---
pete53-
I didn't mean to ruffle your feathers by pointing out the truth: that most NF scopes are actually made in Japan and not in Idaho as you had posted. But I get tired of seeing incorrect info being posted here day after day.
As to the scopes themselves and your claim: I see that your mind is made up, so I won't waste my time here. But to consider Nightforce the "undisputed lowlight champion" is simply ludicrous. Yes, they may be rugged and reliable, but you don't even have to go to a true alpha scope to find better glass for the application this thread addresses.
most glass for scopes glass is made in Japan most of us know that
and i don`t care still is a much better scope than any other scope mentioned ,must be true most bench shooters use them !
---
pete53-
I didn't mean to ruffle your feathers by pointing out the truth: that most NF scopes are actually made in Japan and not in Idaho as you had posted. But I get tired of seeing incorrect info being posted here day after day.
As to the scopes themselves and your claim: I see that your mind is made up, so I won't waste my time here. But to consider Nightforce the "undisputed lowlight champion" is simply ludicrous. Yes, they may be rugged and reliable, but you don't even have to go to a true alpha scope to find better glass for the application this thread addresses.
My experience tracks with Bobby's. I have a Night Force on my M1A and it does everything it is supposed to extremely well in daylight. It is probably tops, or close to top for reliability. In a side by side comparison to a S&B or Z6 Swaro, which I have done numerous times over times, the glass is not in the same league in low light.
Just got back from a cloudy night hunt. Shot a 160 lb sow. I mean it was dark. Cloudy overcast skies. Shot her at 131 yards with my Trijicon Credo HX 4-16x50. Very impressive for the money, what these scopes do in lowlight. Not far behind the Polar.
Just got back from a cloudy night hunt. Shot a 160 lb sow. I mean it was dark. Cloudy overcast skies. Shot her at 131 yards with my Trijicon Credo HX 4-16x50. Very impressive for the money, what these scopes do in lowlight. Not far behind the Polar.
Great intel Moses. I think EuroOptic still has them on sale as well.
In my mind the 8x56 is the sleeper scope. For price and weight it's difficult to best.
Yep, the S&B 8x56 certainly works -- and works WELL. Many hunters scoff at the thought of a fixed power scope, but they'd likely change their minds after spending time with one.
![[Linked Image from i.postimg.cc]](https://i.postimg.cc/sxGPpJCc/sb8x56.jpg)
![[Linked Image from i.postimg.cc]](https://i.postimg.cc/y6wT90Rp/KIMG0684.jpg)
![[Linked Image]](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/e/ea/Logo_Schmidt_%26_Bender.jpg){kind=logo}