Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Hunting Optics Undisputed Lowlight Champion?

I know this topic and discussion has been thoroughly covered and at times worn out. But I need some help. The short of it is I need opinions based on experience on the absolute best glass for low light field hunting in the south. Whitetail, hogs and coyotes.

On an extremely overcast evening a couple weeks ago I was unable to identify what buck I was looking at through my scope about three minutes before legal shooting light ended. I have three good bucks on Camera and only one that I wanted to shoot this year. The others need one more year. Hunting a food plot field I could not distinguish what buck I was looking at and the edge of the woods 200 yards away.

I have $1300 set aside for glass on a new rifle I am having built. But I would be willing to save a little more over the course of the spring if it would make a huge difference. I currently have a VX5 3-15x44 with a fire or not and have been pleased with it and still am, but that was the scope I was looking through on the evening I couldn’t make out the buck. I’m trying to figure out what route to go to give me the absolute best low light performance. That is probably the biggest priority for me as a southern Whitetail hunter looking at fields and powerlines. I elk hunt once a year but that is typically an archery hunt. I have a solid set up for elk hunting with a rifle so the scope I am shopping for right now is a dedicated low lot field hunting scope. I’m fine with large objectives and like the idea of twisting turrets out to 600 yards for practice.

I’ve been reading about Z6, V6, and and some of the offerings from S&B, Tract and Leica. willing to put up extra money to go in this type of direction if it’s worth it and I get an extra 10 minutes.

Sorry for the long epistle but hoping someone can steer me in the right direction. Thanks

Many things need to be factored to find the right low light scope for yourself, but if just talking glass, then the S&B Polar is indeed at the top of the heap. I've found nothing better.

With that being said, and the fact you have $1300 set aside right now, I'd take a hard look at the Minox All-Rounder. It comes very close to the Polar in performance, has the option of setting the illumination to a darker curve (you'll want to do that) and affords resolution that rivals anything out there. The All-Rounder is the culmination of improving and streamlining/simplifying the excellent ZE5i series. The series hasn't been heavily marketed but is definitely worth a look.

Right now, Optics Trade EU from Slovenia has them in stock, and with shipping/customs fees, the 2.5-10x50 will run you just over $1300. The 3-15x56 is about $80 bucks more. Don't worry about int'l shipping; it's quicker than ground here in the US lol. A scope I recently bought from them arrived in 3 business days.

Here is a link:
Minox page at Optics Trade EU

There are a number of other excellent optics that would serve your purpose. But sadly, a number of them -- like the Kahles Helia scopes -- can't be purchased here any longer and can't be imported, either. Hunting in Europe is often a low-light activity, and scopes available there often vary greatly compared to what is served up to the US market. The Steiner Ranger 4 and 6 (not sold here but can be imported) are perfect examples when compared to the Steiner models sold here in the US, all of which have far too bright of illumination and reticles which aren't the best for low light applications.

Are you over 50? (OP)

It’s true I had to go to Reeder‘s this year. The big 5O caught up with me! Just hoping I might get a few more minutes on these aging eyes when I’m sitting on those big fields.

I turn 50 this year. I just recently had to start wearing readers.

Reason I ask is.....cataracts are insidious and inevitable. People can get them young or older. They reduce light transmission big time.

Just saying, whenever we start talking about scopes and clarity and light transmission, start with getting your eyes and vision checked for best performance.

Many things need to be factored to find the right low light scope for yourself, but if just talking glass, then the S&B Polar is indeed at the top of the heap. I've found nothing better.

With that being said, and the fact you have $1300 set aside right now, I'd take a hard look at the Minox All-Rounder. It comes very close to the Polar in performance, has the option of setting the illumination to a darker curve (you'll want to do that) and affords resolution that rivals anything out there. The All-Rounder is the culmination of improving and streamlining/simplifying the excellent ZE5i series. The series hasn't been heavily marketed but is definitely worth a look.

Right now, Optics Trade EU from Slovenia has them in stock, and with shipping/customs fees, the 2.5-10x50 will run you just over $1300. The 3-15x56 is about $80 bucks more. Don't worry about int'l shipping; it's quicker than ground here in the US lol. A scope I recently bought from them arrived in 3 business days.

Here is a link:
Minox page at Optics Trade EU

There are a number of other excellent optics that would serve your purpose. But sadly, a number of them -- like the Kahles Helia scopes -- can't be purchased here any longer and can't be imported, either. Hunting in Europe is often a low-light activity, and scopes available there often vary greatly compared to what is served up to the US market. The Steiner Ranger 4 and 6 (not sold here but can be imported) are perfect examples when compared to the Steiner models sold here in the US, all of which have far too bright of illumination and reticles which aren't the best for low light applications.

Thank you so much. Very helpful. Of the two Minox scopes you’ve listed, would I gain any low light Advantage going with the larger 56mm?

Thank you so much. Very helpful. Of the two Minox scopes you’ve listed, would I gain any low light Advantage going with the larger 56mm?

Bobby, how did you come to have experience with so many high quality optics? How does the VAT work out?