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Joined: Oct 2007
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coach11569,
Do you think a Swarovski z5 5-25X52 would be a good low light scope? I do. I have one on my ultralight hunting rifle. Here's the kicker. Both my Bushnell 4200 4-16X40's match it in low light. I purchased both from this website for $275 each.
Therefore I suggest a Bushnell 4200 4-16X40. I've a hard time thinking a bushnell beats an S, with a big end, set on 5-6 x..... I"ve yet to see a clear B, at the end of the day or after sunset that would impress me. But we all know, YMMV. Low light is a subjective term, but like you, am yet to be impressed by a bushnell. I am not a huge swarovski scope fan either, even though I love their binos.
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Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 10,986 Likes: 2
Campfire Outfitter
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Campfire Outfitter
Joined: Jan 2003
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For pure/maximum low light performance; I have a Swarovski PH8x56 that is UNBELIEVABLE. I have 1" and 30mm Swaro 50mm objectives, Diavari, VX-3's, S&B Sumitt and 50mm objective Conquest and it beats them all,easily. - and so you are selling it for $500 ? ? ?
When a country is well governed, poverty and a mean condition are something to be ashamed of. When a country is ill governed, riches and honors are something to be ashamed of
. Confucius
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Joined: Feb 2008
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About to buy a scope and would love to get some advice on the best low light scope for around $500. Was thinking about a zeiss. But would appreciate some input. Thanks As long as you will be working inside 500 all the time and mostly inside 400, The Meopta 1.5-6x42 that I have is about indistinguishable from my Zeiss/Swaro/S&B 1.5-6x42s. The Meopta could be had for about $400 last I looked. Get a First Focal Plane plex reticle and life is good. Comes with a full lifetime unlimited transferable warranty and their service is great.
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Joined: Jan 2003
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rost and eddy- yeah, give me the Swaro but have to agree the 4200 is impressive. I helped a friend get one on sale and added coupon or some discount for less that 2 bills. Crazy deal. Heck at $275 I can't think anything beating it. Really nice clicks too. I am seeing them for mid-$400's most places now and at that price prefer reticle choices and weight of Leupold and took a VX3. I wouldn't have had I found that same deal- but have to say the VX3 has surpassed my expectations.
When a country is well governed, poverty and a mean condition are something to be ashamed of. When a country is ill governed, riches and honors are something to be ashamed of
. Confucius
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Joined: Dec 2010
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For pure/maximum low light performance; I have a Swarovski PH8x56 that is UNBELIEVABLE. I have 1" and 30mm Swaro 50mm objectives, Diavari, VX-3's, S&B Summit and 50mm objective Conquest and it beats them all,easily. - and so you are selling it for $500 ? ? ? Yes, I forgot the $500 budget; it would probably take $750 to get it away from me.
Last edited by Cruiser1; 01/21/14.
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Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 555
Campfire Regular
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Just checked...8x42 binos are 299, but no meopro scopes are in as demo's. Bummer. A meopro just got added to the samplelist from swfa today...
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Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 3,751
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After ridiculous amounts of research, I've concluded that the meopta meopro 3-9x42 BDC does what I want for a price I'm willing to pay for.
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Joined: Nov 2012
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Joined: Aug 2002
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I can't help myself; I know what I'm going to suggest is a little more than you want to spend, but my 6-24x72 Hensoldt is without any doubt the best passive NV scope money can buy.
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Joined: May 2003
Posts: 5,792
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I don't know if it's the best, but I've got a Zeiss 6x42 Diatal with a #4 reticle that is darn impressive in low light. You can occasionally find them used, and if you get the right one, can have the ASV+ turrets put on it too and add a bit to it's flexibility.
John
If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land. 2 Chronicles 7:14
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Joined: May 2010
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Campfire Regular
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Just checked...8x42 binos are 299, but no meopro scopes are in as demo's. Bummer. A meopro just got added to the samplelist from swfa today... Cool...I haven't hit SampleList yet today, but I will.  The other avenue the OP could take is wait for a Cabela's coupon, or better yet, if he knows someone who works there, wait for a Friends/Family invite. The Cabela's Euro scopes are rebranded Meopro's, and the F/F discount on Cabela's branded stuff is the highest of anything they sell. That would bring in a real nice scope at a real nice price. Just kicking ideas out there.
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Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 2,538
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Campfire Regular
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Best low light scope I have used was an Old 4x56 redfield Illuminator. A close second was a 8x56 IOR with a #7 retictle
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Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 10,986 Likes: 2
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After ridiculous amounts of research, I've concluded that the meopta meopro 3-9x42 BDC does what I want for a price I'm willing to pay for. It came down between that exact one and a VX3 with BDC for me. No wrong choice between them. My older 6x42 Meopta Artemis is still rockin'.
When a country is well governed, poverty and a mean condition are something to be ashamed of. When a country is ill governed, riches and honors are something to be ashamed of
. Confucius
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Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 17,527
Campfire Ranger
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Campfire Ranger
Joined: Mar 2005
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My 4-12x52 Kahles Helia is a really bright scope.
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Joined: May 2010
Posts: 3,200
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You wont beat meopta for the price.
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Joined: May 2012
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I will say Biebs is as good as they come too. Another one and I am not sure it is in the budget or not would be the Zeiss Duralyt. I saw a spec somewhere that they where optimized for 600 nm vs. 500-550 which as many have noted give it a slight hue in full light but theoretically would be better in low light. I can't verify as I don't have one but I will say my 38mm Conquest hung with the 50 mm LR VX3 and 56mm LR VXL well past 7:30 in the winter which is about two hours past dark here. I do believe it is subjective to your eye though. I also didn't use a chart it was just a first pass test looking at branches/ pine needles at the tree line at about 95 yards. The 50mm could make out the branches but not clearly more of a blur to me. The 56 VXL and 38 mm Zeiss could make out the edges of the branches and some of the needles. There was sight ambient light from a house 5-600 yards away and it seems to not get as dark here as I remember it getting up north so maybe it is a bit biased.
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Joined: May 2012
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I also have the pair of Helias I bought from Biebs but haven't tried them. I will say the 3.5-10x50 I had from CDNN was by far the nicest optically I have tried but I don't own any of the true high end Hensoldt, Victory , etc. and to be honest am probably not good enough to tell the difference.
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Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 18,453
Campfire Ranger
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Campfire Ranger
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You wont beat meopta for the price. You got that straight. Now that the new R2's are out that will help their short eye relief rep that used to plague them.
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Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 18,348 Likes: 1
Campfire Ranger
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Campfire Ranger
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 18,348 Likes: 1 |
i myself am interested in the 6x42fixed meopro with #4.
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