Which one do you guys think would be better? In low light of course. Both illuminated and 30mm tubes. Anyone have firsthand experience with either or both?

Perhaps you could ask this question on the European forum. I have some Schmidt & Benders and a couple of Meopta R2's variables, but not these scopes.

The answer depends on what you're more concerned with being "better"

The S&B is a tougher built scope
The Meopta is optically superior

I just meant strictly low light performance optically. I don't have any doubt the Schmidt is tougher. Thank you for answering my question.

Not to my eyes I’ve owned 4 Meopta’s as well as several S&B and the S&B is superior especially in low light.

Which S&B do you have? How do the coatings and glass compare in the different models? I had always heard they were the top of the heap. But they claim the new R2 will hang with any of them.

R2 glass and S&B glass are a wash. The illumination will be better on the S&B. The toughness GMAB, they are both rugged fixed powers.

Will the Meopta illumination go dim enough as to not affect night vision?

It does not on the R2 but is fine on the R1 variables

Thank you. That pretty much kills my interest in it.