I'm in the market for a high end rifle scope for hunting. I want the best low light scope out there. I currently have Swarovski, kahles, zeiss (not impressed) and optolyth scopes. Of course, the Swarovski is the best out of these scopes but I know there are a few new contenders out there, such as NightForce. So my question is--if money was not a factor--what scope would you guys choose for low light conditions? Thanks
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Rifle Scopes best low light rifle scope--no budget
- Thread starter wpaven0814
- Start date
Supposedly the hensoldts are the best for that but if you really want to go low light then get some night vision or thermal...
Thanks for the recommendations. I was leaning towards the SB ultra bright series but there are no dealers in the area for me to put my hands on one. I'll check out hensoldts as well.
Schmidt and Bender Klassic 7x50mm or 8x56mm with L3 Illuminated reticle. These are what European Hunters use from elevated stands in night time conditions. Fixed power scopes have fewer lenses and allow more light to be transmitted than variables.
http://www.schmidtundbender.de/en/products/hunting/8x56-klassik.html
http://www.schmidtundbender.de/en/products/hunting/7x50-klassik.html
http://www.schmidtundbender.de/en/products/hunting/8x56-klassik.html
http://www.schmidtundbender.de/en/products/hunting/7x50-klassik.html
This sorta depends on how large of a scope you can tolerate. Technically, Hensoldt 6-24x72 is the best low light riflescope out there.
Out of the "regularly" sized scopes, take you pick between Leica Magnus, Swarovski Z8i, Zeiss Victory HT and S&B Polar with whichever happens to be the largest objective lens you can tollrate.
ILya
Out of the "regularly" sized scopes, take you pick between Leica Magnus, Swarovski Z8i, Zeiss Victory HT and S&B Polar with whichever happens to be the largest objective lens you can tollrate.
ILya
I've been on a quest to find the best low light hunting scope for a while now. I'm currently running a S&B Polar t96 4-16x56 (same glass as the ultrabright series but more oriented to hunting than tactical shooting). It's very good.
i recently picked up a Swarovski Z8i 2.3-18x56, and it's also very good. I just got this one a few weeks back, so I haven't had much time to compare them side by side at dusk yet...but it's damn good so far.
I keep hearing great reviews on Tangent Theta, supposed to be top notch glass and super bright...so I think my next purchase will be a 315m.
i recently picked up a Swarovski Z8i 2.3-18x56, and it's also very good. I just got this one a few weeks back, so I haven't had much time to compare them side by side at dusk yet...but it's damn good so far.
I keep hearing great reviews on Tangent Theta, supposed to be top notch glass and super bright...so I think my next purchase will be a 315m.
I like the Victory HT 3-12x56. I have a hensoldt 3-12x56 FF also, but the Zeiss is brighter in low light.
Tangent Theta TT315M is absolutely spectacular in low light. It is as good as 50mm scopes get. However, a similarly high end 56mm scope is going to be better. In this stratified price range, the choice between low light performance largely comes down to objective lens size and personal preferences.
TT315M is my favourite overall scope on the market right now, bar none.
ILya
The Victory HT's are awesome hunting scopes, as bright as I've seen and very light weight. A local shop has the 2-10x50 for $1300, I'm super tempted to snag it up. If it were a 3-12 or if it had an illuminated reticle, it wouldn't take a second thought.
We've sold a lot of them recently, it's becoming a very popular scope IMO that we typically order a bunch of them.
Larger primary gathers more light. Just like telescopes and camera lenses. Exit pupil may or may not be affected, and from the same brand at the same magnification, I would expect it to be the same.
The question is how old are you. A 56 objective sounds good until your pupil won't dilate equal to or larger than the exit pupil size. A long tube 50MM with outstanding resolution may be a better option. An old 4-16 long tube S&B comes to mind.
This from an older guy who used to be able to see in the dark.
This from an older guy who used to be able to see in the dark.
That is absolutely true Dave.
But if the exit pupil is equal, as are the number of elements (with same coatings etc.) the light gathering of the larger primary will be apparent.
And if it's a big problem, pick the day optic you like and get a used SIMRAD to slap in front of it at night.
But if the exit pupil is equal, as are the number of elements (with same coatings etc.) the light gathering of the larger primary will be apparent.
And if it's a big problem, pick the day optic you like and get a used SIMRAD to slap in front of it at night.
Effectively. For optimal low light performance, you want an exit pupil that is just a touch larger than your eye pupil (all else being equal). As you get older, your eye does not dilate as much as it used (as Dave correctly pointed out). However, in that case, you can dial up the magnification a bit, which will still let yo see more detail.
Basically, all else being equal a scope with a larger objective will be better in low light. However, whether you need the largest objective it really depends on your specific application. For me, a high quality 50mm is sufficient for almost everything I need.
ILya
