Rifle Scopes S&B 5-20 Ultra Short Illumination Dim

gyz77

gyz77

Lieutenant
Full Member
Minuteman
Jul 28, 2009
716
43
Great State of TEXAS
#1
im new to S&B scopes. I don't expect day light visible but I'm surprised it as dim as it is. New battery. The scope is new just in from Euro Optics
just curious if it's something I should worry about or they are not very bright? I could not see it using my Clip on NVD. It's barely visible under dark conditions.
 
#2
It's been my experience with the 5-25x and 3-20x ultra short that the illumination appears dim if you just take it out in the dark and immediately start looking thru the optic. However, if you allow the normal ~ 30 minutes of your eyes to accommodate to dark adaptation the illumination is pretty good.
 
#8
I don't expect Daylight bright but when I first got it I thought the batteries were dead. I put fresh batteries in it and still could barely see it. It's only visible in total darkness. I don't see me using it that much just wanted to see if that was normal or if I needed to contact S&Bz
 
#9
I had a similar experience with mine when I received it. Changed the battery thinking it was dead. Once replaced, it still seemed weak. I have the H2CMR reticle. I will have to check it again once I get back in town, but I'm sure mine would be viable with night vision however.
 
#10
That's how they are..............by design. Jerry at the service center can swap out a card to make it brighter but after he did it to his own personal UltraShort he advises against it, saying it washes out the target (at night.) I've found it works great in very low light and in darkness with/without NVD............twilight not so much and forget about it in daylight conditions.
 
#11
Had the same problem in a 5-20US I just got..only 10 and 11 were visible even in nearly complete darkness.. Jerry swapped out the illumination/card/board whatever. Since I had to have the locking collar of the elevation turret adjusted (wasn't clicking in and out of place), I figured why not. He gave me the same explanation above about washing out, but it's now more consistent with my other PMII's and how we do business with our NV clip-ons.
 
#13
Sorry, I don't know because Jerry essentially talked me out of it but I got the impression it would be no charge. Since dms416 had it done that would be your best source or just call Jerry at the Schmidt Service Center.
 
#14
This has been a known issue with some Ultra Shorts, I would send it back in for a illumination circuit board replacement. It only takes a few days and it will be a totally different scope when done, just have Jerry go up one size as you can get too much illumination as well. There should be no charge for this and Jerry should cover shipping both ways.
 
#15
the illumination on my 5-25 Ultra Short is very dim as well.

Who is Jerry and how would we contact him? The circuit board upgrade sounds like a good call.
 
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