Schmidt & Bender Polar T96

[Nosler243Shooter]

I'm currently hunting with the Leupold VX5HD 3-15x44 and Meopta Meostar R2 2-12-50. I've always wanted a Polar but it's a lot of money. I'm looking for more light transmission and this is supposed to be one of the best. How much more hunt time will this get me and what magnification and objective would allow me to see in the lowest light? I'm looking at the 4-16x56. All hunting shots will be 300 yards or less.

 

[Nosler243Shooter]

I just need to know how much of a gain I'm likely to see compared to what I have now. If it's only going to give me a few more minutes then the cost is not going to be worth it. Also, would a lower magnification like the 2.5-10x50 or 3-12x54 transmit more light or is it about the same?

 

[Graywolf.260]

The 2.5-10x50 Polar is very bright and a bit more compact (and cheaper). It’s close to the Hensoldt 4-16x56 at 10x. For hunting out to 600 it works great. Not cheap, but there’s a pretty good sale going on at Eurooptic. Is the meopta brighter than the VX 5? I’ve never used either but the polar is >96% light transmission. A few minutes means a lot when you need them. You really need to look side by side to compare and decide if it’s worth it for you.

 

[BamaSE]

I have the 2.5-10x50 and it is a phenomenal low light scope. Here in Alabama we can legally hunt deer 30 minutes before sunrise and 30 minutes past sunset. Often I fret that I can still have plenty of clarity to hunt and could comfortably shoot several minutes in the AM and PM outside of legal time. I made the leap a couple years back when my 50+ year old eyes just could not get the clarity I need in low light and have no regrets. But it is a pricey option and definitely worth weighing the cost/value.

 

[Gunny89]

Unfortunately, top-tier glass doesn’t come cheap. I get that some people think it’s a bit over the top, but those extra minutes can make all the difference.
I invest a lot of money into hunting mature bucks, so when the opportunity presents itself, I want a scope that’ll deliver. For me, that extra 15 to 30 minutes of performance is well worth the investment

 

[Nosler243Shooter]

The Meopta is much brighter during the day but as the light fades the difference is not as clear. Sometimes I think the Meopta is brighter and then sometimes it looks like the vx5hd is the winner. One thing that has bothered me about the Meopta though is the lack of the side focus. During last light when I turn the illumination on the dot is not as clear. It looks like there is a dot and a half stacked on top of each other. Its not a problem really but it bothers me. I can't see it much in the day time. I looked at the 10x and the 12x Polar a lot the last few days. I really didn't want to go with another 56mm ever again but last night I just went for it and ordered the 4-16x56 Polar from Eurooptic. Hopefully I made the right decision. The model I ordered is in the link below.

Polar T96