Looking at the 56mm illuminated ones. I have a V4 in 44mm and it’s what I carry the most but the 56mm I want for the afternoons. I’ve never owned a Schmidt Bender so I don’t know if it’s worth the money difference

Schmidt would be one level up. Not to take away from Zeiss, it’s about as good as you could ask for.

The fixed power euro optics are the best light gathering scopes made

I've done a lot of research on the same subject lately. Currently have a Vortex Viper PST 50mm and need/want just a little better dusk performance.

Looked hard at the Zeiss V4 and V6, Zeiss LRP 3 & 5, Night force SHV, NXS and NX8, S&B Klassik, Khales, Leu VX6, Swarovski, Meopta, etc.

I think I've decided on a 56mm Steiner T6xi or 50mm H6xi. Supposedly has the best value of any scope in glass. Compares to scopes at 2x the cost. It's up there in cost unless you get a demo or used, but right now they have a deal where you get free binos with one so makes it a little better.

Spend money on the binos.

That T6 scope weighs almost 2lbs; big optic

My opinion beware of the Steiner). I spent a good bit on one about 4 years ago and was super disappointed. (I can’t remember the model, but it was marketed as a pretty good one) As you zoomed toward the high end of the range the image just fell apart. I bought a Meopta R2 and that stomped its brains in. I would purchase under an arrangement where you could return if you are displeased.

That was probably the T5xi which had issues on release. They've apparently picked up their game on the 6x scopes.

Yes they're heavy at almost 2lbs, but the hunter series only drops 6oz and gives up the 34mm tube and the locking turrets. I don't mind the 6oz difference for the upside.

Have you looked through all of them or are you basing this all on cost?

Schmidt-Bender, and be done. I have hunted all the major high end brands in adverse conditions, and nothing touches Schmidt-Bender.

You will not beat a Schmidt & Bender. I have a 50mm Klassik I put on a 243 that GunDoc redid for my nephews and it is a great scope.
56mm wise, I’ve got a couple Z6I and Z8i Swarovski and they are great scopes as well. With all that said, the best low light scopes I own are the Polar T-96 Schmidt & Benders in 4-16x56, they are built like a tank and low light is no issue to them.

Schmidt & Benders are “Heavier” than the Swaro’s but not by much. Build quality is definitely beat hands down by Schmidt & Bender though.

In the future unless I just get an awesome deal, S&B Polar will be what I buy to put on any deer rifle. They are cheaper than the Z8i and about the same price as the Z6I.

As for the V4, I only own 2 and they are the 3-12x44, but they are not even in the same ball park! Jap made and why one is on a 22 wmr and the other sits on a 17wsm.

Just to add to this a hair,

The 50mm Klassik is illuminated and will take you way past “legal” shooting light. The 56mm Klassik should be even better than that. With any moon light out you could hunt all night… Not even remotely kidding. The Polar T-96 would just allow you to still count how many and what color their whiskers are. Again, not even remotely kidding.

Meopta also makes great scopes, only ones I own or would own is the Meostar R2. They are identical to the Swarovski Z6i. You use to be able to buy them for about half price but they obviously caught on and now they are not a lot cheaper than an actual Z6i unless something has changed recently.

Hope this helps.

Matt

S&B is now sold out. They were on sale for $1,199. Looks like another V4 is coming but at least they are $400 cheaper

S&B P96 is clearest and brightest scope I’ve ever owned. 2nd would be the Z6i. Bought Meostar R2 for my kids gun and it’s great scope for less $$$. I’ve never owned a Zeiss. Had a Steiner for a minute but returned it to Cabelas.

Where are y’all looking for scope deals?
Bear basin? Optics planet? Or??

Europtics are good folks to deal with with plenty of good deals on close outs and demo models.

Eurooptic or Cameraland NY.

Or your local gun store. Simmons in Bessemer has usually been good to me on scope prices compared to online retailers.

Just a reminder, don’t just order online…talk directly to the man when you deal with EO (Brandon Way) and CLNY (Doug). They will both go above and beyond to make sure the customer is satisfied. Better prices and oftentimes they’ll have inventory available that’s not even listed online.

(EuroOptic also sells guns 😃)

Great experiences over the years with both EuroOptic and CameraLandNY.

Good folks at both, and they never do the misleading thing that Optics Planet does on "in stock" product. If Optics Planet says "in stock" they mean that it's "in stock" somewhere on the planet, and may not be assembled yet, not necessarily complete or anywhere near them. Could be at the factory somewhere, could be on a truck, but it will eventually arrive. Last time I bought from them, "in stock" item took 5 weeks to arrive.

Never again.

Sport optics in Louisiana is another good store. Cameraland and Europtic are top notch. If your buying schmidt bender Eurooptic is the main importer now.