Looking for input Schmidt Bender Zenith 1.1-4x24

23 October 2011, 06:50

R Flowers

I do not know what model it was, but I once worked up loads for a guy that had a S&B 1.1x4 power scope on his .375 H&H.

That was one great scope. The field of view was amazing. When at the lower powers you could even see the end of the barrel in the scope.

At 4X the targets at 100 yard were clear as anything.

That pre-64 Winchester Model 70 shot great groups with 300 grain Swift A-Frames. (cloverleafs)

That is one hell of a scope!

The guy took it to Africa and shot all kinds of game, large and small.

23 October 2011, 23:47

medved

Gary,

i had one with german #1 on my LH Heym SR20 9,3x62 nothing bad to say about it ... but in needs of money i sold both ....

it was a great combo on wild boar and red deer ... up to 180 m for a red deer ...

great optic (not light), eye relief is something you have to check very carefully ...

24 October 2011, 08:18

H T

Have one for my 470 double rifle, with detachable claw mount. So far have been able to use open sights on the rifle, but have taken ths S&B to Africa for backup several times. And have always shot it with the scope on a good bit ahead of time. Truly great glass and stands up to recoil just fine. For dangerous game, I would get the duplex reticle. (and did)

24 October 2011, 12:55

ozhunter

I have three or four in 1.5-6 and one 4x S&B scopes.
Top kit!

26 October 2011, 15:44

Ingvar J. Kristjansson

One of the best scopes money can buy ! I have 3 of them; 1.5-6x42; 3-12x50 and a 2.5-10x56 all of them with illuminated reticle nr 7.

27 October 2011, 02:41

Biebs

I have a Zenith on my Empire 505. Stout, heavy, and crystal clear.

28 October 2011, 18:07

LJS

I have a couple of the scope you mentioned and really like them. They are getting pretty expensive these days. I just bought a 1x4 Trijicon for about half the cost for a 404 and like it. I also have a 1x4 Nightforce and think it is worth consideration. With the Nightfoerce you get illuminated reticles and save about $500. A 1x4 is not a varmit scope so perhaps you are paying for more optical performance than you need with the S&B.

29 October 2011, 04:47

GaryVA

Thanks for the feedback.

The 9,3x62 Sako I'd ordered finally made it through the import process and is now in my hands. I planned to run a 3x LEU, but a relative gifted me with the purchase of the Schmidt Bender Zenith, which was enroute when I originally posted for input. I'm very happy with the 3x LEU and am confident it would run well without a hitch, but I've no experience with the S&B. Don't want to insult a gift horse so I'll be obligated to run this Zenith. Since I'm unexperienced with the S&B, I was interested in user feedback. So far, sounds like the only big issue is the weight compared to the 3x LEU.

The Zenith was delivered and I picked it up night before last. Gave it a cursory look over and all I can say is WOW!! If it proves durable, it may end up a favorite. I may give it a photo review when I get a chance to sit down and mount it on the rifle.

Thanks

02 November 2011, 20:01

GaryVA

03 November 2011, 01:15

Michael Robinson

S&B make truly top of the line scopes. I love mine.

03 November 2011, 21:36

KurtC

quote:
Originally posted by GaryVA:
Thanks for the feedback.

The 9,3x62 Sako I'd ordered finally made it through the import process and is now in my hands. I planned to run a 3x LEU, but a relative gifted me with the purchase of the Schmidt Bender Zenith, which was enroute when I originally posted for input. I'm very happy with the 3x LEU and am confident it would run well without a hitch, but I've no experience with the S&B. Don't want to insult a gift horse so I'll be obligated to run this Zenith. Since I'm unexperienced with the S&B, I was interested in user feedback. So far, sounds like the only big issue is the weight compared to the 3x LEU.

The Zenith was delivered and I picked it up night before last. Gave it a cursory look over and all I can say is WOW!! If it proves durable, it may end up a favorite. I may give it a photo review when I get a chance to sit down and mount it on the rifle.

Thanks

Not sure which reticle you have, but if you send the scope to S&B in NH, along with a boatload of money, they will have S&B in Germany add an illuminated flashdot reticle to it. They did mine and I couldn't be more pleased. The dial is the new tactical style, with the " off positions" between each numbered detent.

04 November 2011, 01:54

McKay

Have a few of them. Love them. Also like the Swarovski 1-6 Z6 as well.

quote:
Originally posted by GaryVA:
Any of you guys have hands on experience with this model? Looking for some feedback, good or bad.

Thanks

05 November 2011, 11:37

londonhunter

quote:
Originally posted by KurtC:
quote:
Originally posted by GaryVA:
Thanks for the feedback.

The 9,3x62 Sako I'd ordered finally made it through the import process and is now in my hands. I planned to run a 3x LEU, but a relative gifted me with the purchase of the Schmidt Bender Zenith, which was enroute when I originally posted for input. I'm very happy with the 3x LEU and am confident it would run well without a hitch, but I've no experience with the S&B. Don't want to insult a gift horse so I'll be obligated to run this Zenith. Since I'm unexperienced with the S&B, I was interested in user feedback. So far, sounds like the only big issue is the weight compared to the 3x LEU.

The Zenith was delivered and I picked it up night before last. Gave it a cursory look over and all I can say is WOW!! If it proves durable, it may end up a favorite. I may give it a photo review when I get a chance to sit down and mount it on the rifle.

Thanks

Not sure which reticle you have, but if you send the scope to S&B in NH, along with a boatload of money, they will have S&B in Germany add an illuminated flashdot reticle to it. They did mine and I couldn't be more pleased. The dial is the new tactical style, with the " off positions" between each numbered detent.

Can you kindly post a photo of the new style tactical turrets ?

06 November 2011, 03:32

KurtC

Londonhunter,

I'll post a pic when I can, but here is a brief description:

Detents 1-6 have a half moon symbol on their half of the dial. The lighted dots are very faint, can be used in total darkness and are compatible with night vision devices.

Between detent 6 and 7 is a positive "off" position, indicated by a line.

Detents 7-11 have a sun symbol on thier half of the dial. The lighted dots are normal to very bright.

My older illuminated Klassik has a dial that goes from 0-11. All are visible with the naked eye and O is the only Off position.

07 November 2011, 13:07

scubapro

quote:
Originally posted by Jim M.:
Schmift & Bender is an excellent scope. I have one in 4 X 16 with varmint dots. Fantastic optics. I assume the one you mention is also excellent.

But only as long as You haven´t looked through any better: Take a look through a Swarovski Z6i instead - trust me: do this prior buying a S&B...

09 November 2011, 13:01

londonhunter

Sorry scubapro

I notice no difference between Schmidt or z6i in light transmission !?!

Am I missing something ?

09 November 2011, 13:09

scubapro

@Londonhunter: You are having 3 Swarovski scopes... so if there is no difference - WHY?

No, the difference I notice between a S&B and Swarovski is not light transmission - it is brilliance, resolution, sharpness of the whole image at the Swarovski, while with some S&B there is a real bad rim-unsharpness, with some real bad bending of lines especially if you come closer to the rim. So the whole optical image is higher quality with the Swarovski in my eyes then with the S&B...

A costumer of mine told me: "If I go shooting on paper, my S&B are good enough, but if I want to go hunting, I want a Swarovski"
Nothing to add from my side!

(By the way: I sell both brands! - it could be equal to me from which one I earn my money for living, but I am perfectionist and as this, I would never own a S&B myself...)

09 November 2011, 15:00

londonhunter

I see you side of your opinion

GOod hunting

09 November 2011, 18:12

KurtC

Older style on my Klassik:

Tactical style that was just installed on my Zenith:

Night vision settings 1-6

Standard daylight settings 7-11

This dial was apparently developed in cooperation with Larry Vickers for the PM and Short Dot series.