...or not. As some of you know, I sold off some of my guns and other things a while back so that I could upgrade my optics.Since I can't spend any time afield & only do a bit of sniping from the house, my shot opportunities are rare, and of those I am fortunate enough to be presented with, most involve moonlight opportunities on hogs.

I've gone through lots of scopes in search of that non-existent "perfect" one, and I've finally found one that does better than all the rest when it comes to low-light situations. I've compared Kahles, Leica, Meopta, Schmidt Bender, Zeiss, Swarovski, Hensoldt and others and have spent countless hours gauging resolution and usable image quality in twilight and did so using not only optical charts but live game and stationary targets as well. None are perfect, and I have found fault with all. But the Schmidt Bender Polar T96 3-12x54 with D7 reticle certainly brings on a smile.

It is definitely the brightest rifle scope -- yes, brighter than the Zeiss Victory HT 3-12x56 for anyone who may ask -- out there and resolves enough detail to make those difficult night-time shots possible. The illuminated dot is small and unobtrusive. And its contrast level when light is all but gone allows you to "see" into the shadows exceedingly well.

No, it's by no means perfect, either. I'd prefer the intensity of the dot adjust one level lower. I'd prefer a slightly heavier center wire in the D7 reticle. And for someone with RA and neuropathy, that super-sweet-looking and smoothly-surfaced metal magnification ring can be a slight hindrance. But so far, it the THE best out there -- for me, at least -- and I've tried virtually all of the true contenders. And I say without reservation that SB's claims of it being the world's brightest rifle scope are spot-on.

Of course, it had to be mounted on my beloved 7mm Bullberry. It sits in medium Warne rings, is sighted in and now just lacks a suitable piggie to be used on.

Will I change scopes again if something else shows promise? Anything is possible, but I don't see another scope unseating the Polar any time soon. After all, too many manufacturers are geared towards tactical offerings and ungodly million-times zoom magnification ranges. Of course, that hinders low-light performance and why the brand-new Zeiss V8 series doesn't do as well in low light as do the older Victory and Victory HT scopes and their 4x zoom ranges.

Hope it is what you are looking for. But if it isn't there will be others for you try.

I took a look at those here at our local hunting show. Schmidt and Bender folks had about 30 scopes on stocks to look through. They said the Zenith was good but this is better. I'd tend to agree.

Big Wonderful Wyoming-

Yes, the Zeniths are indeed nice, and I had 2 of the 2016 models for a bit. But the Polar is simply incredible.

BT,

Good on ya.

I've been trading up close to 30 years now.
The difference between "cheap" glass and truly great glass is incredible.

It has been my experience that one is very seldom sorry that they went first class.

An old sales bromide, the memory of poor quality lingers long after the joy of low price fades.

Best,

GWB

I understand the love for first class glass but wonder why some sort of night vision might not be the answer? The newer NV is really getting there.

I am not mobile and can't stalk closer to the hogs, so the NV really doesn't work for me. A scope that gives me 8-10x magnification and ample detail in moonlight is what I need. And so far, the Polar -- while far from perfect -- is the cream of the crop for my usage.

I haven't fooled with any Night vision yet and don't know what kind of range it has. I have seen some video of guys shooting out to 180 yards or so.

Well, it wasn't what I wanted to pull the trigger on, but I took a boar 'coon in the partial moonlight just before midnight tonight.

I had stepped outside to take a peek for hogs, and -- after letting my eyes adjust for a few minutes -- I noticed this coon near a protein feeder set up for the deer. He was actually between the feeder and a batch of corn soured in expired prickly pear puree I was given, and any time a deer tried to approach the protein, he charged at it and ran it off. This went on for 9-10 minutes before I had enough and decided to end his hostility.

From a solid rest, I settled the half-MOA dot of the Schmidt Bender Polar 3-12x54 -- which was set on 10x -- on what I perceived to be low on the shoulder and touched off my 7mm Bullberry. There was no mistake about the shot as the impact of the bullet was quite loud, the 120 grain Nosler BT smashing though both shoulders and killing the boar coon instantly. The range was 157 yards.

It wasn't the target I had hoped to connect with, but it felt good to christen the scope. If the weather and this decrepit body will cooperate, I hope to take a few more late-night looks during the next week or so as we should have good lighting conditions. But so far, I am definitely pleased. While certainly not perfect, the Polar offers more moonlight capability than any other scope I have ever tried.

PS-Pardon the slobbered-up hair on the raccoon. Our dog Charlie decided to worry the carcass a bit while I retrieved the camera, and I didn't have anything to wipe it down and didn't feel like going back inside.

Good shooting Bobby.

I've got a Zeiss Victory 2.5-10x50 which I use for moonlight hunting bushpigs. I used to have a S&B Klassik 2.5-10x56 which also worked well, but was incredibly bulky and heavy. My new baby that I've just acquired and have yet to use is a Leica Magnus 2,4-16x56. I've only looked through it in the twilight and it seems to be very clear on first impressions, with better glass than my Zeiss Victory (Not the HT). Did you get a chance to look at the Leica Magnus or Swaro Z6i as a comparision to the S&B?

Thanks, Deon. The Z6i, while truly alpha glass, does not quite compete with the Zeiss HT and SB Polar in terms of pure low-light performance. But Leica is another story.

I ran a 3-12x50 ERi/4-a through the paces, and it had the best daytime resolution of any scope I have ever tried. It performed splendidly in moonlight as well and will equal or even edge out the comparable HT 2.5-10x50 in most pertinent optical categories.

I used it to take a bobcat at 150+ yards in soft moonlight (TOUGH conditions) while also making my longest night-time/moonlight shot on a hog (190 yards). I have nothing but praise for the Leica ERi. The Magnus you asked about has a different magnification range and illumination system, but the optical performance is virtually the same as the ERi.

But the Polar is still the cream of the crop -- to this point, at least.

Wow very nice Bobby! The S&B bested the Leica, the Polar must be a great scope

I've done even more testing with it since that original post, and -- for my usage -- the SB Polar 3-12x54/D7 is THE very best low light hunting scope available. The second-best is the Zeiss Victory HT 3-12x56/#60. Not all that far behind the Victory HT are the Kahles CSX 3-12x56/4-dot and Leica ERi 3-12x50/4-a. Honestly, you can't go wrong with any of these.

Pretty cat, skinny like that I'd say a young one. Do you sell the pelts? They're bringing big prices again the last couple years. Don't know what S Tx cats sell for, esp this time of year.

Good shooting Bobby.

George

Bobby,

Did you try the Zeiss V8?

I talked with one of the Zeiss techs about them, and the bottom line is that the transmission rate is not on par with the Victory HT.

I did not get one to test for myself but a friend from the Dallas area bought one for his exotics hunt later this year. He loves the scope but said when he recently took it out for a moonlight hog hunt, his 2008 model Victory 3-12x56 (NOT an HT model) produced a slightly more usable image under those tough conditions.

I did not personally check one out and am only going by what he and the tech relayed to me, so it's to be taken with a grain of salt as I prefer to spend hours behind an optic before casting final judgment. But what they say is about what I'd expect -- all things considered. It's all about compromise with optics, and generating such a wide magnification range robs enough light to make a difference during the most critical times.

George-

The cat prices actually were not that good when I checked, so I gave two of the pelts to a friend in exchange for some for some reloading components.

The third one from this winter is frozen, and one of the twins wants it tanned for his room. I am glad you asked because I guess I need to get moving on that for him and find a place to send it to.

The cats from this area tend to bring more than those from the coastal regions or south TX. It seems we have some very good coloration with distinct and contrasty spots along with white bellies, and my pelts are always clean (I wash them), fluffy and without damage.