Scope shopping

[addicted]

Trying to keep it under a grand but still take home some high end european glass home with me when i head back to the states.
I've narrowed it down to two that i am looking at fairly heavily.

Sworovski Z3 3-9x36
or
Schmidt&Bender Summit 2.5-10x40

I know a couple guys have the z3's and I have read a few worshiping reviews of the schmidt and bender summit but what do you guys think?

[carpsniperg2]

I do not own either, i have shot a few guns with sworo's on them. The guys that i know. Who shoot them, really seem to like them. So that would be my choice.

[jackelope]

I truly don't believe you could possibly go wrong with either one.
I'd probably choose the S/B out of the 2 you listed for a little more light transmission and a little more x's...that may or may not be a difference even worth mentioning. Then I'd be afraid to carry it in the woods for fear of screwing it up.
 

[gadwall]

Take a close look at the Zeiss line like the 3.5-10 x50 conquest (~$700) or the like.  Whatever you get, get something with a large enough obj lens that it will give you some visibility in low light conditions.

[addicted]

Take a close look at the Zeiss line like the 3.5-10 x50 conquest (~$700) or the like.  Whatever you get, get something with a large enough obj lens that it will give you some visibility in low light conditions.

I have found quality glass to be more important than a larger objective when it comes ot light transmission.  a 40mm sworo,zeiss,s&B will beat out a 50mm lupy, nikon, burris.

I also want the 40mm or smaller so that i can mount the scope lower on the rifle and finally have some good cheek weld.  I am starting to lean towards the thought that having to have 50mm+ scope in the states is kinda like having to have a magnum.  After hunting with 56mm scopes for a couple years now i think it will be nice to have a low mounting smaller scope.

A review i found
Hello guys, i just bought the Schmidt and Bender Summit and would like to share my opinion on their first one inch tube scope.  Let me tell all of you, this scope is definitely all that it was hyped up to be and then some.  When i took it out of the box, it was a very nice looking scope with a black matte finish. It is very light, weighing in at 16.8 ounces, one of the lightest that they have ever made.  I did several tests on this scope.  That night after i got off work, i decided to test the light transmission against some other scopes.  The ones that i tested it against was a Swarovski Z3 3-12x42, Leupold VX3, Nikon Monarch 2.5-10, Monarch Gold 2.5-10x50, Zeiss Connquest , and a Bushnell Elite 4200.  Both the Nikons, Leupold, and the Bushnell were not even in the same ballpark as the Summit for brightness at dusk and the clarity and picture were also not in the same league.  The Swarovski was a very close second, and the conquest in 3rd.  For the price the conquest was excellent, btw.  For a one inch tube, the Summit is the most clear and bright scope that i have looked through, period.  I did these tests with the scopes set on 10 and 6 power.  I would say that i would have been comfortable shooting with the summit around 300 yards at dawn and dusk.  I mounted it that night on my Remington Model 700 XCR.  I used talley's steel fixed low rings and talley bases.  This scope mounted excellent!! Very low profile!!  When i was at the range the next day, i decided to test how accurate and precise the elevation turrets were. After i took 3 shots at 100 yards, it was 3 inches low and 2 inches to the left on the the target.  I adjusted the turrets 12 clicks up, and 8 inches right, which would give you a dead on sight in at 100 yards. The adjustments are 1/4 MOAif you were wondering. (I didnt end up sighting it in at 100, i went for 2 inches hight at 100 yds, and if you were wondering which ammo i was using it was the Federal Premiums with 180 gr barnes Triple shock bullets.  After the adjsutments, i shot 3 more rounds and the 3 shots were all within a 1" group.  To say the least, the turrets on this scope are VERY precise and accurate.   As goes for other features, the eye relief was absolutely fantastic, great for large caliber rifles.  I think that it is a top notch american style scope, and is a great choice for anyone who wants great performance in a 1" tube.
 
http://www.opticstalk.com/schmidt-and-bender-summit-review_topic24319.html

[addicted]

even though i havent had much interest in the conquest line and the diavaris and such are out of my price range, i'll look into the conquests a little more.

[high country]

you would be nuts to not grab the S&B. they are the easiest to unload if you decide it is not yur cup of tea. the swaros are nice, but I had one go soft on me and it took 3 months to get it back. I was given no loaner option that you hear some speak of. I am gonna ask for oe on my bino's that are going back because they fogged up during my elk hunt.

give me the same $ to work with and I would buy 3 3x9 conquests.

[whacker1]

I would say S & B for the nostalgia, novelty's, and reviews.  I have never actually looked through one.   I own 2 zeiss conquests 3.5 - 10 and a 4.5-14 x 50.  They are my favorite for the price range.  But the access to Schmidt & Bender in Spokane is not as simple as what you have in Europe.  I would take advantage of your current location and try to obtain something not readily available in the States like the others you mentioned.

[addicted]

Hopefully this week i'll get in touch with my dealer on some price quotes. We had to wait for the suppliers to open up from the holidays.

[2506]

Leupold vx3 3.5x10 or 4.5x14

[high country]

Leupold vx3 3.5x10 or 4.5x14

that is like walking into a porsche dealer and asking if they have any prius'.....lol

[addicted]

Leupold vx3 3.5x10 or 4.5x14

that is like walking into a porsche dealer and asking if they have any prius'.....lol

 

[Wanttohuntmore]

Addicted, are the prices for the glass out there similar to out here?  If not, take back as much glass as you can carry (and what customs will allow)!

[longrange7mm]

I have a swaro 3x9x36 It is great glass   

[addicted]

Addicted, are the prices for the glass out there similar to out here?  If not, take back as much glass as you can carry (and what customs will allow)!

the S&B that i am interested in appears to be going for 1500$ pretty consistantly in the states. the rough estimate i got from the dealer was $975.  i should find out for sure on that price today.
unfortunatly the sworo z3 line doesnt appear to be high dollar enough and i cant find them around here. i have found them from a stateside dealer i like for 775$ though.