I believe Schmidt is only making the Hungarian version right now. I'm wondering if the 6x42 has the same light transmission/brightness as the 8x56? I believe according to objective lens diameter vs. magnification it should, but the "twilight rating" is different. Maybe my brain is broke. Experience with both in low light would be great. Is the 6x42 going to have as nice of a sight picture as the 8x56? Both in a 30 mm tube. I'm looking for a lowlight 6x with top notch glass, that holds zero -no dialing. Was looking at an illuminated 8x, but it's quite large, and may be a smidge over powdered. I ain't shooting past 200 yds. Thanks in advance!
Fixed 6x S&B questions?
- Thread starter Gallahad
- Start date
TxxAgg
WKR
- Joined
- Dec 27, 2019
- Messages
- 2,265
Interested
- Joined
- Oct 22, 2014
- Messages
- 12,004
The 6x42mm S&B is very good, however the 8x56mm is better in low light- as all top end 8x56’s will be. At the same “brightness” something closer/larger is easier to see.
The 8x56mm is really, really good. Sonos the the 6x42mm.
eamyrick
WKR
I have two of the S&B 6x42s. I have the last made German version and just took it to Alaska for 8 days and didn’t ever notice a lack of anything as far as field performance in low light.
This is it simplified.
One of the nice things about comparing the two mentioned scopes is they are both fixed versions with the same number of lenses, same exit pupil, likely the same coatings, and likely the same lens quality...those things matter.
There are still a lot of "user" and "situational" differences that should be accounted for.
Kwe1982
FNG
Didn't they make a 6x42 PMII as a limited run a while back.
I'd like to have one of them.
I'd like to have one of them.
Sorry, I should have answered your questions. I use both the 8x and 6x for hunting.
Regarding the "twilight rating". It's a formula for low light viewing. I believe it's the square root of magnification multiplied by the diameter of the objective lens. So the higher the power, and the larger the objective, the greater the higher the twilight rating. It doesn't factor in glass/coating qualities, number of lenses, eye relief, etc. An 8x56 will always have a higher twilight rating than a 6x42, even with crappy glass and coatings in the 8x, vs "the best" of both in the 6x. It's just a formula.
I use both the 6x42 and the 8x56. The 8x56 is brighter in low light and will allow better vision in low light. Every time I look through the 8x56 I'm impressed with it in low light. I really like to look through it. That said, I rarely use it. When I have a short evening sit over an ag field/wood line edge for a 300 and in shot it's a perfect scope. Because it doesn't have an elevation dial or windage holds I don't like to use it past 300. Because of the power and FOV, I don't like to use it in woods. I use the various 6x's (depending on model/reticle) in both those situations, as well as the ones where I'll use the 8x.
I like the 8x S&B. If it was available with an elevation dial and a reticle with windage holds I'd use it a lot more...but I doubt I'd use it as much as I use a 6x because of the 8x's weight, size, and use in all ranges/conditions.
The 6x PMII mentioned is my favorite scope for "everything, everywhere". I like simple things.
270quest
WKR
Doug at cameraland had a special run of 6x42's a few years ago - pretty sure they where PMII'S - They sold for $2000
Kwe1982
FNG
He should do another run, lol
If someone really wants a 6x42 PMII, eurooptic has done special orders with S&B in the past. They may still do them, I'm not sure. Email [email protected] and speak with them about it. Eurooptic will contact S&B to verify they'll do it, get a quote, email the quote to you, you pay, they make the order, then the wait begins. A special order not a quick process with S&B, but in the past they were open to it.
I wish S&B made the 6x Klassic with the P3 reticle. Adding a 4.8 BDC turret would make it a very functional lightweight hunting scope. I wish they'd do the same P3 reticle/4.8 BDC turret with 8x56 Klassic...I checked with eurooptic about doing this with the 8x56 but S&B wasn't willing to.
I wish S&B made the 6x Klassic with the P3 reticle. Adding a 4.8 BDC turret would make it a very functional lightweight hunting scope. I wish they'd do the same P3 reticle/4.8 BDC turret with 8x56 Klassic...I checked with eurooptic about doing this with the 8x56 but S&B wasn't willing to.
I should add this, I currently have a first generation swaro z6 variable with 52mm objective on the rifle. Too much scope for it's purpose. In both size and magnification. I've no doubt I'd be happy with the brightness of the 8x, but will I be disappointed with the 6x, as far as brightness is concerned? I've always thought Schmidt glass was as good as swaro, and I'm dealing with less lenses???
Can it be sent back to S&B for updates like they offer with the variable Klassik?
- Joined
- Oct 22, 2014
- Messages
- 12,004
No. They will add the elevation turret, but not the P3 reticle.
I've not been disappointed in the S&B 6x scopes. They are one of my favorites, especially in low light.
If the size/weight/etc is all a wash for you in the decision, the distance to target in low light is the point to consider. The further the distance, the more the power of the 8x will help in low light. The closer the distance, it's noticeably easier for me to find the target with the 6x, especially if there is a busy background and the game is moving at all.
This is for my deer rifle, used on my property. Thick woods, and most shots under 100yds. While I have taken a buck at 170, it's rare, and that's about the longest stretch of trail on the property. This year (our 9 day deer season is still on) I took my best buck yet, a nice 10 pointer, at @ 50 yds. It was 30ish minutes after start time, @ 7:30 in the morning. Light cloud cover. DARK in the thick woods. Deer traveling through thick brush. And my eyes ain't getting any younger either! The swaro on the rifle now let me see the deer much easier and brighter than the naked eye. I only had it on 3x. Every time a deer comes in, I never have time to mess with the power setting anyway. I think the 6x would be about perfect, AND look really good on the rifle and make it a little easier handling. Doesn't mean smoke won't be coming out my ears thinking about it before I purchase, I never looked through the 8x, and REALLY want to. 
Similar threads
Featured Video
Latest Articles
- Hoyt RX-9 Ultra Review
- Hunting Vampire Bucks & Building an Optics Kit
- Darton Sequel ST2 35 Review
- TT#61 Gear and Skills for Success with Aron Snyder
- Vortex Viper Shotgun Enclosed Micro Red Dot Review
- Howard’s Total Vise Legacy Bow Press
- Tcams, Point Creep, Scouting, & The Hunt Source Podcast
- TT#60 Henry Ferguson Killing Big Muley’s with a Bow
- Zeiss SFL 12×50 Review
- Swarovski EL Range 12×42 TA Binocular Review