Schmidt & Bender Short Dot Optic - WOW!

[Newton]

Had the opportunity to try out the Short Dot today and all I can say is that it would be my choice over even the superb ACOG.

Talk about crystal clear, it seemed clearer than regular eyesight add in the 1.1 - 4X mag and the adjustable intensity aiming dot and it was pretty much perfect. A nice touch is the "Off" detente between each of the 11 power settings - saves you from having to crank the dial all the way back around to turn off the dot, and if the battery should happen to die on you (a common cause for complaint with battery operated sights) you still have a super-high quality scope with a standard mildot reticule.

The one I tried was $2,200 - probably it's only downside.

I hear that SF are already using them on sample HK416s in Iraq.

Any members actually buy one ?

 

[browningguy]

For that price it ought to be good. I haven't met a single person that owns one.

 

[theoak]

I found this thread after a search, as I was considering the Schmidt & Bender Police Marksman 1.1-4x20 for a 16" AR patrol rifle.

Is it worth the $2,500?

What the closest 1.1-4 alternative for quality + features at a lower price?

 

[JWarren]

Everything I've read from people who have reason to know and experience with the S&B (such as our own Zak Smith) indicates that the S&B IS worth the money IF you have the money to spend on it.

Many have said that the Meopta K-Dot is "80% of a S&B Short Dot for 25% of the price."

So you may well want to look at the Meopta K-Dot if you choke on the price tag of a S&B (as I have to at this time.)

Another few potential options if the S&B is out of your range:


Meopta K-Dot ($700-ish)
Leupold Mark IV 1.5-5x22 ($1,000-ish for Illuminated model)
IOR Valada 1-4x22 ($850-ish for illuminated model)
Trijicon Accupoint 1.25-4x24 ($650-ish)
Nightforce NSX 1.1-4x22 ($1,700-ish)


-- John

 

[armoredman]

OUCH! I guess I will stick with old fashioned irons at that price, double ouch.

 

[JWarren]

armoredman,

There are MANY more affordable optics out there.

The ones that I mentioned are on a "higher level" -- taylored for a person that is asking about a S&B Short Dot.


Depending on your uses for an optic, there are perfectly acceptable optics anywhere from $150 all the way to $3,000-- all depending on what you specifically need in that optic, and what you are willing to pay for.


-- John

 

[HorseSoldier]

The Short Dot is a superb optic, but like other posters noted, for the price it should be.

I found this thread after a search, as I was considering the Schmidt & Bender Police Marksman 1.1-4x20 for a 16" AR patrol rifle.

Depends on your actual operating environment and such, but for a typical patrol rifle, where most shots are likely to be at pretty close ranges, I'd think that maybe an EOTech or AimPoint with the magnifier would do the same job for around half or less the price tag.

Another few potential options if the S&B is out of your range:

Meopta K-Dot ($700-ish)
Leupold Mark IV 1.5-5x22 ($1,000-ish for Illuminated model)
IOR Valada 1-4x22 ($850-ish for illuminated model)
Trijicon Accupoint 1.25-4x24 ($650-ish)
Nightforce NSX 1.1-4x22 ($1,700-ish)

The Horus Talon 1-4x24 is another possibility. Nice piece of kit, and substantially less than the S&B (around $900 + scope rings or mount). The reticle design is different and might take some getting used to -- compared to the Short Dot I'd say it's somewhat superior for precision long range shooting, but the mil-dot Christmas tree grid might be slower handling for some people in close at higher magnification.

 

[browningguy]

If your eyes are good enough the S&B will show a very small improvement over mid-range scopes. Keep in mind that, as in everything else in life, there is some point at which improvements become increasingly expensive. Almost everyone has the same choices in glass, the higher the finish level the more it costs. The same with coatings, in both of these cases the incremental cost to make very slight improvements becomes cost effective only for those with practically unlimited budgets. In scopes that seems to me to be around the $3-400 or so for a standard hunting scope and $6-700 for Tactical scopes.

In the tactical world for example you can buy a Burris Extreme Tactical , 1-4 x 24 with 30mm tube and illum. ballistic plex for around $600-650. And for most people that is both expensive, and a high quality scope. To get a 1-3% improvement in either color rendition, optical clarity or edge to edge contrast you have to double the cost. And the great majority of people will never be able to see that level of performance improvement.

 

[Grey Morel]

The law of diminishing returns applies to most areas of life. Optics are no different.

 

[9mmepiphany]

i have a friend who swears by the Short Dot.

that doesn't really say much except that he has lots more money than i do and likes nice toys, except...

he's an engineer and actually backs up his opinion with measurements. he explained what he did for a living to me once, but it was over my head...maybe i was just tired. i'm not sure if he gets his compant to buy them or if he gets samples as a dealer, but he takes them to work and runs them though a series of test for light transmission. then he puts them on his rifles to see how they perform in the field.

he tells me it's about the best available...but then he prefers a Beretta to an AI too

 

[Bill_Rights]

Anybody know how the Swarovski Z6 or Z6i 1-6x 24mm with 30 mm tube compares to the Short Dot or these others? It's, what?, $1700 for the non-illuminated and $2200 for the illuminated reticle?

The factor-of-six range of magnification is the first I've seen like it. Are there any compromises to achieve the large range, that matter?