S&B sweats the details on there glass like no other company. The euro models have a FFP reticle and a 30mm tube.The new Summit has a SFP reticle and a 1 inch tube.All mine are FFP reticles,and to me these days, a SFP reticle looks screwed up.But thats just me.
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The pros are some of the best build quality you will ever run across in a rifle optic.I've had several 1.5-6x42s and there bomb proof.I have a 1.5-6x42 Flash Dot thats never let me down.I've got several other models and there just as good. I've been using them exclusively for big game since 1986.I got side tracked this year and I wont be making that mistake again. I do have similar features on low powered Leica’s on bigger bores and like.The cons are that they are heavy and very expensive.Its also very expensive in that you'll never be happy owning just one.Once you get one,rest assured you end up buying another.(Hear that BOB ) I recall there was a way to deactivate it. I use illumination Very Very seldom and can definitely forget to switch off.īut not sure if I would want that feature on a raccoon hunting rifle. One thing I did like about the Stratos illumination control was the reactive automatic illumination control shut off and on. That is now her preferred scope now, for everything. Unfortunately for me, my wife did too after finally getting her to look through one.
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I really like those Zenith 1.1-4x24’s with FD7’s. If I recall correctly it is a bit shorter than the Zenith 1.1-4. I sent it with the 1.5-8x42’s for reticle change to FD4 and illumination control change to rotary. In the 1.1-5 Stratos it looked like a completely different reticle. I was expecting a very similar reticle view as in the 1.1-4x24mm Zenith, which I like very much. The FD7 in this scope was not what I was expecting. For my use, it's about as good as it gets in a small compact, limited range scope that isn't going to be dialed. The quality of the glass and the ability to set the illumination very low allows this scope to be used in low light at woods ranges.the low power and small objective are limiting factors here but the glass quality and illumination really helps it out. The illumination is a dot only and I like this in the scope.only a very small portion is illuminated and it works excellent in low light at a very dim setting as it doesn't wash out the image. I would probably like the FD4 as well but haven't used it (I do like the A4 non-illum). In this scope I have the FD9 reticle and love it for the use of closer range/woods shooting. I'll echo what others have mentioned on the illumination control, I would much prefer a dial, but the push/dimmer/brighter/ control does 's not intuitive but can be worked around and give a wide range of illumination levels. I haven't used the 1.5-8x42 but have used the 1.1-5x24 for a season on a lightweight. Too bad they don’t offer a non-illuminated version in this scope.
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It is on its way back from S&B at this time, with rotary control. That season confirmed that illumination control sucked for me. Had another non-modified on a 416 Ruger for one season.
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I have one of these so modified on a 375 Ruger. Enough to have the FD7 changed to FD4, and the illumination controls replaced with the Zenith rotary type. This was without gloves on.īut, I really like the scope. I would usually press two segments at once, or have to look at the control to get it right. Be damned if I could press the correct segment by feel. Personal preference.Īnother personal preference Dislike is the illumination control. I tried a FD7, and had it changed to FD4. Optically wise, power range, and field of view I have Zero complaints. I also agree the mounting space is limited on H&H length actions. But for my closer and larger animal shooting it is not a real issue. Though understand Bobby’s comments on the illumination. I bought them as demo’s and/or close outs.