Sensibly only the centre of the cross is illuminated. This is far more practical than having to dial up from 0! As ever the rheostat is switched off between setting, so you can pre-set a level of brightness then switch it off with just a tiny movement to turn it on when required. For example at night (moon) you need very little illumination, whereas in daytime (sun) you need more. Though the higher the number the brighter the illumination, Schmidt has marked the drum with a moon and sun symbol to indicate lower and higher brilliance settings. This being the Flashdot version there’s a drum-type, 11-position rheostat on the left of the saddle for illuminating the reticule. This can be useful, especially with adjustable mounts as if you are having zeroing problems it will allow you to move the scope in relation to the rifle to get more adjustment back. Two thirds of the dial is in green (indicating useable movement) and one third in red (running out of movement). This by means of a pointer shows approximately how much correction/movement you have available. Turret are low hunter-style, under removable/waterproof caps, with S&B’s now familiar integral, reticule position indicator gauge. The magnification ring shows a wide, ridged rubber section with dialling being firm yet smooth. The body tube is 30mm with a one-piece construction, at the rear is a European (fast-focus) eyepiece. Cosmetics aside the Zenith is an S&B through and through, with the high build quality showing it’s pedigree. This example came in a silver finish, which is the other option to black frankly I do not like the look - certainly not for a hunting rifle. Newer is the Zenith that shows a rounded objective, which gives all versions the look of a large torch! So I thought I would kick off with this design in a spec of 3-12x50, which as a hunter I consider ideal, as it’s versatile for close or long shots. Oldest is the Klassik with its familiar, angled objective bell. Conversely when you are set at a low power the cross almost disappears making some form of illumination near mandatory. This in a hunting scenario gives what I feel is a large and cumbersome aiming point that lacks precision at top end magnification.
![schmidt bender klassik 3-12x50 schmidt bender klassik 3-12x50](https://www.picclickimg.com/d/l400/pict/282955724876_/Schmidt-Bender-3-12x50-Scope-30mm-Tube-A8-Reticle.jpg)
On the minus side the reticule can appear really large in the view with it’s outer edges disappearing at the higher powers. However a 2nd focal has to be set at a predetermined magnification!
SCHMIDT BENDER KLASSIK 3 12X50 PLUS
On the plus side you need not worry about a zero shift when dialling and also for the serious Mil-Dot user it allows you to Mil the target at any power setting. This offers both plus and minus points, as we shall see! Though these days with the majority of variable scopes using 2nd focal plane (reticule stays the same size no matter what the mag) the S&B system does seem a bit dated. This simply means that on a variable power model as you dial the magnification up/down the reticule gets bigger or smaller accordingly. The real difference with this brand is the fact they make most of their scopes with the reticule in the 1st focal plane. As we are aware, this is a well respected name in the rifle optic business, so I thought I would redress the balance and now have three Schmidt’s lined up to test. It’s funny how some things tend to pass you buy, one of which for me was Schmidt & Bender as I have not had a lot to do with this company for some time.