Schmidt & Bender 2.5-13x56 Stratos

I think it’s fair to say that for many British shooters the most recognised name in European optics must be that of Schmidt & Bender (S&B). In terms of exposure to our market place they seem to have been there forever. Though owning both Swarovski and Zeiss I do have S&Bs – a 3-12x42 Klassik and a pair of Zeniths 1.5-6x42 and 3-12x50 and have no complaints. I recall when their Zenith was launched it offered a new, more rounded objective profile, POSICON turrets with their improved reticule position indicator dial and Flash Dot illumination system. Certainly better features, but for me what really singled the brand out, then as now was the superb optical and build quality.

As a company Schmidt & Bender have gone through some changes recently and to a degree slipped under the radar of many UK shooters. This now seems to be a thing of the past as I have one of their new Stratos scopes on test.

ZENITH +

As a Zenith owner I think the Stratos looks almost identical with its rounded objective and ridged, rubber zoom ring. Standard features include a first focal plane reticule (FFP), fast-focus (European) eyepiece with a one-piece, 30mm body tube. Model options run to three – 1.1-5x24, 1.5-8x42 and on test 2.5-13x56, which will doubtless have most appeal to the UK market. All have a 5 x zoom range with all specifications pretty much covering most hunting situations and requirements.

Given the model there are four reticule choices. The 1.1-5 offers FDO (central dot), FD9 #4-type with circle round the central cross, FD4 and FD7 both go for the generic #4-type with the former having a short space between the thicker outer bars in the cross hair and the latter a wider central area. Both the 1.5-8 and 2.5-13 offers just the FD4 and FD7, which are ideal hunting patterns, with the FDO and FD9 being better suited for shorter ranges and driven-type shooting. I was told that more reticule options will available should customers wish!

HERE COMES THE SUN!

The technology of controlling illumination is a lot more sophisticated than the simple, 11-position rheostat I have on my Zeniths and Klassik. New to me was the ‘Choose your Light’ system of the Stratos. Operation is seamless with no, pre-set levels, instead the drum positioned on the left of the saddle (best place for it) uses three pressure pads. Face on you have a sun logo (upper right) area, a moon (upper left) and an OFF (circle dot) lower middle. The Flash Dot is superb as the red dot is completely invisible when OFF as it’s not slaved to the reticule as some other systems are. It also offers a near perfect circle at any setting.

Press the sun and it will come on, further pressure increase illumination, with the moon reducing it, pressing the OFF for 3-secopnds turns it off. When switched on again it will come back at the last setting. The dot is automatically turned off if the rifle angle exceeds 90° vertical or horizontal. It automatically re-illuminates when brought out of these positions. It also has a switch off mode if left on for a given time and a low battery warning. Plus you can buy an adaptor to plug it into your PC and re-programme the various functions if you feel you need to. Clever yes, but for me the seamless system is ideal as it is and I had no issues with what it offered finding it both practical and flexible!

Equally different is the way you access the battery. The illumination housing is captive yet rotates and in doing so unscrews the module for removal. The battery (CR 2032) slides in from the side and a spare is included in the windage cap and unlike the Zenith is easy to remove; at last!

RUNNING OUT OF RETICULE

For many years Schmidt has offered a reticule position indicator integral to the turrets, which is essentially a clock gauge that shows you where it is in relation to available movement. Their POSICON system uses a bigger pointer and coloured dial, which is split in to 2/3rds green indicating available movement and 1/3rd red end of movement.

Click values are 1cm @ 100m with the drum divided into 1 and 5cm graduations. There are no markings apart from an inverted triangle as a reference point. This is mounted on a slipping ring so you can slide it round to set your zero mark using the small inset indent. This is in essence a ‘zero & forget’ system, I have the 3-12x50 Zenith on my 17HMR and dial in longer range corrections out to 200m and it’s fine. You get 42-clicks per turn and four full rotations in each plane. This translates into a top to bottom/side-to-side movement of 66”.

CLASS GLASS

In terms of performance the Stratos with its big, 56mm objective proved ideal in all lighting conditions. To be honest I expected nothing else from an S&B! The reticule even in FFP is useable at all magnifications and despite the higher spec will easily do driven down at x2.5 and up at x13 it’s not too big to get in the way for longer range precision shots. I rate my Zenith highly but I reckon the Stratos has just got the edge over it!

I reckon Schmidt have built a superior scope with the Stratos, the new ‘Choose your Light’ illumination system is sophisticated and preferable to the pre-set levels unit on my Zenith. I also like the 5x zoom range, which adds a more general, across the board ability than before. Very soon a BDC (bullet drop compensation) turret version will also be available and I have asked for one to test. This is a smart move as it will bring the Stratos on line with the likes of Zeiss and Swarovski in terms of choice. Ref the UK, Schmidt & Bender are taking a lot more control and seem to be selling direct to the major retailers without favour. I have included some recommended by them below.

PRICE: £1600 (ball park)
CONTACTS: Schmidt & Bender GmbH & Co. KG, +49 64 09 81 15-91 www.schmidt-bender.de
UK CONTACTS: York Guns, 01904 487180 Sportsman Gun Centre, 01392 354854 MacLeod’s of Tain, 01862 892171 Garlands, 01827 383300 Cluny Country Guns, 01592 882600

FOR: 5x zoom range Flexible illumination system Great performance Good price for a top end optic
AGAINST: Not a lot
VERDICT: It’s a Schmidt need I say more?