Schmidt & Bender launched the 12.5-50x56 FT II scope

[AdminMASTER]

Credit: GlobalStar66 (CAN)

Will get some of my own pics at IWA. (thanks Robbie )

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http://www.airrifle.co.za/threads/35713 ... T-II-scope

So some pretty nice new stuff was launched here in Las Vegas at SHOT SHOW today, but 2 products especially caught me eye...

Schmidt & Bender launched the 12.5-50x56 FT II scope. It's version 2 of their FT scope. The first version, as most of you know had some serious temp shift and/or light sensitivity issues.

The new scope is supposed to be completely sorted out (they swear by it), and I was told does NOT have any more rangefinding issues. Well I guess we shall have to wait and see....

It comes in Silver and Black versions, and includes a REMOVEABLE sidewheel - it's magnetised and just pulls off with a very sturdy pull. VERY strong little magnets, so it sits extremely tight.

Secondly, the scope now comes with a 34mm main tube, not 30mm anymore. And it has the PMII scope's double turn elevation turret. Also included now, is the bubble level - no longer an aftermarket accessory that costs the earth.

The scope is relatively lightweight, but heavy enough to instill "confidence" that it's very well built. I do not have the weight spec, but it does not feel very heavy - at least nowhere near as heavy as my 5-25x56 PMII scopes. The weight is not given in the specs - I will see if there's a way to get it from them tomorrow. But it "feels" lighter than a PMII....

And no, I do not think this is just a PMII "rebadged". It feels lighter than the PMII's. They launched a LOT of new scopes in other lines today too....

Here are the specs, word for word from the brochure:

US$3900 MSRP

*Parallax from 9.86 yards to infinity (9m to infinity)
*12.5-50x zoom
*Temperature Stable
*Ultra precise turrets
*Magnetic Clip on Wheel
*Length - 16.96"
*Main Tube - 34mm
*Objective diameter - 2.2"
*Field of view - 12.6ft - 3.3ft / 100 yards
*Exit Pupil - 0.18" - 0.05"
*Eye Reilef - 2.76"
*Twilight Factor - 26.45 - 52.91
*Transmission - 90%
*Focal Plane - 1st or 2nd
*Elevation - 0.1MRAD per click or 1/4MOA or 1/8MOA per click (double turn turret)
*Windage - same as elevation (single turn turret)
*Waterproof - 9.84 feet
*Reticles - 1st focal plane: FT Sport 1 with other reticles available on request
*Reticles - 2nd focal plane: FT Sport 2 or FT Sport 3 with other reticles available on request
*Sidewheel diameter - 5.12"

[Jon]

I had a couple of looks through a demo at the Shooting Show earlier.
Initial thoughts on optical quality outlive the older PM2 and FT but still something serious lacking. When you look at an image with naked eye you tend to look and expect same image looking through the scope, not so. So much so like the earlier PM2 it can be very very hard to find what your looking at because image just don't resemble what mark 1 eye ball sees. Also not good on below average lighting, near impossible on dark backgrounds to see anything your eye can see!

Wheel as expected and said when first seen the idea has play that will drive most round the bend.
Its the fit on to the triangle, tolerances too large. If tighten up tolerance you wouldn't locate the the wheel.
Quite noticeable clunky play just changing direction which would amount to not less than 2 yards over 50 yards if parameters set same as earlier PM2.

Nice titanium colour.

[Steve]

Can we fit one of your wheels Jon?How did the wheel feel though,as in smooth/stiff?What did the weight feel like?
I can't decide to go for the ft2 or a March 60.I really like my PM2 and its not let me down for a full season but the 730g of the March is appealing.

[Jon]

Wheel/focus rotation was smooth but on the stiff side.
Didn't pull off the magnet totally its quite strong but dare say yes aftermarket could be fitted and probably same fitment.

If you can live with narrow field of view the little March wins in every department, most noticeably the weight.

[Steve]

Cheers Jon,yes field of view is the downside.

[AdminMASTER]

Credit: http://www.benke-sport.de/

Retail Price: Euro 3000.00

[AdminMASTER]

Credit: Diver (RU) - PMAG Forum Member

...seems S&B is capable of customizing scopes to : "Storm Trooper WHITE" paint jobs (artic cammo)

[Matt]

Received the ft2 through the post today, we have it on long term test over winter, not for me unfortunately...

Any questions I will try to answer or ask the tester as I am not sure when he is coming to pick it up.

Matt

[Sven]

Received the ft2 through the post today, we have it on long term test over winter, not for me unfortunately...
Any questions I will try to answer or ask the tester as I am not sure when he is coming to pick it up.
Matt

Hi Matt,
Any news on the S&B FT2 testing?
I had a look through one (marked prototype) and did some rangefinding for 5 minutes. Right after an FT match that I shot with my own scope. And on some FT targets at 46 and 50 meters distance.

Before I had done this I thought I needed to save the money to buy a S&B. But I have to say I was not impressed by the rangefinding capabilities compared to my own scope. The distances for every meter (from 10 up to 50 m) are 10mm apart on the wheel of the S&B, that looks very good. But I found rangefinding quite hard compared to my 20-50x premier boosted Leupold. On the S&B the difference in image sharpness between a 48 and a 50m target was not very obvious to me. It was at least much easier to repeatedly rangefind with the Leupy. I could not repeatedly rangefind the correct distance on the 46 and 50m targets with the S&B. On the other hand: The owner of this scope was very satisfied with it. No temp shift and better than his old type S&B FT.
Would like to hear your input.

[AdminMASTER]

Received the ft2 through the post today, we have it on long term test over winter, not for me unfortunately...
Any questions I will try to answer or ask the tester as I am not sure when he is coming to pick it up.
Matt

Hi Matt,
Any news on the S&B FT2 testing?
I had a look through one (marked prototype) and did some rangefinding for 5 minutes. Right after an FT match that I shot with my own scope. And on some FT targets at 46 and 50 meters distance.

Before I had done this I thought I needed to save the money to buy a S&B. But I have to say I was not impressed by the rangefinding capabilities compared to my own scope. The distances for every meter (from 10 up to 50 m) are 10mm apart on the wheel of the S&B, that looks very good. But I found rangefinding quite hard compared to my 20-50x premier boosted Leupold. On the S&B the difference in image sharpness between a 48 and a 50m target was not very obvious to me. It was at least much easier to repeatedly rangefind with the Leupy. I could not repeatedly rangefind the correct distance on the 46 and 50m targets with the S&B. On the other hand: The owner of this scope was very satisfied with it. No temp shift and better than his old type S&B FT.
Would like to hear your input.

Did you let the owner of the "prototype" have a look through your Leupold ? I can only *imagine* the expression on his face if that had happened
Mmm...released last year at Shot Show 2014...and still not really getting many (or any) "Positive Vibes" from testers..or word of mouth (off the record).

Noticed this ? > http://wftc2015.com/index.php/participants > I count 6 X competitors with S&B FT (1st generation FT scope) and NONE with S&B FTII prototype or unit (if already being commercialised):

- Simeon Georgiev / Bulgaria /Pcp Senior / Anscnutz 9003 S2 / Schmidt & Bender Ft
- András Fekete-móró / Hungary / Pcp Senior / Feinwerkbau P70 Kpb / S&b 12.5-50x56 Ft
- Anders Toft / Norway / Pcp Senior / Steyr Ft110 / Smitt & Bender Ft
- Marceli Kotkowski / Poland / Pcp Senior / Steyr Lg-100ft / S&b 12,5-50/56
- Tomáš Dovalovský / Slovakia / Pcp Senior / Anschütz 9003 Premium S2 ~ Anschütz 8002 / S&b 12,5-50x56 Ft
- Radosław Rozum / Poland / Pcp Senior / Steyr Challenge / S&b 12,5-50x56

and possibly a 7th (?)

- Antonio Balbas Rodriguez / España / Pcp Senior / A.a. Evo2 / S&b