Updated S&B 1-4x24 Zenith Short Dot LE *Added Review*

**bp7178** · 11-23-11, 21:21

They are also one of the few optiks manufacturers who grind their own glass in house.

IIRC, Schmidt & Bender Hungaria makes the glass. You don't see any other optic compaines in the world owning their own glass production/coating facilities.

S&B scopes are very expensive, but have a specific combination of features you can't find elsewhere without making compromises. Such is life.

I actually worked in a production lab for eyeglasses in my youth. I know firsthand how easy it is to foul a lens with dirt when its coated. One spec of dust once coated ruins a lens. Lens blanks when coated are say 80mm. If there is a defect close to the edge, many times you run the gamble that when edged down to fit whatever application, the defect would have been ground off as well.

All of the specs in my scope, five if you really look for them, are very close to the edge. I wonder if they were hoping to have it edged off but just missed it in QC.

The anti-reflective coating S&B uses are amazing. The equipment involved in AR coating are incredibly expensive. I'm sure some of this factors into their cost, but I think their low production numbers keep the prices high.

Like I said before, the overall quality of the thing is amazing. I just don't like having to wait almost six months after ordering it and having to send it in.

I had a couple of instances when turning the dot to 11 sometimes it would light up really bright, like it should. Sometimes it would light up dim, then spontaneously become brighter, sometimes the opposite. No set pattern to it. I tried tightining the battery cap, replacing the batteries etc, to no avail. As soon as I took it out of the mount to send it in, over the next few days until I made it to UPS, I never could get the dot to act up again.

I was thinking maybe (somehow) it was somehow related to the mount, but its a Larue SPR and there isn't even a ring mark on the scope after I took it off, so it wasn't a torque thing. Who knows.

The light I used to take the picture make the spots look like white circles. They track with the diopter ring when you turn it.

Despite the spots, you can see how nice the anti-reflective lens coating is, considering it was illuminated by a 200 lumen Surefire Scout at the time the picture was taken...

**Belmont31R** · 11-23-11, 21:42

I can understand the disappointment but Im sure they'll get you a replacement much quicker than your initial wait.

Interesting about the illumination, too. All 3 of mine were in LT mounts and had no issues with that. FWIW I use Duracell Medical Grade CR2032's. Its my understanding they go through a couple more QC checks, and at WalGreens they were marginally more expensive than regular 2032's.

RE the number 7 setting Ive lamented in other threads how I wish there was another "day light" setting between 6 and 7. They could use a setting where there is no bloom at night. For me, on 7, during darkness I would get a slight bloom, and the dot wasn't all that crisp. Go down one and you can barely see the dot. One more step would make the dot crisp, no bloom, and be able to be used at night.

**bp7178** · 11-23-11, 22:01

I agree about the 6 and 7 thing. A setting between the two would be great for low light use where you wouldn't be using a white light.

Good tip on the batteries. I'll pick some up from the local Walgreens.

**Nick S** · 11-26-11, 17:31

looking forward to reticle pics.

thanks

nick

**bp7178** · 11-27-11, 00:02

As soon as I get it back I will.

**bp7178** · 01-21-12, 18:04

I just wanted to update the thread.

I got the scope back and all is well...with the scope anyway. I'm a little disapointed with the service. Don't get me wrong, S&B quickly repaired the scope and got it back to me. After they make repairs they send you a tech sheet listing what they did. I had a dot flickering issue, and the illumination circuit board was replaced. As far the specs on the lens, it appears that it was just dirt or grit inside of the tube. All is well and in perfect condition.

When I sent the scope in, I sent it in its original box which has the same serial number marked on it as the scope. I also sent in the instruction manual, scope lens covers, and all of the paperwork. I got NONE of this stuff back.

You kind of expect when you send your Ferrari for service you get the floormats back with the car.

The scope has no real equal on the market. But i'm to the point that i've been so soured by my experiance i'm really thinking about selling it.

**Alaskapopo** · 01-21-12, 18:59

Originally Posted by bp7178

I just wanted to update the thread.

I got the scope back and all is well...with the scope anyway. I'm a little disapointed with the service. Don't get me wrong, S&B quickly repaired the scope and got it back to me. After they make repairs they send you a tech sheet listing what they did. I had a dot flickering issue, and the illumination circuit board was replaced. As far the specs on the lens, it appears that it was just dirt or grit inside of the tube. All is well and in perfect condition.

When I sent the scope in, I sent it in its original box which has the same serial number marked on it as the scope. I also sent in the instruction manual, scope lens covers, and all of the paperwork. I got NONE of this stuff back.

You kind of expect when you send your Ferrari for service you get the floormats back with the car.

The scope has no real equal on the market. But i'm to the point that i've been so soured by my experiance i'm really thinking about selling it.

Most companies tell you to send in just the item needing repair no misc shit to go with it, that stuff gets losts. However give them a call I bet they will make it right.
Pat

**bp7178** · 01-21-12, 19:09

Originally Posted by Alaskapopo

Most companies tell you to send in just the item needing repair no misc shit to go with it, that stuff gets losts. However give them a call I bet they will make it right.
Pat

At this point, I could care a less if they make it right. IMO, they've dropped the ball, stepped on it and let all the air out. At a $2700 price point, there's no excuse.

I had a problem with a Vltor VIS upper and sent them an email. They actually called me and offered to send me a shipping label to send it in. THAT is service.

**Alaskapopo** · 01-21-12, 19:19

Originally Posted by bp7178

At this point, I could care a less if they make it right. IMO, they've dropped the ball, stepped on it and let all the air out. At a $2700 price point, there's no excuse.

I had a problem with a Vltor VIS upper and sent them an email. They actually called me and offered to send me a shipping label to send it in. THAT is service.

I have no dog in this fight but purchase price has nothing to do with rather they sent you back your box and paper work. That was a simple human error mistake. Basically stuff happens not a big deal. The service from Vltor is top notch. But that is a high standard to hold every company too. Just give them a call give them a chance to make it right. If you want I can share with you a lot of examples of really bad service I have had over the years. But that would waste of a lot of bandwidth. Basically saying don't worry about the small stuff. Life is too short.
Pat

**Belmont31R** · 01-21-12, 19:53

Originally Posted by bp7178

At this point, I could care a less if they make it right. IMO, they've dropped the ball, stepped on it and let all the air out. At a $2700 price point, there's no excuse.

I had a problem with a Vltor VIS upper and sent them an email. They actually called me and offered to send me a shipping label to send it in. THAT is service.

Why would you send the manual back? Im pretty sure they have them there.