Schmidt & Bender presented a whole series of new products at the 2016 edition of the IWA in Nuremberg. However, before delving into the new riflescopes, we would like to spend a word on the amazing new booth of the German optics manufacturer.
All in a dazzling white, with a Coliseum sized full color display panel, the massive Schmidt & Bender booth in Hall 3A was surprisingly large and extremely well thought out. New products were showcased in designated areas and it was possible to test the optics, admittedly through a glass window, into the woods outside the Nurnberg Messe buildings.
The new products showcased were two new Polar T96 riflescopes, a tactical version of the same optics featuring 96% light transmission called PM II Ultra Bright, a new 5-45x56 PM II in the High Power line and the innovative PM II Digital BT line, capable of displaying data provided by an external laser rangefinder inside the eyepiece using Bluetooth.
The two new Polar hunting and sport shooting riflescopes are the 3-12x54 and 4-16x56 Polar T96: both feature more than 96% total light transmission, ideal in the twilight hours, and optimized night transmission values above 93.5% thanks to special lenses and coatings.
The Polar T96 line has been specifically conceived for long range hunting and shooting in variable and adverse lighting conditions. The 4-16x56 Polar T96 also features parallax adjustment as standard, while in the 3-12x54 it is optional.
Various reticle patterns, in the first or second focal plane, and optional reticle quick adjustment, are available for all scopes of this line; both riflescopes will be commercially available in the summer of 2016.
Alter ego of these optics in the sporting and tactical sector, the new 3-12x54 PM II and 4-16x56 PM II Ultra Bright riflescopes use the same technology, and with 96% total light transmission, set a benchmark even for sniper scopes. Both scopes feature ultra-flat turrets and a variety of different reticles.
Featuring a massive and reliable 9x zoom magnification ratio, the new 5-45x56 PM II High Power is an ultra-long distance precision riflescope, dedicated to professional marksmen and competition sports shooters. This riflescope offers an exceptionally wide field of view of 7.8m/100m, high resolution images right up to the edge of the field of view and an ultra flat double turn elevation turret with MTC clicks and locking function. A cap protects the tactical optimized windage turret against unintentional adjustment after zeroing. Mildot-based reticles in the first focal plane allow for distance estimation and aiming by holdover values. The 5-45x56 PM II High Power will also be available for sale this summer.
Possibly one of the first commercially available Bluetooth enabled riflescopes, the 5-25x56 PM II Digital BT and 3-27x56 PM II High Power Digital BT are the evolution of the PM II Digital series. Thanks to the BT wireless connection, laser rangefinders, anemometers or ballistics computers can project vital data into the riflescope’s eyepiece due to a LED display; two buttons at the eyepiece are used to control brightness and the menu. The system is powered with a single AA 1,5 V battery. The riflescope remains optically and mechanically completely unaffected by the presence of the electronics. Devised for law enforcement and military use, the riflescopes are also available to competition and long range shooters who appreciate sophisticated technology.
More news of IWA 2016 you'll find on all4shooters.com / all4hunters.com
For more information visit the Schmidt & Bender website
