Hensoldt 3,5-26x56 vs PMII

[DKN83]

Hey guys,

I coul get a Hensoldt 3,5-26x56 for my Sako M10. I have a mint S&B PMII 5-25x56 sitting here with a p4fl reticle, LT, MTC.

My question is, is the Hensoldt still cream of the crop or is it outdated. I noticed polish units using it on their M10. The price is significantly higher compared to a S&B.

Any real world experience on these two scopes? Or general comparison between the Hensoldt and the PMII's.

First class rifle deserves first class scope, however, im not sure if its worth 6000 Euros...

Best regards

Daniel

 

[Dogtown]

It was best in class in 2011 - top quality glass, broad magnification range, and significant available elevation. Today there are a lot of scopes with those features.

 

[DKN83]

It was best in class in 2011 - top quality glass, broad magnification range, and significant available elevation. Today there are a lot of scopes with those features.

Thats honestly my biggest concern, the scope is pretty old right now...

 

[VargmatII]

Granted that it has been a few years since I looked through a Hensoldt but it is a great scope. Sweden and Finland also use the big Henny on the M10 by the way. I think that they have their quirks though, especially with the batterycompartment belown the ockular. And as far as I know there is only one reticle available on the civilian market. But if you like what you get, it is pretty awesome.

I have used Schmidts PM2 5-25x for several years and everything about them is great, well, except for the price increase that has been going on for the last few years. The double turn turrets are awesome, glass is great and you can get the MSR reticle which is my favourite. I would however not buy a new Schmidt with the current pricing.

My latest long range rifle scope is a Kahles k318i (with MSR-k reticle). I like everything about that scope too even if the turrets are just below S&Bs double turn in feel. And Kahles still have their prices on a ok level.

 

[DKN83]

Hey,

Your thoughts pretty much mirror my thinking. You can get used 5-25x56 PMII's in germany for around 2000 Euro all day long in mint condition.

Didnt know the finnish army uses them aswell. Do you know which reticle is used there?

I am fine with the simple reticle they offer to be honest. Everything you need is there.

Wondering about glass quality and eyebox, cold temps, fog etc.

From what i heared they manage that very well?

 

[Gil P.]

With your budget, you should be looking at Tangent Theta if you want the best of the best.

I recall Ilya saying the Hensoldt 3.5-26 wasn't good.

 

[DKN83]

Read that somewhere aswell. Thats why im asking.

TT is no Option for me in Germany. Not really available and i would stay with a PMII in that case.

I have the opportunity to test the Hensoldt in 2 weeks. Will wait and see how this works out.

 

[koshkin]

With your budget, you should be looking at Tangent Theta if you want the best of the best.

I recall Ilya saying the Hensoldt 3.5-26 wasn't good.

3.5-26x56 Hensoldt was designed for a very specific set of requirements European military wanted. They wanted lots of clicks in a single turn, along with short overall length and broad mag range for use with clip-ons. I think the weird battery compartment also comes out of a requirement of some sort (perhaps battery type).

It has been a while, so I do not remember what else was there exactly. I think they also wanted a ton of adjsutment range. 40mrad or something like that.

As a result, you got a scope that was not great optically compared to other alpha class scopes that did not have to face the same limitations and that had arguably the crappies turret feel out of the bunch (out of a bunch of very nice scopes, that is).

I think the last iteration I saw of that scope had somewhat better turrets, but still very closely spaced clicks.

Reticle choices were also truly uninspiring as I recall, and it was really heavy.

Unless you have the exact same set of requirements that their military customer did, you can get more for your money with several designs from other companies, especially now that everyone got better anyway.

ILya

 

[VargmatII]

Hey,

Your thoughts pretty much mirror my thinking. You can get used 5-25x56 PMII's in germany for around 2000 Euro all day long in mint condition.

Didnt know the finnish army uses them aswell. Do you know which reticle is used there?

I am fine with the simple reticle they offer to be honest. Everything you need is there.

Wondering about glass quality and eyebox, cold temps, fog etc.

From what i heared they manage that very well?

Swedish and Finnish, they are procuring carbines and sniper rifles from Sako and the TRG M10 have the big Henny.
I am told that it has a custom reticle, that is all the info I have on it. It will probably never be available for purchase.

From my memory, I liked the glass. And I also agree with Ilya, the turretspacing is extremely fine and it has MTC so you automaticly turn past 2-3 clicks on every full MIL if you are not careful. I think Schmidts double turn are way better and probably as good as it gets.

 

[Scott Parks]

" you can get more for your money with several designs from other companies"

ILya

Understatement of the year

 

[DKN83]

Well in the end i am looking for a glass with a magnification range from 3-16 roughly, most of the time i shoot around 10-12x. Short tubus is welcome since i use clip ons a lot. Same for very cold and bad weather.

I prefer simple reticles although i would prefer some extra bars for quick ranging.

Shooting distances are around 300-1400m with most of it being around 400-1000m.

I am very sensible concerning eyebox issues so prefer 4x-5x zoom scopes. Heared the eyebox is very generous with the Henny so...

Ruggedness is a must but never had issues with my PMII's so theres that.

Reading all the comments i lean towards just using my 5-25x56 PMII.

However, i take the chance and will test the henny in a few weeks. Maybe it fits my eyes and the way i intend to use it.

What i definately hate are close clicks and too many of them. I sure wont need 40 or what MRAD in elevation.

Your input is highly appreciated guys

 

[VargmatII]

Well in the end i am looking for a glass with a magnification range from 3-16 roughly, most of the time i shoot around 10-12x. Short tubus is welcome since i use clip ons a lot. Same for very cold and bad weather.

I prefer simple reticles although i would prefer some extra bars for quick ranging.

Shooting distances are around 300-1400m with most of it being around 400-1000m.

I am very sensible concerning eyebox issues so prefer 4x-5x zoom scopes. Heared the eyebox is very generous with the Henny so...

Ruggedness is a must but never had issues with my PMII's so theres that.

Reading all the comments i lean towards just using my 5-25x56 PMII.

However, i take the chance and will test the henny in a few weeks. Maybe it fits my eyes and the way i intend to use it.

What i definately hate are close clicks and too many of them. I sure wont need 40 or what MRAD in elevation.

Your input is highly appreciated guys

What is you opinion on Kahles?

Seems like the k318i might be something you should have a look at.

 

[Thorbeast]

Sounds like a zco 4-20 would be perfect.

 

[DKN83]

What is you opinion on Kahles?

Seems like the k318i might be something you should have a look at.

I own a K624i and like it very much, MSR2 reticle. The clicks on the turrets are perfect.

However, i dont regard it as rugged as a PMII.

Same for ZCO. Saw 2 scopes fail with turret issues, thats not for me.

The configuration of this M10 should be as bulletproof as possible. Thats the only reason i am even looking into that kind of budget. I'll happily use my PMII 5-25x56 if the henny is not worth the extra cash.

 

[VargmatII]

I own a K624i and like it very much, MSR2 reticle. The clicks on the turrets are perfect.

However, i dont regard it as rugged as a PMII.

Same for ZCO. Saw 2 scopes fail with turret issues, thats not for me.

The configuration of this M10 should be as bulletproof as possible. Thats the only reason i am even looking into that kind of budget. I'll happily use my PMII 5-25x56 if the henny is not worth the extra cash.

Let us know what you feel about the Henny after you have had a look through one and had some time to feel the turrets.

I do however feel that it will be hard to go wrong with a PM2.

 

[JEPN]

Swedish and Finnish, they are procuring carbines and sniper rifles from Sako and the TRG M10 have the big Henny.
I am told that it has a custom reticle, that is all the info I have on it. It will probably never be available for purchase.

From my memory, I liked the glass. And I also agree with Ilya, the turretspacing is extremely fine and it has MTC so you automaticly turn past 2-3 clicks on every full MIL if you are not careful. I think Schmidts double turn are way better and probably as good as it gets.

Are you sure about the Finnish army procuring Hensoldts for the M10? The FDF specifications for the M10 lists Steiner M7xi 2,9-20x50 as the scope and I haven't heard any mentions of the Hennys here.

 

[VargmatII]

Are you sure about the Finnish army procuring Hensoldts for the M10? The FDF specifications for the M10 lists Steiner M7xi 2,9-20x50 as the scope and I haven't heard any mentions of the Hennys here.

I assumed that the Finnish army chose the same scope for their set-up. But I could definitely be wrong on that part.
We run the Hensoldt on this side of Östersjön, that I can confirm.

In fact I find it interesting that there is two completely different scopes chosen on the mutual procurement contract.