Rifle Scopes S&B PMII 5-25x56 (H59) has weak illumination, normal or defective?

[battbot]

Hey guys,

I just picked up a Schmidt & Bender PMII 5-25x56 w/ the H59 reticle. I've noticed on max brightness, I cannot see any illumination when looking outside. Even on a full cloudy day, it looks pure black (or sometimes maybe the slightest faint hue of red, if I squint hard enough and depending on the background). When I look inside at a wall, or with the lens cover on, I can see the red illumination, but even then it looks pretty weak.

Is this normal, or is my unit defective? Thanks in advance.

 

[nn8734]

Did you change the battery to see if that made a difference?

both of my PM2s have average brightness when on the brightest setting so it may or may not be a defect. I can’t see my H37’s illumination on a typical sunny day on its brightest setting.

 

[battbot]

Did you change the battery to see if that made a difference?

Yes, I've tried 3 different brand new CR 2032's, made no difference.

 

[Supersubes]

Do you want it daytime bright? On a precision rifle scope, or a hunting scope, I only need the lit function at first/last light, and most tend to be way too bright. I end up running them on one of the first three settings.

Go out at dusk and start looking into the darkness and shadows. Consider how well you’re able to look through/past the reticle. Then decide if there is an issue. Some scopes are designed so the first couple of settings are so dim, you’d only be able to see them with a clip-on NV scope etc.


Most to me feel like i’m holding a lantern out in front of my face while trying to look past it. Just too bright.

 

[nn8734]

I think it’s prob normal. Over the years, I have owned 8 or 9 SBs including 5 PM2s with illumination and all were about the same on max brightness, and mirror what you describe. My premiers were also similar.

contact Jerry or Paul at SB on Monday and they can give you more info or recommend you send it in for evaluation.

 

[redneckbmxer24]

They don’t have daylight bright illumination because it’s pointless in a precision optic. The settings are dim on purpose for use in low light or with NV where it matters.

 

[battbot]

Hey guys, thanks for the responses. This is my first venture into precision optics, so I wasn't quite sure. Good to know this is normal, and what y'all said makes a lot of sense. Cheers

 

[AIAW]

Just a FYI: Daytime illumination is now standard in scopes with a LRR-MIL reticle. It’s stupid bright at it’s full setting. 7, 8 or 9 is the range where it is usable in bright sunlight.

It’s essential for using the LRR-MIL though in certain background situations, like dark vegetation.

But yes, illumination on the other models is rather faint during the day, even at 11.

 

[Claluja]

Just a FYI: Daytime illumination is now standard in scopes with a LRR-MIL reticle. It’s stupid bright at it’s full setting. 7, 8 or 9 is the range where it is usable in bright sunlight.

It’s essential for using the LRR-MIL though in certain background situations, like dark vegetation.

But yes, illumination on the other models is rather faint during the day, even at 11.

This. ^^. Illumination is bright in my SB LRR reticle, bright in my Shortdot CC, but invisible in daylight like the OPs in my 5-20 UltraShort.

 

[tomcfc11]

I called S&B US to have them put a H59 in a 5-25 PMII. They advised me that the illumination would be fairly dim. I ended up not doing the reticle swap so didn't see it in person.