Hensoldt in Germany have developed a new 1-8×24 telescopic sight, probably to meet the demands of selected Military and Law Enforcement and Special Units who are looking at similar solutions from Schmidt & Bender and Nightforce.

The reticle is in the first image level, so it changes as you zoom in or out. But the middle red dot is in the second image level so it doesn’t change regardless of magnification.

Below: Hensoldt’s own computer generated picture.

HENSOLDT’s newly developed sight ZF 1-8×24

Below: Pictures of the real thing at EnforceTac in Germany 2019, taken by the author.

HENSOLDT presents new ZF 1-8×24 telescopic sight with a magnification of up to eight times.

The ZF1-8×24 offers an integrated red dot and a reticle that can each be separately illuminated.

Frank Topp, Head of Handheld Sight Systems at HENSOLDT, explains the background: “The ZF 1-8×24 offers the smallest variable magnification in the HENSOLDT portfolio. It was developed for short to medium ranges and is thus perfectly suited for the designated marksman and police forces.”

How does it work?

In this system, one-time magnification works like a red spot sight with a wide field of view. The shooter fires with both eyes open. In the ZF 1-8×24, the reticle is in the first image level, while the red spot is in the second image level and does not grow as the magnification is increased, so it does not conceal the target.

“As soon as the shooter chooses a magnification from 1.3, the red spot is switched off and the reticle is illuminated. The illumination setting can be fixed at any desired position but the illumination does not increase,” added Topp.

The new telescopic sight from HENSOLDT also offers a detent that can be locked at the null position for the elevation and lateral sight adjustment turrets.

About Hensoldt

HENSOLDT is an independent, globally leading supplier of premium sensors for security and surveillance missions. The company is active throughout the world in such areas as missile warning systems and submarine periscopes. Moreover, HENSOLDT is very active in the market for radar systems, optronics and electronic protection systems. The company comprises the security and defence electronics activities of the Airbus Group, which were spun off from the group in 2017. HENSOLDT employs approximately 4,300 employees, generating annual revenues of about €1 billion.

So, how much is it?

I asked, but unfortunately there was no price set at EnforceTac. Hensoldts are usually in the high-end region of the market, this goes for scopes with reticles in the first image level as well. So don’t expect this one to be a budget scope.

According to Hensoldt the series production could begin in the third quarter of 2019.

You can find Hensoldt homepage here.