I spent some time talking with Stephan Kern of Schmidt & Bender about their new ceramic-coated Police Marksman II 5-25 x 56 PM II/LP/MTC/LT scope.

The German company had strewn signage all around the floor of SHOT Show 2010 depicting this tan-colored matte-finish tactical scope, and I couldn't wait to get a closer look.

Here's the information on this scope from Schmidt & Bender's website:

True 2000-meter capability. Unlike most long-range variables that offer only a 4x magnification multiple, the 5-25 x 56 provides a full 5x and a wider field of view.

Parallax adjustment in a separate turret, completely adjustable from 10 meters to infinity.

The illuminated reticle has 11 graduated settings offering precise control relative to ambient light. The scope includes Schmidt & Bender's unique color-coded "Double Turn" elevation knob that gives the shooter instant reference to where the elevation is set.

The entire 100-minute adjustment range can be covered in just two turns of the knob. The user will never become "lost" within the adjustment range.

Now, after I got done drooling over the scope's new flat earth ceramic finish, Kern demonstrated the scope's extremely tight (read, precise) turret adjustments, which are designed to give the shooter a ready reference to dial up and then easily return to zero. You always know how many revolutions you've made - a handy feature.

Here are some more details:

• Main tube: 34 mm diameter light alloy
• Surface finish: shock-resistant ceramic coating
• Illuminated reticle in the 1st or 2nd focal plane
• Elevation adjustment with MTC, double turn and tactile plane
• Elevation and windage turrets with locking function
• Zero Stop: elevation stop function in the zero position
• Zero Click: tactile click of the windage zero position
• Parallax compensation from 10m to infinity

More information: www.schmidtbender.com