Swaro Z3 vs Leupold VX-5

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notyalc

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Need a new scope for my .300wm and I have some gift cards I need to use for a big box store. I’ve been looking around for a while and have narrowed my choices down to the Z3 4-12x50 BT plex and the Leupold VX5 3-15x44 duplex.

Heading on a goat hunt in August and plan on doing more in the future but the majority of my hunting is in Northern BC, so lots of timber and clear cuts. I don’t feel confident enough to shoot past 500 yards in a hunting situation but for target fun I may test the limits.

Right now the the big box store has the Swaro priced at $1429 and the Leupold at $1700 which is pretty much the max I’m looking to spend. I’d like to pull the trigger on one by the end of February so maybe there will be a sale at some point…fingers crossed!

Looking for opinions on both and any pros and cons to either of them. Don’t care much about size or weight differences.
 
Not going to see too terribly much for sales for a month or two now, the best ones are usually Black Fri and Xmas. Also a shame to be stuck with gift cards, definitely limits shopping optins, as in what I looked at on there, is just the plex reticle on the Z3, which are on cheaper elsewhere with the BRH reticle. Little bit of 6 of one and 1/2doz of the other on those two scopes. Leupold service is avail in Cda, and for longer ranges, you do get more into mirage over 12x too. I had a new Z3 3.5-10 and a new VX3 side by each a few yrs back, Z3 won hands down, is the VX5 glass any better than a VX3?, can't tell you, haven't looked at Leupold since then.
 
I don't have the Leopold but I do have two Z3 and they are amazing.
Even as an entry level Swaro, they make my other scopes look cheap. Extremely good glass.
Haven't had any issues either.
My shooting pal says the same.
"Wish I would have never looked through that" was his first words. "Now my scopes suck"
 
swarovski's are nice optics, but this seriously turns me off

This product from SWAROVSKI OPTIK is a high-quality instrument. We grant, from the date of purchase for a period of 10 years (5-year manufacturer’s warranty + 5 years goodwill) the following warranty and goodwill services according to the conditions stated below. If defects in the materials and/or the workmanship occur, we will take over the material costs and the labor costs for the entire period of the manufacturer’s warranty referred to above. We reserve the right in such instances to repair or replace the instrument or the defective part at our discretion. At the end of the above-mentioned manufacturer’s warranty, as part of our service promise, we currently cover the costs for materials and labor for repairs for a further 5 years on a goodwill basis. There is no legal entitlement to goodwill repairs.
 
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209jones said:
10 yrs is a decent enough warranty, if it kraps from a mfgrs defect, it'll usually be PDQ anyway. Doesn't much matter whose scope or what their warranty is, if it kraps, nobody will ever be happy about it.
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given that one of their spotting scopes can be 10K. a 10 year warranty is hardly decent. A leupold scope for 1200.00 bucks can be covered in 22-35 years time as long as they are in business - you send them a scope from 70's and they will fix or replace - I highly doubt swarovski will do that at year 18 with a similar priced scope.

same goes for Zeiss
 
The Swaro has the weight advantage, the Leupold if its a ZL2 has the turret advantage for range and higher mag. The glass is very close with me thinking the Swaro has a slight advantage with my Z5 (Z3 and Z5 has the same glass I think).
1429 seems high for the Z3 and 1700 seems decent for the VX5HD. Leupold has the better warranty as in "lifetime".
Between those 2 I'd go the VX5, if you were looking at the Z5 3.5-18x44BT I'd go Swarovski. JMHO though
 
I’ve no hands on experience with the Swarovski line but I do have a XV5 3-15x44 W/FD, (and a bunch of 3’s).
I’d be inclined to choose the VX5 mainly due to the lower 3x starting point.
4x isn’t a show stopper but IMO for hunting in NWBC 3x is better and if you feel the need the Leupold offers more magnification and the CDS-ZL2 gives you a locking dial to to play with the clicks without worrying about a turned dial while hunting.
The warranty doesn’t hurt either.
Resale is pretty solid with the Leopold’s as well.
As for glass clarity the VX5 is considerably better than the VX3 but that’s not saying the VX3 is bad, far from it, the VX3 is a great scope but the VX5 is at a whole different level.
If the Swaro is brighter than the VX5 (which seems the consensus of those that have had hands on) I’d wonder how usable is it…I find the VX5 far brighter than I need in all the legal light I’ve used it in and the fire dot just adds to that…now my eyes are not what they were and they’re looking through usually dirty scratched up progressives so I likely don’t have the lookers to know but if I don’t feel limited by the Leopold then I’m at a loss to see how the Swaro Z3 can overcome the Leupold VX5 given the other advantages of the golden ring.
But you’re a lucky guy with a fun choice to make so please let us know the verdict when you pull the trigger.
 
Another vote for the VX5. I was between a Zeiss, Leupold and Swaro and the Leupold checked the most boxes. Zero stop turret, as well as the tool less zero was a selling point. I have had the glass out in near dark conditions and was shocked at how bright the scope still was.
 
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notyalc said:
Need a new scope for my .300wm and I have some gift cards I need to use for a big box store. I’ve been looking around for a while and have narrowed my choices down to the Z3 4-12x50 BT plex and the Leupold VX5 3-15x44 duplex.

Heading on a goat hunt in August and plan on doing more in the future but the majority of my hunting is in Northern BC, so lots of timber and clear cuts. I don’t feel confident enough to shoot past 500 yards in a hunting situation but for target fun I may test the limits.

Right now the the big box store has the Swaro priced at $1429 and the Leupold at $1700 which is pretty much the max I’m looking to spend. I’d like to pull the trigger on one by the end of February so maybe there will be a sale at some point…fingers crossed!

Looking for opinions on both and any pros and cons to either of them. Don’t care much about size or weight differences.
Click to expand...
I own a sworo z3 4-12 and it’s hands down the best glass I’ve ever owned … The glass clarity and brightness are incredible the low light is amazing but I feel like 1400 is a bit steep …
 
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