Leupold VXIII or VX3 2.5-8x36 vs Swarovski Z3 3-9x36
- Thread starter medvedqc
- Start date
Have 3 Leupold 2.5x8's and love them! To my mind the perfect do-all hunting scope. That said I own some Swaro AV's (predesessor tothe Z3) and they are light yrs ahead of the Leupolds in image quality, resolution, color rendition, you name it. They have also proven very rugged and reliable. If it were my money I'd kick in the extra $$ for the Swarovski. The Z3 line is an absolute bargain for what you get.
short neck maybe ...
I got a 2.5-8x36 b&c and I'd say its adequate for its purpose. I did almost get a Swarovski 3-9x36 and still might, it would be nice if that model had some sort of holdover reticle as most scopes I get nowdays have dots and/or hash marks.
bearkilr
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
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I have a VX3 2.5-8 and a Z3 3-10x42, which I would assume is the same as the 3-9x36 except for maybe a little better low light ability. The Swarovski is definitely clearer, no doubt, but it's also double the price. Is it twice as "good"? Probably not, it basically comes down to personal preference. The Leupold doesn't have constant eye relief, the power ring is a little stiff to turn and it doesn't have the quick focus eyepiece.
The Z3 is a top of the line scope, there isn't much out there that has it beat for clarity and resolution. If price isn't part of the equation, then I'd definitely choose the Swarovski, but the VX3 is no slouch.
The Z3 is a top of the line scope, there isn't much out there that has it beat for clarity and resolution. If price isn't part of the equation, then I'd definitely choose the Swarovski, but the VX3 is no slouch.
Marcoman,
the AV with one inch were not for made the European market at first but then they discovered that some may love them ...
seems too that the warranty offered in NA is not the same at the one in Europe .... so ill maybe change my mind.
thanks for your feedback.
I've owned an AV 3-9x36 since 2000 or so and it has always been on top of a Mauser 96 (1996) in .300 Win Mag. That rifle is 6lbs bare and the most often used load by far is H1000 + 220gr Partition for +2800 fps. What that means is pretty heavy, sharp recoil and while I do not have a round count on the rifle, I guess it is somewhere in the neighbourhood of +500. I have never had a problem with the scope.
IMO the Z3 3-9x36 is really one of the best for a lightweight rifle. I also own, or have owned numerous Leupolds from Vari-X II models on up. Keep in mind that the VXIII is not the same as the VX3 - I can't remember the exact differences, but the optical coating changed - the VX3 is the latest version.
You can also get the BRX or BRH reticle with the 3-10x42, and that is no longer available in the 3-9x36. Also the 3-9x36 can be had for about $200 -$250 more than the Leupold 2.5-8, which isn't too bad. The thing I didn't mention before is that the VX3 can be had with the CDS dial or, through Korth, the M1 dial. So if twisting turrets is your thing then the VX3 gives you better options. If you are ok with a ballistic reticle then the Z3 3-10x42 covers that and if plain "old school" is fine then the 3-9x36 is a great choice.
bearkilr
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Nowhere, ......just past the middle
I'm not big into turrets or ballistic reticles, I like to keep things simple. I went with the 3-10 because it has the slightly larger objective.
bearkilr
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Nowhere, ......just past the middle
Any of these short tube scopes can provide some mounting challenges, especially on long-action rifles. I'd suggest checking it out on your rifle before laying any cash out. Leupold actually has some of the best non-critical eye relief in the business which allows you to get away with a bit more than some other brands which have more precise eye relief.
... The Swaro 3-9X36 was born to be on a mountain rifle!The VX-3 2.5-8 is a great scope that will hunt on an ultralight just fine, I've had more than one myself but they have since gone down the road.
Here's my personal take on the two scopes.
The Swaro 3-9X36 has the Leupold absolutely beat in brightness, edge to edge clarity and perceived magnification. No contest.
The Leupold has the better internal windage and elevation adjustments. They feel more positive and truth be told my Swarovski needs a shot to "settle-in" after making an adjustment, I have heard of others having the same issue.
To buy a used VX-3 on the EE is ridiculous as they command 85% of the new cost as a rule.
I've seen used AVs for around 100$ dollars more.
So, in a nutshell if you're twisting dials or need the BDC think Leupold, if you're just using the reticle then for the sake of god and all that's holy do not let the 200$ price difference between the VX-3 and the Swaro keep you from choosing the Z3!
My particular model pictured is an AV which is the predecessor to the current Z3 and about 15+ years old yet still blows away the VX-3 optically. I covet this scope like a hobo does a ham sammitch because of the TDS reticle which,sadly, the current Z3 dropped as an option.
As for the customer service between the two companies...I'd call it dead even.
A couple of years back it took a huge hit on the ocular lens and bent it from a hard fall on some loose scree. The scope never lost zero but it was an ugly ding and concerned me enough to have it looked at. I called Swarovski and told them I needed warranty work but wasn't the original owner and had no receipt. They sent me a pre-paid Fed-Ex box and off it went to New York. It was back three weeks later still in time for hunting season with a brand new ocular bell,a full internal service and new springs free of charge! If that doesn't qualify as top-notch warranty and customer service I don't know what does.
Here's a photo of the same scope mounted on a Rem 700 S/A clone for size reference...
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