Opinion on the Swarovski Z5

I had one with the turret, was not impressed. For features and cost, I would not trade you my VX-6 3-18 for one, at only 3 ounces heavier with illumination, the features/construction blow the Swaro away at a similar price point. The glass did not pop like binoculars I have used. The scope tube/bell I could flex with my hands and rang like a bell from shots on a .223 (was very clear of the barrel). I thought it would be the last scope I every bought, but was so disappointed I sold it. My sightrons were clearer or as clear.

I would MAYBE consider one with the 30mm tube (Z6). If weight is a consideration, I would look at Leupold, If weight did not matter at all, I would put Nightforce on all my guns (not for the glass quality, but the overall quality).

Flame on, but I recall posting this around the time I had the scope, and Jerry from Mystic agreeing...

I'm all for buy once, cry once, but that was one of my very few buyers remorse experiences.
 
I run a couple 3.5-18's with the brx reticle and they are great. I have had one side by side with a mark 4 leupold 20x power and the glass was noticeably better in the swaro and also appeared to have higher magnification. Likely do to the better glass. I got rid of almost all my leupold's.
 
My Z5 scopes are both mounted on 7mm stw rifles, and they don't "ring" when the rifles are fired. Optically, they are superior to any Leupold that I have looked through, and they have proven to be just as reliable, with tracking that is more consistent. I have owned more than a dozen Leupold scopes, but I no longer own any.
 
DMS1 said:
I had one with the turret, was not impressed. For features and cost, I would not trade you my VX-6 3-18 for one, at only 3 ounces heavier with illumination, the features/construction blow the Swaro away at a similar price point. The glass did not pop like binoculars I have used. The scope tube/bell I could flex with my hands and rang like a bell from shots on a .223 (was very clear of the barrel). I thought it would be the last scope I every bought, but was so disappointed I sold it. My sightrons were clearer or as clear.

I would MAYBE consider one with the 30mm tube (Z6). If weight is a consideration, I would look at Leupold, If weight did not matter at all, I would put Nightforce on all my guns (not for the glass quality, but the overall quality).

Flame on, but I recall posting this around the time I had the scope, and Jerry from Mystic agreeing...
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Not surprising, he doesn't sell Swarovski, only Sightron, and is famous for criticizing every brand other than Sightron.

I had a Z5 5-25x52 BT on a 257 Wby, then a 264 Wm, then a 338 WM. There was no "ringing" and the optics were as clear as my S&B Zenith and Zeiss Victory and in a different league than any Leupold. I sold it as the magnification was way more than I needed. They're a great scope, no issues, no disappointments.
 
bearkilr said:
Not surprising, he doesn't sell Swarovski, only Sightron, and is famous for criticizing every brand other than Sightron.

I had a Z5 5-25x52 BT on a 257 Wby, then a 264 Wm, then a 338 WM. There was no "ringing" and the optics were as clear as my S&B Zenith and Zeiss Victory and in a different league than any Leupold. I sold it as the magnification was way more than I needed. They're a great scope, no issues, no disappointments.
Click to expand...

The Swaro may kick every vxIII ass out there, scopes from 10 years ago, but the vx6 is no slouch.
 
I picked one of these up in the spring, the 3.5-18x44 BT with 4W reticle. I compared the view through the glass to the obvious competitors and chose this. I am a fan of the BT with 4W reticle as I find it convenient to quickly change elevation for the set distances and use the reticle to holdover for windage. The clarity has impressed me and I am currently learning about its durability, as I accidentally got mud on it while I pursued a whitetail buck over the weekend. Lenses cleaned up nicely and the coatings show no sign of wear or scratching. Appears to hold its zero well so far and looks nice on my Finnlight.
 
We recently took the Leupold VX6 4-24x52mm scope out and compared it to the Swarovski Z5 3.5x18x44mm at the range over the course of a day. At low light the Swarovski scope was so much clearer it was unbelievable. The Leupold was like looking through dark fog compared to it.
 
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