Swarovski vs Zeiss

[Dave881]

Hi everyone,
Been looking at getting a new scope and cant make my mind up between a Swarovski Z6i 2.5-15x56 BT and a Zeiss conquest v6 2.5-15x56 ASV.
Does anyone use either of these scopes?
Is one better than the other?
How good are the turrets?
I do want a scope with ballistic turrets but is mainly built for low light shooting. it will be going on my 308.
Any help, experience or advice would be appreciated, or and suggestions of similar scopes to look at.
Thanks Dave.

 

[Lateral]

Hi everyone,
Been looking at getting a new scope and cant make my mind up between a Swarovski Z6i 2.5-15x56 BT and a Zeiss conquest v6 2.5-15x56 ASV.
Does anyone use either of these scopes?
Is one better than the other?
How good are the turrets?
I do want a scope with ballistic turrets but is mainly built for low light shooting. it will be going on my 308.
Any help, experience or advice would be appreciated, or and suggestions of similar scopes to look at.
Thanks Dave.

You'll drive yourself crazy, with some people recommending the Swarovski, some the Zeiss, and others recommending what they use, which will be something completely different !

I very much doubt you would be unhappy with either. I find the Zeiss to give a very bright, almost harsh image, whilst the Swarovski seems to have warmer coatings.

Go to a shop that sells both, or one of the shows (Northern show is on this weekend) and compare them side by side, and pick the one you like.

 

[Everlong]

Best Zeiss scope for low light in my opinion is the Victory HT 3-12x56

you can get it with ASV (their version of ballistic turrets)

the conqest is is their mid range product and is likely to be out performed by the z6i

 

[Dave881]

I thought this could open a can of worms, options from people who have either of these would be good. Mainly interested in how easy yo use the turrets are. I have looked at the victory HT but would like to stay under £2000. Very interesting comment about the difference in image between the two. Sounds like the swaro would suit better on that basis.
Thanks for replying guys.

 

[Uncle f]

I can’t really comment with regards to Zeiss scopes as I only have a conquest 3x12x50 on my .223 for foxing and it’s fine, I do however have 3 z6i,s. I have a 2.5x15x56 on my 6.5x55 and it’s fantastic. All the turrets are set and I often use them with no issues. Easier to set these up if you use factory ammo. I also have a 2x12x50 on my .308 k95 and a 3x18x50 on my .30-06.
The z6i,s are better than the Zeiss but I do appreciate that I only have a mid range conquest If you have a budget of approx 2k get The z6i and have some change. You won’t regret it best optiks in my opinion
regards Steve

 

[I. Farticus]

Just buy the Z6i 3-18x50 in my other thread!

 

[Bds4roe]

Or find a victory diavari fl for one of the best scopes ever, 3-12, 4-16, 6-24...

 

[Lateral]

Mainly interested in how easy yo use the turrets are.

I can't comment on the Zeiss turrets, but would assume they are similar to the Swarovski. I'm sure others will comment.

I find the Swarovski turrets excellent to use, but you need access to a chronograph, so you can accurately check the velocity of the ammunition you choose to use. I wouldn't rely of the velocities listed by/on factory ammunition, because there are too many variables.

Swarovski have a very simple online app, where you enter the version of scope, bullet wight, velocity, zero distance, etc'. You then decide on the 3-4 distances you want to set the coloured/numbered turret rings at, and it tells you how many clicks to set each distance. It's extremely quick, and easy to use.

 

[Everlong]

I thought this could open a can of worms, options from people who have either of these would be good. Mainly interested in how easy yo use the turrets are. I have looked at the victory HT but would like to stay under £2000. Very interesting comment about the difference in image between the two. Sounds like the swaro would suit better on that basis.
Thanks for replying guys.

I’m sure if you shop around you’ll find one <2k - worth every penny with 95% light transmission

 

[1894]

The move to super zoom required a compromise on light transmission which means the Z6i is 90% on paper as is the Conquest. The HT is 95% which is a very useful increase and the Z8 splits the difference as does the FL.

The 60 reticle on the HT is industry leading, tiny dot and very adjustable.

For killing deer in low light the HT is unsurpassed IMHO and I'd rather that than turrets personally

 

[Dave881]

Thanks for all the replys guy, has anyone used the turrets on the zeiss, the guy in the shop told me they have 9 different wraps for the turret depending on the round you can change the wrap, just seems a lot of work compared to the swaro but if they are really good they might be better. How much difference in shooting time is there between 90% and 95%? as a comparison i am using a s&b 2.5-10x56 ill at the moment and find the glass to be fantastic. In reply to 1894, thats very interesting about light transmission and zoom, i am wanting turrets as my shooting is changing from mostly short shots in the woods to more open field where i might be taking shots out to 250+ yards and feel if the turrets are as good as they look it would be much better for me than using hold over, i do however agree about light gathering being very important.

 

[Lateral]

The move to super zoom required a compromise on light transmission which means the Z6i is 90% on paper as is the Conquest. The HT is 95% which is a very useful increase and the Z8 splits the difference as does the FL.

The 60 reticle on the HT is industry leading, tiny dot and very adjustable.

For killing deer in low light the HT is unsurpassed IMHO and I'd rather that than turrets personally

In reality, just how much extra shooting time in minutes, do you gain going from 90% to 93% to 95% light transmission ?

 

[Malxwal]

I recently visited a retailer who carried all the optics brands, with the intention of looking through them all before committing. I would recommend having a look through a Schmidt and Bender 2.5-13x56 Stratos with BDC. It was slightly out of my price range, but sounds within yours. Such high quality for less than either Swaro or Zeiss.

 

[Shootgun]

I've got a Z8i on my 7mm Rem Mag and a V8 on the .270.
The Zeiss V8 is better than the Swarovski Z8i IMHO , also the V8 reticle is more suitable for hunting. Zeiss is coming with ballistic turret, Swaro are selling it sepparate for another £200 .

 

[Dave881]

Hi Shootgun, Just looked at the v8 and i does look really good, i dont think the z8i is one i would look for as it does add up on cost with the turrets and seems more complicated than the z6i.
The v8 will be quite a bit heavier than the z6i, is that something you have noticed?
How much better is the glass on the zeiss?
Thanks
Dave

 

[Shootgun]

Hi Shootgun, Just looked at the v8 and i does look really good, i dont think the z8i is one i would look for as it does add up on cost with the turrets and seems more complicated than the z6i.
The v8 will be quite a bit heavier than the z6i, is that something you have noticed?
How much better is the glass on the zeiss?
Thanks
Dave

Actually the Swaro is heavier than the Zeiss (2.3-18x56 vs 1.8-14x50 both rail )
IMHO the Zeiss have the edge in low light, and as stated earlier, the 60 reticle is way better for hunting than the 4A... at least in my eyes.

 

[Cyres]

Suggest you buy a S/H Diavari with ASV. I have one rarely need to use the turret as zeroed at 200yds. Several been sold on here for about £1.2K.

D

 

[User00003]

Historically I prefer Zeiss, cleaner optics and better tube designs, etc..imho

however!!!! Zeiss servicing have gone into the dark ages and have started charging customers for repairs that both swaro and leupold for ex would cover FOC, and so purely from this, I’d be hard pushed to buy a new Zeiss product today,,,sadly.. they’re doing it to themselves but I have to say, I don’t see Zeiss hunting optics on the market in ten years unless they wake up and smell the coffee, S&B too for that matter

 

[Lateral]

Actually the Swaro is heavier than the Zeiss (2.3-18x56 vs 1.8-14x50 both rail )
IMHO the Zeiss have the edge in low light, and as stated earlier, the 60 reticle is way better for hunting than the 4A... at least in my eyes.

Not certain where you got your product weight information from, but when comparing, at least compare "like for like", or as close as you can.


Z8i 1.7-13.3x42 rail 635g

V8 1.8-14x50 Rail 730g


Z8i 2.3-18x56 rail 740g

V8 2.8-20x56 Rail 855g


Ultimately, the "best" scope, is the one you prefer !

 

[Chasey]

Hi everyone,
Been looking at getting a new scope and cant make my mind up between a Swarovski Z6i 2.5-15x56 BT and a Zeiss conquest v6 2.5-15x56 ASV.
Does anyone use either of these scopes?
Is one better than the other?
How good are the turrets?
I do want a scope with ballistic turrets but is mainly built for low light shooting. it will be going on my 308.
Any help, experience or advice would be appreciated, or and suggestions of similar scopes to look at.
Thanks Dave.

The z6i is a top level Swaro scope and the Conquest is a mid level Zeiss scope

Zeiss make very very good scopes but to be at a level with the z6i you need to be looking at the Zeiss Victory range

IMHO the Z6i has the optimum zoom range at 2.5-15 with the best light catching option of 56 dia lenses

The Zeiss Victory V8 is 2.8-20 or 3-12. Of the two id begrudgingly go the 2.8-20 as i had a 3-12 Swaro and felt the 2.5- 15 gave me a more usable sight picture at 200m+

I had a 5-30 Swaro but sold it as i felt it was too powerful, too heavy and the 30 was frankly unusable under normal conditions.


I have owned three Zeiss scopes and I own three Z6is in 2.5-15-56 two in MK1 and one in MK2

I personally found the Z6i came to the eye quicker than my Zeiss but that's about the only thing that stands out

My Zeiss had white on black etchings for the Ballistic turrets which were useless unless i was wearing glasses which I need for reading only.

The Swaro had tactile indicators and coloured dots to indicate the settings and those are useful in the dark and in good light. With a millisecond glance I could see if I was on zero for 100, 200 or 300m. WIth the Zeiss id be scratching around for my reading glasses.

So if your foxing in the dark the Swaro BT is usable, and the Victory one is useless


The Mk1 Z6i had a switch for the re dot which could all to easily be left on or knocked on in the bag and flatten the battery for the red dot. They do a plastic schroud to stop this happening but for the cost of the scope ist a very bad design

The Mk2 has a sensor that switches off the dot if the rifle is laid flat.

Very useful, but id have preferred a more positive on off switch.

The location / use of the on off on the Swaro is IMHO better than on the Zeiss


Due to the Swaro Z6i switch issue you can pick up a Z6i MK1 in mint condition for less than 1250.00 which is an absolute bargain for a £2000.00 scope

The MK2 will be more like 1500+ but remember, all your paying for is the switch

One final consideration. The Zeiss stocky 56mm lens is IMHO not a sleek looking (good looking) as the smooth lines of the z6i

If it outperformed the Z6 id ignore this, but as they are so evenly matched its a minor thing that's swings the balance to Swaro

People who tell you the Swaro Z6 0r Z8 is better in low light or the Zeiss V8 is better in low light, are talking ********.

You cant tell the difference in performance even if there was one. You need a machine to appreciate the miniscule difference.

SO much crap talked about low light performance of like for like scopes. Truth is it of very minor importance in comparison to something basic like ease of use of zoom or parallax and sharpness of image during daylight hours.



ATB