Swarovski DS 5-25 x52 opinions thereof
- Thread starter Andy S
- Start date
I considered one but I think IMHO it’s steps over the “Too clever” line. I bought Swarovski Z8 instead with ballistic turrets and have shot stuff out to 450 yds in Africa using the turrets. I marvel at the tech and engineering involved but I think its taking some of the skill in terms of zeroing and turret knowledge/skills also they are not great in terms of low light capability. Other opinions will know doubt follow. Guy in our syndicate had one on a Blazer for U.K. stalking but again how far are you going to shoot
long_range_rob
Well-Known Member
I’ve used the gen1. Great technological solution to a problem that doesn’t exist. Learn to shoot your rifle and cartridge through practical application, practice and take realistic shots. This is designed for people who shoot for one to two weeks a year and want to drop a moose at 1/4 mile. I can’t see a use for one in the UK TBH
in very fixed wind conditions! Brilliant ability to compensate for drop but rudimentary windage.
Weight, & size apart, it's an excellent scope in good light, but rubbish in low light. I use it occasionally, and would definitely want to use it for plains game, but stalk with a Z8 2.3-18 x 56.
I'm curious how many average/hobby stalkers ever dial windage ? Elevation yes, easy to range a distance, and use a BT, but windage ? Easier to just hold off
I'm curious how many average/hobby stalkers ever dial windage ? Elevation yes, easy to range a distance, and use a BT, but windage ? Easier to just hold off
Would be semi-viable if they actually held zero.
+1, it's no joke how bad these are in low light.
Another thing that is stupid is needing to adjust the illumination nearly every time you use it.
Hopefully Gen II has done something to remedy these issues, but doubt it.
Very little reason for someone to spend their own money on one. I didn't and am very thankful for that.
I had the gen 1 and now have the gen 2, I love them both to be fair!! The reason I bought the gen 2 was so I could turn the windage off as it’s gie crap to be honest! You can judge wind yourself if you do enough anyway. In my honest opinion it’s a great stalking scope and it’s the only thing I would put on my stalking rifles now but I do use n/f atacrs and deltas for my foxing work because I like to dial in when they are a range out.
Thanks to all for your honest and frank views, experiences and input. For the type of shooting I'm doing (both deer and vermin 50m-400m, 17H 243 30-06 in helping manage numbers more than recreational shooting ) it would be handy as often is the case the quarry has gone to cover before mental calculations and adjustments have been made (long tracks in forest/woodland boundaries). The LRF feature press button reticule adjustment simply saves time and would make things more efficient for me.
Clearly a "marmite" scope, or perhaps more a "marmite" solution that divides people. Interesting that most who've owned one rate them more so on doing what the say on the tin, as opposed to practical application. I agree with all for sub 200-250m deer work they are unnecessary but longer distances or smaller quarry and perhaps they are viable
In all honesty it would be nice if there was a Z8 option with built in LRF FFP with EBR2B reticule (probably be considered old-school in this age of technology) Thanks again to all. I'll update if do take the plunge
Thanks to all for your honest and frank views, experiences and input. For the type of shooting I'm doing (both deer and vermin 50m-400m, 17H 243 30-06 in helping manage numbers more than recreational shooting ) it would be handy as often is the case the quarry has gone to cover before mental calculations and adjustments have been made (long tracks in forest/woodland boundaries). The LRF feature press button reticule adjustment simply saves time and would make things more efficient for me.
Clearly a "marmite" scope, or perhaps more a "marmite" solution that divides people. Interesting that most who've owned one rate them more so on doing what the say on the tin, as opposed to practical application. I agree with all for sub 200-250m deer work they are unnecessary but longer distances or smaller quarry and perhaps they are viable
In all honesty it would be nice if there was a Z8 option with built in LRF FFP with EBR2B reticule (probably be considered old-school in this age of technology) Thanks again to all. I'll update if do take the plunge
If time is a problem, you never had the shot anyway.
Right on the edge of cover and far away? If you fluff the shot it's going to be away and wounded.
Better kit is often just a band-aid.
I've seen a 400m shot made with a fixed 6x scope, dropped the red on the spot.
Know your drops, 300m and under you can just aim off. Would not take shots over 400m with the DS to be honest as I don't know how they are compensating for ambient temperature and atmospheric pressure which will start to matter around then. If their algorithm is off, you are fu*ked.
The rangefinder button is in the wrong place too IMHO. Would have been better putting it on the side focus wheel.
Anyway, if you have £3.5k to hose, on a scope which will lose £1k as soon as it comes out the box, go ahead.
That's enough money for a good rifle, optic and most importantly plenty ammo for practise.
I’ve had a Gen 1 from the start when the wife offered me some “mad money“ and said buy yourself something that you would never buy yourself having recovered from cancer. On that basis for me, I believe the advantages outweighs many of the issues presented above. I do wish it was lighter but I love the ability to quickly range the distance and I find the wind bars a useful reminder. Most of my deer are taken at ranges of 150m or less (and recent woodland stalking during COVID less than 60m) so it’s overkill but, twice a year or more, I shoot on the hill in Scotland and I’ve found it’s suggested POA again useful to reinforce my thoughts on hold-over as it’s not something I do as often as I’d wish. It’s real advantage though are fast reaction shots - my stalking partner had a runner last time that I dropped at 330m just before it entered dense woodland which would have been a bastard to find given the terrain. Overall, I’m a very happy customer 
I’ve had a Gen 1 from the start when the wife offered me some “mad money“ and said buy yourself something that you would never buy yourself having recovered from cancer. On that basis for me, I believe the advantages outweighs many of the issues presented above. I do wish it was lighter but I love the ability to quickly range the distance and I find the wind bars a useful reminder. Most of my deer are taken at ranges of 150m or less (and recent woodland stalking during COVID less than 60m) so it’s overkill but, twice a year or more, I shoot on the hill in Scotland and I’ve found it’s suggested POA again useful to reinforce my thoughts on hold-over as it’s not something I do as often as I’d wish. It’s real advantage though are fast reaction shots - my stalking partner had a runner last time that I dropped at 330m just before it entered dense woodland which would have been a bastard to find given the terrain. Overall, I’m a very happy customer
Wait till it starts to lose zero, and your faith will go with it...
I'd say cut losses and get the Gen II now if you can. Some who are not too switched on and are yet to realise a new one is out.
2 year warranty on Swaro electronics does not rest easy on the mind!
pablo.222
Well-Known Member
What issues cause the loss of zero?
I’ve had two, never had an issue with either losing zero. Both Gen 1 and both used on switch barrel rifles.
I don’t doubt one or two had a fault but not the problem some would like us to believe.
Before these I had the Burris elliminator I bought used at a couple of years old. I sold that three years ago( I’ve had a couple of those as well). That one is still performing well in New Zealand.
The technology is there to be used. If the op wants one good luck to him. Spent the time setting it up correctly and it is a great asset to any stalker.
I don’t doubt one or two had a fault but not the problem some would like us to believe.
Before these I had the Burris elliminator I bought used at a couple of years old. I sold that three years ago( I’ve had a couple of those as well). That one is still performing well in New Zealand.
The technology is there to be used. If the op wants one good luck to him. Spent the time setting it up correctly and it is a great asset to any stalker.
Have you had the chance to look at one?
The 'turrets' are actually positioned behind the objective lens, on the bell. I suspect the erector springs are also located in this area. The 'turrets' are hidden behind wee caps which are in turn retained by small screws. The required allen key and turret key are stored where the elevation turret should be.
My hypothesis is that Swaro needed to locate them here due to the extra space required for the electronics (hence the 40mm maintube).
My example has lost zero on windage twice, and I now check it regularly with a collimator after cleaning.
I’ve never seen this issue at all
Similar threads
