ValleyPursuits
Well-Known Member
Other than the X5 models Swarovski scopes are built for hunting more than target / competition games. For hunting 0.1MRAD / ¼ MOA should be more than precise enough - even at the extended ranges the 5-40 is aimed at.
Swarovski Z8i 5-40 x 56
- Thread starter rodkayak
- Start date
PrairiePrecision
Member
I believe Kahles is more the tactical/competition focused company of the Swarovski family.
Sorry to criticise but I was always taught not to scan and search using a rifle...thats what binos, spotting scopes and thermals are for. Only point rifle at something you're hoping to kill, not assessing.
He didn’t say “scanning” he said “checking out roe bucks” - nothing wrong with that.
I think there is. Let's agree to disagree, I think that is a fundamental safety error, but we aren't stalking next to each other so it's not an issue. "Check out" with other means, optical or thermal, including spotting scopes if you want 40x, select, then point the rifle when intending to shoot. In UK stalking I'd have thought 40x is only any use for spotting, as judging by my spotting scope it would be near impossible to reacquire your target if you needed a second shot.
Spot on
Malxwal
Well-Known Member
Let's agree to disagree. I have a 12x scope, which, it turns out, I shoot the wrong deer with. If I'd had more magnification, when I initially went to shoot said deer, but then zoomed into have a closer look and identified it better....
You cannot argue that one should never use scope mag to check out deer, only that one should never be scanning using a rifle.
Precisely…we “check out” every deer we shoot with a scope….otherwise we wouldn’t be very successful!
Each to their own. 0.1MIL clicks is an accepted LR standard no?
No. It's odd that Swarovski used to produce scopes with 5mm clicks, but no longer do. Burris and March both provide better adjustment options. Others do too I'm sure.
I can see the day when I don't own a Swarovski scope, because there are better options out there.
Regards
JCS
I bought a budget Delta Titanium 2.5-15x56 about 18m months ago for about £800 and it's now cheaper than then at less than £600 with Optics Warehouse. We have tried it side by side with 2 different Swarovski scopes and the Swarovski owner and I struggled to see much difference in light gathering or clarity - we were both surprised, its definitely not better, but not noticeably worse. Happily lets me shoot "sub MOA" if I'm on form and has taken a fair bashing on the hill with no ill effects. I think budget optics have narrowed the gap with premium to the point where I will stick with them.
WildBoarHunter
Well-Known Member
I too used both Swarovski Z8i 2-16×50 and Delta Optical Titanium HD 2.5-10×50 for some time and there wasn't much difference in last light. The difference is in price, quality of the red dot and zoom range. The Delta range also tends to be on the long and heavy side of rifle scopes. However if one is looking for a good quality and good light gathering ability riflescope in a budget price class you can do well with Delta.
Z8i is not a dedicated low light scope. It's strength is in universal usability and quality of manufacture. If one is searching for a low light scope one can get similar light gathering ability for a much lower price.
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SussexSteve
Well-Known Member
Perhaps he hasn’t loaded the rifle or unloads it while he assess the roe bucks ?
dropmdead
Well-Known Member
I must say trying them out side by side with equal magnification, I was pleasantly impressed (for my old eyes...).
Do I sell the Z6 2.5-15 gen 2 and buy into a "multi purpose" scope instead of dedicated deer scope...
I understand there's always a compromise in terms of weight, cost etc.
Any first hand experiences to share?
Do I sell the Z6 2.5-15 gen 2 and buy into a "multi purpose" scope instead of dedicated deer scope...
I understand there's always a compromise in terms of weight, cost etc.
Any first hand experiences to share?
I used to have an X5i 5-25 x 56. It was lovely on the range but not a great stalking scope. Very heavy, not as good at last light as my z6 and quite fussy eye relief. And as 95% of my use was stalking I sold it and bought a more dedicated stalking scope. If I did more range days then yep, I reckon I could live with the compromise so I guess it's down to your personal circumstances.
‘Not much difference’
When light goes and you’re looking into a woodland edge with the waning sky where the sun was in the background 91% vs 95% is an astonishing difference.
Likewise in the woods at last legal light - 95% extends time enough that over 10years its micro pence per minute gained and at the end the resale value of a Zeiss HT is probably £1,200. That’s only £300 less than the 2015 purchase price (leaving aside inflation etc).
Premium optics are big money - in my opinion they’re worth it.
When light goes and you’re looking into a woodland edge with the waning sky where the sun was in the background 91% vs 95% is an astonishing difference.
Likewise in the woods at last legal light - 95% extends time enough that over 10years its micro pence per minute gained and at the end the resale value of a Zeiss HT is probably £1,200. That’s only £300 less than the 2015 purchase price (leaving aside inflation etc).
Premium optics are big money - in my opinion they’re worth it.
Are you shooting at range? That’s where you’ll see the difference.
I own two and have to say they aren’t a patch on the swarovskis I’ve shot through! It probably comes down to the eye looking through. With an X5i I can see the rinkles on a target face at 1000 yards, no way the delta is doing that.
Again, I think it comes down to the eye looking through the scope. The only reason I have a delta on one of my stalking rifles is it works with digital NV add ons. Low light it’s nowhere as near as good as my Schmidt polar or my 30 year old Zeiss 8x56.
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