Swarovski vs Zeiss

[I. Farticus]

My Z6i 3-18x50 (Gen I) has the BR-I reticle which has blobs and lines (and the on/off shroud).

Pop your ammo details into the online Swaro app and it will spit out what distance each blob and line will mean, specific to that ammo.

I didn't get turrets as I found this much easier to use, with a sticker on the stock in case I had brain fade in the field!

 

[Dave881]

Thanks for all the info guys, and thanks chasey for the details of your experience with both. I think you have confirmed for me that the swarovski bt is more user friendly than the zeiss asv. If anyone else has any experiences with these two scopes please let me know.
Thanks again
Dave

 

[Border]

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.

I have Just got an ASV+ turret retrofitted to my Zeiss HT. Seems pretty straightforward and less cumbersome than some of the other manafacturers turrets. No experience of Swarovski.

 

[scotch_egg]

I have a couple of Zeiss V8’s. One with ASV and one without.

I think they are great and have no issues with either. I do however prefer a floating centre dot which is not the case with a Zeiss 60.

When it comes to the ASV turret it beats the Swarovski hands down. The reason being it is a true MRAD click value. Admittedly Zeiss supply several different rings so you can pick the one that nearest matches your calibre. But they also supply a standard turret in MRAD, you can use a ballistic app on the day you are shooting out in the correct station pressure and all other factors and be bang on. Not there abouts.

But saying that I like Swarovski glass and they weigh less.

Let’s be realistic are you shooting deer over 300 meters? If not both scopes will perform admirably and it’s down to your personal thoughts on sight picture.

This is a group I shot on Wednesday with my V8 on an 18” barrel .308 required .5 clicks from the 100 yard zero. It should be noted the target should be rotated 90 degrees right.

 

[Dave881]

I have a couple of Zeiss V8’s. One with ASV and one without.

I think they are great and have no issues with either. I do however prefer a floating centre dot which is not the case with a Zeiss 60.

When it comes to the ASV turret it beats the Swarovski hands down. The reason being it is a true MRAD click value. Admittedly Zeiss supply several different rings so you can pick the one that nearest matches your calibre. But they also supply a standard turret in MRAD, you can use a ballistic app on the day you are shooting out in the correct station pressure and all other factors and be bang on. Not there abouts.

But saying that I like Swarovski glass and they weigh less.

Let’s be realistic are you shooting deer over 300 meters? If not both scopes will perform admirably and it’s down to your personal thoughts on sight picture.

This is a group I shot on Wednesday with my V8 on an 18” barrel .308 required .5 clicks from the 100 yard zero. It should be noted the target should be rotated 90 degrees right.

Thanks for the reply, it good to hear the Zeiss system is also good. Can you give any reasons why MRAD is better than the Swaro BT click value? I am not saying you are wrong but i am genuinely interested in your thoughts on the two different systems.
In reply to your question, i am unlikely to shoot deer past 300 yards but if a fox happens to be a bit further out i would like to have the ability to take a shot.
Thanks again
Dave

 

[Shootgun]

Actually the Swaro is heavier than the Zeiss (2.3-18x56 vs 1.8-14x50 both rail )

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.
V8 1.8-14x50 Rail 730g
Z8i 2.3-18x56 rail 740g

I was comparing the scopes i own, can't speak for something i never used.
As you can see, i am right

 

[Lateral]

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?

Actually the Swaro is heavier than the Zeiss (2.3-18x56 vs 1.8-14x50 both rail )

I was comparing the scopes i own, can't speak for something i never used.
As you can see, i am right

But either you don't have a Z6i, or if you do, you decided it wasn't relevant to the question you were asked !

I also made a mistake, I should have compared the V8's to the Z6i's Regardless, "like for like", Swarovski scopes are much lighter than Zeiss. Whether that's an issue, is up to the user.

 

[Cyres]

I think there are several places that you can buy custom engraved turrets, Kenton industries for a start. Also several places offer custom printed adhesive tapes to fit to your turret. A while back there was a very good thread on UK varmiting on this. Just get the correct data for your rifle and check it in the field and get a tape made or DY yourself and attach to the AVS turret.

D

 

[stubear]

I've not used the Zeiss scope but I have a Z6i on one of my rifles - its a lovely scope and I would definitely recommend it.

That said, my binos are Zeiss and I think they're brilliant - I would certainly be happy with a Zeiss scope on a rifle, and I dont think you'd notice any real difference in the performance between them.

The best advice I can give is go look through both of them and see which you prefer.

 

[scotch_egg]

Thanks for the reply, it good to hear the Zeiss system is also good. Can you give any reasons why MRAD is better than the Swaro BT click value? I am not saying you are wrong but i am genuinely interested in your thoughts on the two different systems.
In reply to your question, i am unlikely to shoot deer past 300 yards but if a fox happens to be a bit further out i would like to have the ability to take a shot.
Thanks again
Dave

I believe the Zeiss is better because it allows the user to either use a predefined turret with multiple preloaded distances but also can be used with the numbered turret allowing the user to input exact corrections.

The Swarovski only allows you to preset 3 alternative zeros. So if your target isn’t at the correct distance you are going to have to hold off anyway. For me that defeats the purpose of having adjustable turrets.

 

[Lateral]

I believe the Zeiss is better because it allows the user to either use a predefined turret with multiple preloaded distances but also can be used with the numbered turret allowing the user to input exact corrections.

The Swarovski only allows you to preset 3 alternative zeros. So if your target isn’t at the correct distance you are going to have to hold off anyway. For me that defeats the purpose of having adjustable turrets.

The Z8 turrets have the zero, plus 4 presets, or a ring marked at 5 click intervals. The user chosen preset rings make it very quick, and easy to get close to the target distance, and then just tweak up, or down a couple of clicks, rather than having to count xx number of clicks, that you either have to look up, or try, and remember !

 

[Malxwal]

For my tuppence worth on the Swarovski system, I found it a wee bit awkward, had to double check the upper/furthest red dot lined up, so could be a click out. Depending on the distances and your intended POI, could be an issue.
I now have a simple, older Schmidt simple BDC turret , just need to know your clicks/drops.

 

[Chasey]

I believe the Zeiss is better because it allows the user to either use a predefined turret with multiple preloaded distances but also can be used with the numbered turret allowing the user to input exact corrections.

The Swarovski only allows you to preset 3 alternative zeros. So if your target isn’t at the correct distance you are going to have to hold off anyway. For me that defeats the purpose of having adjustable turrets.

Actualy its four

On my one it's

0 =100m

Green = 200m

Red = 250m

Yellow = 300m


Obviously theres clicks in between but 100- 200m (2.7") 250m (5.9") 300m (10.7")

The drop 100 to 150m is 0.8" so not worth bothering with

200-250 set on 200 your playing with about 2"

250-300 your playing with about 2.5"

Is it realy worth bothering with?

 

[Essex stalker]

I have a z6i with the BT but Ive replaced the colour coded rings with the ZninkZ replacement ones, simple to use, just dial in the distance you want

 

[scotch_egg]

The Z8 turrets have the zero, plus 4 presets, or a ring marked at 5 click intervals. The user chosen preset rings make it very quick, and easy to get close to the target distance, and then just tweak up, or down a couple of clicks, rather than having to count xx number of clicks, that you either have to look up, or try, and remember !

I use the Leica HD-B with ballistic application. It tells me the number of clicks in a fraction of a second.

 

[Lateral]

I use the Leica HD-B with ballistic application. It tells me the number of clicks in a fraction of a second.

All going to show, everyone has their own preference !

 

[User00001]

The scopes themselves are probably neck and neck but Swarovski customer service is light years ahead of Zeiss, I'm talking best in the industry compared to worst in the industry in my experience. If all other factors are about equal then this would swing it for me easily. Swarovski also command better resale values mainly, I think, because they have stuck with simple product ranges and all super high quality. People seem confused by Zeiss's many different ranges and are not sure which are the best ones and which are cheaper models simply badges as Zeiss.

 

[Bds4roe]

The scopes themselves are probably neck and neck but Swarovski customer service is light years ahead of Zeiss, I'm talking best in the industry compared to worst in the industry in my experience. If all other factors are about equal then this would swing it for me easily. Swarovski also command better resale values mainly, I think, because they have stuck with simple product ranges and all super high quality. People seem confused by Zeiss's many different ranges and are not sure which are the best ones and which are cheaper models simply badges as Zeiss.

I’ve had fantastic service from both, fairly recently i bought a 6-24x56 victory which had 2 worn out turrets from lots of dialling. It was fully refurbished FOC and is now like a new scope. Cant fault their service.

 

[Scooby-3]

Flick a coin, heads Swarovski, tails zeiss

either way you won’t be disappointed

i own both zeiss and Swarovski optics and I personally think that the Swarovski have the brighter clearer picture during the day but when it comes to low light I’d possibly give the edge to the zeiss

best bet is to look through both side by side and see which you prefer

 

[Dave881]

I like your thinking with the coin toss Scooby. My results were 3 heads in a row. How much difference in low light would you say there is?