Swarovski Z6i 4-24x56 Gen 3 vs Z8i 3,5-28x50

[adi]

Hi
I'm thinking of getting a Swarovski Z6i Gen 3. I've used a Z8i before, so I'm wondering how much of a step down the Z6i really is in practice.
For those who have used both, how would you rank the Z6i for stalking? Is the Z8i worth the extra money, or does the Z6i do pretty much everything you'd need in the field?
Most of my shooting is stalking, with the occasional bit of target/plinking work where the extra magnification of the Z8i might be nice, but that's only a small part of what I do.

I'd be interested to hear from anyone who has owned or compared both scopes.

 

[Emilio]

Why would you need that high mag for stalking? I'm using 2-16, which to me is about the ideal zoomrange, and rarely get over 8x mag, whereas the lower mag is very usefull in woodlands.

Originally I was going with a 2,5-15 Z6i, but because of long waiting times for the BT version and a good deal on the Z8i I changed over. Could not have made a better decision.

 

[Terrydeer]

Sometimes it is nice to have the higher mag.
So it will be interesting to read the comparisons.

 

[tjm160]

Agreed Terry. I can't give you a comparison, but have the Z8i 3.5-28 on my 30-06 and absolutely love the choice. I'm 52 and with the ageing deteriorating eyes, am appreciating when I have the opportunity and time to use the full zoom for absolute precision shot placement. I get castigated by anyone I dare mention to for using such high mag and they are absolutely right that the downside is the loss of sight picture upon shot release. I am trading that sight picture for 'certainty' of shot placement and so far, over 20+ deer, I am not unhappy or dissatisfied with my choice, every single one dropping to the shot. I do however wholly appreciate that the day I get it wrong will be the day I then have a real problem on my hands and if/when that happens, perhaps I may change my mind. Equally, for those shooting on lower mag, how many deer don't drop on the spot given the less precise shot placement? Genuine question, not an invitation for a heated argument.

Presently unable to find the extra £ for an equal quality scope on my second 'woodland' / 'high seat' rifle, I am using a Vector Continental 3-18x50 on that and invariably at maximum of 10x mag. However, on that, typical shot distance is 60m vs 100+m on the 30-06 with 3.5-28x50.

 

[homer]

Z6 is perfect. Lighter than the z8. Z6 would be my choice, even the 2.5 - 15 has all the mag you'll ever need.

 

[vpk999]

Agreed Terry. I can't give you a comparison, but have the Z8i 3.5-28 on my 30-06 and absolutely love the choice. I'm 52 and with the ageing deteriorating eyes, am appreciating when I have the opportunity and time to use the full zoom for absolute precision shot placement. I get castigated by anyone I dare mention to for using such high mag and they are absolutely right that the downside is the loss of sight picture upon shot release. I am trading that sight picture for 'certainty' of shot placement and so far, over 20+ deer, I am not unhappy or dissatisfied with my choice, every single one dropping to the shot. I do however wholly appreciate that the day I get it wrong will be the day I then have a real problem on my hands and if/when that happens, perhaps I may change my mind. Equally, for those shooting on lower mag, how many deer don't drop on the spot given the less precise shot placement? Genuine question, not an invitation for a heated argument.

Presently unable to find the extra £ for an equal quality scope on my second 'woodland' / 'high seat' rifle, I am using a Vector Continental 3-18x50 on that and invariably at maximum of 10x mag. However, on that, typical shot distance is 60m vs 100+m on the 30-06 with 3.5-28x50.

Horses for courses. I totally agree with you about the higher magnification. I have a Swarovski X5i 5-25 and love it. I use it to zoom into poor quality bucks on clear fell to make sure. I seldom take a shot past x12, but it's nice to be 100% sure on a unicorn. My binoculars are good, but at X10, my scope has the edge.

 

[Rural Management Services]

The glass is the same in both scopes so it’s purely down to what you need the scope to do. If you do allot of range stuff over 600m then the Z8 I guess but if your shooting that far then a more range based scope like the Z5 on a dedicated range rifle would seem a smarter choice. If it’s occasional range stuff sub 600 and mostly stalking then buy a stalking scope with BT. The 3.5-28x50 Z8i is an off scope as it isn’t really a stalking scope or a range scope as it’s comprised slightly for both.

The 56mm objective will gather marginally more light than the 50 but you would need to be in a lab to tell the difference.

Personally I like a variable scope in the region of 2.5-15 as it gives a wide FOV for snap shots or going static and calling roe during the rut, but also allows me to dial right in to thread a shot through the kind of tight cover that muntjac light to stand about in. BT gives me the option of getting at the fallow who decide to hide right in the middle of a 100 acre arable field in early spring but x15 mag is more than enough to be making those kind of shots. Or shoot gongs until I run out of elevation clicks.

I am not sure the Z8 is what you need given it’s an awful lot more money as well. Slightly unhelpfully I think the 4-24 range on the new Z6i is not exactly a typical stalking mag range either as 24 is awfully high so I would recommend a Gen 2 2.5-15x56 which you can have for £1200-1400 giving you a good saving over the gen 3 and a massive saving over the Z8.

And Yes I have had both Z8i, Z6i, Leica Magnus, Zeiss V6 and Zeiss V8 as reference points. Although never with more mag than 2.8-20 or 2.3-18.

 

[Emilio]

Agreed Terry. I can't give you a comparison, but have the Z8i 3.5-28 on my 30-06 and absolutely love the choice. I'm 52 and with the ageing deteriorating eyes, am appreciating when I have the opportunity and time to use the full zoom for absolute precision shot placement. I get castigated by anyone I dare mention to for using such high mag and they are absolutely right that the downside is the loss of sight picture upon shot release. I am trading that sight picture for 'certainty' of shot placement and so far, over 20+ deer, I am not unhappy or dissatisfied with my choice, every single one dropping to the shot. I do however wholly appreciate that the day I get it wrong will be the day I then have a real problem on my hands and if/when that happens, perhaps I may change my mind. Equally, for those shooting on lower mag, how many deer don't drop on the spot given the less precise shot placement? Genuine question, not an invitation for a heated argument.

Presently unable to find the extra £ for an equal quality scope on my second 'woodland' / 'high seat' rifle, I am using a Vector Continental 3-18x50 on that and invariably at maximum of 10x mag. However, on that, typical shot distance is 60m vs 100+m on the 30-06 with 3.5-28x50.

Unless you are shooting out farther than 400m shotplacement with a 15/16× scope is no issue. You really do not need to be completely zoomed in to put a bullit in the right place. For observation it can be handy, but I have no problems identifying whatever with 16x on any (for me) shootable distance.

With a deer on the move I really would not like to be on a high mag setting, I would always want to see the whole animal.
Then again, its personal preference and not really a wrong choice as far as the scope goes, zooming in very far, all I can say; not my choice.

The Z6 is cheaper, lighter but is harder to upgrade with a BT. If you are buying with a turret anyway there is not much difference as far as I could see Although I have to say I never used the Z6i in lowlight conditions so not sure what the difference is when it matters most.

If you prefer the Z8i, then it may be worth looking around to see if you can get the older model for a good price. That's why my wife is also shooting a Z8i and not something lower down the range or another brand.

 

[adi]

Many Thanks all for your replies.

 

[Tom8]

Many Thanks all for your replies.

Which one have you decided on?

 

[WildBoarHunter]

I have the Z8i 2-16×50. I bought it as a universal scope usable from driven hunting to low light still hunting. It is usable for both but in reality is too heavy and bulky for driven hunts and stalking and the 16 mag is not a good tradeoff between bigger magnification and heavier weight. It is just unnecessary in most situations. Nowdays I would prefer a lighter scope and perhaps buy the 2nd gen Z6i 2-12×50 as a true allrounder.

 

[adi]

Which one have you decided on?

Went with z6i 4-24 (3d gen) managed to get a very good deal on Brand new for 1700.

 

[Tom8]

Which shop was that?

Went with z6i 4-24 (3d gen) managed to get a very good deal on Brand new for 1700