Today I picked up my VX-6 from the 'smith who had it for several weeks to check it out. I decided to lay them both out on sand bags and look at the deer antlers 131 yards away in the woods. With the z5 on 5X I could see the small fork on one of the antlers. I decided to use it for comparing. The VX-6 set on 4X didn't allow me to see the fork. I turned it up barely and still couldn't make out the fork. Again I barely turned it up and could see the fork. I checked the magnification setting: barely below 5X. Maybe 4.9X if the scale is correct.

I switched to another fork (there are two sets of antlers) and could definitely make it out with the VX-6 but could discern only the main beam up to where the fork was with the z5. I asked my adult grandson, whom I have never involved in my comparison before this, if he would take a look through them. He came up with the same observation.

I remember the first time I looked though a high dollar scope. I had my trusty Tasco and a friend had a Kahles. Things looked bleached out in the Tasco while everything had vibrant colors in the Kahles. Today I noticed the slightest of the same thing with the two scopes. The z5 view was whiter but still displayed great color. The VX-6 showed more than a hint more color with the increased observation of more detail.

Awhile back someone asked me about the eye box. I asked my grandson to watch me move my head. First I got my eye to about the best I could see in the z5 and moved my head to the side till everything was black. I then said, "Now." When I got to the other side when it went black I again said, "Now." I went back and forth a couple times and moved to the VX-6. He told me I was moving more with the second scope. I kinda thought the same thing.

The VX-6 uses a 34mm tube! The z5 has a 1" tube.

I just compared the Z5 and VX-6 and found the glass on the VX-6 to be great. I was inside Cabela's Buffalo store, so it was not the best environment, but was still quite impressed. A guy standing near me at the counter excitedly reported that he had three of them and couldn't recommend it enough. That said, I wound up ordering a Swarovski Z5 BT-4W due to it's compactness and my preference for the BT-4W configuration. This is going on a walking varmint rifle intended to shoot 0.5-500 yards.

Ringman:

So you saw more with the Z5 on the first fork vs the VX-6, while on the second larger fork, you saw more with the VX-6 vs the z5. So which one appears better optically to you?

The VX-6 uses a 34mm tube! The z5 has a 1" tube.

I thought the VX-6 has a 30mm tube.

They do, 1-6, 2-12, 3-18.

Ringman likes very high powered scopes, so I'm sure he's referring to the new VX-6, 7-42x56, which does have a 34mm tube. I have the 1-6 and 2-12. I think the 3-18 will be the top VX-6 for me.

But, I'm not Ringman...

DF

I'm thinkin' he was usin' the VX6 4-24x52. Not quite the 'Hubble Telescope' that the Vx6 7-42 is, but close

OK.

I didn't read his stuff carefully enough. Thanks for that correction.

So, I assume it's 34mm like the 7-42...

DF

With the z5 on 5X I could see the small fork on one of the antlers. I decided to use it for comparing. The VX-6 set on 4X didn't allow me to see the fork. I turned it up barely and still couldn't make out the fork. Again I barely turned it up and could see the fork. I checked the magnification setting: barely below 5X. Maybe 4.9X if the scale is correct.

There is no doubt to me or my grandson, the VX-6 is better optically. The crosshair is way better for low light, but I sure prefer the z5 crosshair for precise target shooting. The VX-6 is about five ounces heavier than the z5.

Yes

I think Ringman's assessment of the VX-6 optics parallels JB's testing results. IIRC, he had the VX-6 in the top category, usually reserved for the more expensive Alpha Euros.

ROst, I know you have some VX-6's, had some QA problems and had to rely on Leupold CS. Do you have a 4-24x52?

DF

No I do not, nor do I want one! All the VX-6's I had have gone down the road.

What's your go to hunting scope(s) these days?

IIRC, you like the discontinued Zeiss Victory 2.5-10x42.

DF

S&B Zenith
Zeiss Victory Diavari
Swarovski PH/PV
Swarovski Z6(i)
Leupold FX-III/3 6x42
SWFA SS

Any standout favorite in that group?

Or said another way, which would be the last one to go...?

DF

Depends, as each has a different role for a specific hunting "niche".

For LR and twisting turrets, the SWFA SS, Loopie 6x42 w/M1, and a S&B Zenith with elevation turret have been trouble free, reliable, and repeatable.

All the rifles I have set-up for kids utilize the Loopie 6x42mm

For my general hunting around home, I typically use the Diavari.

For my DGR's S&B Zenith and couple back-up Swaro PV-I scopes.

I have a couple Z6i and one Z6 the jury is still out on. One has a ballistic turret, and I honestly haven't spent enough time to form an opinion. The other two are 1-6x24mm I'm going to do some testing on both my .375 H&H and .458WM to see how they stand up.

I'm hoping they do well, as the ER and FOV is better than the PV series. I'll miss the FFP Circle dot though...