Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Hunting Optics What do you think of the Swarovski z5?

https://www.cabelas.com/shop/en/swarovski-optik-z5-rifle-scope

I am most interested in the 3.5-18x44

This will go on a .270 Win. for breaks and plains hunting for antelope and Mule deer mostly.

Call Doug first!

I think for the money, I'd be looking at something with a 30mm tube, unless you're trying to build a lightweight rig.

I had one. It worked OK, but I couldn’t love it. Adjustment range was pretty limited.

Stunning glass, but you need to be satisfied with it as a set and forget scope. As with my Z3s and one Z6, it won’t track reliably enough for dialing. I second calling DOUG AT cameraland before buying elsewhere.

I have a 2.4-12x50 BRH. Optically a step up from the other Z5's in clarity.It also has a lot more W/E adjustment then the other Z5's. I would like one in a Z5i and might end up with one configured as such.

I am trying to stay with a 1" scope, but have thought of going 30mm if I can't find one I like.

Not looking for a turret twister.

No offence to Doug, but what would Doug be able to tell me you guys can't? I have bought from him before and may do again, but I have Cabela's points to use so will be going that route if I can find a scope I like.

I have always heard of the good class Swarovski has, but comparing a 3-9 Z3 to a Leupold VX3 2.5-8 I liked the Leupold better. I haven't looked through a Z5 yet. Holding aero over rough miles is important, but also dawn and dusk shots. I missed opportunities in the past with older Leupolds.

I have 3 of the Z5 3.5-18x44, "The Sheep Hunters Scope". all are BT. They are great scopes. I trusted them on 4 costly sheep hunts with full confidence. They've been carried on my back and in the scabbard of my saddle for many miles and always made the shot when called upon. The Z5's are a big step up from the Z3's. Apples and oranges in comparison. If you're wanting a top of the line 1" scope the Swarovski Z5 line is a good choice. If looking for a 30mm then the Z6's are excellent. Yes, I own NF, Zeiss, Leica, Tract, and even Leupold. They all have their pluses but for a lightweight, dependable, Alpha glass 1" scope a Z5 Swarovski is a stellar choice.

Yep ,The Z5 3-18 And 5-25 Has Been The Best Glass I've Ever Had..Hands Down.

For those who don't necessarily like the Z5 is there a 1" scope that you like better with as good of glass?

I had four z5 5-25X52. At the same time I had a VX-6 4-24X52, and a couple 6500 4 1/2-30X50. All four of the z5 glass was barely behind the others but just as good in low light.

I use the military optics chart at 127 yards for comparing glass and low light tests on 12" deer antlers 131 yards in the woods.

The z5 are okay for sight in and leave it.

I've looked through a lot of scopes......but it seems my eyes are just not as sharp as many others.....I see no appreciable difference in optical clarity that would make me a better hunter than looking through a scope at much less than half the price. My Ph in Africa used a set of Swaro binoculars that did grab my attention....absolutely spectacular clarity with a light yellow tinge to them. If I could afford them, I'd have a set like that.....but.....that's not the case.....so my Leupold does the job for me as well as I need. There are other beautiful scopes available.....Schmidt & Bender, Leica, Zeiss for example. Find a shop that has this quality of scope and look through many of them but have the sales person put something over the name on the scope so you don't know what scope you're looking through.....it might surprise you!!!

Keeping the lenses clean is ,much of the battle.....and that's the same for any scope you buy I say that one should win that battle and save a grand to apply to your next hunt.....first class airline tickets if you're going to Africa is a much better investment as those like me have discovered after riding coach for 14 hours straight.

Great scope but I do not care for the BRH retical

Dunno if the glass is better, but I sure like the Zeiss Conquest HD5 3-15x42, with R600 reticle better. Larger E/W adjustment range, I definitely prefer this reticle. It’s been a good scope. A bit hard to find these days though.

Just a heads up. I believe we will be getting in a few Zeiss:

#522621-9981-000 CONQUEST HD5 3-15x42 Hunting RZ600

#522627-9920-000 CONQUEST HD5 3-15x42 lockab. Plex

#522631-9981-000 ZF CONQUEST HD5 3-15x50 Hunting RZ600

Are the Zeiss 30mm tubes. Thinking about it I may go 30mm instead. I'll be able to look at some different scope at the end of the month.

Well stated. They are sleek and light weight for what they are. Mine tracks OK, although I'm not a big twister, 500 yds about my limit. The early Z5's had a really fine duplex, too fine for my use. I sent this one back for a #4, which is a lot better. I understand that the later Z5's have a bolder duplex. They are long enough to mount easily on a LA rifle without a rail, unlike some of the newer scopes. Glass is excellent. This one on a pre-64, 6.5-284 with Krieger barrel, IMO a nice match up, scope and rifle. Outdoorsman turret set for 140 VLD's at 3K fps over RL-17. Jewell trigger.

DF