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I recently bought a couple of new scopes,a Leupold vx3 in 3.5-10x50 with a heavy duplex,and a Swarovski Z3 in 4-12x50 with a 4a reticle. I sighted both in the same day on a pair of Remigton M700s both chambered in 280 Remington. Optically the scopes were very close,with almost imperceptable differences in color fidelity and resolution. There was maybe a 2% advantage in both with the Swarovski,which admittedly costs about twice as much. I did much prefer the reticle of the Swarovski,the thin part is thinner than the corresponding part of the heavy duplex,which made it easier to shoot itty bitty groups on paper from a bench. Likewise the thick part of the Swarovski reticle appeared bolder than the heavy section of the heavy duplex making it stand out a little better in low light. If Leupold would produce a glass etched euro style reticle in 4a or Z plex style,I'm not sure I'd ever buy another Euro scope. If your hunting needs are met with a regular Leupold duplex,I'd buy two Leupolds instead of one Swarovski. For hunting in low light,I have to give a slight advantage to the Swaro,better reticle,very slightly better optics.But I have to admit for most folks it's probably not worth the 500 extra bucks. That's how I see them. That's my opinion,flame suit on.
Last edited by ruraldoc; 06/16/11.
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Campfire Ranger
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Campfire Ranger
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How did you focus the Swarovski ?
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Campfire Tracker
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How did you focus the Swarovski ? Very carefully.
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Campfire Ranger
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Campfire Ranger
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Very nice ruraldoc. Thanks for posting actual, in the field, results.
It is irrelevant what you think. What matters is the TRUTH.
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Campfire Ranger
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Campfire Ranger
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How did you focus the Swarovski ? You're a chickens_ _ _ !
It is irrelevant what you think. What matters is the TRUTH.
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Campfire 'Bwana
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Campfire 'Bwana
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Likewise the thick part of the Swarovski reticle appeared bolder than the heavy section of the heavy duplex making it stand out a little better in low light. Does it look like this: Or this: Or this: I don't find the bold outer sections of the first two to be all that helpful in low light aiming.
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Campfire Outfitter
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Campfire Outfitter
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I'm Euro scope ignorant. Does Swarovski offer a lifetime warranty?
I am the way, the truth, and the life: no one comes to the Father but by me. John 14:6
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It's sort of inbetween your second and third examples,and it does seem to help me when it's really gettin' late.
Last edited by ruraldoc; 06/16/11.
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Campfire Tracker
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I'm Euro scope ignorant. Does Swarovski offer a lifetime warranty? The only experience I've had with Swaro warranty service was really good. They fixed things that were my fault quickly,for free.
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Campfire Ranger
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Campfire Ranger
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How did you focus both scopes ? E
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Campfire Outfitter
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Campfire Outfitter
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Sounds like I may need to try Euro....
I am the way, the truth, and the life: no one comes to the Father but by me. John 14:6
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Campfire Ranger
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Campfire Ranger
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How did you focus both scopes ? E I thought he was one of the chosen few you trust ? Remember when he first started posting here and used Zeiss scopes ? He was untrusted then. Now he prefers Leupold's and he became a "trusted" source. That's some measuring stick........laffin
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Campfire Regular
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Campfire Regular
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NOBODY is a chosen one IF they suggest that there maybe better scopes then Leupold; especially should they suggest Swaro
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Campfire Greenhorn
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Campfire Greenhorn
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for me, optics are pretty comparable in all good scopes, its the innards that we cant see that sometimes separate them
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Campfire Ranger
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Campfire Ranger
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NOBODY is a chosen one IF they suggest that there maybe better scopes then Leupold; especially should they suggest Swaro That's the first question I ask a potential outfitter.......Do you recommend Swaro or Leupold scopes ?..............That way I instantly know if I'm dealing with a serious outfitter or a fly by night hack.
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Campfire Ranger
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Campfire Ranger
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I would rather have 2 Leupold VX-3's. I would not have said that last year but I think Leupold is doing a good job with this scope.
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Campfire Regular
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Campfire Regular
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I own and hunt both Leupold VX3 and Swaro Z3 scopes. To my eye the Swaro is significantly better in colour cast (doesn't have the Leupie yellow tinge), resolution and contrast. Well worth the additional money IMO.
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Campfire Ranger
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Campfire Ranger
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I own and hunt both Leupold VX3 and Swaro Z3 scopes. To my eye the Swaro is significantly better in colour cast (doesn't have the Leupie yellow tinge), resolution and contrast. Well worth the additional money IMO. Jason, I have never looked thru a VX-3 but the VX-III i had a few years back really hung right there with comparable Kahles and Swaro 1" tubes..I dont think the 500 dollar difference is easily viewed(no pun intended)
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Campfire 'Bwana
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Campfire 'Bwana
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Do you really mean the VX-3, and not an earlier model like a Vari-X III?
I have four VX-III and one VX-3 Leupolds and don't see a yellow tinge compared to the four different model Swarovskis I have.
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Campfire Tracker
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How did you focus both scopes ? E I actually focus Leupolds very carefully,and pretty much follow your technique. The Swaro has a fast focus eyepiece,so I just turn it till things look right. I have not compared either of these scopes to my Ziess Conquests,but I will really soon. I can tell you that neither of them is in the same league optically with a big Victory series Ziess,but they cost twice as much as a Swaro Z3.
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