Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Hunting Optics Swarovski Plex reticle

Is anyone else annoyed with this reticle? All of my other scopes are Zeiss scopes and I really like the reticle. I ordered my first Swarovski scope from Doug, a Z5 3.5-18x44, and I cannot stand the reticle. I want it to be completely black all the time and not turn silver or some other color if there is a light source behind me. Reminds me of why I sold my Leupold's and Nikon Monarch Gold scopes. I have it mounted and haven't fired my rifle to sight it in yet. I'm really disappointed and just can't seem to warm up to it. It might be in the classifieds soon if I can't warm up to it.

My Swaro Z5 went back to Swaro for a German #4. I too hated the std. Swaro duplex, way too fine for my kinda hunting.

DF

Yes the Swaro's reticule in the 3-9 I have turns pink and fades in bright light like some other scopes. The Conquests do not.

90% of all plex buyers are disappointed--and Swaro knows about it. I'd call Swaro and have'em take care of it(you wouldn't be the 1st) Reticle subtensions are so thin it'll disappear in low light.

4,7, or BRH is the reticle you want. Only Steve Austin should use the Plex.

(younger guys probably like "WHO?")

Say, "The Six Million Dollar Man" and the whippersnappers would still say, "WHO"??

I'm not positive, but seem to recall somewhere it was mentioned Swarovski charged $125 to swap from the Plex to #4 (4a sucks azz too).

Although I do like the 4A better on my z3's I have the regular plex on two of my main scopes and have not lost a chance at an animal because it didn't show up well enough in lowlight...

Z3 doesn't seem to be as bad as the Z5. I use my Z3 duplex, although it's a bit fine, the Z5 duplex was useless to me. That's why I spent $125 and a trip back to Swaro for the #4.

DF

I have 2 Z3's with duplexes. I got them at VERY attractive prices, so I am more than ahead of the game even if I spend the money to have the reticle changed.

I did have difficulties seeing the reticles well in early and late day light when hunting this past October. The optics let me see objects just fine. The reticles, however, were not as visible as I'd hoped.

Swaro needs to check out the VX-6 and find out how Leupold builds a reticle.

DF

Actually, I'd say they should look to the Meopta #4 and just copy it. That's the cat's meow...to my line of thinking, at least.

I've never examined a Meopta, somethimg I need to do. I've read a lot of favorable reports.

DF

agreed

I agree. The VX6 duplex is perfecto. Best duplex I've ever seen at any price. I like the Meopta #4 too, but not their duplex.

i had a z3 and now own 2 meoptas. to me the meoptas have better eye relief and more usable reticles - the 4 and 4C.

DF, did they swap it to a german #4, or to the same #4a that is normally offered in their factory lineup? In either event, how did you like it? Have my eye on trying one on a lightweight varminter, but this reticle business is making me hesitate... having sun at my back, a shot, and reticle disappear will suck.

Anyone with specifics on what they didn't like about the swaro #4a? Thanks. Need to find one to look through.

The swaro duplex on the older PH series of scopes was excellent;don't know why they changed it.

I think the retrofitted #4 is their regular #4 reticle. The fine wires are pretty fine but the #4 reticle is much better than the std. factory plex.

What's aggravating is paying Swaro prices for a scope then having to spend even more to make it a functional hunting scope.

DF

The PH/PV series (at least all the ones I have) were FFP reticles. The Z3/5/6 are all SFP.

I too much prefer the PH/PV. Except for the short ER.

FOst: Yes. I found those reticles simply didn't disappear at all in my half-assed low light testing. In fact it was one of the distinguishing characteristics of the PH series that I liked the most....along with very good optics.

Yes, the optics are pretty good and coupled with the reticles, they were quite functional. A heavy bold reticle is just perfect for us geezers with aging eyes!

The ER of 3.15" left a lot to be desired. The extra 1/2" spring mechanism on the eye cup made absolutely no sense to me.