can anybody compare the two in the 2-10x42 models
tract versus the z3 model

Optically, Tract for the win. To me, totally different class of optic with edge to edge clarity, image, and low light performance in mind. Have several Tracts in use, the z3 sets NIB in the safe.

My 2X10X42 Tract as every bit the equal of my 2X10X42 S&B Summit

I don’t have the 2x10, only the 3x15. However, I believe I have something to add. Let me start by saying all Z3s are not created equal. I have an older one that is as bright and clear from edge to edge as much more expensive Z5s and a Z6. I’ve had other Z3s that were just ok optically. My Tracts optically are outstanding. More importantly, they repeatedly track as they should. None of my swaro scopes do this, including the Z5s and Z6. Will the Tracts continue to dial predictably and hold zero in the decades to come? Impossible for me to say. I do know I’ve sent back one Swaro that couldn’t dial or hold zero, and I’ve got two more that appear to be freezing up. For the record, I’m not a swaro hater. I continue to view their binos as the best money can buy (I have 3). I’ve had similarly good luck with their spotting scopes. And if you go the swaro route, I can confirm their CS is outstanding.

I upgraded my Swarovski z3 4-12x50 to a Tract Toric 3-15x50.

I'd say the Tract beat the z3 on all counts

Clarity
Low light
dialing

Some of the reason why the Tract outdid my Z3 was because of side focus.

But for me the z3 to Toric was truly an upgrade.

Did you get a bum S&B?

JK

Yeah, "bartender, I'll have what he's drinking."

No, the Tract is very good.

I have hard time getting past the gray color on the Tracts but maybe that's just me.

so buy some black paint....

Tract is the new standard by which all optics are measured.

Only on the campfire.

Have used one? Have you compared to other top tier scopes?

I know that's right....sheww

Tract Torics are made by Light Optical Works in Japan, which makes scopes (and scope parts) for a bunch of other companies including Nightforce and Zeiss. They also make binoculars and spotting scopes for a bunch of companies with top reputations, and have been since LOW was founded in 1956.

Anybody who believes that only central European countries can make top-notch optics, whether in optical or mechanical terms, is wandering around in the mists of past history....

I’m a huge fan of tract owning 3 binos and 2 scopes. They are a Best Buy in my opinion. However, they are not “the standard.” Although optically they are outstanding, they do not equal the glass of the best Swarovski, Leica or Zeiss offers. They are however amazing quality for the dollars spent.

I have a Lieca ultravid and I find my Tract binoculars are better to my eyes than my Leica.

I also own 5 S&B's 4 PMII and 1 Summit and a US Optics and as far I'm concerned my Tract's give up nothing

Strabismus

Try one instead of posting BS

You might want to sell your body to science as you are more dense than depleted uranium. I was the one that made the comparison, you are the one full of BS

You are a f'ing idiot drippy GFY

Thanks for the assessment and good wishes, Good For You too.

There is a recent post somewhere here identifying the companies LOW builds for, all, I would expect having their own construction specifications assuming LOW is not doing any of the design work.

LOW not only builds optics to whatever design some other company requests, but will design new optics to whatever standards desired

Of course. A contractor will do whatever they are contracted to do, engineer, procure and/or construct. I spent a career in O&G managing precisely those elements as needed.

"5 S&B'rs" is too many for a mere mortal.....

Any S&B'rs for sale ?

Don’t forget, Einstein also has the rare Leica Ultraviolet binoculars.

🤣🤣.....Now thats funny right there!!! 🤣🤣

The Tract Toric 2-10x42 is a great scope. I've used one on several different rifles and have done a lot of hunting and a lot of shooting with one over a couple of years. I purposefully did a lot of dialing with it and it adjusted perfectly. Really neat implementation of the zero stopped elevation dial for a hunting scope that someone can switch out or keep the low profile elevation dial. Great eye relief and user characteristics. Glass is very good IMO....I think to get better glass you've really got to step up in cost and the difference isn't going to be much.

It may be a little heavy at 18 oz and the eye piece isn't a small one but those are the only real tradeoffs I see with it. I see folks all the time asking for a high quality, basic 1" scope without a "busy" reticle for hunting. Tract did it with the Toric and the T-plex.

Are these people on drugs ?

https://www.outdoorlife.com/story/h...Bzg&spot_im_highlight_immediate=true

I have both of the scopes that you mention. To my eyes, the Z3 has a very slight edge wrt to glass, but the Tract seems to have a better erector assembly and I'd probably trust its mechanics more. Of course the Tract is a little heavier too, if that matters to you.

I've read that Tract is releasing a 2.5-15x44 illuminated 30mm scope later this year. That should be a popular model for them.

Tract may well make good scopes, but they have nothing simple that I would ever buy. I don't snipe when I can normally get closer..

Tracts don't work close?

A 2-10 with a plex reticle and capped turrets isn’t simple?

I’ve compared Tract binoculars to Swaro SLC’s side by side while hunting out west. The SLC’s held a clear advantage in definition and clarity at long range. The Tract’s also required more frequent focus adjustment to maintain a clear image when glassing from one distance to another.

If most of your work is inside of 500 yards then I would go for the Tract’s over Swaro …. If you hunt in big country then save up for another year….there is a difference but not noticeable at shorter ranges…

Just my opinion….I know you asked about scopes but this is my only Tract to Swaro experience.

Great summary. I agree with all points.

I had a Toric 2-10x42mm and thought it was great. I sold it because I wasn't a big fan of the BDC reticle. I plan to purchase another at some point but with a T-Plex...I still have other Tract models (Tekoa and Turion)with the T-Plex reticle and think they are great scopes.

Currently owning a Z3 3-9x36mm, I can say that the mechanics are not as precise or repeatable compared to the Toric. But it works as a set-and-forget scope...and the reduced weight is nice in some applications.

I do not have any Z3’s, but do have a few Z6 1.7-10x42, and several other 30mm tubes Zeiss, S&B, Leica, Kahles somewhat close in the power range with 42mm objectives.

I have a Tract Toric 2-10x42 with the T-Plex. I certainly do not dread looking through the Tract in comparison with the others in low light.

I've checked over Tract binos and scopes, and I find them to be out of sync with my wants. They may be well made and such, but I detest huge objective bells. And I have no need for twisting knobs, not often a hunter can't get closer eh?

I miss the Meopta Meopro.

I was trying to scope my new rifle over xmas time and Meopta was on my list of try outs. I called 2x and left an email and never heard a peep out of them. So I gonged them. Tract on the other hand is nearly instantaneous for replies. I tried their 2-10 but the ocular was so big that it interfered with my bolt cycling so I returned It without doing any testing but glass looked real nice.Seems like it would be better with a 30mm tube. Not sure why they picked that funky color.

Yea yea yea, heard you the first time. You don't snipe you get closer. Spend your money elsewhere.

interesting. thanks for input

Maybe switch to a recurve or long bow. thats how I killed most of my deer in Wisconsin. Most of your shots in Wisconsin are under 80 yards and a scope in most cases not even needed and 4x would be overkill.

Good information. Didn't know a 42mm objective bell is huge....

Do you ask because you're looking to buy?

I love tracking deer and getting close, but there's plenty of opportunities for longer shots at game in the upper Great Lakes states. I hunted over a large beaver meadow for years and routinely had 350-450 yd shots. Likewise, there's bogs, marshes, clear cuts and power line clearings. In the southern areas of the state there's open farm fields.

42mm objective too big? Their low profile capped turrets a problem for you?

Have you ever even looked to see what kind of scopes they’re offering? Based on your description, I doubt it…

John

I don't have a problem with a 42mm objective but the size of the eyepiece on the Tract scopes concerns me, although I have not tried to use or mount one it appears its size would cause issues with the bolt.

It's rather large compared to a VX3.

That would fix a lot of things. You need to keep yourself happy.

I own two Tracts. A Toric 3-15x42 and a Tekoa 3-12x42. The eyepiece on both is huge. On the Tekoa, who’s is on a LA 700, I had to use extended Talley LW’s to get the scope far enough rearward so the eyepiece cleared the base of the Talley LW in the rear. Inconvenient, but not the end of the world. Bolt clearance is tight also, but still functions. A higher ring would help the bolt clearance issue. The Toric is on a LA M70, but mounted in low Warne Mountain Tech rings on Burris 2 pc base. Eyepiece is still huge, but no mounting issues. More bolt clearance in this setup also.

I really like both scopes, mechanically and optically.

I have both scopes mentioned, the Toric (BDC reticle) is nice but to my old eyes the Swaro (4A reticle) has better glass a more accommodating ocular and lighter weight. Even on a Ruger #1 the ocular of the Tract is a little intrusive, I do like the reticle in the Toric ( the ballistics program is a nice feature), the eye relief is much better than the Swaro, both have really good glass.........but I own more Meapro and Trijicon than either.

The ocular is larger than that on a VX3 as you note, but I was able to mount a 2-10x42mm in low Talley LW's on a M70 without serious issue. Even with a Butler Creek cap, bolt clearance is tight, but it functions. Medium height rings would probably have been better but I never got there.

Hang around long enough and you might learn something....

I don't see anything in the 2-7x32 or 2.5x36 range, without extra knobs, which is my preference.

I can't resist......


Objective Lens Size for Hunting Scopes Quick Reference Chart


20mm---Diminutive.

33mm---Quite doable but a tad small.

36mm---Perfect.

40mm---Doable but a tad large.

42mm--XL.

44mm---Hubble

50mm---Galactic

Lookiing at theTract and some other brands of oculars?--Looks as though I'm about to drive into the Eisenhower Tunnel.........

They’re filling their chosen niche with quality stuff at good prices. Adding additional models will add to costs and so they’ve done so cautiously and selectively. Better that than having to pull back from bad marketing decisions. Others make scopes in the lower power ranges (but they seem to be dwindling). Find one while you can and buy it. I’ve settled on 3-9 as my basic scope, but the 2-10 works just as well and seems to be showing up more as makers switch from 3x zoom ratios to 5x.

FWIW, I’ve had no issues mounting Tracts in low rings.

Waiting on a Trac 6pwrx42mm.

Plus a bolt handle long as a broomstick so my thumb will clear the ocular........

And yes, I have been impressed with every Tract optic I have looked through when it comes to their optical quality.

On a side note has anyone ever mounted a 2-10 tract on a CA Mesa? Looking to use Talley Lows and I have a feeling the bolt will most likely hit.

Those are coming out right after the SWFA 6x42 with duplex and German 4😛

You will need medium rings , my S&B classic will hardly fit in lows on a mesa. Its ocular is smaller then the Tract.

Thats what I figured. Thanks for the info!

How's the eyebox on the Tract 3-15? I'm considering one, but I'm curious to know if it's friendly as, say, a Meopta 4-12.