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Minox ZA5 2X-10X-50MM Scope Quality

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Outrider View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Outrider Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Topic: Minox ZA5 2X-10X-50MM Scope Quality
    Posted: May/05/2011 at 14:00

Anyone familiar with this scope? How does it compare with a similiar configured Leupold VX-3, Meopta Meostar R1, or  Zeiss Conquest on image quality and low light capabilties?

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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote coldhunt Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: May/05/2011 at 14:47
I have read that the scopes are very good quality, and have great glass for this price range.
I am considering a 3-15x42, but have concerns about the lack of paralax adjustment, and can not seem to get any real info as to whether this is a concern with these or not.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote SVT_Tactical Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: May/05/2011 at 14:50
The glass has been rated at conquest level for a better price.  I know that CFII (SWFA Employee) has a ZA5 3-15 on his newer 204 and loves it.  Hopefully some more will chime in but they are suppose to be very nice for the money.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote coldhunt Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: May/05/2011 at 15:14
I am thinking about this for my 300wsm, but again am a little confussed, as I haven't seen anything with this power range without a paralax adj. I have read around, but no one has jumped in with a good explaination, and the minox site has some serious upgrading needed. No real info there.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote bugsNbows Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: May/05/2011 at 16:06
I'm of the opinion that glass-wise, it's a winner. I too would be leery of a 15X (top) with no paralax adjustment. If I'm not mistaken, Koshkin gives the Minox a thumbs up. 
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote coldhunt Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: May/05/2011 at 16:26
Back to outrider's question. I don't have any real experience, but I wouldn't hesitate a bit if it was a 2x10 that I was looking for. Many put the minox above the conquest which is saying good things in that price range.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote koshkin Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: May/05/2011 at 16:33
At this point I have had serious hands on time with the following Minox scopes: ZA3 3-9x40, ZA5 4-20x50, 3-15x50 and 1.5-8x32 (a couple of these actually).  I have also had somewhat brief experience with the rest of their scopes.

The only one I did not like too much was the 3-15x42, specifically because of the lack of parallax adjustment of any sort.

I am currently testing a 3-15x50 and I like it quite a bit.

ILya
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote NRV Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: May/06/2011 at 05:41
How well do they track and return to zero?  I haven't heard much in this regard.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote koshkin Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: May/06/2011 at 12:37
Originally posted by NRV NRV wrote:

How well do they track and return to zero?  I haven't heard much in this regard.

Every Minox scope I have looked at tracked fine.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Chris Farris II Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: May/06/2011 at 13:16
Originally posted by koshkin koshkin wrote:

Originally posted by NRV NRV wrote:

How well do they track and return to zero?  I haven't heard much in this regard.

Every Minox scope I have looked at tracked fine.
Same result here. Tracks fine and has good glass. I have the 4-20X50.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote coldhunt Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: May/06/2011 at 13:59
koshkin, is the 3-15x50 not the same as the 3-15x42, just with a bigger obj? (no parallax adj) I thought that I had my scope, but maybe not. What do you like in the 50 bell over the 42 bell?
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Chris Farris II Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: May/06/2011 at 14:02
The 3-15X50 has a parallax adjustment.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote coldhunt Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: May/06/2011 at 14:39
A bit odd, I must have missed something while reading their site. Do you have a comment about the 2-10 for our original poster. Sorry I feel like I hyjacked the thread.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote koshkin Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: May/06/2011 at 16:41
Originally posted by coldhunt coldhunt wrote:

A bit odd, I must have missed something while reading their site. Do you have a comment about the 2-10 for our original poster. Sorry I feel like I hyjacked the thread.

Minox scopes have pretty consistent image quality across the board.  Same for the knobs.

ILya
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Code4 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: May/12/2011 at 04:39
I've compared one Minox owned by a mate with other (unmounted) scopes one evening on dusk. It was a 3-9x40/42 (?). He took it to Namibia and the grub screws came loose on the windage turret. When tightened up, it performed flawlessly on his .300WSM. He still has it.

All scopes we compared were set on 6x. We also had:
 
Zeiss Victory 2.5-10x42 #8
Zeiss 6x42 #4
Kahles AH 3.5-10x50 Plex
Zeiss Conquest 3-9x40 (?)
Minox 3-9x40
 
I would rate the Minox last out of those, but then the competition was higher end and the conquest had not been to Namibia. Compared to the others the Minox lacked some definition around the edges. It was certainly ahead of a Leupold.

For the price it did impress me though and I thought it outstanding value. I will be buying a Minox next.  I believe the difference on the short research I've done on the web, is in the coatings. As noted, the lenses are Schott glass.
I should say that we consumed 2-3 stubbies of lager during the test and this may have affected the outcome. Bucky
 
 
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote stickbow46 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: May/12/2011 at 13:25
Like CFll,I have 2 of the Z5a 4-20x50 & like them alot.They track well & the color is fantastic in it's price range as is the Conquest.The advantage of the Minox over the Conquest is the 5X mag.
 
If Ilya gives it 2 thumbs up that about says it all.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote oldolds442 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: May/15/2011 at 07:19
i just picked up one of their spotting scopes recently, and am really impressed with the build quality, and the glass...image seems comparable to my nightforce rifle scope at similar magnification..
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