Minox ZA-5 review
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Category: Scopes
Forum Name: Rifle Scopes
Forum Description: Centerfire long gun scopes
URL: http://www.opticstalk.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=26731
Printed Date: March/19/2024 at 08:38 Software Version: Web Wiz Forums 12.01 - http://www.webwizforums.com
Topic: Minox ZA-5 review
Posted By: jetwrnch
Subject: Minox ZA-5 review
Date Posted: December/26/2010 at 19:14
FWIW, I ordered the 3-15x42. The ocular is loose and I can't get it to focus at higher magnification. The fast focus eye piece moves around taking the reticle with it. Eye relief is closer to 6 inches than 4. Overall not impressed with the one I received. Then again, as some of you know, I have a rare gift of getting the only bad scope a company ever makes.
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Replies:
Posted By: bricat
Date Posted: December/27/2010 at 09:16
Sorry to hear that, sounds like you got a lemon. I'm sure Minox will make it right. I have the ZA3 and I absolutely love it - no issues.
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Posted By: outlawskinnyd
Date Posted: December/27/2010 at 10:58
thats very unfortunate...
i havent been on these forums that long, what other scopes have you gotten that are lemons?
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Posted By: koshkin
Date Posted: December/27/2010 at 16:34
jetwrnch wrote:
FWIW, I ordered the 3-15x42. The ocular is loose and I can't get it to focus at higher magnification. The fast focus eye piece moves around taking the reticle with it. Eye relief is closer to 6 inches than 4. Overall not impressed with the one I received. Then again, as some of you know, I have a rare gift of getting the only bad scope a company ever makes.
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That does not sound good at all.
Contact Minox. They will take care of you.
As a side note, you do have a very special kind of luck.
ILya
------------- http://www.darklordofoptics.com - www.darklordofoptics.com https://rumble.com/c/DLO - Rumble Video Channel
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Posted By: jetwrnch
Date Posted: December/27/2010 at 18:55
outlawskinnyd wrote:
thats very unfortunate...
i havent been on these forums that long, what other scopes have you gotten that are lemons? |
I have three Trijicon Accupoints and all three have required service. The ring on the objective bell fell off of a 1.25-4x24. Another one of the same model had an internal o-ring splat against a lens, grease and all. The third, a 3-9x40, has a cracked triangle. An Elite 4200 had a loose reticle that would rotate with the fast focus. A Zeiss Conquest had several issues out of the box, including ring marks and scratched lenses. All but Bushnell made good very quickly. FWIW, I think a major contributor to my issues has been using a lead sled type rest at the range. I have no proof of this but it seems logical that the scope is getting a lot of recoil followed by a sudden stop. I never had any issues until getting that type of rest. The strongest round I fired was a 30-06 factory load. i now try to buy light weight scopes to minimize the inertia. I shoot light weight rifles so it seems logical that the scope would absorb more of the recoil than it would if mounted on a heavy rifle. Just SWAGS at this points. (Scientific Wild Ass Guesses.) The only scope brand I've never broken is an Aimpoint. All of this explains my avatar, courtesy of The Ed Show, if memory serves.
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Posted By: Ed Connelly
Date Posted: December/27/2010 at 19:04
" It's jetwrnch!!!! BACK!! BACK!!! "
------------- Be sure to visit,
http://www.opticstalk.com/forum_topics.asp?FID=50 - THE ED SHOW
Ju Cucarachas!!!
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Posted By: jetwrnch
Date Posted: December/27/2010 at 19:05
bricat wrote:
Sorry to hear that, sounds like you got a lemon. I'm sure Minox will make it right. I have the ZA3 and I absolutely love it - no issues.
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With the rifle secured try moving the fast focus eye piece laterally. If I push mine in any direction my point of impact shifts around an inch at 100 yards. Anything above 10x will not come into focus.
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Posted By: jjyoung
Date Posted: February/09/2011 at 20:48
I just wanted to report that I ordered a Minox 4-20x50 and had the same problems as jetwrnch. The scope tube behind the zoom ring would move up/down/side to side when pushed with my hand. The scope was impossible to use above 12x. The eye relief was also closer to 6" and impossible to mount and use do to a very finicky eye box. The glass was very clear in the center and very distorted and blurry about halfway out of the center. I am very disappointed with the scope and returned for a refund.
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Posted By: koshkin
Date Posted: February/10/2011 at 10:09
jetwrnch wrote:
bricat wrote:
Sorry to hear that, sounds like you got a lemon. I'm sure Minox will make it right. I have the ZA3 and I absolutely love it - no issues.
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With the rifle secured try moving the fast focus eye piece laterally. If I push mine in any direction my point of impact shifts around an inch at 100 yards. Anything above 10x will not come into focus.
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This is a very interesting phenomenon. Just out of curiosity, can you take a snapshot of they eyepice with the reticle properly focused for your eye and post the picture?
I currentl have Minox scopes on my hands: 4-20x50, 3-15x50 and two 1.5-8x32, and none of them have anything resembling this problem, so I am very curious.
Thanks ILya
------------- http://www.darklordofoptics.com - www.darklordofoptics.com https://rumble.com/c/DLO - Rumble Video Channel
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Posted By: jetwrnch
Date Posted: February/10/2011 at 13:46
Sorry. I've returned both scopes. From what I've learned reading your site, the focus issue has more to do with my eyes than the scope. I'm sure a side focus scope would solve the problem. My main concerns were the overly loose eye pieces. The scope's eye pieces were not equally loose, so manufacturing tolerances became questionable. None of the other fast focus scopes I have displayed this issue. If someone needs to back the eye piece out any distance, the point of impact shifts significantly with any lateral eye piece movement. The eye piece would not return to center on it's own without threading it back into the ocular bell.
------------- http://windrockphotography.com
"Do you really think the deer cares what kinda pants you was wearin'?" Marisa Tomei in My Cousin Vinni
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Posted By: RifleDude
Date Posted: February/10/2011 at 13:50
If for whatever reason you turned the eyepiece too far in the negative diopter direction, the eyepiece could conceivably start getting wobbly as it loses thread support.
Not saying that's what happened in your case, but that could be a possible explanation.
------------- Ted
Money can't buy happiness... but it's much more comfortable to cry in a Porsche than on a bicycle.
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Posted By: jjyoung
Date Posted: February/10/2011 at 19:19
The scope I had did the same thing with point of impact moving significantly. I could look through the scope and push down on the rear of the scope as I watched through the scope and see the cross hairs move at least a foot at 100 yards. It was not only the eyepiece itself that would move but the whole tube behind the zoom ring. This would happen with the eyepiece screwed all the way in. I returned the scope I had and am exchanging it for the 3-15x50. Only reason I am trying the 3-15x50 is to see if it does the same thing. I will report back my findings when I get the new scope.
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Posted By: jetwrnch
Date Posted: February/12/2011 at 15:26
THANK YOU! I was afraid it was just me
------------- http://windrockphotography.com
"Do you really think the deer cares what kinda pants you was wearin'?" Marisa Tomei in My Cousin Vinni
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Posted By: SD Dog
Date Posted: February/14/2011 at 19:21
jjyoung or jetwrnch, any updates?
------------- If nobody ever said anything unless he knew what he was talking about, a ghastly hush would descend upon the earth. AP Herbert
Stupidity & ignorance have been the foundation for many certainties.
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Posted By: jjyoung
Date Posted: February/14/2011 at 20:40
The scope is out of stock for two weeks. I'm guessing it will be a month until I have one in my hands again.
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Posted By: jetwrnch
Date Posted: February/14/2011 at 23:19
Nothing to update on my end. I'm sticking with Trijicon and Zeiss for now. Two bad scopes in a row was enough for me.
------------- http://windrockphotography.com
"Do you really think the deer cares what kinda pants you was wearin'?" Marisa Tomei in My Cousin Vinni
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Posted By: jjyoung
Date Posted: February/16/2011 at 20:08
I will not be getting another minox for review. I decided not to wait and go with another conquest. At least I know what I will be getting this time.
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Posted By: johnfox
Date Posted: February/19/2011 at 17:51
jjyoung wrote:
The scope I had did the same thing with point of impact moving significantly. I could look through the scope and push down on the rear of the scope as I watched through the scope and see the cross hairs move at least a foot at 100 yards. |
My ZA3 3-9x is doing the same thing....
Minox, you've got a problem!
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Posted By: koshkin
Date Posted: February/22/2011 at 15:44
I raised this issue with Minox and they told me that the loose eyepiece was an assembly problem on a small number of early scopes. It has since been addressed and all current scopes go through 100% QC inspection to catch problems like this.
ILya
------------- http://www.darklordofoptics.com - www.darklordofoptics.com https://rumble.com/c/DLO - Rumble Video Channel
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Posted By: brodeur272
Date Posted: February/22/2011 at 16:36
Ilya,
Glad to hear that! I was worried I might have issues with my two 1.5-8s.
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Posted By: koshkin
Date Posted: February/22/2011 at 18:56
One more comment: Minox has been making optical instruments for a long time. They understand how to do this stuff very well. The guy running the US operation has been in this business for a long time and is a life long shooter and hunter. I've talked to him at length and he understands what it takes to bring a scope line to the market and to keep it properly supported (he most certainly understands it better than I do, since he has successfully done it before).
Minox scopes have been out for about a year or so and every time you have new products you are bound to have some manufacturing complications early on. That is the nature of precision manufacturing. Hence, I look at how a company goes about addressing those issues.
With what I have seen so far from Minox, I have chosen to add these scopes to my "recommended" list. That is not something I do lightly.
There is, of course, a chance that I am wrong, but having a fair amount of hands-on time with five different Minox scopes to date, I like my odds of being right on this one.
------------- http://www.darklordofoptics.com - www.darklordofoptics.com https://rumble.com/c/DLO - Rumble Video Channel
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Posted By: Sparky
Date Posted: February/22/2011 at 20:11
Just an FYI on Minox CS. They are probably the best I have dealt with. I had a problem and they took care of it immediately. No questions.
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Posted By: johnfox
Date Posted: February/23/2011 at 03:36
koshkin wrote:
I raised this issue with Minox and they told me that the loose eyepiece was an assembly problem on a small number of early scopes. It has since been addressed and all current scopes go through 100% QC inspection to catch problems like this.
ILya |
ILya,
My ZA3 is an early one and FWIW this is the first scope problem I've had in over 35yrs of shooting, so I'm not complaining. I'm in the process of getting the problem rectified now and I'd be happy to buy another Minox. The 1.5-8x is particularly appealing.
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Posted By: vinnito1
Date Posted: May/31/2011 at 13:38
I recently bought a ZA5 3-15x42 about a monther ago and have the same problems of the focusing feature ot working properly. The image clarity was very poor. My Nikon Prostaff 3-9x40 had a better image. I called Minox this morning about the problem. They told me to send it in and they would fix it. While i was on the phone, I asked if I could upgrade to a 3-15x50 and pay the retail difference between the two scopes. They said yes.
I am not happy with the performance of my scope, but I do not have any complaints about the customer service. Maybe I got an early on as well
Vince
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Posted By: stickbow46
Date Posted: May/31/2011 at 14:40
Welcome to the OT vinnit1!
Purchased 3 so far & no problem.
------------- Pearls of Wisdom are Heard not Spoken
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Posted By: WYcoyote
Date Posted: May/31/2011 at 16:17
vinnito1 wrote:
I recently bought a ZA5 3-15x42 about a monther ago and have the same problems of the focusing feature ot working properly. The image clarity was very poor. My Nikon Prostaff 3-9x40 had a better image. I called Minox this morning about the problem. They told me to send it in and they would fix it. While i was on the phone, I asked if I could upgrade to a 3-15x50 and pay the retail difference between the two scopes. They said yes.
I am not happy with the performance of my scope, but I do not have any complaints about the customer service. Maybe I got an early on as well
Vince |
Let us know how you like your new one.
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Posted By: SD Dog
Date Posted: June/20/2011 at 20:35
I will post a more in depth review when I have the time, but purchased a Z5 3-15x50. I mounted it on my DPMS in .204. The magnification range is great, glass is very good, and tracking was right on. The only issue was that magnification ring was very stiff. However, after use it has moved much easier. Have used it the some scope in combination with my .204 2x and it was great both times.
------------- If nobody ever said anything unless he knew what he was talking about, a ghastly hush would descend upon the earth. AP Herbert
Stupidity & ignorance have been the foundation for many certainties.
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Posted By: Son of Ed
Date Posted: June/21/2011 at 17:57
Jtwrnch ought to hire himself out to various companies in the world as a testing ground. If he can't break it---it's probably okay.....
------------- Visit the Ed Show
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Posted By: koshkin
Date Posted: June/22/2011 at 17:27
SD Dog wrote:
I will post a more in depth review when I have the time, but purchased a Z5 3-15x50. I mounted it on my DPMS in .204. The magnification range is great, glass is very good, and tracking was right on. The only issue was that magnification ring was very stiff. However, after use it has moved much easier. Have used it the some scope in combination with my .204 2x and it was great both times.
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I am just about done testing that scope and I am very impressed so far.
ILya
------------- http://www.darklordofoptics.com - www.darklordofoptics.com https://rumble.com/c/DLO - Rumble Video Channel
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Posted By: Seamaster
Date Posted: June/23/2011 at 13:28
I sold my 2-10x40 ZA5, due to restrictive eye piece. little glare at eye piece under strong sun light. Sub-small image cricle. Also at their 10 power is more like 8~9 power to other scopes I have owned and tried. I do miss their vivid color even compair to conquest ( which color is little washed out), and great contrast at low light / dark area. Image resolution was great too.
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Posted By: Oldtrader3
Date Posted: July/21/2011 at 20:56
I have a 2-10x40 ZA-5 Minox and I have not had any issues with it except a little flair at 10x into the low afternoon sum. Other than that one observation, the Minox appears to be a good, well made scope. My eye relief and reticle focus adjustments are per specification.
------------- CDR3
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Posted By: stickbow46
Date Posted: July/21/2011 at 22:34
No problem with my 2-10x40 ZA-5,works rather well on my AR15[in .22lr format].I shoot mostly 75-150yrds so no real problem with parallex.The only thing I don't care for is that stupid scope coat it comes with.
------------- Pearls of Wisdom are Heard not Spoken
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Posted By: Dyelynn
Date Posted: July/22/2011 at 09:39
koshkin wrote:
SD Dog wrote:
I will post a more in depth review when I have the time, but purchased a Z5 3-15x50. I mounted it on my DPMS in .204. The magnification range is great, glass is very good, and tracking was right on. The only issue was that magnification ring was very stiff. However, after use it has moved much easier. Have used it the some scope in combination with my .204 2x and it was great both times.
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I am just about done testing that scope and I am very impressed so far.
ILya |
Ilya did you ever finish up that review? i looked on your site and didn't find it. I'm still interested in the 3-15... probably more interested in the 42 than the 50, but i'd like to read anything you have on it :)
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Posted By: koshkin
Date Posted: July/22/2011 at 11:53
Dyelynn wrote:
koshkin wrote:
SD Dog wrote:
I will post a more in depth review when I have the time, but purchased a Z5 3-15x50. I mounted it on my DPMS in .204. The magnification range is great, glass is very good, and tracking was right on. The only issue was that magnification ring was very stiff. However, after use it has moved much easier. Have used it the some scope in combination with my .204 2x and it was great both times.
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I am just about done testing that scope and I am very impressed so far.
ILya |
Ilya did you ever finish up that review? i looked on your site and didn't find it. I'm still interested in the 3-15... probably more interested in the 42 than the 50, but i'd like to read anything you have on it :)
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The write-up is still in the queue. It is a nice scope. For the record though, the 3-15x42 is the one scope in Minox' line-up that I do not like. It really needs side-focus.
ILya
------------- http://www.darklordofoptics.com - www.darklordofoptics.com https://rumble.com/c/DLO - Rumble Video Channel
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Posted By: JGRaider
Date Posted: July/22/2011 at 13:26
What type of reliability/durability testing do you do before you put your stamp of approval on a rifle scope? I
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Posted By: koshkin
Date Posted: July/22/2011 at 15:56
JGRaider wrote:
What type of reliability/durability testing do you do before you put your stamp of approval on a rifle scope? I |
I do not put a "stamp of approval" on reliability or durability of a scope. I make recommendations based on things I can test. I can test optical quality. I can test mechanical precision and repeatability (where appropriate), such as turret operation, etc.
In order to make any sort of an authoritative statement on reliability and durability, I would have to have access to the statistical data on a large number of scopes. The fact that the specific scope that I tested has held up well or broke in use is statistically insignificant and has very little bearing on how that particular scope model will show up in the future.
As a matter of fact, if a scope held up fine, then it tells me exactly nothing. If something broke, then I can send it back to the manufacturer and ask them to do FA and share the results with me. That still does not tell me anything about reliability of the scope line. However, it does tell me if the manufacturer knows how to find and correct problems, hence shortly after a product line has been released into the market, they will likely find and correct all of the design flaws.
Any scope I test goes through the normal use and abuse: I put a lot of things on my 338LM with a funky recoil cycle, generally fire a fair number of rounds with different calibers (likely more than a typical hunter does in a couple of years), and use the various controls to excess. Scopes get dropped, kicked around the parking lot (wrapped in a towel) and basically are subject to whatever abuse I choose to dish out on that particular day.
However, all of that is intended for finding design flaws, not for making long reaching conclusions on scope reliability.
ILya
------------- http://www.darklordofoptics.com - www.darklordofoptics.com https://rumble.com/c/DLO - Rumble Video Channel
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Posted By: supertool73
Date Posted: July/22/2011 at 15:59
That was a excellent answer ILya.
------------- Lifetime warranty and excellent customer service don't mean a thing when your gun fails during a zombie attack.
"A Liberal is a person who will give away everything they don't own."
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Posted By: JGRaider
Date Posted: July/22/2011 at 16:23
supertool73 wrote:
That was a excellent answer ILya.
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Yes it was, thanks .
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