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Swaro Z6 2.5-15X44 VS Z5 3.5-18X44

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R H Clark View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote R H Clark Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Topic: Swaro Z6 2.5-15X44 VS Z5 3.5-18X44
    Posted: April/20/2017 at 22:08

I had about decided on the Z5 3.5-18X44 BT 4w for my Forbes 270. I did order the scope but I thought the 4w was a little thin so I was going to exchange it for the plex reticle. there were none in stock so I got a refund. The Forbes is a light weight 6lb rifle so I wanted to keep it relatively light, thus the Z5 choice.

Now, I've been thinking about the Z6 2.5-15X44 with BT in the plex reticle. It's more money but I have time to save before hunting season. The question is, should I get the Z6,or stay with the Z5?

Weight is the main factor I'm considering. Is the optical difference worth the 3.5 ounces? Is 3.5 ounces really something to worry over? Can anyone tell me if I will notice a big difference between that Z6 and the Z5 in low light performance and just in general optic performance?

Is there any tunneling on the Z6 2.5-15X44? is the view about the same in that regard as the Z5? I like scopes that have the view go all the way to the edge of the ocular. The 1-6 Z6 has that kind of view as opposed to some scopes that have a thin black ring where the image stops, between the image and the aluminum. I would say the Z5 has a thin black ring but not very much at all compared to some. How is the 2.5-15X44 Z6 in that aspect?

I know I'm being a pain about these decisions but it's a big deal to me having previously spent a max of about $700 on a scope. Thanks for any help in making this decision.

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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote cbm Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: April/24/2017 at 14:41

My buddy tried a Z6 2.5-15X44 plex and returned it for a 4w, because the plex was super thin. The Z6 4w is not real thick but it works well enough for real low light. The Z5 has a thinner 4w than the Z6. I am not sure about the 3.5-18x44 Z5 but I had a 5-25x52 Z5 with a 4W and mine barely resembled my buddy's Z6 4W. My scope's  thick windage posts were almost all the way out to the edge(the thin line with the wind marks was super wide on my scope), his are a lot closer in to the center. His scope also has a mechanical click of sorts for 100 yrds on the parralax adjustment, my Z5 would turn freely. You can set his back to 100 without even looking at the scope.

Between those two I would get the Z6 myself.  


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R H Clark View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote R H Clark Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: April/24/2017 at 20:46

No matter which one I get, I'll go with the plex with the BT. Do you know if the low light performance is noticeably better with the Z6?

Do you know if your buddy's scope was pre 2012. The reticles were changed then and the plex is a lot heavier on the Z5 since.

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mike650 View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote mike650 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: April/25/2017 at 00:04
Originally posted by R H Clark R H Clark wrote:

Do you know if your buddy's scope was pre 2012. The reticles were changed then and the plex is a lot heavier on the Z5 since.



You sure about that? All the Swaro reticles are on the thin side, even their #4 and 4a reticles.
“A hunt based only on trophies taken falls far short of what the ultimate goal should be.” – Fred Bear
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R H Clark View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote R H Clark Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: April/25/2017 at 09:41

Mike, I'm not sure if it was an across the board change but I think it was. When researching I read about the change on different sites. I talked to a Swaro rep about it, but when I talked to him I was mostly interested in the Z5. I know for sure the Z5 changed to heavier reticles sometime in 2012.

 I've seen a plex Z5 lately and it isn't much thinner than a Leupold duplex. The very center is fairly thin, though not as thin as a Leupold fine duplex. The thick portion of the reticle however comes very close to the center, making it, in my opinion, better in low light than the 4w of the Z5.

I have not had a chance yet to look at the Z6 scopes in person.

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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote cbm Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: April/28/2017 at 07:55
I never directly compared my Z5 to his Z6 in low light. He is a big Zeiss Diavari 3-12x56 fan but I talked him into a the Z6 for his Kimber Mountain Ascent. I think the features on the Z6 make it a better scope than a Z5 but whether it is worth the extra cash would be up to the individual. He says the Z6 is about the same as the Diavari's in low light.

If you think the Luepold and Z5 plex's are fine, then what I am talking about would not matter to you on reticles. Those both are way to thin for low light " for me". Like I said, I had Swaro swap out my 4w to a #4 and it was still too thin. I was hunting in AL and could easily see out in a field with my Z5 but could not see the reticle at all. The Z6 2.5-15X44 4W is the most usable reticle for low light hunting I have seen in the Swaro line. My friend's is probably a 2014.

I am not totally positive but I am pretty sure all of the Swaro reticles are wire except for the 4w. I am not a big fan of wire reticles.


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