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Swarovski Series of Scopes--Z3, Z5, Z6, Z8 |
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South Pender
Optics Apprentice Joined: February/13/2015 Location: Vancouver Status: Offline Points: 110 |
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Posted: May/21/2023 at 16:06 |
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I've wondered about the various series of Swarovski scopes, starting with the Z3 series, followed by the Z5s, then Z6s, and now Z8s. The number clearly indicates the main differences by representing the zoom range--Z3 has 3 power zoom range (e.g., 3-9), ..., Z8, 8 power zoom range (e.g., 2-16). However, are there other differences? Is the optical quality of the lenses in the least-expensive Z3 series inferior to that in the Z5, Z6, Z8 series? Does the Z6, for example, provide a clearer, better-defined, picture at, say, 9 power, than a Z3 would provide at the same power setting?
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The trouble with the world is that the stupid are cocksure and the intelligent are full of doubt.
-Bertrand Russell |
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Peddler
Optics God Joined: July/04/2012 Location: Oswego,NY Status: Offline Points: 13526 |
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That’s a good question for Ilya Koshkin.
optics thoughts.com
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When you are dead, you don't know you are dead.It is difficult only for others.
It is the same when you are stupid. |
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South Pender
Optics Apprentice Joined: February/13/2015 Location: Vancouver Status: Offline Points: 110 |
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...
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The trouble with the world is that the stupid are cocksure and the intelligent are full of doubt.
-Bertrand Russell |
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South Pender
Optics Apprentice Joined: February/13/2015 Location: Vancouver Status: Offline Points: 110 |
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Does Ilya still post here? |
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The trouble with the world is that the stupid are cocksure and the intelligent are full of doubt.
-Bertrand Russell |
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BeltFed
Optics Retard Joined: February/12/2008 Location: Ky Status: Offline Points: 22284 |
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Sometimes
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Life's concerns should be about the 120lb pack your trying to get to the top of the mountain, and not the rock in your boot.
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Scrumbag
Optics Master Extraordinaire Joined: October/22/2013 Location: London, UK Status: Offline Points: 4205 |
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There are some differences in manufacture as the Z3 is quite old technology now but performance is pretty high for light transmission and optical clarity / resolution.
Z4 scopes are rated to be the highest light transmission of all the Swarovski zoom scopes ever made but I don't think any Z series scopes have anything less than really good light transmission. Scrummy
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Was sure I had a point when I started this post...
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Peddler
Optics God Joined: July/04/2012 Location: Oswego,NY Status: Offline Points: 13526 |
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Occasionally he does. That’s why I posted his website. I would be faster.
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When you are dead, you don't know you are dead.It is difficult only for others.
It is the same when you are stupid. |
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cbm
Optics Journeyman Joined: January/11/2008 Location: SC Status: Offline Points: 580 |
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No optics expert here but I have owned many Swarovski's and at least one of each Z3,Z5,and Z6. I currently have a Z6 1.7-10X42 and a Z3 3-9X36.
The glass is great across the board. The Z3's are light with having the 1" tubes and they use leaf springs to hold the erector tube I believe. The Z5s and Z6s use the Swaro coil spring system to hold the erector tube. The Z3s and Z5s have wire reticles, the Z6s have etched reticles(I guess all, mine have been). The z5 reticles seem to be really thin to me. I had a 5-25x52 #4w that was amazing in low light but I would lose the reticle early. I sent it back and had them change it out to a plain #4 but it did not help much. My current Z6 has a plex that is bold and works well, my Z3 has a 4a that is excellent in low light. For pure hunting and low light, I can't say there is a lot of difference. The little 36mm Z3 I have will carry you way into dark.
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South Pender
Optics Apprentice Joined: February/13/2015 Location: Vancouver Status: Offline Points: 110 |
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Thanks, guys. That's been helpful. Seems as though all the Swarovski scopes are first-rate. For a hunting rig, the lightest ones, the Z3s, might be all that's needed.
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The trouble with the world is that the stupid are cocksure and the intelligent are full of doubt.
-Bertrand Russell |
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Kickboxer
MODERATOR Moderator Joined: February/13/2008 Status: Offline Points: 23679 |
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the Z3 was specifically designed for a lightweight hunting rifle for shots averaging in the 200 to 250 yard range. Z3 glass is good, mechanically sound. Great for a "pure" hunting scope.
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Opinion,untempered by fact,is ignorance.
There are some who do not fear death... for they are more afraid of not really living |
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tahqua
MODERATOR Have You Driven A Ford Lately? Joined: March/27/2006 Location: Michigan, USA Status: Offline Points: 9042 |
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3-9, 3-10 & 4-12 are more than capable of 400+ yards on deer. I wish they made a 6X42 fixed.
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Doug
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Kickboxer
MODERATOR Moderator Joined: February/13/2008 Status: Offline Points: 23679 |
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No disagreement there... just quoting what Swarovski told me years ago when I called and asked about the Z3.
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Opinion,untempered by fact,is ignorance.
There are some who do not fear death... for they are more afraid of not really living |
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Sparky
Optics Master Extraordinaire Joined: July/15/2007 Location: SD Status: Offline Points: 4569 |
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+1 on the 6x. Or even a SS 6x HD.
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mike650
Optics God Joined: May/14/2006 Location: West of Rockies Status: Offline Points: 14569 |
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Z4 ??
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“A hunt based only on trophies taken falls far short of what the ultimate goal should be.” – Fred Bear
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Dogger
Optics Jedi Master Joined: January/02/2007 Location: Ontario, Canada Status: Offline Points: 8903 |
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Z4i series. 1.25-4x24, 3-12x50, 2.5-10x56
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God save the Empire!
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tahqua
MODERATOR Have You Driven A Ford Lately? Joined: March/27/2006 Location: Michigan, USA Status: Offline Points: 9042 |
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Ah, got it Dan. The Z3's are nice being trim and fine optics. They are perfect on something like an M7 Remington or the many so called mountain rifles.
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Doug
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koshkin
MODERATOR Dark Lord of Optics Joined: June/15/2004 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 13181 |
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Unless I am mistaken, Z4 scopes have been discontinued and when they were made, they were not imported into the US (as I recall).
In terms of image quality, all Swarovski scopes are good. Higher end ones are better since the designs are more sophisticated. Aside from that Z3 scopes have some reputation for being fragile and it appears to be not unfounded. I would probably not put on on a kicker. Z5 and up are different mechanically and seem to hold up better than Z3. If the rifle has a moderate recoil, I would be perfectly comfortable with Z3 though. ILya
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DCAMM94
Optics Master Extraordinaire Joined: April/19/2008 Location: Fort Worth Status: Offline Points: 3491 |
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I know this is an old thread, but I have the Z3 3-9x36 on my CZ .223 bolt action, and it's perfect for that rig. The glass is great, even for my older eyes--both in color and light transmission. MER for the .223 is pretty much 300m, so no need for a ballistic reticle, so my German #4 reticle is perfect for low-light hog hunting within 150yds. Once killed two running at twilight with it and just the 5+1 rounds I had loaded when I went to check my feeder. It almost seems brighter at twilight than no scope up to a point (in time) due to the color replication and clarity. Can't say enough good about them. Only bad thing is the price. I wouldn't hesitate to use it on a woods gun up to .35 Whelen or on my 9.3x62 for hog/deer/bear.
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Although personally I am quite content with existing explosives, I feel we must not stand in the path of improvement. -Winston Churchill
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Scrumbag
Optics Master Extraordinaire Joined: October/22/2013 Location: London, UK Status: Offline Points: 4205 |
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I Had 2 and sold them both. I regret not keeping 1...
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Was sure I had a point when I started this post...
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