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Swarovski Series of Scopes--Z3, Z5, Z6, Z8

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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote South Pender Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Topic: Swarovski Series of Scopes--Z3, Z5, Z6, Z8
    Posted: May/21/2023 at 16:06
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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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Peddler Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: May/24/2023 at 13:28
That’s a good question for Ilya Koshkin.

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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote South Pender Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: May/24/2023 at 19:27
...
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote South Pender Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: May/24/2023 at 19:28
Originally posted by South Pender South Pender wrote:

[QUOTE=Peddler]That’s a good question for Ilya Koshkin.

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Does Ilya still post here?


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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote BeltFed Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: May/24/2023 at 19:46
Sometimes
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Scrumbag Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: May/25/2023 at 03:06
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.

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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Peddler Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: May/25/2023 at 04:54
Originally posted by South Pender South Pender wrote:

Originally posted by South Pender South Pender wrote:

[QUOTE=Peddler]That’s a good question for Ilya Koshkin.

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Does Ilya still post here?



Occasionally he does. That’s why I posted his website. I would be faster.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote cbm Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: May/30/2023 at 09:07
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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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote South Pender Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: May/30/2023 at 11:57
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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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Kickboxer Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: May/31/2023 at 08:37
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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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote tahqua Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: June/01/2023 at 11:30
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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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Kickboxer Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: June/01/2023 at 13:53
Originally posted by tahqua tahqua wrote:

3-9, 3-10 & 4-12 are more than capable of 400+ yards on deer. I wish they made a 6X42 fixed.
No disagreement there... just quoting what Swarovski told me years ago when I called and asked about the Z3.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Sparky Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: June/01/2023 at 21:39
Originally posted by tahqua tahqua wrote:

3-9, 3-10 & 4-12 are more than capable of 400+ yards on deer. I wish they made a 6X42 fixed.



+1 on the 6x. Or even a SS 6x HD.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote mike650 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: June/02/2023 at 07:11
Originally posted by Scrumbag Scrumbag wrote:

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



Z4 ??
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Dogger Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: June/02/2023 at 08:08
Z4i series. 1.25-4x24,  3-12x50, 2.5-10x56
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote tahqua Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: June/03/2023 at 08:47
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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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote koshkin Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: June/03/2023 at 16:07
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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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote DCAMM94 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: October/02/2023 at 16:41
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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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Scrumbag Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: October/03/2023 at 10:41
I Had 2 and sold them both. I regret not keeping 1...
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