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Swarovski TDS Reticle

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bulldawg66 View Drop Down
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    Posted: September/06/2009 at 19:53
I have been looking at scopes for the past month and have been leaning toward the Leupold VX3 scope since I have always been a fan of Leupold.  Well, the salesman at my local store told me Swarvoski was one of the best scopes so I started toying with the idea of purchasing one.  I made up my mind that I really wanted the 2X12 version with the BR reticile.  All the prices I have seen have been in the $1,800+ range but I have never been able to find the 2X12 in stock anywhere.
 
Well, this past week I was in Oklahoma City for the weekend and decided to stop by the local Bass Pro Shop.  They had a 2X12 with the TDS recticle that was on sale for $1,769.  (Again, no BR reticle in stock.) Since their display model was the last one I was able to get them to knock another $50 off of the price to $1,719.99.  (No scratches, smudges, etc.)  Well, to my surprise, when I got the counter the scope was flagged as clearance and they sold it to me for $1,199.  Yes, $1,199.  I even asked and he double checked and said "looks like you get a good deal".
 
Well, I have 30 days to take it back and I had a few questions.  I am a little nervous that the price was so cheap that I did not buy an out-dated scope.  I don't see the TDS reticle on many sites as an option.  Here are my questions...
 
Box Label - Z6 2-12X50 TDS Plex
 
1) Is there anything wrong with the TDS reticle?
2) I have not been able to find any reviews on Swarovski scopes, are they really as good as the sales-people say or are they just trying to make a sale?
3) Why was the standard reticle (single cross hair) priced at $1,940.  Is it $200 better than the TDS reticle?
4) Any thoughts on the BR reticle -vs- the TDS reticle?  Should I hold out for the BR reticle?
 
Any help or advice is appreciated.
 
Thanks.
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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: September/06/2009 at 20:04
I think it's a very good reticle. I believe Dale Clifford has one and has spent a lot of time using it. Drop him a PM.

If memory servers me, there was a licensing fee that eventually forced Swaro to drop the TDS reticle. The one your looking at is probably the first or maybe early second year run of z6 scopes which may partially explain the price difference. Not that there's anything wrong with the scope or reticle!!! Smile






Edited by mike650 - September/06/2009 at 23:16
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Dale Clifford View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Dale Clifford Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: September/06/2009 at 21:02
pm sent
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CREDITMAN View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote CREDITMAN Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: September/06/2009 at 21:47
I have two of the Swarovski 3-12x50 PH model scopes with the TDS reticle.  Bought the second scope when I found out that Swarovski was discontinuing the TDS reticle.  Some of the first Z6's came with the TDS reticle before they started using the BR reticle.   For your info,  the PH models have the reticle in the first focal plane (FFP) where the Z6 has the reticle in the second focal plane (SFP).  A reticle in a FFP scope gets bolder along with the target image increasing in size as you increase magnification.  This allows the ranging hash marks to be accurate at all magnifications.  On a SFP scope such as yours,  the ranging hash marks are usually only accurate at the highest magnification .
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sakomato View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote sakomato Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: September/07/2009 at 08:43
Originally posted by Dale Clifford Dale Clifford wrote:

pm sent
 
 
Hey DC, how come we don't get to read what you sent?  Now I don't know if I need to go into any explanations of what I have learned by using mine since you may have already covered it all.  Now someone else who might have one or be contemplating buying one may not get information they could use.
 
 
Guns only have 2 enemies, rust and politicians
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Rancid Coolaid View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Rancid Coolaid Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: September/07/2009 at 10:55
Bulldawg, a few thoughts:

My experience with (the competitor that shall not be named) is that some guys know what they are talking about, but most do not.  Be very wary of taking advice from a salesman.  As a general rule, I try to ask 2 or 3 technical questions to which I already know the answers,.  If they mess up, I don't ask any mnore questions and assume they have no idea what they are talking about.


Swaro makes exceptional scopes, I find it difficult to believe you have been able to find no reviews.  Tr googling "Swarovski rifle scope review" and you'll get a few hits.

Yours is a good scope and the price was something you don't often find.  Don't take it back!


The reticle is fine and will serve you well.  Be sure you understand what it does and what it does not do. 

And verify the drop with your rifle, your bullet, and your scope at the range before assuming, in the field, you "know" where rounds will impact.


You got a good deal on a good peice of glass, enjoy!

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Respect is something you earn.
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bulldawg66 View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote bulldawg66 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: September/08/2009 at 08:41

Thanks for the responses everyone.  Based on the feedback and some additional research I will keep the scope.  I did not see any negative responses regarding the TDS reticle and it still seems like I got a really good deal.

I did search "Swarovski rifle scope review" but it was very limited. I found a couple but nothing like the ones I find for Leupoold.

Now I just have to decide if I want to put the scope on my old 7mm Mag or buy a new gun to go with my scope. :-)
 
Thanks again.
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Rancid Coolaid View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Rancid Coolaid Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: September/08/2009 at 09:08
Leupold is going to have many, many more reviews - probably more so than anyone.  They have been around a long time, and were - 20 years ago - the best of the best in general optics.

Today, they are "OK" and are overpriced (in my opinion.)

Swaros are very well respected and considered by most knowledgeable hunters to be among the very best optics.
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sscoyote View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote sscoyote Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: September/10/2009 at 18:35
Originally posted by sakomato sakomato wrote:

Originally posted by Dale Clifford Dale Clifford wrote:

pm sent
 
 
Hey DC, how come we don't get to read what you sent?  Now I don't know if I need to go into any explanations of what I have learned by using mine since you may have already covered it all.  Now someone else who might have one or be contemplating buying one may not get information they could use.
 
 
 
I agree!! I like to read DC's stuff myself. I find it quite educational.
 
BTW DC do u know what the subtensions r on that reticle at highest power? I can never find them.
Steve
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John Barsness View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote John Barsness Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: September/10/2009 at 19:04

I've spend considerable time shooting the TDS andf BR reticles in various Swarovski scopes, and in the past couple years have spent most of my time with a 2-12x Z6 with the BR-1.

It like the BR reticle a little better, mostly because the TDS to me was always a little too thick for some uses. It was the first of thye widely available "Christmas tree" reticles so got a lot of press but there really isn't any magic to it.

Swarovski scopes are very good stuff, espcially optically. They also tend to have very good adjustments. I have had a few mechanical issues over the years with some Swarovskis but none so far with the 2-12x Z6, and a lot of rounds have been sent downrange with it.

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sakomato View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote sakomato Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: September/10/2009 at 19:51
Originally posted by sscoyote sscoyote wrote:

Originally posted by sakomato sakomato wrote:

Originally posted by Dale Clifford Dale Clifford wrote:

pm sent
 
 
Hey DC, how come we don't get to read what you sent?  Now I don't know if I need to go into any explanations of what I have learned by using mine since you may have already covered it all.  Now someone else who might have one or be contemplating buying one may not get information they could use.
 
 
 
I agree!! I like to read DC's stuff myself. I find it quite educational.
 
BTW DC do u know what the subtensions r on that reticle at highest power? I can never find them.
I have the 3.5x10 Kahles with the TDS reticle and can tell you what they are on mine.  I don't know if they are the same in all scopes of all powers, but this is what the reticle subtends on a 100 yd target
 
crosshairs
-2"
-4.8"
-7.5"
-10.5"
 
So if you zero at 200 yard it would match the following trajectory
 
crosshairs - zero at 200
1st line - 6" (300 yds)
2nd line - -19.2" (400 yds)
3rd line - --37.5" (500 yds)
4th line - -63" (600 yds)
 
Or with a zero at 100 yards it would be
 
crosshair - zero at 100
1st line - 4" (200 yds)
2nd line - 14.4" (300 yds)
3rd line - 30" (400 yds)
4th line - 52.5" (500 yds)
 
So then you load to match trajectory.
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sscoyote View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote sscoyote Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: September/12/2009 at 14:41
[/QUOTE]
 
-2"
-4.8"
-7.5"
-10.5"
[/QUOTE]
 
That sounds about right to me.
Steve
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