Texas Hunting Forum

Swarovski Z5 or Z6?

Posted By: dashing dog

Swarovski Z5 or Z6? - 09/09/17 08:12 PM

Opinions please
Looking into getting a Swarovski but debating if the extra $600 is worth getting the Z6 ?
I like the 30MM main tube on the Z6 but will I really notice the difference in a 1" tube the Z5 comes with?
If I get the Z6 is the illuminated sight worth getting?
Thanks in advance
Posted By: RHutch

Re: Swarovski Z5 or Z6? - 09/09/17 09:42 PM

Are you buying features or buying brand?
I ask because there are a lot of manufactures out there that can compete favorably with Swaro for a much lower price. If you must have a Swaro, I get that too and would say the difference in the Z5 and Z6 is negligible to the average Hunter.
Posted By: dashing dog

Re: Swarovski Z5 or Z6? - 09/09/17 10:10 PM

I'm looking at Swar since the current scope I have now is a Zeiss Diavar Z? Don't know if I spelled that right.
So was looking into another Zeiss but wanted to kick around the idea of a Swarovski
Posted By: HCHunter28

Re: Swarovski Z5 or Z6? - 09/10/17 01:37 AM

Originally Posted By: RHutch
Are you buying features or buying brand?
I ask because there are a lot of manufactures out there that can compete favorably with Swaro for a much lower price. If you must have a Swaro, I get that too and would say the difference in the Z5 and Z6 is negligible to the average Hunter.


Swarovskis are great and I've never regretted buying one. You must not own one and never had one to make this comment.

Scopes are personal and everyone has their brand. In the price point you're looking in, most are great scopes.
I don't see the value in moving up to the z6. The 3.5-18 is one of my favorite setups.

Posted By: RHutch

Re: Swarovski Z5 or Z6? - 09/10/17 02:21 AM

Wrong. Owned a couple and they are nice scopes. My question and comment was simply to learn more about the use of the scope before an educated opinion could be shared. Getting emotional about "your brand" is silly.
I've owned dozens of high-end scopes over the years, including Swaro, Zeiss, S&B, March, Premier, etc.,and don't have to guess when it comes to scopes and scope function.
Posted By: Dien

Re: Swarovski Z5 or Z6? - 09/10/17 03:11 AM

Z6i for me. Great eye relief and bright. Don't regret it. But only use it for under 300 yards.
Posted By: HCHunter28

Re: Swarovski Z5 or Z6? - 09/10/17 03:23 AM

Originally Posted By: RHutch
Wrong. Owned a couple and they are nice scopes. My question and comment was simply to learn more about the use of the scope before an educated opinion could be shared. Getting emotional about "your brand" is silly.
I've owned dozens of high-end scopes over the years, including Swaro, Zeiss, S&B, March, Premier, etc.,and don't have to guess when it comes to scopes and scope function.


He was only asking about Swarovski and it sounded like you were trying to talk him out of a Swarovski. My comments were directed at get what you want because people have brands they prefer just like Ford vs Chevy.

I don't get your comments because you said there are many manufacturers that compete with Swarovski at a lower price point and then you only list brands that are as expensive or more expensive than Swaros.

"Getting emotional about your brand" What are you talking about?
Posted By: RHutch

Re: Swarovski Z5 or Z6? - 09/10/17 03:40 AM

JFC. Comprehension is not your strongpoint.

I'm out.

To the OP....get the Z6i in the configuration of your choice.
Posted By: kmon11

Re: Swarovski Z5 or Z6? - 09/10/17 05:44 AM

There are a lot of scopes I like these days but have never regretted getting the Swaro Z6 2.5-15 that lives on the Cooper 6.5-284. Bought it pre I series but it works well past legal shooting time and loaned it to a friend that shot coyotes on a full moon night at a little over 200 yards without use of any lights.


Yes on questions like this the general answers go to what we have and like generally as mine above did. Between Z5 or Z6, for general hunting both will perform well, I went Z6 when Cameraland had them on open box buy sale for about the price of a Z5 normally which helped make the choice easy.
Posted By: Buzzsaw

Re: Swarovski Z5 or Z6? - 09/10/17 01:10 PM

I have a Z-3 and a Z-5, I would not Hesitate with the Z-5 for everything. mines a 5-25X, I have a BDC turret built for it and its spot on. Not sure what you goal is. long range hunting, competitions? For hunting the Z-5 should handle anything.

In my Opinion
Posted By: J.G.

Re: Swarovski Z5 or Z6? - 09/10/17 03:58 PM

Originally Posted By: RHutch
Getting emotional about "your brand" is silly.


Happens nearly every day, on the THF.

To the OP,

Here's my take in Swarovski, as well as many shooters that really know optics.

Almost untouchable glass quality. In fact I really don't know who makes clearer glass. Therefore Swaro observation devices are extraordinary.

Swaro is lacking in controls, in rifle scopes. If you want to dial corrections they play second fiddle to many other brands. They don't have much travel, and they have, in the past, had unreliable tracking. But if you are the guy, like most, that zero a scope, and never touch the controls again, they will probably do a great job for you, as others have mentioned in this thread.
Posted By: Buzzsaw

Re: Swarovski Z5 or Z6? - 09/10/17 05:38 PM

Originally Posted By: FiremanJG
Originally Posted By: RHutch
Getting emotional about "your brand" is silly.


Happens nearly every day, on the THF.

To the OP,

Here's my take in Swarovski, as well as many shooters that really know optics.

Almost untouchable glass quality. In fact I really don't know who makes clearer glass. Therefore Swaro observation devices are extraordinary.

Swaro is lacking in controls, in rifle scopes. If you want to dial corrections they play second fiddle to many other brands. They don't have much travel, and they have, in the past, had unreliable tracking. But if you are the guy, like most, that zero a scope, and never touch the controls again, they will probably do a great job for you, as others have mentioned in this thread.


I agree, if you will be twisting knobs, look at the x-5 if swaRO is your love
Posted By: Jgraider

Re: Swarovski Z5 or Z6? - 09/10/17 07:02 PM

Love Swaro binocs, not so much the riflescopes for the reasons FiremanJG mentions. The only scope I've had go bonkers in the field, on a hunt, was a 1" SwaroA. If you're gonna dial a lot, NF, SWFA SS, or Bushy Tacticals are the ticket. For set and forget, Leupold's will work great.

All that being said, if you just want a Swaro, get one.
Posted By: DocHorton

Re: Swarovski Z5 or Z6? - 09/10/17 10:19 PM

I have a Swaro Z5 for sale in the classifieds right now, it's basically brand new. PM me and we can make a deal and I will save you some money.
Posted By: Ben SportOptics

Re: Swarovski Z5 or Z6? - 09/11/17 05:57 PM

The Z5 is made specifically to be a very lightweight scope. Hence the 1" tube. Does not have a lot of adjustment. The Z6 does have Swarovksi's True ED glass the Z5 does not. The Z6 does have a little more adjustment as well. Dashing dog, I stated above that the Z6 has the true ED glass. The Z5 has excellent glass for daytime and lowlight performance. I have never had any complaints or felt like I needed more performance out of a Z5. The Ballistic Turret models are designed to be cranked up and down repeatedly. I have not had any issues with repeatability. I have also not had any customers call with issues on repeatability. If there were issues they must have been resolved. I hope this helps and puts your mind at ease. I truely do not see you being disappointed or wanting more out of either scope.
Posted By: Smokey Bear

Re: Swarovski Z5 or Z6? - 09/13/17 11:28 PM

Dashing Dog, in low light the Z-5 will do well. The real advantage of a 30mm tube is added travel in the erector system for the guy that is dialing elevation at long range and comes at the expense of added weight. It is a non factor in low light. A larger diameter objective lens will allow you to be able to see in lower light at higher magnification. Again it comes at the price of added size and weight. I'm not sure what the end goal of your set up is but for great optical clarity and low light use you will like the Swarovski. It is one of the tops in that arena. That is what Swarovski has earned its reputation on. A trim 1" tube is plenty for that. Dialing elevation at long range is where you get use out of the additional adjustment of a 30mm tube. On most hunting rifles it is additional adjustment that never gets used. In the end it depends on how you plan to use it. I will second what fireman said. For dedicated long range shooters, where tracking takes priority over optical clarity, and low light performance, there are other brands that the long range crowd judge more useful, and have a bigger following.
Posted By: Buzzsaw

Re: Swarovski Z5 or Z6? - 09/19/17 11:24 AM

Originally Posted By: Ben SportOptics
The Z5 is made specifically to be a very lightweight scope. Hence the 1" tube. Does not have a lot of adjustment. The Z6 does have Swarovksi's True ED glass the Z5 does not. The Z6 does have a little more adjustment as well. Dashing dog, I stated above that the Z6 has the true ED glass. The Z5 has excellent glass for daytime and lowlight performance. I have never had any complaints or felt like I needed more performance out of a Z5. The Ballistic Turret models are designed to be cranked up and down repeatedly. I have not had any issues with repeatability. I have also not had any customers call with issues on repeatability. If there were issues they must have been resolved. I hope this helps and puts your mind at ease. I truely do not see you being disappointed or wanting more out of either scope.


No argument, but I have plenty of "adjustment"

Posted By: Buzzsaw

Re: Swarovski Z5 or Z6? - 09/20/17 11:39 AM

Europtics.com is clearing out their Z-6 line to make room for the new Z-8. Call Keefer, tell him Buzz sent you
Posted By: Nogalus Prairie

Re: Swarovski Z5 or Z6? - 09/20/17 12:05 PM

Need to know more about your hunting style, needs, range for shooting, etc. before the question can be answered.

I will say that probably 90% of hunters do not need to spend the extra $$ for the Z6.
Posted By: BarneyWho

Re: Swarovski Z5 or Z6? - 09/20/17 01:11 PM

I recently bought a Z6. I can finally say I have a scope with the glass quality of my Leica Geovid HDs. If glass clarity and light transmission is what you are after, I've yet to find one better. I can't comment on repeat-ability of dialing elevation as I haven't shot with it much.
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