Leupold VX5 HD vs Swaro Z3 vs Zeiss HD5

Hey all,
Looks like one can pick up a Leupold VX5 HD or a Swaro Z3 or a Zeiss HD5 for all about the same price. What are the differences in optical quality. Want a plex or #4 reticle.

Thanks for your thoughts and feedback.

IMO, the optical quality of the Swaro is the best of the 3, The VX5HD is better for knob twisting. The HD5 never was of much interest before Zeiss discontinued it. The only reason it's getting a look now is because they are being closed out for 40% off. Stick with the Swarovski or the Leupold

I was at Bass Pro last week and looked at the Swaro Z5 next to the Leupold VX5HD, I compared them both on 8x. Before looking through them I thought surely the Z5 would have the better glass, but I was really surprised at how good the vx5 glass was. To my eyes, the VX5HD had the better glass. I felt it was brighter and was just as clear, if not more, than the Z5. My next scope will be the VX5HD 3-15x44.

Go to cabelas or a store that carries them all and go outside and look through them. Swaro has the optical quality hands down. I'm not a Leupold hater- I have 5 of them on rifles back home from VX1 to VX6. Depends on what the application will be-- I really like the Swaro for a hunting rig, the ballistic turret is unique in that you can set rings specific to range. Which allows you to rapidly spin to a set range on one of your 3 rings. If you need to dial clicks you can do that as well. With most other turrets you are only counting clicks.

The limitation with the Swaro is that you only get 1 full revolution of the turret with their BT. Which is 13.5ish MOA- getting you to 700ish yards depending on cartridge.

I have my Swaro on a lightweight .308, zero is 200 yards and the rings are set past that.

My experience is the same. Sold my Swaro Z5 and bought two VX-6HD and one VX-5HD.