Swaro Z5 versus Z6

[Spartan]

Information about the difference between the Z5 and Z6 seemed to suggest that the same glass is used in both models and he only difference is the 1" tube versus the 30mm tube.

During last weekend Expo I was advised by the Swaro Rep. that;
- the low magnification Z6 and Z5 scopes generally contain the same quality glass,
- the higher magnification scopes such as the 3-18x50 & 3.5-18x44 use higher quality glass in the Z6 than the Z5.
- there is no increased elevation range available for the 30mm tube over the 1" tube.

Does anybody else have information regarding the differences between the Z5 & Z6 and can you corroborate this information?

[Londonhunter]

Spartan

I am now expert

Just consumer

I have got many scoopes and here is what i find

There is no difference in MOA dial amity between z5 or z6 with similar magnification

All these letting more light in are very theoretical

I bought them all and have been trying them under all sorts of control environment

I have even brought them to work where there are light source which is infinitely variable through a pin oleoresins source

In the end I am settling for the z5

Light
Good enough range
Good balance
Good price

Not that z6 is no good

I have 6 of them but it is for a different purpose and not stalking

Now the z5 sits on my k95 and I dial from 200 to 600 yards

Picture to help you to decide

[Spartan]

Wow, nice selection of glass Londonhunter

Do you have the 3-18x50 Z6/Z6i & 3.5-18x44 Z5/Z5i (or higher magnification Z5 & Z6 combination) and can you notice much difference in clarity between them at high magnification?

The Z5 is hard to beat with the Ballistic Turret. I think the combination of BT, 95mm eye relief, parallax adjustment and price make it the perfect scope for long range hunting over the 300WinMag.

[Londonhunter]

Wow, nice selection of glass Londonhunter

Do you have the 3-18x50 Z6/Z6i & 3.5-18x44 Z5/Z5i (or higher magnification Z5 & Z6 combination) and can you notice much difference in clarity between them at high magnification?

The Z5 is hard to beat with the Ballistic Turret. I think the combination of BT, 95mm eye relief, parallax adjustment and price make it the perfect scope for long range hunting over the 300WinMag.

I have the latter and at high end there is no difference n clarity

Again I am biased and subjective

[Corjack]

Per a discussion with Pigeon a couple weeks ago, the Z6 2.5-15, and higher, have HD glass. I am not sure in the Z5 line as too the glass quality.

[Davo 7mm]

As far as i know there is no HD glass in the Z5, i have used both and inckluding the 5-25 Z5 and 5-30 Z6, if weight is no problem then go with the Z6, if you need lightweight the Z5 is good,

the biggest adavantage with the Z6is much better field of view, i fyou want really low weight then you need the Z3,
cheers David

[Pigeon]

Well:

the Z5´s are not available with illuminated reticle and not with SR-rail option

The interior design is different: so the Z5 has a smaller zoom range (5x) while the Z6 has 6x

The Z5 has 25 mm tube, the z6 has 30mm

the high magnifition Z6 (15x and more) have HD lenses - MUCH higher quality of the image (brilliance, sharpness and light transmission, contrast)

and the BT of the new Z6(i) II 2nd generation will come with a lockable Ballistic Turrent (but only the European sold ones)

The high magnifition Z6 have a parallaxe adjustment

Any more questions...?!?!

[thechamp]

Well:

the Z5´s are not available with illuminated reticle and not with SR-rail option

The interior design is different: so the Z5 has a smaller zoom range (5x) while the Z6 has 6x

The Z5 has 25 mm tube, the z6 has 30mm

the high magnifition Z6 (15x and more) have HD lenses - MUCH higher quality of the image (brilliance, sharpness and light transmission, contrast)

and the BT of the new Z6(i) II 2nd generation will come with a lockable Ballistic Turrent (but only the European sold ones)

The high magnifition Z6 have a parallaxe adjustment

Any more questions...?!?!

Good job! I saw the HD bit on one of the online sources and for the life of me can't find it again.

Only part that I see you forgot was that the Z5 3.5-18x44 and the Z5 5x25x52 both had parallax adjustments as well....

While the Z6's higher end do have the HD glass personally speaking my eyes don't see the difference. IF Swarovski added the illumination and rail mounting system to the Z5 I probably wouldn't pay the difference for the Z6. The lighter weight and little smaller profile of the Z5 makes it a sweet scope. (And I just sold the only one I had.... mainly because of the lack of illumination!)

Word to the wise unless you plan on wholesale changes DO NOT buy an illuminated Swarovski... Once you've used them you're going to want them on every barrel.

I have to add that I am still looking to buy a new Z6 Gen II but I'm not a big believer in the auto on-off illumination system. Several reasons why, starting with 'one more thing to break'. The second is battery life is not that big a deal on the old ones. If you can't turn your switch on and off maybe you should hire a gun bearer to do it for you.... Third they turn on and off depending on the angle of the gun. I've made some shots down the mountain side in New Mexico that I would have worried about the light going off. Probably wouldn't happen but it's something that is unnecessary. From what I'm reading it appears you can override that system but still need to look into that further. I understand the locking feature on the BT but their turrets are so low profile and smooth that the chances of something turning them accidently is slim and none. The big clunky knobs that Zeiss uses always looked like they were inviting something to move them while moving through heavy brush, etc. I'm just as glad that that feature isn't available here. I don't really want anything else to have to undo in order to move the turret as needed. Plus I've gotten used to looking at my rifle from time to time just to make sure the scope is where it's supposed to be. Already trained... I'm in no hurry so I'll have to look at the new z6i a bit more before opting for them over the old one.

[Pigeon]

Well:

Word to the wise unless you plan on wholesale changes DO NOT buy an illuminated Swarovski... Once you've used them you're going to want them on every barrel.

.

Yes, it is definetly a disease - the same goes with the SR rail option...

that´s why I never started without rail mount or illumnation: all of my scopes have these 2 options

[thechamp]

Well:

Word to the wise unless you plan on wholesale changes DO NOT buy an illuminated Swarovski... Once you've used them you're going to want them on every barrel.

.

Yes, it is definetly a disease - the same goes with the SR rail option...

that´s why I never started without rail mount or illumnation: all of my scopes have these 2 options

Most definitely the SR rail option is light years ahead of the hose clamp mounting system that the American market thinks is the cats azz. Granted the American companies get to sell a lot more 'new' scopes that way. Makes you wonder if there might not be a method to their madness. I keep hoping that Swarovski will change their mind and bring the SRs into this country and PROMOTE them at the shows by having guns with them mounted on them using their Cross Slot mounts to prove that they work on guns other than Blasers. I think they gave up way too soon the first time around. Also for a while make the scopes with the rails the same price as the round ones. Yes the consumer will still have to shell out $169 for mounts versus $29.95 but when you're trying to get something into the hands of the consumers you have to make it happen. They're selling their high end scopes here which is a good sign. Now it's time for the next step.

[scott9362]

Guys are there any differences to the mechanical internals between a Z3 and a Z5 that might make a Z3 less able to handle magnum recoil?

[thechamp]

Guys are there any differences to the mechanical internals between a Z3 and a Z5 that might make a Z3 less able to handle magnum recoil?

Pigeon will probably be able to explain it better or definitely more thoroughly but Swarovski uses their 4 point coil spring system in the Z5 and the Z6. This system is the same one that was used on their previous Professional Hunter series. I had several of those over the years and they were very good.

The Z3 is just a repackaged AV with what I believe are leaf springs. I recall early on when the AVs first came out there were some reports of them failing in certain hunting situations. I suspect whatever the problem might have been it was fixed as I've not heard any further complaints regarding the AV/Z3 models. I've owned a slew of AV models and never had a problem with any of them.

[scott9362]

Thanks Champ. I looked further into it and found this.

http://www.opticstalk.com/what-makes-sw ... 19469.html

Explains it in great detail. Thanks for the reply.

Has anyone had problems with a Z3 on a magnum rifle?

[Londonhunter]

Nop

I have a 338 lapua with a z3 and there are no issues after 200 shots

[thechamp]

Thanks Champ. I looked further into it and found this.

http://www.opticstalk.com/what-makes-sw ... 19469.html

Explains it in great detail. Thanks for the reply.

Has anyone had problems with a Z3 on a magnum rifle?

Great find. Nice job explaining and SHOWING how they are different. I'm going to stash that link for future reference! Either way they build a top notch scope. And their service department is outstanding. No matter who makes something it may require service some day. Sure helps when the people are wanting to help you take care of your investments.