Went To The Dark Side (Swarovski)

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Bonk

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I’ve never agreed with the philosophy of spending more money on a scope than I did the rifle and I still don’t. I’m a died in the wool Leupold fan and they’ve done everything I’ve asked of them. The most I ever spent on one was about $600 and that was for a VX5-HD. I liked it but I’m not a fan of 30mm tubes. I sold it almost immediately because it just seemed too bulky on top of my rifle. I have about a half dozen VX1/VX2/Freedom models and they work fine. Very basic but more than adequate for my needs. I do have some VX-3i models and those are my favorites. Better than the VX1/2 but still 1” tubes and not a lot of tactical tomfoolery. I’ve also been a sceptic of the big dollar brands like Swarovski, Zeiss, etc. I acknowledge their superior glass but in my world I couldn’t justify the considerable additional expense for a relatively moderate increase in performance. Better, yes but not $2500-3000 better.

Today I had the chance to buy a BNIB Swarovski Z-3 for several hundred dollars less than the going price. It was comfortably under $1K so I decided to buy it and see what all the fuss is about. I know it’s not a Z-8 but all the reviews I read said the optical clarity was really close to the Z-5 but still in a 1” tube. I haven’t had a chance to use it yet but it seems like a nice piece of kit especially for the price I paid.

One of two things will happen. It will either not impress me but I won’t be too annoyed because I didn’t spend a whole lot for it. OTOH, and probably worse, is I’ll love it and have to start replacing my Leupolds and I doubt I’ll find another deal like I did today. Wish me luck. :cool:
 
My wife is a huge Z3 fan… she’s got them on her Kimber 308 and her Kimber 300 win mag… she’s absolutely swears by them… I don’t think you’ll be disappointed…
 
We are so different lol
IMG_6634.jpeg

Pictured here is a $2900 scope (going rate used $1900-2200) on top of a rifle I paid roughly $400 for lol

For every yin there’s a yang
 
A Z3 is a fine scope. I have two or three and one currently sits on my Rigby Highland Stalker. A huge advantage is the relatively long traditional length of the barrel of the scope allowing better positioning for proper eye relief.
 
I've used Swaro products for over 30 years and still buy them. Bought my first one when an old gunsmith said

"you gotta see them to shoot at them"

JES
 
Bonk said:
I’ve never agreed with the philosophy of spending more money on a scope than I did the rifle and I still don’t. I’m a died in the wool Leupold fan and they’ve done everything I’ve asked of them. The most I ever spent on one was about $600 and that was for a VX5-HD. I liked it but I’m not a fan of 30mm tubes. I sold it almost immediately because it just seemed too bulky on top of my rifle. I have about a half dozen VX1/VX2/Freedom models and they work fine. Very basic but more than adequate for my needs. I do have some VX-3i models and those are my favorites. Better than the VX1/2 but still 1” tubes and not a lot of tactical tomfoolery. I’ve also been a sceptic of the big dollar brands like Swarovski, Zeiss, etc. I acknowledge their superior glass but in my world I couldn’t justify the considerable additional expense for a relatively moderate increase in performance. Better, yes but not $2500-3000 better.

Today I had the chance to buy a BNIB Swarovski Z-3 for several hundred dollars less than the going price. It was comfortably under $1K so I decided to buy it and see what all the fuss is about. I know it’s not a Z-8 but all the reviews I read said the optical clarity was really close to the Z-5 but still in a 1” tube. I haven’t had a chance to use it yet but it seems like a nice piece of kit especially for the price I paid.

One of two things will happen. It will either not impress me but I won’t be too annoyed because I didn’t spend a whole lot for it. OTOH, and probably worse, is I’ll love it and have to start replacing my Leupolds and I doubt I’ll find another deal like I did today. Wish me luck. :cool:
Click to expand...
I had all my bolt guns in Swaro. In my opinion the absolute best glass. However after having two of them struggle to allow for horizontal adjustments both being sent back to Swaro and realizing given on almost all my safaris I gave shot DG in deep shadow I sold all my Swaro and went back to Leupold with illuminated scopes and have had zero problem adjusting scope with more than adequate lens quality. So having spend thousands per scope on Swaro no problem based on overall performance I went back to Leupold not based on money at all
 
I have a couple of Swarovski Z3 3-10x. IMO: Basically Leupold VX3 size and weight with VX5/6 glass. I can’t speak to durability as I haven’t hunted much with them and they aren’t mounted on heavy kickers: .270 and .30/06.
 
I think the Swarovski is undoubtedly better glass, butt bigger and brighter is not all that matters.

My only problem with some models is the unusually large ocular lens. Even with highly modified bolt handles, the Z8i's usually have to be mounted higher to clear the bolt handle.

I have 2 CZ-550's in 450 Rigby. One with a Swaro Z8, the other with a Leupold VX5. The Leupold sits considerably lower over the receiver and still clears the bolt handle comfortably.
 
I think you will be impressed with the clarity and brightness.
The Z3 compete for lightweight against Leupold if weight is a concern
 
I have multiple Z3s in 3-9x36 (fave for weight) and 3-10x40 on hunting rifles and 4-12x50 on varmint rifles. Also have 3.5-18x44 Z5 on my 240WBY and 1.7-10 Z6s on my 30 cals (30-06 and 300WBY). Blaser 1-6x on my 9.3x62 barrel and Kahles 1.8-8x on my 338WM barrel for the Blaser R8.
I started out with Trashco scopes when it was all I could afford and have progressed through Leupold and Zeiss (Conquest) to Swarovski and I have 10x32 LRF Swaro Binos. The older I get, the more I appreciate top quality glass.
 
Z3 are great for the money. I don’t have a single scope that out cost the rifle it’s on. Swaro, s&b, zeiss, leupold,….own various models of all of them. As mentioned previously the ocular lenses are starting to get rediculously large on some of the 30 and 34mm models, bolt clearance and cheek weld become issues. For the money you spent you will be happy, that z3 is a good optic. I know a guy that sings high praises for the Leica line that’s currently being sold as well. Good luck and enjoy
 
458JCE said:
I have multiple Z3s in 3-9x36 (fave for weight) and 3-10x40 on hunting rifles and 4-12x50 on varmint rifles. Also have 3.5-18x44 Z5 on my 240WBY and 1.7-10 Z6s on my 30 cals (30-06 and 300WBY). Blaser 1-6x on my 9.3x62 barrel and Kahles 1.8-8x on my 338WM barrel for the Blaser R8.
I started out with Trashco scopes when it was all I could afford and have progressed through Leupold and Zeiss (Conquest) to Swarovski and I have 10x32 LRF Swaro Binos. The older I get, the more I appreciate top quality glass.
Click to expand...
^^^This^^^

I went through the same 40 year process with Bushnell, Weaver, Redfield, Burris, then Leupold.

Riflescopes need good glass obviously, but quality binoculars are a completely different matter. The older my eyes get, the more appealing the Swarovski binoculars are, especially at long range and in low light. There's also the fact that most hunters will spend far more time glassing through binoculars than they will the riflescopes, so spending on quality binoculars is probably wiser.

I love my Leica binoculars, but it's not hard to admit the Swarovski's are better. Are they better enough to justify a $1,000 jump in price for roughly the same magnification? :unsure:
 
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skydiver386 said:
^^^This^^^


I love my Leica binoculars, but it's not hard to admit the Swarovski's are better. Are they better enough to justify a $1,000 jump in price for roughly the same magnification? :unsure:
Click to expand...

I guess it depends on your priorities or your disposable income. Ideally you need investments to generate income so you need to save money to make money.

To some $5000 isn’t a big decision for others it’s a once in a lifetime purchase and a strain on the budget so you start thinking is worth the extra thousand bucks.

If I were considering high end binoculars I think it would be come down to accepting I can only buy one pair so maybe it’s worth going the extra or maybe it’s worth saving for.
 
Rare Breed said:
I had all my bolt guns in Swaro. In my opinion the absolute best glass. However after having two of them struggle to allow for horizontal adjustments both being sent back to Swaro and realizing given on almost all my safaris I gave shot DG in deep shadow I sold all my Swaro and went back to Leupold with illuminated scopes and have had zero problem adjusting scope with more than adequate lens quality. So having spend thousands per scope on Swaro no problem based on overall performance I went back to Leupold not based on money at all
Click to expand...
I think you make a great point. Different tools for different jobs. I plan to put this Swaro on a 300H&H but I have a LPVO with an illuminated reticle to use on my 375H&H.
 
I have one swaro scope I could never afford them…..then up came a Demo model half the price of a new one. It’s a good scope same glass etc. Was it worth it?
Never let me down. But I’d not buy a new one. Not when you can pick up 2nd hand.
Like my Sightron though that’s a lot of scope with good glass.
 
Sideshow said:
I have one swaro scope I could never afford them…..then up came a Demo model half the price of a new one. It’s a good scope same glass etc. Was it worth it?
Never let me down. But I’d not buy a new one. Not when you can pick up 2nd hand.
Like my Sightron though that’s a lot of scope with good glass.
Click to expand...
That’s what I did. I bought it second hand.
 
Bonk said:
That’s what I did. I bought it second hand.
Click to expand...
I thought it was a good deal. It had been only used as shop display so not as if someone was going to take a hammer to it.
 
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