Q&A for Minox ZP5 5-25x56mm THLR scope

[Shooter71]

Fine Art... can’t risk lowering the value..

 

[BjornF16]

Fake news. 6mm can’t kill elk.

Which bullet doesn't kill elk in that rig?

@Formidilosus What is the purpose/use of the "Aim Short", "Aim Long" dots that are above and below the center container?

 

[Formidilosus]

Which bullet doesn't kill elk in that rig?

Currently a non commercially available for most. Hornady’s 108gr ELD-M and 105gr HPBT; Bergers 105gr and 115gr VLD’s, and 95gr TMK’s all kill well.

@Formidilosus What is the purpose/use of the "Aim Short", "Aim Long" dots that are above and below the center container?

I will be adding that to the eval. Should be today/tonight.

 

[Formidilosus]

Which bullet doesn't kill elk in that rig?

Ah, and at I whopping 708 ft-lbs of energy. Through ribs. And shoulder. And exited.






In other news, has anyone seen @Ryan Avery on a sled…?

 

[Helislacker]

What specifically was wrong?

What I have seen were not truly functional issues, but shouldn’t have happened regardless.

Similar. Non functional but questionable regardless. Specifically lubricant or oil inside the scope eventually spattered onto the reticle and objective in the inside following installation. The second one had debris and hairlike material on the inside that became visible shortly after using. Not sure if I didn’t notice it before, or if it was always there and I missed it. Either way, the QC wasn’t up to snuff and didn’t give me confidence in the optic, this has been since validated based on things I’ve heard from guys who have purchased ZP5’s or LR’s and had issues. If you can’t ensure basics like there isn’t debris inside a brand new scope, how I trust to ensure this thing will track correctly or not eject more debris onto the optic during a hunt? These are all valid concerns IMO

In addition a well respected primary retailer I spoke to up here that pointed me towards NF and a highly accomplished instructor have both said they’ve seen numerous issues with the Minox ZP5 and won’t carry or recommend them as a result. I didn’t ask what specifically these issues were, but I trust their word and their reasoning for not carrying them.

These are all anecdotes ultimately, but in addition to my anecdotes, I have received recommendations from folks I trust based on their experiences to stay clear of the brand myself. That said, maybe they’ve stepped their game up and fixed these issues. Time will tell.

 

[Formidilosus]

lubricant or oil inside the scope eventually spattered onto the reticle and objective in the inside following installation. The second one had debris and hairlike material on the inside that became visible shortly after using. Not sure if I didn’t notice it before, or if it was always there and I missed it. Either way, the QC wasn’t up to snuff and didn’t give me confidence in the optic, this has been since validated based on things I’ve heard from guys who have purchased ZP5’s or LR’s and had similar issues. If you can’t ensure basics like there isn’t debris inside the scope, how I trust to ensure this thing will track correctly?

While no, those things shouldn’t have happened; specks, dust, and oil on the lens can and will happen to every scope made, including S&B, NF, ZCO, TT, Leupold, etc. That alone is an annoyance, but I wouldn’t call it a failure. Debris on lenses is different than mechanical integrity.

In addition a well respected primary retailer I spoke to up here that pointed me towards NF and a highly accomplished instructor have both said they’ve seen numerous issues with the Minox ZP5 and won’t carry or recommend them as a result.

And this is the question- what issues? Turret feel? That was the most complained about aspect and is ridiculous. Debris on lenses shouldn’t happen and is annoying, but is an easy fix and doesn’t effect mechanical aspects. Actual failure to hold zero, failure to RTZ, or dial correctly and consistently ARE failures and those matter.

These are all anecdotes ultimately, but in addition to my anecdotes, I have received recommendations from folks I trust based on their experiences to stay clear of the brand myself. That said, maybe they’ve stepped their game up and fixed these issues. Time will tell.

While it’s interesting to say as according to the internet I am paid by NF, I have seen NF’s with debris on the glass. A good snack or two and they’re gone, but still. NF is by far the safest bet when it comes to mechanical integrity- if they actually had a reticle that could be seen at low power…

 

[Helislacker]

While no, those things shouldn’t have happened; specks, dust, and oil on the lens can and will happen to every scope made, including S&B, NF, ZCO, TT, Leupold, etc. That alone is an annoyance, but I wouldn’t call it a failure. Debris on lenses is different than mechanical integrity.



And this is the question- what issues? Turret feel? That was the most complained about aspect and is ridiculous. Debris on lenses shouldn’t happen and is annoying, but is an easy fix and doesn’t effect mechanical aspects. Actual failure to hold zero, failure to RTZ, or dial correctly and consistently ARE failures and those matter.






While it’s interesting to say as according to the internet I am paid by NF, I have seen NF’s with debris on the glass. A good snack or two and they’re gone, but still. NF is by far the safest bet when it comes to mechanical integrity- if they actually had a reticle that could be seen at low power…

I trust your thoughts on optics and firmly reject the SH theory that seems to suggest all optics are made equal and people who buy NF for reliability are cultists. I highly doubt there is anyone out there who’s had two NF scopes back to back have debris or oil on the lens inside the optic straight from the factory. I’m sure there’s plenty 1/100 guys out there who were just unlucky with one scope. That said, for me, I could care a less about a spec of dust that reveals itself (especially after some use) or oil spattering on 1/100 optics. That’s why I went ahead and didn’t return the initial optic after the oil spattering issue, because I figured I may have been that 1/100 guy. Having two with the same issues back to back after the retailer inspected the scope himself and hand picked that one of problematic though, and makes it highly unlikely that my issue was a rare one.

Maybe they do RTZ, track, and maintain zero retention in the long run, I just know I’m not dealing with the potential QC issues especially when the turn around time can be months for basic QC things that should not occur in any optic back to back

 

[Formidilosus]

Maybe they do RTZ, track, and maintain zero retention in the long run, I just know I’m not dealing with the potential QC issues especially when the turn around time can be months for basic QC things that should not occur in any optic back to back

Agree on all. As there isn’t much use information on the Minox’s I appreciate it.

 

[woods89]

In other news, has anyone seen @Ryan Avery on a sled…?View attachment 381893

Someone should tell him his sled dog is a little small......

 

[Helislacker]

Agree on all. As there isn’t much use information on the Minox’s I appreciate it.

And it’s frustrating because the qualities of the optic (minus size) were phenomenal, and I’d love to see an optic that can go toe to toe with an ATACR (ZP5) or NX8 (LR) to provide more options for a truly reliable aiming device with top notch optical qualities. Plus I can’t buy SWFA up here unfortunately.

 

[wind gypsy]

Plus I can’t buy SWFA up here unfortunately.

Can’t buy em down here either. At least not 3-9s for the past 14 months and counting.

 

[RyanT26]

GD that's an ugly rifle! But my uncle did shoot his elk with that setup at 970... so the rifle does have Character going for it.

View attachment 381846

So he killed a elk at 970 with a 6xc? My creedmoor should be good to 1500 at least!

 

[Formidilosus]

@Formidilosus What is the purpose/use of the "Aim Short", "Aim Long" dots that are above and below the center container?

The Aim Short and Long explanation is up.

 

[BjornF16]

The Aim Short and Long explanation is up.

Wizard!

 

[BjornF16]

Would love to see this reticle in a 24-28oz reliable/durable scope…with decent glass.

Do you reckon this would be as effective in, say, 3-15x power?

 

[Shraggs]

GD that's an ugly rifle! But my uncle did shoot his elk with that setup at 970... so the rifle does have Character going for it.

View attachment 381846

970 with 6mm, what bullet?

 

[Formidilosus]

Would love to see this reticle in a 24-28oz reliable/durable scope…with decent glass.

Do you reckon this would be as effective in, say, 3-15x power?

It would be awesome in a 3-15x scope. Or a 3-9x one, or fixed 6x.

 

[Formidilosus]

970 with 6mm, what bullet?

Shhhh…

 

[Shraggs]

That’s a heck of wound and exit for 970 yards in a small bore!

And KE for varmits…

 

[Shraggs]

Hanging out Ryan your memes use is now impressive!