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

[Formidilosus]

Do you think an ATACR is still a safer bet on zero retention?

From and shear numbers seen and used perspective- yes because the data set is so much larger. However, I would 100% choose the ZP5 THLR over an ATACR for hunting. Even a once in a lifetime hunt.

 

[Formidilosus]

Updated.

Checked zero after removing the suppressor to use on another rifle for a bit.

 

[nm.otter]

THLR has a playlist covering his use of the reticle.

 

[Formidilosus]

THLR has a playlist covering his use of the reticle.

That’s handy.

 

[JohnJohnson]

EuroOptic is selling these for 50% off right now, have to call to place the order though. It's looking like a 4 week backorder but I just placed my order so the wait begins to see if it lives up to the hype. Just wanted to let other people know.

 

[RockAndSage]

EuroOptic is selling these for 50% off right now, have to call to place the order though. It's looking like a 4 week backorder but I just placed my order so the wait begins to see if it lives up to the hype. Just wanted to let other people know.

Can confirm - just bought 2.

 

[RockAndSage]

Can confirm - just bought 2.

@Formidilosus , I'm going to put one of these on an AR for the training aspect of using the scope/reticle, but would like to have it in QD mounts to put the LPVO back on at times. The Bobro I have the LPVO in is solid, but heavy - thinking about putting the Minox in a 1.53" Scalarworks, to shave a little weight. Any thoughts on this? Any other suggestions for a QD mount, for the ZP5 on an AR?

 

[JohnJohnson]

Do these have thick enough tubes to use 25 in/lbs on the ring cap screws with NF rings?

 

[Formidilosus]

@Formidilosus , I'm going to put one of these on an AR for the training aspect of using the scope/reticle, but would like to have it in QD mounts to put the LPVO back on at times. The Bobro I have the LPVO in is solid, but heavy - thinking about putting the Minox in a 1.53" Scalarworks, to shave a little weight. Any thoughts on this? Any other suggestions for a QD mount, for the ZP5 on an AR?

The Bobro is probably the best QD on the market. If I needed QD I would use that. But, I’d just use a Geissele or NF 34mm mount and torque correctly each time.

 

[Dobermann]

EuroOptic is selling these for 50% off right now, have to call to place the order though. It's looking like a 4 week backorder but I just placed my order so the wait begins to see if it lives up to the hype. Just wanted to let other people know.

Thats' odd ... now showing as 'Unavailable'. I wonder if it was a glitch on their site, or if they only opened it up briefly to get some pre-orders that would justify placing a bulk order ... or if they lucked into some of the remaindered stock that other retailers/suppliers had (as I managed to snag from their Australian distributor a couple of years ago) ...

Any leads anyone?

 

[Q_Sertorius]

Thats' odd ... now showing as 'Unavailable'. I wonder if it was a glitch on their site, or if they only opened it up briefly to get some pre-orders that would justify placing a bulk order ... or if they lucked into some of the remaindered stock that other retailers/suppliers had (as I managed to snag from their Australian distributor a couple of years ago) ...

Any leads anyone?

Did you call EuroOptic?

 

[JohnJohnson]

Thats' odd ... now showing as 'Unavailable'. I wonder if it was a glitch on their site, or if they only opened it up briefly to get some pre-orders that would justify placing a bulk order ... or if they lucked into some of the remaindered stock that other retailers/suppliers had (as I managed to snag from their Australian distributor a couple of years ago) ...

Any leads anyone?

Myself and @RockAndSage both placed our orders via phone. The website isn't updated since the batch of ZP5's they have coming in aren't there yet. You just have to call.

 

[RockAndSage]

As I think Thomas has tried to describe, it's not so much a reticle designed to just be 'a reticle', but more of a mapping, in reticle form, of a particular approach to a thinking about shooting

The way you put this, and Form's conversation with you around it, were particularly interesting. Getting a command of using this reticle in my head and in the field is going to be a fun ride. Thanks for the information you guys have both put out about it here.

 

[Dobermann]

Did you call EuroOptic?

No - and thanks @JohnJohnson and @RockAndSage - I already have two!

So I was more just curious ... although if I had the spare cash now, I'd probably pick one up as a backup and/or just in case I built out another rig.

Glad you scored some - and thanks for letting others know to call. Amazing deal on an amazing scope.

 

[Dobermann]

Does anyone have the reticle thickness specifications of the THLR reticle available? The first 2 mils on the horizontal appear thinner than the rest.

Hi @ZAR EC and others - I just noticed that the stadia thickness I posted back in Nov 2023 were incorrect, so I've edited that post. I think I've got them correct now: https://rokslide.com/forums/threads...25x56mm-thlr-scope.253284/page-9#post-3343789

 

[Dobermann]

The way you put this, and Form's conversation with you around it, were particularly interesting. Getting a command of using this reticle in my head and in the field is going to be a fun ride. Thanks for the information you guys have both put out about it here.

You're welcome. This thread - and @nm.otter posting @THLR's playlist above make this likely the most complete repository of information about the THLR reticle that exists ...

Another great example of what Rokslide can be when we all work together. Thanks @Ryan Avery for bringing this diverse group of folks from around the world together to be able to help each other out - and, of course @Formidilosus for patiently answering so many detailed questions about this over the last four years.

 

[ID_Matt]

Anybody else torn between the standard .2 reticle they are offering vs venturing into the THLR?

 

[JohnJohnson]

Anybody else torn between the standard .2 reticle they are offering vs venturing into the THLR?

I wasn't that torn since I bought it exclusively for hunting. I have other optics I can use for NRL Hunter or PRS or whatever else. If I was getting a ZP5 to also do competition stuff with I'd be real tempted by that MR4 reticle though.

 

[RockAndSage]

I wasn't that torn since I bought it exclusively for hunting. I have other optics I can use for NRL Hunter or PRS or whatever else. If I was getting a ZP5 to also do competition stuff with I'd be real tempted by that MR4 reticle though.

Same - this is intended for hunting, first and foremost. I'd be lying if I said Form's explanation of the THLR's usability in field realities in depth, and his summary of it as "a killing reticle", wasn't 100% the reason for putting money into it. Well, that, and the Rokscope with the simplified reticle isn't out yet. But the more advanced version of the reticle gives me plenty of growing room, to study, learn, and work it all out.

@ID_Matt , if you go back to the beginning of this thread, there's a number of really good links that are provided, and a lot of detailed discussion of the scope both here and in the main review linked in the first post.

In this thread, one of the links is to a long review on Sniper's Hide by BigJimFish. Within the positives he shares, is that it absolutely holds its own optically with ZCO and Tangent Theta. But he also makes it clear he believes it's not the best reticle for PRS, and kinda derides the thinking behind the reticle as "old world" shooting. Which is a bit uncool, frankly, and perhaps a bit uninformed on its thinking/intent. But for the reasons he provides, it definitely wouldn't be the best reticle for PRS, or flat-range precision rifle. Form's take on it, however, seems very clear that while it would work for PRS and may not be the best for that, he very clearly states that the THLR is the best reticle he's ever used in the realities of hunting in the field, by a notable margin.

All combined, my priorities of getting the job done in whatever field realities I find myself in - quickly, with no BS - are far better met with the THLR, and the optical capabilities of it in this scope. The only drawback at all is the size and weight. But I'm willing to accept that, in this context. If I decide to get into precision gun games, then maybe I'd bridge with it, and change to a more PRS optimized scope later.

 

[Dobermann]

I've also been tempted on and off over the years by also getting a ZP5 with the MR4 reticle purely for long-range competition, partly as the scope overall is just so good, and partly as that would then mean a level of cross-platform familiarity. The MR4s also come up for sale secondhand more often, and were also part of the deep discounts a few years ago as distributors changed, so they've been available at very reasonable prices.

I think a few thing are worth noting here, and to build a bit on what @RockAndSage said above. I think I've covered these before, but they could be useful for @ID_Matt, @JohnJohnson, and others considering the MR4:

When the ZP5 came out, some key people on the Hide spoke highly of it - in general, BigJim did about the rest of the package, but just didn't like (or perhaps understand?) the THLR reticle; Dave from the JustFnSendIt podcast ran one, and Bill/Glassaholic also spoke highly of it. It's worth digging through those posts - especially doing a keyword search for 'ZP5' with Glassaholic as the poster, to see just how well it was regarded. As just two examples, it was farily common for people to say that the ZP5 was superior optically to the ATACR 5-25, and held its own against ZCO.

I think CS Tactical was one of the main dealers for the ZP5. They seemed to rate it highly, but then dropped it from inventory. From memory, they made some semi-cryptic comments on the Hide that suggested they'd seen some reliability issues - but their lack of specifics didn't read 'right' to me, and they became a dealer for another alpha scope brand about the same time, so it just looked a bit muddly. And the PRS crew, often in want of the next shiny thing, the thing that has the most hype, or the brand that will keep them in the cool kids club (or in sponsorships) seemed to move on to other things. In any case, it would be good if those here using the ZP5 could post about any issues.

In terms of the THLR reticle being optimised for hunting - we need to remember that it was also possibly designed for military use, with one of the early videos (now deleted) apparently showing the reticle in that application. I've posted about this once or twice, and there's not much about this online. I don't know that Thomas has commented on that here, and I wouldn't expect him to. But if that was part of the design intent, then some of the reticle elements make more sense - and some add to its application for hunting.