Swaro vs maven

[bigry26]

I am having a hard time deciding between a swaro z5 2.5-12 or a maven rs1 2.5-15. It will be going on a tikka 300 win mag for hunting and minimal paper punching.

 

[voltage]

Why have you narrowed it down to those two?

 

[bigry26]

I have a swaro z3 and a maven crs1 and I really like the glass in both. I am wanting to step up to the next level in either one.

 

[bigry26]

Amd there is a guy who has one on here in the classifieds for a good price

 

[Dave Thomas]

I would go with the maven for it's durability. I have one and like it. Have never used a Swarovski but they aren't known for holding zero like the maven or nightforce.

 

[swavescatter]

If you want a decent reticle for hunting and to be able to rely on your scope actually holding zero while riding around in your truck go with the Maven. If you plan to spend hours on end using your riflescope as a spotting scope get the Swaro and make sure you're inside 100 yds when you shoot so that you will probably hit the animal.

The RS1.2 is one tough scope. Only downsides are stiff parallax and aggressive knurling on elevation turret (some have reported it can turn itself rubbing on stuff) but a piece of tape solves that issue.

 

[elkguide]

Swaro fanboy here. But my last two scope purchases have been Maven. Both very good choices.

 

[Jack's Dad]

Only looked through one swaro, a z5. It was like looking through a straw. Love their observation optics but super underwhelmed by their scopes

 

[cole96]

Only looked through one swaro, a z5. It was like looking through a straw. Love their observation optics but super underwhelmed by their scopes

I agree with this. Their binos and spotters are the pinnacle. But I don’t own any of their scopes

 

[Tanner.scheurer]

Swaro fanboy here. But my last two scope purchases have been Maven. Both very good choices.

Is swaro worth the extra cash over a maven? I only use your spotter from time to time? I’ve got swaro bino’s but don’t find myself using my spotter often but sold my vortex razor because quality was horrible. My swaro 10x bino’s were almost better to glass through.

 

[Spiral Horn]

Depends on a few factors - first being the type of hunting and the anticipated shooting distances. If weight is at all a factor I’d recommend leaning towards the Swarovski, as although the Maven is more robust and durable it is also considerably heavier. If shots will generally be ~500 yards and under I’d also lean towards the Swarovski Z5 with a BRH reticle, but if wanting to dial in long ranges the Maven is a better choice. That is unless one is willing to step up to the Z5+ which has a much more robust erector system and it has proven itself on several hunts.

The big issues with the original Z5 series is to make their scopes very light Swarovski used thin tubes and lighter materials. The glass is superb but one must be careful not to crush the tube by over-torquing, and their original dialing erector did not always reliably track. But once zeroed, they’ve generally been pretty good. Had an issue with one that I suspect was defective from the factory (but read the recent NX6 thread which confirms this can happen with and brand/model). Still have a 3.5-18x on my 6.5CM and don’t plan on replacing it anytime soon. Have taken mountain sheep and goats with it and am not afraid to use it again. But I do prefer the new Z5+ which is an improvement in virtually every way. Have one on my 6.5PRC and love it - already dialed-in and took both mountain sheep and ibex on multiple hunts and feel it’s proven itself.

 

[Tanner.scheurer]

Thank you for the input!!