Swaro Z5 vs. Zeiss HD5

[ak12ring]

I am in the market for a new scope for a Kimber Montana .280 AI (when it shows up). I have been looking at both the swaro z5 3.5x18 and the zeiss hd5 3-15. Just seeing if anyone has any firsthand experience with either of these scopes and which on you would recommend. Along the same lines which redicle is better the rapid z or the brx.

Thanks in advance
Andy

 

[goatboy]

I can't speak for those two specific models but I have had both reticles and have to say that the rapid z is the way to go. Much easier to use and less generic than the brx/brh ( BRH is what you want for hunting ). I will say that the zeiss feel a lot more robust than the swaros, I have put my old conquest through hell and it's still alive, my S3 didn't last a season on my 300 rum.

 

[todd kelly]

Been using the z5 3-18x for three years now and love the scope. It is nearly bombproof. I took a fall while goat hunting two years ago, my rifle was strapped to my pack and took 90% of the impact on the initial hit. I hit hard enough that I broke one scope ring and cracked the other. The scope.... no issues. As soon as I got new rings, the scope was back to zero and has been fine ever since.

If you go with the z5, have a look at the BT option. I can't say enough good things about it. I love having clean simple reticles and being able to range, dial, aim dead on. I've shot bears out to 700m with it.

 

[Tony Trietch]

If you are looking for a Kimber 84L Montana in 280 AI, I know where one is for sale. They had two when I found them, one is on its way to me!
Your debate between scopes is almost exactly what I am grinding my teeth on as this time too!
I will be listening to advise from others on the scopes as well. I have been a Zeiss guy myself for a long time but I am looking at other optics to put atop the new toy.
PM me if you want the location (dealer) that has the 280 AI.

 

[Tony Trietch]

PM returned

 

[Shrek]

+1 for the swarovski BRH reticle. I have the z3 4-12×50 BRH and I'm very happy with it and weighs 14.6 oz on my kitchen scale. I own a 3-9x50 zeiss conquest that has had to go back to Zeiss twice to have the erector replaced and my friends 3-9×40 conquest had to go back for an erector also. My opinion of the conquests is great glass and tube but unreliable erectors.

 

[sheep.elk.moose fanatic]

I'm looking at the z6 3.5x15-44 mountain hunter? I have the huskemaw's on a few of my guns and the turrets are nice to shoot for sure but looking for better glass on a custom 7mm wsm that's in the works. Looking forward to this thread

 

[Tony Trietch]

I myself have been looking at the z3 4-12x50 BT L. Is there a big diff in the glass quality to the z5 line?

 

[MesaHorseCo.]

+1 for the swarovski BRH reticle. I have the z3 4-12×50 BRH and I'm very happy with it and weighs 14.6 oz on my kitchen scale. I own a 3-9x50 zeiss conquest that has had to go back to Zeiss twice to have the erector replaced and my friends 3-9×40 conquest had to go back for an erector also. My opinion of the conquests is great glass and tube but unreliable erectors.

Yep. Same issues here. Replaced it with a Z5 and haven't looked back. The BRH is MONEY.

 

[Shrek]

I myself have been looking at the z3 4-12x50 BT L. Is there a big diff in the glass quality to the z5 line?

I'm not sure if there is any difference in the glass but the glass in the z3 is excellent in its own right and any difference would be marginal at best. I'm pretty critical of glass but the z3 line is past where glass quality makes a difference in a sight to me. In binoculars and spotting scopes you can't have too good of glass but in a rifle scope other things weigh in more fore me. Weight , retcle , and tracking are big considerations for me. The conquest hd5 line is way too heavy imo. The z6 line has awesome performance in the glass and great reticles but for a mountain rifle the weight would give me pause.

 

[mtnclimber]

I have a Z5 3.5-18x44mm on my rifles inc. 300 wby and i love it! The glass is so crystal clear and the field of view is great compared to some scopes with similar objective.

I haven't looked through the ziess and don't know anyone who has it. but i know a lot of people with the Z5 and they have no complaints.

 

[Craig Van Arsdale]

I also have a Z3 on my mountain rifle and have been happy with it. Great glass and it's a pretty lightweight scope.

 

[ak12ring]

by the looks of it the Swaro is taking the cake! Thanks for all of the info

 

[Kotaman]

I have three of each of these (Z5' s and HD5 Rapid Z 800)...While they are both AWESOME scopes, I actually prefer the Zeiss. I prefer the Zeiss Reticle and I even think the Zeiss is sharper and brighter. Keep in mind this is coming from a HUGE Swaro fan. (I own three pairs of Swaro Binos and the SPotter.) Again, nothing wrong with either of these and I would've never believed it, but I like the Zeiss better.

 

[Tony Trietch]

I have three of each of these (Z5' s and HD5 Rapid Z 800)...While they are both AWESOME scopes, I actually prefer the Zeiss. I prefer the Zeiss Reticle and I even think the Zeiss is sharper and brighter. Keep in mind this is coming from a HUGE Swaro fan. (I own three pairs of Swaro Binos and the SPotter.) Again, nothing wrong with either of these and I would've never believed it, but I like the Zeiss better.

Great.
Just when I had my mind made up. Has anyone put a custom turret "Kenton or other" on their Zeiss? I will be getting a simple plex Reticle and a Ballistic turret and the Swaro system looks nice.

 

[todd kelly]

Great.
Just when I had my mind made up. Has anyone put a custom turret "Kenton or other" on their Zeiss? I will be getting a simple plex Reticle and a Ballistic turret and the Swaro system looks nice.

The one nice thing about Swaros BT is the ability to change it on your own if you ever change what ammo your shooting. Compared to a custom turret, if you ever change what your shooting, bullet type, charge weight, ect, ect, you'll need to buy a new turret. The upside to a custom turret is it will be a fair bit more accurate for adjustments instead of using colours.

I have my BT set up as follows.

200m zero,
green 300m
yellow 400m
red 500m
+12 clicks 600m
+15 clicks 700m
+15 clicks 800m



As for Kenton industries, I was going to order a turret from them a few years ago for my zeiss conquest scope, but the model I had was going to need a $100 upgrade to the elevation knob done by zeiss before it would work with KI's turret. Not sure if all Zeiss scopes need the upgrade or not, but would be worth contacting them first to find out.

 

[Kotaman]

All of my Zeiss scopes have the Rapid Z 800. (one has the varmit reticle) So I have not tried the Kenton Turret.

My Swaros all have the BT with Custom Turrets to match my rifle/load. The color system works good as well.

The Rapid Z 800 on my .280 AI lines up PERFECT with the Rapid Z Reticle on 14x. Like it was made for it. I really like the computer programs for both scopes.

If you are going to go with a Ballistic Turret, go Swaro and don't look back. Their BT system is great. If you want a fixed reticle with yardage marks, I'd go Zeiss.

 

[Shrek]

What stopped me from considering the Zeiss HD 's is weight. Swarovski z5 3.5-18×44 @ 15.9 oz vs Zeiss 3-15×42 @21.6 oz and Swarovski 5-25×52 @ 17.5 oz vs Zeiss 5-25×50 @ 26.6 oz. All of them provide more light and clarity than you need legal light to legal light. For a mountain rifle there's no way I'm carrying more weight for no useful gain.

 

[mtnclimber]

Question:

Why is no one making an moa turret for the swarovskis? It seems like it would be so easy but they just aren't doing it, and its pretty frustrating. Id love to put one on my Z5

 

[Tony Trietch]

Todd, I did call them regarding the Zeiss scopes. All of my conquest scopes would need the "Retrofit" plus the custom turret. The Swaro BT looked a lot more appealing after talking to them about my Zeiss. I think you need a target type turret on your Zeiss in order to not need a retrofit.
Kotaman, I am thinking exactly what you just said, Swaro for the BT. Dial in a load my new toy shoots well with the standard turret and once I'm happy with it, order the custom. They look very nice. Will prob be using Outdoorsman and their free turret.
Shrek, I was looking at those exact weights when trying to decide what model.
My mind is made up.
I am making the call right now.
That is not an April fools joke.