Swarovski Z3 vs Leupold VX3i

[General RE LEE]

I’m consolidating and selling off extra gear I’ve accumulated to pair two rifles with nice optics. My Tikka .308 will wear a Swaro 3-10x42 Z3 and my .30 06 a Leupold VX3i 3-10 x 40.

Tennessee law shuts off shooting 30 minutes either side of sunrise/sunset. I do hunt a blend of woods or fields and it can get dark quick in the woods on a cloudy day.

Is the Swaro glass perceptibly brighter/clearer than VX3i glass in low light?

Also are both scopes similar in dependability and tracking?

Thanks


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[LightFoot]

My experience is that the Swaro is a little brighter.

Both should track consistently and are dependable.



>>>----JAKE----->

 

[ChrisAU]

Glass, check then out yourself if you have them.

Dependability/tracking, I’d say check both thoroughly...

 

[thinhorn_AK]

I owned the Z3 in the past and have some vx3i scopes now. I found them to one pretty comparable.

 

[General RE LEE]

If the Swarovski and Leupold are comparable, I’m debating even buying a Swarovski. The Leupold will have a lifetime warranty vs 10 year warranty, better eye relief and $400 less expensive. Also Leupold’s corporate and main employee base is here. Swarovski is made here but ultimately the Austrians are getting the dough.

I can see the Swarovski maybe having a more consistent eye relief but coming from Bushnell Elite 4200 and Nikon Monarch 5 scopes, a little change in eye relief at higher settings is not a deal breaker for me.

For hunting, especially from tree stands with awkward shot angles a possibility, the better eye relief of the Leupold would be a bonus.

Also do I really need a scope that can shoot after or before legal shooting light? That’s a quick way to have the game warden sitting at the gate waiting for me.

I will say though, Swarovski is pretty dang clear and might even have a better resale value?


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[General RE LEE]

I was able to look at both a Z3 and a VX3i and honestly couldn’t tell a difference inside the shop. I guess it would have to be just the right conditions in the field to see any separation.


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[grndslam]

Z3 for me, sold my VX3i's

 

[Broomd]

The Swarovski is markedly better glass. It's why they are more expensive.
That isn't to say the VX3 scopes are slackers, they aren't. It just speaks to the excellence of Swarovski's optics.

 

[handwerk]

To my eyes the Z3 is a big step up optically.

 

[ndlawrence]

I have multiples of both, and the prefer the Z3 in every category, especially glass.

 

[TREE ‘EM]

I have both and can see a real difference in brightness and image quality.

I keep the leupold for rifles that get beat around and loaned to guests without worry and the Swarovski for my personal rifle.

I put a Leupold VX-R 2-7x33 on my son’s rifle and it’s a step up in brightness from my VX-3i

 

[jt4]

Not quite what you asked, but when I was looking it was between a Z3 and the VX5. For my eyes it was essentially a coin flip that the Z3 won out. Nothing but thrilled with it so far.


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