Swarovski z5i+ 3.5-18+50 or nx8 2.5-20

[SDHNTR]

Prior to the release of the Z5+ series the primary criticism of the Z5 series was that although lightweight and crystal clear, it was not rugged/durable and that the turrets did not effectively track and consistently return to zero. IME Swarovski has effectively addressed these concerns with the Z5+. Just about everything in the scope was updated and thoroughly redesigned - the body, turrets, erector system, and even the optics were updated (now even sharper than the Z5). I own the Z5 and the upgrades of the Z5i are immediately noticeable. After shooting it over the course of the past 6 months or so I was confident enough in all of its features (including tracking) to take it on a Yukon Fannin Sheep Hunt (could have used any scope I wanted). It proved itself in the field as well. What really impresses = they made all these improvements and kept the weight ~20oz. Bought this scope for hunting mountain game for which it is very well suited.

Swarovski’s done a great job on addressing hunter’s primary concerns with their hunting scopes with the new Z5+ line. I’ll be using it on the majority of my hunts for the foreseeable future.

I’d love to see it actually tested for durability and long term reliability. Tracking is only one part of the equation and I’m glad to know it does well with that. How’s it hold zero?

 

[Spiral Horn]

How’s it hold zero

While I haven’t intentionally dropped or abused it, I’ve not noticed any obvious flaws. It repeatedly tracked and returned to zero for me. If it gave me any doubts something else would have been on my rifle on my latest sheep hunt. It was banged around for 9 days in the Yukon’s Oglivie Mountains and was dead-on when the moment of truth arrived.

I’m very happy with it as a crystal clear, lightweight hunting scope that tracks and holds zero. If others have additional features/requirements or are sold on FFP there are other options - but most much heavier/bulkier.

 

[BrooksRanger]

How durable do these scopes need to be? I’m meticulous about not banging my scopes around. It’s a hunting tool, and if you take care of your tools, then they will take care if you. If you want any scope to perform correctly, then take care of it. It’s not a piece of iron…

 

[SDHNTR]

How durable do these scopes need to be? I’m meticulous about not banging my scopes around. It’s a hunting tool, and if you take care of your tools, then they will take care if you. If you want any scope to perform correctly, then take care of it. It’s not a piece of iron…

Well, I don’t try to drop my scopes either, but chit happens and I want to know my scope can handle it. Rifles tip over on bipods or leaned against trucks or trees, horses wreck, atvs ride rough, sling swivels break, etc. I don’t want to interrupt my hunt to go find the nearest rifle range when even a minor knock happens. I need confidence. I’ve been down the Swaro road. At one time I had 6 of them on rifles. I loved that beautiful glass and light weight, until I realized what those saved ounces were costing me.

It’s a moot point anyway. I don’t mind the moa as it’s just another unit of measurement and it works just fine for hunting, but that much mag on an SFP is a non starter. I don’t want to math up a wind hold correction and 18x does way more harm than good.