Swarovski z5i+ vs Leupold VX6HD Gen 2

[Dave Chilson]

Have you compared them in low light yet to see how they compare?

Yesterday I did have them side by side at my range from sunset to 1/2 half hour after, my legal shooting time. I could have shot easily until that time with either scope.

With the red dot tuned off, the Leupold reticle was easier for me to see. I have the twilight hunter reticle on the Leupold and the 4w-I reticle on the Swarovski. With the red dots on, either scope was very good until the end of legal shooting time, and beyond.

The Leupold has a 56mm objective versus the 50mm on the Swarovski.

I’m going to have to spend a few more evenings, with cloud cover and a resolution chart to see if there is a distinct advantage to either. But a deer or elk would be in grave danger with either set up during legal shooting hours.

The Leupold gets a minor demerit for the whiz bang tool supplied to install/replace the battery cap. I’m pretty sure I could remove said cap without the special tool in an emergency, but a coin/screwdriver slot would have been sufficient. Plus I will probably lose this thing if I already haven’t.

 

[Pietrasewsr]

Yesterday I did have them side by side at my range from sunset to 1/2 half hour after, my legal shooting time. I could have shot easily until that time with either scope.

With the red dot tuned off, the Leupold reticle was easier for me to see. I have the twilight hunter reticle on the Leupold and the 4w-I reticle on the Swarovski. With the red dots on, either scope was very good until the end of legal shooting time, and beyond.

The Leupold has a 56mm objective versus the 50mm on the Swarovski.

I’m going to have to spend a few more evenings, with cloud cover and a resolution chart to see if there is a distinct advantage to either. But a deer or elk would be in grave danger with either set up during legal shooting hours.

The Leupold gets a minor demerit for the whiz bang tool supplied to install/replace the battery cap. I’m pretty sure I could remove said cap without the special tool in an emergency, but a coin/screwdriver slot would have been sufficient. Plus I will probably lose this thing if I already haven’t.

After playing with both, which one do you think is better overall? I can get either of them at $1,700 (Leupold has a slightly bigger discount but msrp could be artificially higher).

Ease of use and FOV is probably most important followed by durability and quality/feel (both sound to track good on the new models).

 

[SDHNTR]

After playing with both, which one do you think is better overall? I can get either of them at $1,700 (Leupold has a slightly bigger discount but msrp could be artificially higher).

Ease of use and FOV is probably most important followed by durability and quality/feel (both sound to track good on the new models).

Your $1700 is way better spent elsewhere.

 

[Dave Chilson]

Your $1700 is way better spent elsewhere.

You don’t own either but you’re an expert on them? You make this forum unbearable.

 

[SDHNTR]

Actually, I have owned exactly 7 Swarovski rifle scopes and too many Leupolds to count. I used to be just like you and would defend them both ardently. Then it happened to me, several times.