Rifle Scopes Another ZCO vs TT thread

[Squibbler]

I am no scope expert, and therefore will not post with the perception of trying to be one. However, I am a shooter, and like any shooter, high end glass just makes a guy go "Mmmmm".
For reference I currently own a TT, ZCO, BEAST, and ATACR.

Glass wise, the ZCO in comparison to the claimed king TT, each has its strengths. I like the image better in the ZCO than the TT at mid range magnification. The ZCO's image is spectacular all the way through mid range approx 12-20x. With my personal favorite around 15-17x. Words I would use to describe the image are full, life-like, high-definition, and extremely easy/usable. Where I find the strength of the the TT comparative is resolving power at full magnification. At full magnification, (25x - TT and 27x - ZCO) the ability to resolve finite points at extreme distances, the TT seems to have the edge. For these reasons listed is why the ZCO is going on my "go to precision rifle" and my comp gun. The TT got switched to my ELR rifle.

Turrets comparative between ZCO and TT, I also feel each have there strength. Turret criteria for me was marking alignment, lockable, and identifiable clicks. Now, if you have a tactile fetish you will opt in for the TT turrets because they are more definitive. How a turret clicks does not matter to me, as long as they are identifiable. With both scopes I am able to close my eyes, count, and still know what # I am on. If I am being extremely fastidious, on the ZCO 5-27, I noted a slight audible difference between the elevation turret and windage turret click sounds. The slight sound differential does not seem to be on the 4-20. But this is being extremely fussy to the point of anal. Otherwise functionality was spot on for both elevation and windage on the 5-27 and 4-20.

The feature set that sets each apart is the lockable turrets on the ZCO and the tool-less zero on the TT. On the ZCO, I love being able to lock down (if desired) whenever I dial. Zero is held with no worries of spun turrets if doing only holdovers. Along with no windage cap necessary to maintain windage zero. On the TT the tool-less zero makes setting zero ridiculously easy. It's so easy it literally makes a guy laugh the first time u set zero on a TT.

Aesthetics the hands down winner is ZCO. This thing just looks badass. If Batman were to pick a scope for his new sniper rifle it would be a ZCO. The matte black and knurling literally makes it look like it was manufactured at Bruce Wayne's secret R&D lab. TT to me, looks more classic fancy--Rolls-Royce-ish vs. the edgey appearance of the ZCO.

Usability winner goes to ZCO in this category due to a number of reasons. Perfect mag ring tension, best image at the most commonly used mag ranges 15-17x with easy eye box, parallax distance markings for quick reference (absent on TT), parallax close to set and forget (not quite as forgiving as TT but close), parallax down to 25m, and bold easy to see numerical turret and mag ring markings.

Reticle winner goes to ZCO comparing tree reticles. This reticle hits all the marks for me. Center dot, .2 mil reference marks with access to .1 mil for mil ranging, non-uniformity in hash marks on main stadia and tree for intuitive referencing, open to 2 mil on the tree for unobstructed spotting.
If you don't like trees then you have the same thing without a tree in MPCT1.


Summary from a shooter perspective of ZCO vs. TT

Glass: Tie - each with respective strengths

Turrets: Tie - each with respective strengths, end-user needs to determine which feature set they prefer

Aesthetics: ZCO - Bruce Wayne approved

Usability: ZCO - this thing is a gamer, game on!

Reticle: ZCO - reticle perfection

Price point: ZCO - winner, winner chicken dinner!

Now each of these scopes is a winner in my opinion and in many ways is like splitting hairs in comparison. I'm choosing to talk about the feature sets, that for me, made the differences.
For TT it's the resolving ability at distance with high magnification and tool-less zero turrets. For ZCO it's the reticle design, large high def. image at mid-range, and lockable turrets. My opinion may change as I continue using each and compare in different conditions and situations. Right now, I know which is my current king of the hill if I had to pick one - ZCO......YMMV.

 

[Moose]

Thanks for sharing your input on both scopes.I own the ZC4X20 and the TT315M and love both scopes.I do like the ZC a little better because of the mag ring being the best I have ever worked with.If the TT had the same kind of ease on the mag ring I would have trouble saying which one I like more.

 

[blbennett1288]

Yeah, I didn’t get into the nit picky stuff in the other thread and just focused on the ZCO highlights since it was a ZCO thread.

I still prefer the TT turrets and parallax. The ZCO was not as parallax free but it was damn close. The TT turrets in my opinion are still next level. The tool less zero combined with the tactifullness and audibleness of the turrets make them the best. The ZCO are the best locking turrets, but I would not take them over the TT. Obviously my opinion on the turrets is all personal preference and others might have different preferences.

I did not critique them at x25 and x27 since I only use max mag for zeroing. I spent the majority of time between x14-16. Resolution and clarity are almost identical. The contrast because of the “pop”, which is natural, goes to the ZCO. Image size goes to the ZCO. Say ZCO is 100% or full size. I would say the TT viewing is 75-80% of that.

Magnification ring goes to ZCO. Best mag ring I have seen.

I didn’t mess with the illumination so I won’t comment there.

I really liked the MPCT2. It might be a tad thick, but other than that it is perfect. I looked for a reticle diagram on their site but could not find one with subtensions/thickness. The TT is 0.025 and I love it. Obviously MPCT1/2 > Gen2xr.

At the ZCO price point I see no reason to look at anything at a higher price, unless you absolutely love the TT turrets and the Gen2xr or Gen3xr. Then you need to decide if the price difference is warranted.

 

[RS14]

Man I had talked myself out of the ZCO allowing myself to save a ton of money. But every time I read one of these threads I find myself ready to click the buy now option. Looks like I’ll be hitting up mile high tomorrow sometime.

 

[earthtrekker1775]

I really liked the MPCT2. It might be a tad thick, but other than that it is perfect. I looked for a reticle diagram on their site but could not find one with subtensions/thickness. The TT is 0.025 and I love it. Obviously MPCT1/2 > Gen2xr.

Doesn't show the actual thickness of the reticle but has the rest.

 

[gebhardt02]

Reticle thickness is 0.034 mil with dot diameter 0.036 mil.

 

[Squibbler]

Line thickness was also an initial concern for me on the ZCO too, but as I used it more I think they nailed it for reason of better versatility in various conditions. If the target is static with good contrast and good lighting conditions, reticle thickness matters less because things are much easier to reference. Whereas, toss in different variables like dusk/dawn lighting, poor contrast (reticle against treeline--dark, green, shadows, etc.), moving game against poor contrast, following my reference points in quickly changing target acquisition. This reticle, for me, performed extremely well in many various conditions. I like it better than the H59 and T3 reticles I have, for me, easier referencing (line thickness, non-uniformity in hash marks, more simplistic) in adverse conditions.

 

[Squibbler]

MPCT2

 

[Glassaholic]

Nice Squibbler, appreciate the comparison from your perspective.

 

[Squibbler]

Took both scopes out last night. I wanted to perform elevation confirmation on my Tarac unit, so I also ran tall target test on the ZCO. It was spot on, just like the TT -- perfection. Hung out till dusk, I thought lowlight performance was similar--extremely good. Forgot to compare illumination at distant targets--next time.

 

[JB.IC]

That is one painful looking reticle.

 

[Diver160651]

MPCT2
View attachment 7088300

Omg how can you hit anything with all that Chromatic distortion-

I could not help myself - I am hopeful mine is in my hands first part of next week — can’t wait - long wait

 

[earthtrekker1775]

Omg how can you hit anything with all that Chromatic distortion-

I could not help myself - I am hope mine is in my hands first part of next week — can’t wait

The wait is torturous. I hope I get a call from CS Tactical soon!

 

[JLP83]

That is one painful looking reticle.

What’s your problem with America?

 

[Squibbler]

The TT turrets in my opinion are still next level.

I agree with this statement, but what mattered for me was the locking feature of the ZCO. Hence, elevating the ZCO in my personal rating to rate them as a tie in the turret category. For me if the TT turrets had a locking feature they would be unbeatable, in the turret category.

I'm also learning that dialing the ZCO turrets require slightly different muscle memory than I am used to. With dialing on the ZCO, a neutral pressure or upward pressure works best. A few times with dialing I fell into my old habits of my meat hooks smashing downward pressure, like how I'm used to doing with my NF. I could start to hear audible difference as the splines we disengaging going into the locking feature. This is simply operator error. My muscle memory needs to change. Otherwise these locking turrets work phenomenal, transitioning from unlock to lock is silky smooth and never once got hung up. Actually was quite impressive considering how quickly was manipulating things -- unlock - dial - lock.

 

[CSTactical]

The wait is torturous. I hope I get a call from CS Tactical soon!

We're getting close, we appreciate your patience

 

[earthtrekker1775]

We're getting close, we appreciate your patience

I knew what I signed up for. Can't rush good quality control. Thanks for putting up with me!

 

[CSTactical]

I knew what I signed up for. Can't rush good quality control. Thanks for putting up with me!

No problem at all, we will be in touch

 

[seansmd]

CS has been great, they put up with my sobbing every couple of days!

Would folks recommend the Spuhr cantilever mount with a 5x27 , this is going on a Deviant tactical in a MPA chassis so I am not sure about rail positioning and eye relief.

 

[Kickin45]

How is setting the zero on the ZC compared to the TT?

 

[Covertnoob5]

How is setting the zero on the ZC compared to the TT?

Obviously not as quick or easy compared to tooless of the TT. Also of note, I did find it a little picky in how you set it so the turrets don’t start drifting on you.
It’s a 2 set screw system, but you have to

1) unlock turret
2) loosen set screws
3) slip turret back to 0
4) start to tighten set screws
5) slide turret about half way down the lock position
6) tighten set screws

Of note though is that there is a small minutia of play in the turret when the set screws are lossened that if it’s not exactly in the middle of that play, and you tighten it up, it might start drifting on you in the higher elevation numbers.

 

[Squibbler]

How is setting the zero on the ZC compared to the TT?

They are similar (in terms of loosen-zero-tighten) but ZCO requires a tool vs tool-less on the TT. The ZCO is the typical two allen head set screws indexed by marks on top of turret. The TT --just hold turret while loosen screw cap with opposite hand. Otherwise once turret cap is loosened both just turn to zero and tighten accordingly. The ZCO has a fool proof methodology they want a person to follow to ensure proper spline alignment --see pic of manual instructions. Once operator understands what's needed, it's very simple. They both have approx .5mil zero stop that is automatically set with turret zero.

See pics -- first two are ZCO and ZCO instructions from manual. Last two are TT.