Rifle Scopes Swarovski Z5i+ information

1

171farm

Private
Minuteman
Aug 31, 2022
6
0
PA
#1
Looking to buy a scope for a new 7prc rifle. Looking for a scope that will be used 98% of the time in hunting situations and have the ability to dial for distance as needed. I have looked at many different options and the newer Z5i+ offering seems very interesting.

Does anyone have one of these that could give some insight on holding zero? Not necessarily looking for a drop test, but how does it hold up during normal use? Recoil, small falls, bumps, transporting from home to hunting spot. Any other practical review would be welcome.
 
#2
afternoon,

I can't speak to the z5i, but i own several swarovski rifle scopes, z6i, z5, and an older one. and i can tell you they hold up well. my z6i and z5 have ballistic turrets, and they have been try through a ton of hunts. give me a shout and we can talk through any questions you might have, i'm happy to help.

 
  • Like
Reactions: 171farm
#3
JayOpticspecialist said:
afternoon,

I can't speak to the z5i, but i own several swarovski rifle scopes, z6i, z5, and an older one. and i can tell you they hold up well. my z6i and z5 have ballistic turrets, and they have been try through a ton of hunts. give me a shout and we can talk through any questions you might have, i'm happy to help.

Click to expand...
Thanks for the reply. My understanding the z5+ are built even better than the z5...so the fact that you have had good luck with the older version that's promising.
 
#7
waveslayer said:
I like Swarovski a lot, their glass is and low light performance is top notch . I had a few issues with heavy recoil, so I sold the x5's and bought ZCO'S . Not regrets and I nor trust my scope 100%
Click to expand...

It would be hard to go wrong either way. for me it's a bit of an apples and oranges comparison. hunting vs prs/competition/"tactical" style shooting, the weight and exposed turrets are the biggest factor in considering either for a hunting rifle from my perspective. which zco would you run? For this purpose I'd probably look hard at the scopes below. mid magnification range so you have decent light transmission on the low end, enough on the high end to ethically make just able an shot you would want on a game animal.


 
#10
Take this for what it's worth - I have no physical hunting or shooting experience with them, aside from having handled them at ShotShow. Their form factor, and the turrets are fantastic. Far too many optics today are fucking massive and do not fit well on hunting rifles. The Z5+ form factor and magnification ranges are fantastic, I suspect you'd be very happy with one of them.
 
  • Like
Reactions: JayOpticspecialist
#11
B'N'F said:
Take this for what it's worth - I have no physical hunting or shooting experience with them, aside from having handled them at ShotShow. Their form factor, and the turrets are fantastic. Far too many optics today are fucking massive and do not fit well on hunting rifles. The Z5+ form factor and magnification ranges are fantastic, I suspect you'd be very happy with one of them.
Click to expand...
you hit the nail on the head here. sometimes you want a heavy, robust, "tactical" scope, but sometimes you want a simpler, lightweight hunting scope. you just have to figure out which makes you happy. some guys like blonds, brunettes, redheads, etc.
 
#12
Given the pricepoint of a Z5i I would (and did) go with a Maven RS1.2 2.5-15x44 for hunting purposes. Its pros (durability/reticle/eyebox) outweighed the cons (illumination bleed / non-locking elevation).

If I hadn't gone with the Maven I'd have been heavily considering a Trijicon Tenmile 3-18x44 but I dislike its christmas tree style reticle and think it's overpriced as hell currently. For months it was on sale for $900 at OpticsPlanet but now you can't get it for under $1500.

What style of hunting will you be doing with it though? That informs us how much durability you really need. The Z5i has already had mixed results in tracking/droptesting over on Rokslide. How much that matters to you is a personal thing though.
 
#13
NateVA said:
Given the pricepoint of a Z5i I would (and did) go with a Maven RS1.2 2.5-15x44 for hunting purposes. Its pros (durability/reticle/eyebox) outweighed the cons (illumination bleed / non-locking elevation).

If I hadn't gone with the Maven I'd have been heavily considering a Trijicon Tenmile 3-18x44 but I dislike its christmas tree style reticle and think it's overpriced as hell currently. For months it was on sale for $900 at OpticsPlanet but now you can't get it for under $1500.

What style of hunting will you be doing with it though? That informs us how much durability you really need. The Z5i has already had mixed results in tracking/droptesting over on Rokslide. How much that matters to you is a personal thing though.
Click to expand...
I have looked at Maven and the rs1.2 specifically but not really thrilled about FFP. I like the rs.5 but it doesn't appear to be as reliable/durable. I agree with the Trijicon being a bit of a busy reticle, but its better than a lot of others. I believe in the 3-18 its only offered in FFP as well? Every time I see a scope I'm like yes its moa, yes its SFP...yes its got a good low range magnification...oh it weighs 36 oz. Or yes its 3 or 4X on the low end, yes its SFP...oh its MILs and so forth. I don't know that there is that 1 scope that's 100% reliable/durable, lighter weight and has the mag range but the Z5+ just seems to check most all the boxes for me.

I did see the Z5 drop tests and stuff, but the Z5+ that we are talking about here is a "different" scope. Different tube (in size 30mm vs 1" but that doesnt mean the body is thicker) and supposedly has different internal turret mechanisms. James Eagleman from Barbour Creek did a little review of the Z5+ that they have on one of their training rifles and per him, it has been dialed thousands of times including him constantly turning it back and forth while watching TV and through it all its returning to zero. He didn't have anything on a durability front but I'd assume a training rifle takes on some abuse from students using it? There are some other reviews out there of guys that have had similar great success on returning to zero as well...but haven't come across anyone that has done a drop test or report on standard wear and tear (bumps from hunting/bouncing around in a truck...). As far as my hunting style, 98% will be woods hunting in PA. Truck to stand and some boots on the ground but not overly rugged terrain. I have and will hunt out west every few years. This could be more rugged depending on location but I don't see myself hunting rocky, straight up and straight down slops for sheep anytime in my future.
 
#14
171farm said:
I did see the Z5 drop tests and stuff, but the Z5+ that we are talking about here is a "different" scope. Different tube (in size 30mm vs 1" but that doesnt mean the body is thicker) and supposedly has different internal turret mechanisms.
Click to expand...
Unless I'm misreading the droptest thread, the scope tested (thread posted this Tuesday) was a Z5i+ 3.5-18x50.
171farm said:
I'd assume a training rifle takes on some abuse from students using it?
Click to expand...
Given his style of training that doesn't seem likely. Eagleman's classes are done 100% from a bench in a nice building. There's no movement or chance for students to screw up the equipment as far as I can tell.
171farm said:
98% will be woods hunting in PA
Click to expand...
As long as the optic doesn't get a wandering zero during transport you're fine then. Get an optic for what you actually do, not what you might possibly do. A Z5i+ will probably work well for your purposes.
 
#15
The issues I had with 2 X5's were the scopes were moving in the rings. I used 3 different rings on 2 different X5'S. I USED rosin and still they were moving around. Plus the reticles weren't that good and they only offer SFP. I wanted a better reticle, FFP, and a scope that could perform as well. I know the weight is an issue but at this point with a little working out I was stoked on the ZCO. Checked all the boxes and the best part was, all my scope rings and mounts worked with no scope creep.

Gun was a 7.82 Warbird
 
#16
NateVA said:
Unless I'm misreading the droptest thread, the scope tested (thread posted this Tuesday) was a Z5i+ 3.5-18x50.

Given his style of training that doesn't seem likely. Eagleman's classes are done 100% from a bench in a nice building. There's no movement or chance for students to screw up the equipment as far as I can tell.

As long as the optic doesn't get a wandering zero during transport you're fine then. Get an optic for what you actually do, not what you might possibly do. A Z5i+ will probably work well for your purposes.
Click to expand...
You are right the post from Tuesday is this same scope. I didnt see that one. Thanks for pointing it out and the rest of your feedback given. Greatly appreciate it
 
#18
Bri0242 said:
I’m going to pick this up for my integrally suppressed 375 H&H. I called Swaro yesterday, & talked to a rep there. He said that the new Z5+ are the best value Swaro. He has the new 2-10 & 3.5-18.

Swarovski Z5i+ 2-10x42 - BT BRW​

Click to expand...
post a pic when you do. I have a 375 ruger, i had a schmidt and bender 1.5-8 on it, but i have been thinking about that 2-10x42 or the z8i 1.7-13. i feel like that would be a a great all around dangerous game set up. what and where are you hunting?
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

Y
Rifle Scopes Help pick hunting scope
Replies
7
Views
722
st1650
st1650
gr8fuldoug
Rifle Scopes New Swarovski Z5+ Series Riflescopes
Replies
0
Views
460
gr8fuldoug
gr8fuldoug
Scooter1942
Advice for hunting scope: Nightforce SHV 3-10 or older Swarovski 1.5-6?
Replies
4
Views
402
Rancid Coolaid
Rancid Coolaid
PRS-JohnB
Best Premium Hunting Scope
Replies
29
Views
2K
Charger442
Charger442
gr8fuldoug
New Swarovski Z5+ Series Riflescopes
Replies
0
Views
340
gr8fuldoug
gr8fuldoug
Top Bottom
Back
Home
Forums
Merch
Alerts