Tangent theta or ZCO

Thinking about buying an ultimate scope. ZCO or tangent. Please I want people that have owned them. Wanting to get temor3 or h59. Around the 5-27ish. Thanks a bunch. Also where is the best place to get the best deal. Thanks a bunch.


Feel free to call me at 916-670-1103x2, I can discuss both those fantastic options and provide pricing for you :)
 
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Thinking about buying an ultimate scope. ZCO or tangent. Please I want people that have owned them. Wanting to get temor3 or h59. Around the 5-27ish. Thanks a bunch. Also where is the best place to get the best deal. Thanks a bunch.
Have you looked at the reticle offerings from Tangent and ZCO?
 
Thinking about buying an ultimate scope. ZCO or tangent. Please I want people that have owned them. Wanting to get temor3 or h59. Around the 5-27ish. Thanks a bunch. Also where is the best place to get the best deal. Thanks a bunch.
Nobody will really say anything on glass… both are superb. They’re only mentioning reticles because at this level of superb glass, pick the reticle you like most! Maybe some features might sway you too with the tool-less re-zero of the TT.

I’ve owned both… I only own TT now…. purely for the reticle (still waiting on that ZCO hunter model and reticle hint hint 😜) You can’t go wrong with either in glass. They’re the top dogs imo
 
Nobody will really say anything on glass… both are superb. They’re only mentioning reticles because at this level of superb glass, pick the reticle you like most! Maybe some features might sway you too with the tool-less re-zero of the TT.

I’ve owned both… I only own TT now…. purely for the reticle (still waiting on that ZCO hunter model and reticle hint hint 😜) You can’t go wrong with either in glass. They’re the top dogs imo
Thanks so much for the answer. I thought there for a second to wasn’t going to get an answer without h having to run the gauntlet. Haha. Thanks so much for the honesty.
 
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You’re all fools….

Pay less, get more. #Barska #JustAsGood

Why limit yourself to “just a scope?”

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Both scopes have excellent glass. It will come down to reticle and features. The tool less re-zero is an awesome feature and I think we will see all scopes go that direction from here on out. The ZCO is the better buy for the money but if you are spending that much already, another what $700?? may not sway you. It's very hard to find fault with either scope, not sure how the tube size comes into play really. Just get a list of the features and of each reticle offering for the mag power you want and see what is the better for you. I just ordered another zco, so that's what I would do, but TT are awesome too.
 
But the real question is why though? lol
Customers that are, were, or trained with .mil types. We've had so many requests for the Tremor line that it justified them in our optics. And we still have our highly popular MPCT line as well. Options are always a good thing, pick that which suits your style.
 
I found their glass very different. TT brighter, less contrast, less color, better FOV, better DOF and no finicky parallax. I prefer the color of the ZCO, but given the comparative downsides, I'd go TT even if they had the same reticles. Also prefer the finer G2 and G3XR reticles vs ZCO rets, mostly due to thickness.
 
Finicky parallax? Both scopes have extremely forgiving parallax, especially compared to the other scopes in their class.

Yes, I wrote in about it a couple of weeks back. The ZCO is capable of amazing resolution and color/contrast, but the parallax has to be perfect. At longer range, scanning or ELR distances, TT could look from 600-3500 yards with barely a tweak of the wheel, and get 95-100% of its capability. ZCO needed to be microadjusted for almost any object you wanted to focus your eye on, in order to get that level of color/contrast/resolution. You could have 85-95% of it without touching the parallax, but then you're essentially equivalent to the IQ of the ~2K class of scopes.
 
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Yes, I wrote in about it a couple of weeks back. The ZCO is capable of amazing resolution and color/contrast, but the parallax has to be perfect. At longer range, scanning or ELR distances, TT could look from 600-3500 yards with barely a tweak of the wheel, and get 95-100% of its capability. ZCO needed to be microadjusted for almost any object you wanted to focus your eye on, in order to get that level of color/contrast/resolution. You could have 85-95% of it without touching the parallax, but then you're essentially equivalent to the IQ of the ~2K class of scopes.
I haven’t noticed anything like that with mine
 
Yes, I wrote in about it a couple of weeks back. The ZCO is capable of amazing resolution and color/contrast, but the parallax has to be perfect. At longer range, scanning or ELR distances, TT could look from 600-3500 yards with barely a tweak of the wheel, and get 95-100% of its capability. ZCO needed to be microadjusted for almost any object you wanted to focus your eye on, in order to get that level of color/contrast/resolution. You could have 85-95% of it without touching the parallax, but then you're essentially equivalent to the IQ of the ~2K class of scopes.


Our experience and customer's experience have not matched yours, the TT is very forgiving but don't know anyone that has it set to that level of IQ and parallax free from that wide of distance. Were these on your rifles set up for you? Or looking through someone else's setup without the diopter and eye relief set to you?
 
Nobody will really say anything on glass… both are superb. They’re only mentioning reticles because at this level of superb glass, pick the reticle you like most! Maybe some features might sway you too with the tool-less re-zero of the TT.

I’ve owned both… I only own TT now…. purely for the reticle (still waiting on that ZCO hunter model and reticle hint hint 😜) You can’t go wrong with either in glass. They’re the top dogs imo
A real answer. Thanks so much.
 
Our experience and customer's experience have not matched yours, the TT is very forgiving but don't know anyone that has it set to that level of IQ and parallax free from that wide of distance. Were these on your rifles set up for you? Or looking through someone else's setup without the diopter and eye relief set to you?

ZCO would color flicker and blur a bit on me, almost like mirage, when in this "almost" state. Fixed by a nudge of the wheel, but if I was trying to shoot, it would get annoying, and I would just forego it and shoot in the "almost" state.

Could I have had a lemon? I guess, but doubt it. Just how my eyes perceived it. Not buying another one to find out though :ROFLMAO: But I would buy another 527 or even 840 if they came out with a thinner reticle.
 
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I found their glass very different. TT brighter, less contrast, less color, better FOV, better DOF and no finicky parallax. I prefer the color of the ZCO, but given the comparative downsides, I'd go TT even if they had the same reticles. Also prefer the finer G2 and G3XR reticles vs ZCO rets, mostly due to thickness.
I've not ever seen a more forgiving parallax than my zco, and I've literally used them all. Not sure what else to say to this. TT is great too but I couldn't tell a difference in parallax. Everyone's eyes are different and my vision may not be as good as yours but this doesn't seem to be a common experience. I do remember you writing about it though
 
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If it is or ever will be a switch barrel rifle then I would pick TT. Any other rifle it really on only comes down to reticle choice. I’ve had both and I do prefer the TT but only by the slimmest of margins due to the brighter glass and zero CA. However, I would be totally happy with the ZCO and keep right on rocking. Both are magnificent scopes you really can’t go wrong either way.
 
I've got a TT now and I will say, the parallax is stupid forgiving. I have a 100y mark, turn a little for 100-300 is yards, and ♾️. Thats it. Everything is good to go.
With that said, the zco is almost as good in that department. You would be happy with either. Both have their plusses but there isn't really any real negatives with either.
 
I've had two TT's. I've had a few different ZCO's to try out different reticles (currently on the MPCT 3X). I don't know that I would go back to a TT unless there was a smoking deal on one sub 3500 bucks.

TT has a cooler contrast in my eyes. No issues cutting mirage, though the parallax I thought was not as forgiving as my ZCO.

The ZCO has a warmer contrast which I prefer in my optics, including my sunglasses. It just makes things pop.

You won't go wrong with either.

Oh and @CSTactical is great to deal with! They got me hooked up with my newest ZCO.
 
I guess chalk up my weird parallax sensitivity as an outlier. What seems to be agreed is that ZCO has more contrast and better color / warmer, which is countered by TT's brightness and FOV advantage. Practically, for me, that meant 1. the ZCO was more impressive to look through at first glance - it conjurs a wow, and 2. the TT is better in low light and shadows.

Between that and the reticle differences, your personal preferences should dictate which one is a better fit.

**also, find a used TT in the mid-3's - if you are looking at new pricing, forget it and buy the ZCO. I forgot both and prefer the ~2K class.
 
If you are a turret purest and want the absolute best then TT is your scope; however, ZCO has really good turrets, they offer locking turrets and they have a daylight bright reticle as well as auto shutoff of illumination making a better choice. TT does have slightly better FOV but ZCO has extremely thin outer peripheral making it seem like the scope has a wider view, truly awesome sight picture, the best there is for a long range scope IMO.

TT has slightly better glass, but ZCO is right there, some may not even tell the difference. Both have amazing “pop” to the image and have forgiving eyebox, DOF and parallax.

TT assembled in Canada, ZCO right here in the USA, both offer outstanding CS but Jeff and Nick are really cream of the crop and will bend over backwards to answer questions and help if anything ever does go wrong.
 
I guess chalk up my weird parallax sensitivity as an outlier. What seems to be agreed is that ZCO has more contrast and better color / warmer, which is countered by TT's brightness and FOV advantage. Practically, for me, that meant 1. the ZCO was more impressive to look through at first glance - it conjurs a wow, and 2. the TT is better in low light and shadows.

Between that and the reticle differences, your personal preferences should dictate which one is a better fit.

**also, find a used TT in the mid-3's - if you are looking at new pricing, forget it and buy the ZCO. I forgot both and prefer the ~2K class.

While purely anecdotal, several of us put a couple Zco and TT next to one another.

One test we did was a timer. At dusk, when you could barely see a 6” circle @ 400yds. We time each other with all four optics. How long to find the target and get off a clean dry fire. We alternated many times. In case it was flawed data because it took a few turns to be able to know where the target was. Didn’t matter. ZCO was faster for everyone. Again, purely anecdotal. And the difference was fairly negligible.

ZCO had better resolution as far as seeing the “edges” of things like paint chips from impacts.

ZCO had better eyebox/bigger picture

TT had slightly better parallax forgiveness and mirage “cutting”


Again though, all the differences were razor thin. So much I always just recommend shooters to pick the reticle they like best. If they like reticles on both, then pick based on locking or tool less turrets and features like that that are user preference.


The above low light “test” also included a shooter who had never used either. Same result. Slightly faster with Zco.
 
While purely anecdotal, several of us put a couple Zco and TT next to one another.

One test we did was a timer. At dusk, when you could barely see a 6” circle @ 400yds. We time each other with all four optics. How long to find the target and get off a clean dry fire. We alternated many times. In case it was flawed data because it took a few turns to be able to know where the target was. Didn’t matter. ZCO was faster for everyone. Again, purely anecdotal. And the difference was fairly negligible.

ZCO had better resolution as far as seeing the “edges” of things like paint chips from impacts.

ZCO had better eyebox/bigger picture

TT had slightly better parallax forgiveness and mirage “cutting”


Again though, all the differences were razor thin. So much I always just recommend shooters to pick the reticle they like best. If they like reticles on both, then pick based on locking or tool less turrets and features like that that are user preference.


The above low light “test” also included a shooter who had never used either. Same result. Slightly faster with Zco.
Appreciate that Feniks, real world testing is where the rubber meets the road, especially in low light.
 
I’ve owned both… I only own TT now…. purely for the reticle (still waiting on that ZCO hunter model and reticle hint hint 😜) You can’t go wrong with either in glass. They’re the top dogs imo
I'm right there with you Ace, most of my decisions at this level are for the reticle - it's what you have to look at every time you look through the scope and if a reticle annoys me then no matter how much I like the glass or other aspects of the scope, it's always going to annoy me. Probably shouldn't bother me so much, but I have ADD and anything that distracts me... well, distracts me :D I think it is a good move for ZCO to incorporate Horus reticles, as much as I despise the dreaded fishing net reticle it is highly sought after in both competition and tactical communities (and for some weirdo's for hunting as well 😝). And I agree, while the MPCT2/3 series is great for competition it is not my favorite for crossover style and would love to see a version that has dots in the tree instead of solid horizontal lines (similar to the Gen3 XR). For a non-tree reticle, the MPCT1 is a favorite, I love the MSR2 reticle but think I like the MPCT1 better... of course, reticle choice is personal preference ;)
 
L
I'm right there with you Ace, most of my decisions at this level are for the reticle - it's what you have to look at every time you look through the scope and if a reticle annoys me then no matter how much I like the glass or other aspects of the scope, it's always going to annoy me. Probably shouldn't bother me so much, but I have ADD and anything that distracts me... well, distracts me :D I think it is a good move for ZCO to incorporate Horus reticles, as much as I despise the dreaded fishing net reticle it is highly sought after in both competition and tactical communities (and for some weirdo's for hunting as well 😝). And I agree, while the MPCT2/3 series is great for competition it is not my favorite for crossover style and would love to see a version that has dots in the tree instead of solid horizontal lines (similar to the Gen3 XR). For a non-tree reticle, the MPCT1 is a favorite, I love the MSR2 reticle but think I like the MPCT1 better... of course, reticle choice is personal preference ;)
I totally agree why they incorporated the tremors even though it's reticle aides.

Give us the people who are not Horus cool aide drinkers the msr2.....

Do it!!!!

@gebhardt02
 
^I would buy a ZCO MSR2 or the fml tr1 ret, or a copy of the S&B LRR, or any new ret without cellulite. Add the parallax micro-adjust feature that was on the Sightron SSVED 10-50X to the ZCO 8-40X as well, and perfection would be achieved, if only for a moment :ROFLMAO:
 
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I've had two TT's. I've had a few different ZCO's to try out different reticles (currently on the MPCT 3X). I don't know that I would go back to a TT unless there was a smoking deal on one sub 3500 bucks.

TT has a cooler contrast in my eyes. No issues cutting mirage, though the parallax I thought was not as forgiving as my ZCO.

The ZCO has a warmer contrast which I prefer in my optics, including my sunglasses. It just makes things pop.

You won't go wrong with either.

Oh and @CSTactical is great to deal with! They got me hooked up with my newest ZCO.


you-awesome.gif
 
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I own both, although have only had the TT a few weeks. They are both fantastic and I plan to shoot matches with the TT this year to see if the ZCO becomes a TT or the TT becomes a ZCO.

So far, I kind of like the ZCO more. It has much more elevation adjustment and can focus down to 25m, so its a much better option for rimfire games. The Gen3XR is a nice reticle but its a bit on the thinners side. The MPCT3X is about perfect and the dots really do help you make faster adjustment on the clock. The turrets on the TT are hard to beat and rezeroing does not get any easier. Glass wise its kind of a wash, the TT does look cooler and more natural where the ZCO seems a bit brighter and maybe more pop. I haven't shot the TT in mirage yet but I assume it will equal or exceed the ZCO. Both have locking diopters which is nice. ZCO gives range estimates on parallax while the TT doesn't if that matters.

I got a really good deal on my TT and it was cheaper than a new ZCO. I would NOT pay $5K for one based on what I have seen so far.

You really can't go wrong with either unless you need the features for shooting rimfire, then the ZCO is an easy choice. I think it comes down to reticle, turrets and if you need more elevation.

If I had a gun to my head and had to pick one, it would probably be ZCO. I think its a peer at a much lower price. Each one has some things it does
better/different than the other but the reality is, you are choosing between a Lambo and a Ferrari. Neither choice will disappoint you.