What youre not going to get for that price are extremely positive controls; we thought the Athlons were too sharp and sticky. JavaScript is disabled. Its scopes are used by the United States Marine Corps and Navy SEALs, which definitely is a major vote of confidence in their design and manufacturing. Compact, sturdy and lightweight, Swarovskis Z3 and Z5 seem to be the top rated scopes of choice. We also liked the weight. For a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding. Leupold Vs. Swarovski..Yeah, another one. I do like the idea of an illuminated reticle but I've never had one in the field so I'm not sure how beneficial it would be. Swarovski Spotting Scopes ATX & STX Review, Swarovski dS 5-25x52 Smart Riflescope Review, How To Glass Without Using The Grid Technique. The Swarovski ATX/STX/BTX system, with its vast range of objectives, still is at the top of the heap in terms of flexibility and its ability to be whatever scope you need for any type of hunt, assuming you can afford to add the necessary accompaniments. You should also consider looking at Schmidt & Bender and Swarovski. Cheap glass often doesnt have good eye relief and hunters often end up with a headache. Pragmatic design and state of the art technology that you can feel. The better the scope, the better your shooting skill. 2. The majority of their products are some of the more reliable and affordable hunting products, like rifle scopes on the market to date. The Tango6 travels 23.2 mils on the elevation axis and only 14.5 mils of windage. Outdoorsmans is dedicated to bringing you only quality made gear that we trust in the backcountry ourselves. The heart of the Z5 is a second-plane plex reticle that has windage hashes but no elevation references. Mark Ripley finds himself 'far from DS-appointed' when testing the long-range capabilities of the Swarovski DS scope. Seeing subtle movement or the difference in color when a buck is trying to hide in the rocks can be difficult with cheap glass. Replies 15 Views 3K. Sometimes more magnification is not what's best? I give you the Swarovski Z3. Vortex is an incredibly popular brand of sporting optics, and for good reason. Five friends and I wrung out six of the new Swarovski dS wonder scopes at FTW shooting and hunter training ranch in Texas. See the current bestselling rifle scopes here. The first-plane mil-dot reticle in our sample is just too basic to serve the needs of a sophisticated long-distance shooter, and the rubberized turning surfaces are a tad too aggressive. The lenses of this scope are MC multi-coated, and this help by achieving outstanding brightness regardless of low light situations that might arise on the hunt. When using a rifle scope, all you have to do to get a kill on your target is line up your cross hairs or reticles on the target that you are aiming at. Forward mounted scopes are great because they make target acquisition quicker (peripheral vision) and enable faster follow up shots at close-medium ranges. We wanted more visible indexing on the controls, and the dragon scale knobs are uncomfortably sharp. Rifle scopes can range from $40 up to thousands of dollars depending on how much one is willing to spend. Did we lead with the price, and try to assess whether scopes in the $2,000 range are really three times as good? Long-range optics explained. To this day this scope is regarded by some as the first sensible optical rifle sight. The Razor HD is darned near bulletproof . The image is decent, but finished in the bottom half of the Precision Riflescope field. We never sell our emails and value your trust. So, is $650 a bargain for this scope? And the Optika6 features a satisfying 40 mils of elevation adjustment inside the beefy 34mm tube. Fortunately, I didnt have to rely on a press release and photos, since we were able to test one of the few scope sets currently in the country. Objective lens: 80mm Nearly all bowhunters who have hunted long enough have experienced the horrors [], What is the worst possible outcome of a bow hunt? Zeiss Conquest Rifle scopes 5-2550 Black Rapid Z 1000 - On average, this particular scope runs around $1100. You must log in or register to reply here. Yea I also like the leupold warranty that comes with it compAred to the swarovski warranty! Are Swarovski scopes good? They offer a variety of different products that are ranked top of the market, and they are known for making Triple Duty, Ezekiel, and Pinnacle rifle scopes that excel in performance. Thinking about purchasing a Nightforce nxs 2.5-10x42 for my 375HH, FORLOH AllClima Softshell and AllClima Stretch Woven Pant Review. The exit pupil is extremely important when thinking about eye relief because the larger the exit pupil is the less important head positioning in relation to the scope becomes. If you see a number like this, these scopes are classified as variable scopes. Unfortunately, while the glass is top-notch, and the controls are among the best in the test, this second-plane close-duty scope has limited utility. Im genuinely excited to see what images will be generated when more of the X-Series Swarovski Spotting Scopes start to hit the street. The X scope is truly modular in that you can purchase an angled eyepiece or straight eyepiece assembly, either of them for a 65mm, 85mm or 95mm objective lens assembly. Thats quoted from swaro when I called. (800) 426-3089 info-us@swarovskioptik.com Mon - Fri 8:30 AM - 5:00 PM EST. Nelson says the beautiful thing about good glass is people rarely need to use the warranty. There are a large number of factors that need to go into thought when choosing the right rifle scope. When you're staring down your target at dusk or dawn you need a clear, crisp and concise view. Some versions of this scope will also be available with Meoptas slick new dichroic reticle technology, which can best be described as battery-free illumination. At 500 yards or less the 3 X 18. This X System is definitely "buy it once, buy it right, and never have to buy it again" approach that will cover every base imaginable. But, well worth your time. Its optics are disappointingly dark. Although my scope was missing (I didnt own one), I knew that my aim had to result in a crisp, accurate shot. This scope can be recommended for just about all types of weather, because it is shock proof, water proof, and fog proof. Ive already had a few sportsmen mention that it would be a pain to constantly have to put your scope together each time you needed to use it. This new iteration continues the low-profile push-to-turn (and re-zeroable) elevation turret and capped windage controls, but in an appeal to hunters as well as steel-ringers, this is an MOA-based scope. Very friendly to set up as long as you have Swarovski app. This classy second-plane scope bucks a significant trend in sports optics. For shooters who would rather dial shooting solutions, the low-profile elevation turret delivers adjustments that are crisp and positive. Great glass though. In that application, it is obvious to me that the glass is simply superior to anything else, bar none, and was well worth the money. Another wanted additional hashes on both the windage and elevation axes (the reticle has only 4 hashes down, left, and right of the center aiming point). It is used mainly for hunting anything at long range, including predators, big game, and varmints. Its a military snipers optic with a few nods to civilian shooters. It offers a variety of different features that makes it stand out more so than the others in this particular price range. The Japanese glass inside this billyclub of a 30mm scope is quite good. It offers a lot of quality features, and has a sterling reputation with thousands of online reviews. Obviously you could buy two separate scopes (the 65mm and 80mm) for less than one X eyepiece and a 65mm and 95mm objective modules, but if you did that, then you wouldnt the 95mm, and that would be a mistake. It may not display this or other websites correctly. A few you haven't mentioned that you may want to research; Nightforce, March, Minox, etc. It features state-of-the-art technology and is there when you need it the most-especially for that long range shot. Your emails are safe with us. Then again, the benefit of changing . When apart, protective caps are provided for the exposed lenses and the connection points. The Swarovski Austrian producer is probably best known for their superior crystal products such as watches and various types of jewelry. Despite our quibbles, the Optika6 outperformed all the other precision scopes in its price range. You should always think about what is economically sound for you to spend on a scope, because a some scopes that are $100 might be all you need, and you can save money by purchasing these scopes instead of getting the highest quality scope that really doesnt improve your chances anymore than the cheaper one. Get a free shipping code when you sign up for our newsletter. Below are just a few of the unique features that this scope has to offer someone. Mildot reticle with both red and green illumination. Hence, theres no comparison in terms of strength. The guts are purpose-built for long-distance shooting: an illuminated first-plane Christmas-tree-style reticle with milliradian references, exposed low-profile turrets with adequate zero stops, and a power lever to assist quick magnification changes. The use of a rifle scope has made it a lot easier for the majority of people to be able to line up a kill shot on their target. Read More 12 Best Muzzleloader Scopes Worth the Money (2023) Optics. It is very important to actually use these covers and keep the connections clean. A question I have relates to the eye piece and why do they charge more for the 25x50 then the 20x60. Both the Z3 and Z5 are lightweight, durable and sturdy. It comes with 3-9x magnification, and the objective lens is 32 millimeters. As stated earlier, Athlon is one of the top brands on the market for making high quality rifle scopes, and this particular rifle scope is just one of the mid price range examples of why they made it to the top brand list. Shot distance on game? When I shoot my sons rifle with the Kahles, I get a little jealous. Dialing with it or set and forget? For those that have Swarovski scopes, are they really worth the price or would a Leupold or Vortex be just as good? Speaking of digiscoping (the art of taking pictures or video through a spotting scope), Swarovski has two new adapters to fit the X scope. You wont see a $200 pair of binoculars win that award. Coming to the one we were talking about, how do the below three compare? Coming on the heels of the remarkable first-plane Vudu 1-6 Precision scope, we had high hopes that this 1-8 EOTech would deliver all the versatility of its predecessor. Swarovski Optik HD-STS-80 HD Spotting Scope (20-50x) These spotting scopes are cut-out for a range of activities such as hunting, birding, digiscoping, wildlife safari . High quality glass outperforms inexpensive glass in lowlight conditions. Subscribe to OL+ for our best feature stories and photography. The Swarovski scored high on our price/value assessment, and we love the light weight and light-hungry 50mm objective lens, but we concluded the system limits its versatility. The scope is waterproof and nitrogen purged. A decade ago, we cheered the departure of the porro-prism binocular, replaced by the compact and durable roof prism. High quality binoculars are a long term investment. In a test full of multi-thousand-dollar riflescopes, it would be easy to dismiss the $90 Simmons (its likely to retail for closer to $70) as dim, cheap, and flimsy. Now that youve figured out why you need an optic, lets consider the scopes durability. This exceptional scope is a statement for Nightforce, one of the early leaders in the precision-riflescope market. Sent Once A Week - No Spam - No Selling Your Email. The small circle of light that appears in the scopes eyepiece when doing this is the exit pupil. It being bottomed out definitely was the biggest problem. Optical magicians, one might say as hunters and shooters worldwide will attest to this. Looking at a ceiling of $3000, I was researching some high end scopes for hunting rifles and saw a Swarovskis in that price range. Bushnell is one of the older popular rifle scope manufacturers with their products still on the market. Props to its classy, timeless design. Call the Outdoorsmans team and have them help you choose a pair of optics that are right for you. This scope price range was a little more difficult to narrow down, but in the end, the best rifle scope for under $300 came out to be the Athlon Optics Talos BTR 4-1444. Leupold. When he saw that he said, "I always thought that was not a good scope." Overall Best Value: Sig Sauer Buckmasters 3-9X40mm Combo Kit. It is important to understand the different types of scopes and the pros and cons to each one before purchasing one. One of the things that helps this be an ideal scope for long range shooting, it offers precision aiming with accurate holdover and wind-corrected information. 3.5-18x50 it is first focal plane, which I prefer, but may not be what you're looking for. Add the OEM protective jacket and a suitable tripod and the package is close to $5,000. Swarovski Hunting Rifle Scopes Best Selling Swarovski Z5 2.4-12x50mm Hunting Scope - Black (59768) $1,299.00 New Swarovski dS Gen. II 5-25x52 P 4A-I Digital Rifle Scope (71002) $4,999.00 New Swarovski SLP Objective Scope Lens Protector (z6 Z5 44 Mm) 44344 $130.00 New Swarovski 2.3-18x56 Z8i P L Riflescope - 68401 (2) $3,799.00 New Best Rifle Scopes For the Money. They are the big kahuna in the optics world. Another noted that the mounting dimensions are too short to mount to a long-action rifle with standard bases. VX6 HD in whatever power/ configuration! When money is no object, all the rules of the game completely change. It has generous mounting dimensions along its 34mm tube, a very tactile elevation turret (our sample had the excellent SCR2 mRAD reticle) with .1 mRAD clicks, and an ample 35 mils (120 MOA) of elevation adjustment. Whether you are a hunter, or you just enjoy shooting for sport, you know that choosing a scope for your rifle will be one of the biggest factors in determining how accurately youll be able to shoot. However, Redfield is still currently one of the top manufacturers of rifle scopes on the market. We had only two gripes. The new Swarovski ATX (angled) and STX (straight), hereby known at the X-Series Swarovski Spotting Scopes, are that revolutionary. A few decades ago, when a Remington 700 went for $200 and a Weaver scope was $60, it would have been difficult to spend more money on the optic than the rifle, despite advice to the contrary. This scope generally runs anywhere from $2,250 to $2,500. I agree with the vx-6hd or even the vx5hd. Although never personally owned a Swaro or any other high end scopes (Leica, Zeiss) I would like to explore higher quality scopes around $3000 mark. You get very little adjustments being the scope is a 1 tube. The Swarovski HD ATS-65mm features a 65mm objective lens using BaK-4 prism glass and fluoride-containing HD lenses to minimize chromatic aberrations. Click here to learn more and see its price, The Vortex Viper PA 30mm Tube Rifle Scope, Zeiss Conquest Rifle scopes 5-2550 Black Rapid Z 1000, Nightforce NXS Rifle Scope 30mm Tube 5.5-22x 56MM Hi-Speed, Best Scopes for a Rimfire (.22lr) Rifle in 2023, Reviews of the Best Thermal Imaging Rifle Scopes for 2023. Or you can remove the turret caps and dial the shooting solution with sharp, positive adjustments. But if you're looking for the very best in optics and accuracy, then a Swarovski scope is definitely worth the money. The rifle of choice was a BB gun, which was a fun way of getting the job done. Finally, each Swarovski scope boasts a rubber armoring that protects against shock and noise. If you choose to purchase a product after going through one of these links, we will receive a small sales commission at no extra cost to you. However, if your magnification was turned closer to 12, your field of view would actually decrease down to somewhere around 14 to 10 yards. Its inexpensive enough that most new hunters and shooters can buy a scope in it for their new rifle. Barska is currently operated out of Pomona, California, which is on the southern end of California. Back then, I had never heard of rifle scopes, not to mention Swarovski, but years later I would find out that their rifle scopes are considered some of the best in the world. These little trailers can go anywhere your vehicle can go", "The right tentis hard to define. Those are numbers that have never been used and are not statistically different than the stated power. What optical trend is in its twilight this year? While Nightforce has lost market share to competitors who have followed its lead of providing excellent reticles matched to tight, precise controls, the NX8 will appeal to both diehard fans and those looking for a scope to break into the precision-shooting game. The price of this 8-times scope is extremely competitive. I understand the Leupolds have a strong fan following and the glass is very clear as well. And with optical clarity so clear that it knows no boundaries, why settle for less? They often decide not to make the purchase because many hunters dont want to fork over $1,000 or more for a pair of binoculars. Above: Swarovski BTX 95mm Spotter seen here on the Ulfhednar tripod With the 65mm scope, the power runs from 25x-60x; on the 95mm, it goes from 30x up to a whopping 70x. (Distances between bars and dots are the same for both reticles). The eye relief for the NXS Rifle Scope is 3.9 inches. The excellent first-plane PR1 non-illuminated reticle pairs well with very positive turrets, which deliver a whopping 100 MOA of elevation adjustment in the 35mm tube. It might push your ceilings on price and weight just a little, but the Kahles K318i scope should be amazing. We know that animals move a lot at first light and at last light. It is actually made out of aircraft grade aluminum to guarantee its sturdiness. Leupold introduced the Mark 5HD line last year and took the precision-shooting world by storm. In general, the larger the magnification range, the more that particular scope will cost. Most people swallow hard when they look at the price tag on a pair of Swarovski, Zeiss or Vortex Binoculars. Single erector and 1 tube sets it up for failure. Slim, sturdy, reliable rifle scope which stands out for its lightweight design and incredible optics. Swarovski have for some time now been producing probably the finest lenses in the world, the clarity of which is truly superb. If you had only one shot to secure your target, what scope would you choose? The Z3 4-1250 is available with BRX or BRH reticle and an optional BT. We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites. The magnification range suits most purposes, which testers insisted must include sheep hunting, if only to further justify their pending purchases of ultralight rifles on which to mount the Maven. They can be combined as a variable scope or a fixed scope. . looking at getting a swarovski z5 or z6. There is a simple answer as to why that is. Went ahead and put on a bushnell xrs 2. Not only is it easier to line up the gun to your target, but it also magnifies your target, making it easier to tell which part of the target you will actually hit. I personally use Leupold and it comes down to personal preference. In general, if you decrease the magnification of your scope your field of view will actually increase. The turret adjustments are very good, and the zero stop, anti-cant indicator, and impressive 72 MOA of elevation adjustment inside the 30mm tube are features borrowed from the precision riflescope market. They make everything from simple hunting scopes to the incredibly powerful and adjustable tactical designs used by the military. We believe that America should be free and support the 2nd Amendment. I have scopes from both series. When you are going to look for your idle rifle scope, you should ask yourself what is it that you are going to be shooting at. The NXS Rifle Scope has a exit pupil diameter of 10.2 to 2.5 millimeters, and the scope weighs around 32 oz. With a long action, youll want to mount it to a rail to get the best out of this otherwise very versatile riflescope. Its extremely versatile and designed for better low light visibility in big game hunting. Most Nightforce scopes cost way more than the average person would even think about paying for a sports scope for their rifle. In order to help with this, I am going to reference you to a Vortex Diamondback 3-9x40mm rifle scope in order to explain the importance of the numbers on a rifle scope. I'm already entertaining the idea of investing in one myself if I can get the money. Zeiss Conquest Rifle scopes 5-2550 Black Rapid Z 1000 On average, this particular scope runs around $1100. Or did we lead with the Crimson Traces attributes and try to determine whether wed recommend readers pay a third the price of other submissions for its performance? For me, it depends on what type of hunt I am going on and the duration". It allows the scope to be mounted close to the bore with medium-height rings, a benefit thats not achievable with 56mm objective lenses, which Z5 has MOA turrets and Z6 is mil. The compact, light and reliable Z5 3.5-1844 BT profile also has a clean unassuming look about it. Each piece is sealed against the elements and is completely waterproof. Its true, I was far from understanding, never mind possessing, the sophisticated versions of todays weapons. Works great with all types of weapons. This can be a tricky question to answer when you are dealing with rifle scopes. Well I am thinking of going all out on a new spotting scope. Nightforce NXS Rifle Scope 30mm Tube 5.5-22x 56MM Hi-Speed The Nightforce NXS Rifle Scope is a high speed scope that could not be ignored for the unlimited budget best category. Always liked the BRH reticle, which is basically a Mil reticle. Ultimately, we settled on the latter question, and concluded that as appealing as the price is, we think you may be underwhelmed with the Crimson Trace.