Forums
New posts
Search forums
What's new
Articles
Latest reviews
Author list
Classifieds
Log in
Register
What's new
Search
Search
Search titles and first posts only
Search titles only
By:
New posts
Search forums
Menu
Log in
Register
Install the app
Install
Forums
Rifles, Reloading, Optics, Equipment
Long Range Scopes and Other Optics
Zeiss vs Swarovski
JavaScript is disabled. For a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding.
You are using an out of date browser. It may not display this or other websites correctly.
You should upgrade or use an
alternative browser
.
Reply to thread
Message
<blockquote data-quote="bruce_ventura" data-source="post: 839854" data-attributes="member: 34084"><p>All good options. I've looked through the Zeiss HD5, and Swaro Z3 and Z5 scopes a fair amount. There are fundamental reasons for performance similarities and differences between theses scopes. </p><p></p><p>Both the Zeiss HD5 and Swaro Z3 scopes have doublet objective lenses. Therefore the resolution and color fringing at the optical center (zero elevation/windage setting), and resolution at high elevation setting are similar. The Z3 may have an edge over the HD5 in the field of view (erector optics), but I have not done a side-by-side comparison yet, so I can't say for sure. The Z3 does have higher contrast than the HD5 because of lower stray light. </p><p></p><p>The Swaro Z5 is in a different class because it has a triplet objective lens. It has noticeably better resolution at high elevation setting than either the HD5 or Z3. The Z5 also has the Z6 erector tube optics, which are outstanding. For that reason it has a wider sweet spot, or field of view over which the image is crisp. Again, the contrast is higher in the Z5 than in the HD5. </p><p></p><p>In my opinion, the Swaro Z5 optics are good enough that the scope can be used in any lighting condition at max magnification. The image is similar to a good, non-HD spotting scope at the same magnification. Granted, the spotting scope will go to a higher mag and have a wider field of view, but either the 18X or 25X Z5 can nevertheless be used to spot details like antler points at a much longer range than the typical 8x or 10X binocular. The ability to substitute for a spotting scope in some applications makes the Z5 a bit unique.</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="bruce_ventura, post: 839854, member: 34084"] All good options. I've looked through the Zeiss HD5, and Swaro Z3 and Z5 scopes a fair amount. There are fundamental reasons for performance similarities and differences between theses scopes. Both the Zeiss HD5 and Swaro Z3 scopes have doublet objective lenses. Therefore the resolution and color fringing at the optical center (zero elevation/windage setting), and resolution at high elevation setting are similar. The Z3 may have an edge over the HD5 in the field of view (erector optics), but I have not done a side-by-side comparison yet, so I can't say for sure. The Z3 does have higher contrast than the HD5 because of lower stray light. The Swaro Z5 is in a different class because it has a triplet objective lens. It has noticeably better resolution at high elevation setting than either the HD5 or Z3. The Z5 also has the Z6 erector tube optics, which are outstanding. For that reason it has a wider sweet spot, or field of view over which the image is crisp. Again, the contrast is higher in the Z5 than in the HD5. In my opinion, the Swaro Z5 optics are good enough that the scope can be used in any lighting condition at max magnification. The image is similar to a good, non-HD spotting scope at the same magnification. Granted, the spotting scope will go to a higher mag and have a wider field of view, but either the 18X or 25X Z5 can nevertheless be used to spot details like antler points at a much longer range than the typical 8x or 10X binocular. The ability to substitute for a spotting scope in some applications makes the Z5 a bit unique. [/QUOTE]
Insert quotes…
Verification
Post reply
Forums
Rifles, Reloading, Optics, Equipment
Long Range Scopes and Other Optics
Zeiss vs Swarovski
Top