Swarovski X5I VS March 2.5-25x52

[Frankr]

I said I was going to do it this year and I did not. But I am thinking about a new scope purchase feb march of next year. I have been looking at the march in a 2.5-25x52 I and at the Swarovski X5 and the X5i in 5-25x56 just wondering about opinions on either scope as the reviews on both seem good.
they are about the same weight. This would be going on a Hunting rifle/play at the range shooting some steel and targets. They seem well matched to me so I thought I would ask some opinions and maybe some owners what they think of them as I have never seen threw either and this would be a reach in top tier optics for me. Would be the most expensive scope purchase I ever made and most guys I hunt and shoot with do not think it is necessary and it is not I am fine with the scopes I have that are half the price of these two but I want to go up into this kind of scope...Maybe I wont but I want to.

 

[Rick300]

I am interested as well. Looking at the same two scopes for my winter hunting gun upgrade.

 

[nakneker]

I've never owned the Swarovski X5i. I did purchase a March FFP 3-24x. I know your looking at the SFP model, but the size and power range is very close. I bought it last year for a dedicated hunting rifle. It's is very compact compared to other models in the same power range and it's not overly heavy. The glass is extremely clear for my eyes and turrets are very rugged and repeatable. It has passed every test I've put it through. A Box test showed the turret increments to be dead nuts. I've spent hours with it and love it.

I own several scopes in that power/price range. I have three Nightforce NXSs, a Valadada 3-18x, a Ziess 4-16 victory, a Steiner Military 5-25 and others. Compared to the scopes I mentioned, and some others, the March is lighter, more compact, and 3-24 power range is really nice when hunting in close quarters. The reticle is very user friendly. I have a second one on order and I'm considering selling a couple other scopes to be able to purchase another March.

The other thing I like about March is Shiraz took the company over. I like supporting people that support the sport I love, hunting and shooting.

 

[Frankr]

Thanks I am leaning to the March and have considered the 2.5-25x42 due to weight and size but I hear the 52mm makes a difference and some said the reticle was a bit thin and could get lost in some low light situations. I love the thin reticle but I know how they can be so going illuminated fixes that problem so illuminated reticle might as well go up to the 52MM and that puts you into the price range of the X5i and Swarovski is know for the finest optics and the X5 reviews are good. so can only buy one and leaves me wondering which one I would like best. lol as they both are a stretch for me financially so trying to do me research and get as many opinions as I can.

 

[nakneker]

Thanks I am leaning to the March and have considered the 2.5-25x42 due to weight and size but I hear the 52mm makes a difference and some said the reticle was a bit thin and could get lost in some low light situations. I love the thin reticle but I know how they can be so going illuminated fixes that problem so illuminated reticle might as well go up to the 52MM and that puts you into the price range of the X5i and Swarovski is know for the finest optics and the X5 reviews are good. so can only buy one and leaves me wondering which one I would like best. lol as they both are a stretch for me financially so trying to do me research and get as many opinions as I can.

I think your wise to spend some time trying to make the best decision for you. I'm not sure there is a wrong choice. I've had Swaro Z5s and was impressed with them. I'd like to try a X5i out someday but I am very content with the March, for me it's the perfect hunting scope. The 42mm lens has done a good job for me even at lowlight. I don't have the illuminated reticle. I used that scope recently on. Trip to Africa and made some very low light shots without any issue. I'll be curious to see what you choose. I've seen a couple X5is go a good deal in the classifieds.

 

[Frankr]

Yes I have been looking at the march 2.5-25x42 MTR-3 #1011 how does it differ from the 3-24 FFP reticle other than the size change ? The only complaint I have heard is the reticle is thin and can be hard to see in low light and I have had a few thin duplex's in the past and in heavy timber low light it can be hard to see it. So that is why I was going to go to illuminated and then might as well go up to the 52mm now if I could get away with the non illuminated 42mm then it would be a lot easier for me. plus the size and weight do matter.

 

[rardoin]

I have a Swaro X5i 5-25x56 and have used it for 600yd F-class target 'precision rifle' matches. It has a BRM reticle. It is outstanding as far as its optical clarity and tracks repeatably over the 16 months I've had it. Probably 3500+ rounds shot with it in 6.5 calibers. My only desire would be for a finer reticle or crosshair/floating fine dot. I can only compare it to a March 10-60x52 as I have shot over no other March scopes. The March has a crosshair/3/32 dot which I prefer for F-open shooting. The Swarovski has a brighter image and appears slightly clearer when both are at 25x but with a larger objective I would expect this. If I were to be using this scope for hunting in late light conditions also I would likely go with the Swarovski as it should be brighter than a 52mm March.

 

[AKShooter]

I wouldn't put them in same class. Mainly Just weight and length. Almost a half pound difference. Swaro seems to been better compared to the NXS. I had the SFP 42x march with Mtr-3. Stupidly sold it. But trying to fix that. Lol. Mtr-3 is thicker than the NF moart. I noticed dimming at 25x with the 42mm. I want to try the 52mm.

 

[dkhunt14]

I looked through a bunch of scopes and own quite a few. A few months back I looked through the X5 and all I can say is WOW. Matt

 

[Frankr]

I really am leaning to the March better weight and features I like better. All reviews I can find put the March up there with the best and in some instances people say the March looked better than their NXS ect ect...Maybe the Swarovski might be a little better in low light but not so much you could not see well enough to take a shot with the march. That is how I am taking it and I like the March features better. So it is a ways off yet but I am quite sure I have to try a March.
You know my biggest problem is I Hunt with a SHV 5-20x56 and A VX6 3-18x44 and they are quite good but I am looking for something better and it is such a stretch for me financially I can only do it once and what ever I get I will have to live with. I really am leaning tward the March...for many reasons.

 

[rardoin]

Do yourself a favor and look through the Swaro at 600 yds or so. Or, if the budget is tight, do yourself a favor and DON'T look through the Swaro. I will say that setting vertical zero and the zero stop on the Swaro is a little more difficult than the March and requires the Swaro tool (supplied with the scope). If Swarovski made a 50-60x target scope with a fine x-hair/dot reticle I would be all over it. That being said, the HM line I have not looked through so perhaps that statement is a little rash.