Swarovski Scope Series Z3, Z5, Z6, Z8

[South Pender]

I'm curious about any optical quality differences as we go from the Swarovski Z3 to the Z5, Z6, and Z8 series. The number in the name refers to the zoom range, where, for example, Z3 means a 3X zoom range (e.g., 3-9) and Z6 means a 6X zoom range (e.g., 3-18). However, are there noticeable differences in lens and optical quality (clarity, sharpness, definition, color, etc.) in addition to the differences in zoom range? Does the Z6, for example, provide a clearer, better-defined, picture at, say, 9 power, than a Z3 would provide at the same power setting?

 

[XTR]

This isn’t exactly what you are asking but here goes.

I have a couple of Z3s in 3-10x42 and a Z5 5-18x44. They don’t overlap enough to really compare, and I’m not sure you’re going to find the comparison. The Z3s tend to lower powers and won’t compare to the others. Both are probably the clearest scopes I have in their respective ranges.

Maybe someone can compare the higher magnification versions In the Z6-Z8.

Personally I think the Z5 5-18x44 with a BRH reticle is about the perfect hunting scope.

edit, as noted below the Z5 is a 3.5-18 not 5-18.

 

[ChrisNZ]

The Z5 you have will be a 3.5-18, same as I have. Also have a 5-25x52 brother. Sharp and bright, both of them. Both have the 4A reticle which is on the finer side. Shot three deer last weekend with the 3.5-18 on my .280AI, first one at 565yds in very poor light, the other two at about 150yds again in fading poor light. I'm pretty sure the Z6 series have metric turrets, not MOA.

 

[barrelnut50]

Z6 series has HD glass, which means the front objective is a triplet lens that has better image quality than Z3 or Z5 at the edge of the field of view. It also has very good erector optics in a 30mm tube. The elevation adjustment range is larger for the high mag Z6 scopes than it is for comparable Z3 and Z5 scopes. Z6 scopes use coil springs and Z3, Z5 use leaf springs, as I recall. Otherwise, Z3, Z5 and Z6 use similar optical coatings and turret mechanisms. Z8 builds on the Z6 optical design, but has a different turret design and slightly higher transmission, so the coatings must be slightly different.

 

[South Pender]

That's really helpful, guys. Looks as though you will get better image quality in the Z6 and Z8 series than in the Z3s and Z5s. I guess you should, given the large difference in price.