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Swarovski Z8I first impression


opticsspecialist

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I got to check out the new Swarovski Z8I this morning and I was pretty impressed. The optics are what you expect with Swarovski, the 1x is true 1x or as close to it as you can get. 8x was clear edge to edge, the eye box is generous. there are some new features that really stand out, a ballistic turret can be added at anytime via the new ballistic flex turret flex. It can have normal mil hash marks, a custom dial, or my favorite the ballistic turret. it also has a zero stop and a lock. This feature can be removed or attached in seconds. clicks are in mils. the clicks felt good, they were deep and audible. This particular scope currently has two reticle options, the new 4A-IF and the BRT-I. the BRTi has been a popular reticle with multigun shooters and the like for a few years. the scope I saw featured the new 4A-IF, which has a really awesome feature. when illuminating the reticle, you can have 2 options; just a dot in the center, or by pressing the two buttons at the same time for 3 seconds, you can turn an illuminated circle on or off, which would certainly speed things up when shooting that scope at close range. I think this scope would be an awesome scope for a variety of purposes.



I liked this scope and I can see lots of applications in both hunting and competition with this scope. I'm sure the rest of the line will not disappoint. Hopefully I'll have one on a rifle soon and i'll have more to report. until then let me know if you have any questions or need anything.

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I only had it briefly, a more thorough review will come when I can get a t&e sample to get to the range. A Swarovski rep had it, I'm a field tech so I had a chance to look at it. sadly I couldn't get away with it to shoot it. I didn't pay anything for it, but I'll find pricing out if you like. I'll compare it to some others, but I can tell you I was more impressed with this scope that the other 1-8 scopes I've seen so far. it was also lighter than the scopes I've seen so far, and it has a 30mm tube rather than a 34mm, which is unique because the other 1-8 scopes i've seen are all 34mm. if your familiar with the 1-6 z6i from swarovski, this is a little sleeker, more feature rich, high magnification version of the same quality you expect out of the 1-6. I expect it will have better turrets than the 1-6, they certainly felt good, but gota wait to get it on the range.

1x looked good, I didn't see any distortion, it was crisp and clear, nice wide fov, i looked around with both eyes open, seems like it will be just as fast as the 1-6. I was impressed with the eye box on 8x, with that small objective, I thought it would be touchy, but I didn't find that to be the case, even considering I was hand holding the scope and didn't have it mounted on a rifle. I hope to see the IF reticle change feature in more reticles, i really liked that

I'll have a minox 1-8 in soon, and a burris 1-8 as well, so we can see how they will all stack up soon.

Edited by opticsspecialist
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2 hours ago, Paul-the new guy said:

The preliminary pricing I saw on the internet posted by some sponsored shooters put the 1-8 about $800.00 higher than the 1-6

Where can you get the 1-6 that low?

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36 minutes ago, BC27 said:

I'm kinda waiting the the 1-8 BRT-I to come out and they seem to be about $2,419.  The 1-6 seem to be $200 less new.  How much are you asking for yours?

The 1-6 new are like you said 2250.00 without the throw lever. I had not seen prices on the 1-8 until today when I looked and it looks like it will be around 2850.00.  Mine is 1.5 years old and is in really nice shape. With a Larue mount $1950.00 without $1800.00. I have the box, papers and the $100.00 throw lever.

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37 minutes ago, Paul-the new guy said:

The 1-6 new are like you said 2250.00 without the throw lever. I had not seen prices on the 1-8 until today when I looked and it looks like it will be around 2850.00.  Mine is 1.5 years old and is in really nice shape. With a Larue mount $1950.00 without $1800.00. I have the box, papers and the $100.00 throw lever.

You might be looking at the wrong model.  All the dealers pretty much have the 1-8 with the BRT-I reticle marked at $2,419.  The 4A-IF reticle is $2,609 but I don't think that would be a good choice for 3 Gun.

 

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Been looking and waiting for 1-8x myself, would really help with long range stages at bigger 3 gun events. I need all the help I can get. Seems like September the Z8i 1-8x BRT-1 will be released...

 

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  • 2 weeks later...
On 8/11/2016 at 11:04 AM, opticsspecialist said:

I got to check out the new Swarovski Z8I this morning and I was pretty impressed. The optics are what you expect with Swarovski, the 1x is true 1x or as close to it as you can get. 8x was clear edge to edge, the eye box is generous. there are some new features that really stand out, a ballistic turret can be added at anytime via the new ballistic flex turret flex. It can have normal mil hash marks, a custom dial, or my favorite the ballistic turret. it also has a zero stop and a lock. This feature can be removed or attached in seconds. clicks are in mils. the clicks felt good, they were deep and audible. This particular scope currently has two reticle options, the new 4A-IF and the BRT-I. the BRTi has been a popular reticle with multigun shooters and the like for a few years. the scope I saw featured the new 4A-IF, which has a really awesome feature. when illuminating the reticle, you can have 2 options; just a dot in the center, or by pressing the two buttons at the same time for 3 seconds, you can turn an illuminated circle on or off, which would certainly speed things up when shooting that scope at close range. I think this scope would be an awesome scope for a variety of purposes.



I liked this scope and I can see lots of applications in both hunting and competition with this scope. I'm sure the rest of the line will not disappoint. Hopefully I'll have one on a rifle soon and i'll have more to report. until then let me know if you have any questions or need anything.

It looks like there is a focus/parallax adjustment on this scope? If so, did you get an impression that it would affect transitions between targets at different distances? ie if it's on focus at 200 yds, will it be "blurry" at 600 yds? Or if you are at 1 power shooting close range targets, then go to 8 power for long range?

Steve

Edited by SteveT-NV
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  • 1 month later...
On 8/31/2016 at 5:21 PM, SteveT-NV said:

It looks like there is a focus/parallax adjustment on this scope? If so, did you get an impression that it would affect transitions between targets at different distances? ie if it's on focus at 200 yds, will it be "blurry" at 600 yds? Or if you are at 1 power shooting close range targets, then go to 8 power for long range?

Steve

I can answer my own question now. I just got this scope a couple days ago and was able to get out and sight it in today. There is no parallax adjustment on this scope, while you may see that mentioned in the scope description on some of the websites, the parallax adjustment is only in some of the scopes in the Z8I lineup. 

My impressions so far:

  • This scope is awesome!
  • The optics are excellent, just like any other Swarovski product.
  • It is only slightly larger than the Z6I 1-6. 
  • It has an excellent field of view, though a little smaller than the 1-6

If you are looking for a new scope, you can't go wrong with this scope. 

 

Steve

 

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I just used my z6i out to 360yrds at surefire last weekend. I'm not sure the extra 2x in zoom will make a huge difference as I was already looking over the top of my scope to find the next target on 6x power. Still, the z8i looks to be really well engineered...

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  • 1 month later...
On 12/4/2016 at 6:31 AM, ffgats said:

Any updated info on this scope, Actual experience in the range. pretty close in pulling the trigger on this one,

I've been using it in practice sessions for the last couple months. Pull the trigger!  You will not be disappointed.  See the above post on my initial impressions. Nothing has changed since that post, other than I like it even more. 

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11 hours ago, SteveT-NV said:

I've been using it in practice sessions for the last couple months. Pull the trigger!  You will not be disappointed.  See the above post on my initial impressions. Nothing has changed since that post, other than I like it even more. 

I was hoping you gonna say some cons lol, I will get in touch with the dealer this Friday, crossing my fingers that the buyer of my Razor wont back out, he promised to pick up this Thursday,

what can you say gents about the VX6 1-6 CDS Firedot BDC Multigun, i"M not comparing it with the Swarvo in any way, but just your opinions of the scope. The price is very tempting. Most of the feedbacks I reads is the illumination is a hit and miss.

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I picked up a VX6 over thanksgiving. Haven't had a chance to mount/shoot it yet. I can say that with the current price point it seems to me to be the best deal as far as what you get for your money. I haven't personally shot a razor so most of the razor comparisons are from others reviews. It seems to have the same FOV, very big eyebox (not quite as big as the razor), great eye relief (.2 inch less than the razor), and is almost 12 oz lighter than the razor. Some people find the illumination control frustrating, but I'll put up with it. The illumination is not as good as the razor although I called leupold and they said they could swap to the red illum for fairly cheap, it was $60-90 I have it written down somewhere. It is important to note that some of the earlier ones sent out for reviews appear to have had illumination problems. Jesse T. got a replacement from Leupold after posting his video and has said his is now daylight bright but not as bright as you can turn up the razor (some of that may be color).

With the current deals out there, some of them including gift cards which can cover the cost of a switchview, the delta between a new razor ($1200) and a vx6 is $500. Is the razor technically a better scope? Yes, if the weight doesn't matter to you. Is it $500 more scope? That's for you to decide. If weight is in any way a concern the vx6 is the clear winner until you get into Swarovski-land.

***Actually just looked deal I got is gone now >.< So figure $800 for the scope with no additional gift card. The razor is now 1260, so the delta remains pretty consistent***

Edited by MHitchcock
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On 2016-12-05 at 10:41 PM, ffgats said:

I was hoping you gonna say some cons lol, I will get in touch with the dealer this Friday, crossing my fingers that the buyer of my Razor wont back out, he promised to pick up this Thursday,

what can you say gents about the VX6 1-6 CDS Firedot BDC Multigun, i"M not comparing it with the Swarvo in any way, but just your opinions of the scope. The price is very tempting. Most of the feedbacks I reads is the illumination is a hit and miss.

Oh well, I cant help  it but placed my order for the Swarvo Z8i 1-8 BRT, pretty close too of going to VX6, but have have second thoughts especially here up North we are in the Mercy of the Distributor, we dont have easy access to a quick customer service here. and its not cheap either if I want to upgrade or change something. will just make sure  mommy wont see the invoice. lol, wish me luck.

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