I bought my first Swarovski,it's the Z3 3×12×42 it will be here tomorrow. I've only have the Leopold Vari X3 and it's a very good scope in my opinion. Is the Swarovski noticeably different in clarity

I didn’t see much difference when I bought my Z3 in light gathering ability. What I noticed different was the sighting in of the rifle I installed it on. The Z3 was true on the clicks on the dials. I always had to adjust the windage and elevation several times to get it right with the vx3. With the Z3 the movement was spot on.

I have the same scope it's older in that it's the Habicht series versus the Z3. I agree with clicks and movement stated earlier. My wife likes it on her 6.5 cm
If you talking Vari X III probably a little clearer for sure. VX III is a good scope. Especially the older ones. VX3 can't speak on them.

AU338 or some of the other optics specialist will be along momentarily. LOL
The more you look through them shooting and hunting the better your eyes are at judging them.

I have never spent more for a scope than I did for the rifle. My Leopolds are awesome,but I always hear people bragging about Swarovski. My company gave me an Amazon card so I decided to try it. So we will see what it looks like

It’s always better to shoot a cheaper rifle and buy high end glass than the other way around. I have the X5i and love it simply for the glass clarity. My only problem with it is it’s got those huge target turrets on it for long range shooting which is something I don’t need because I’m not going to be hurling lead at deer over 600 yards. It’s also very heavy. I’m seriously thinking about selling it after season goes out and getting a Z6i or Z8i to replace it.

It’s hard to beat a Swarovski for hunting.
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Already stated. The Z3 I have on my wife’s rifle tracks true as all get out. I personally think it is clearer and better in low light than a VX3, but that’s to my eyes.

To my eyes the z3 is right there with my Schmidt bender zenith, you got to be real picky to tell any difference, my eyes can’t. For the money I’d say the z3 is one of the best, Leupold quality is in the dumps these days so I’ll stay away from them, did some trading for a vx freedom 4-12x50, I was not impressed with it at all, I’ve had older tasco scopes better than it.

Anybody comparing a mid level leupold with a Swarovski is nuts. Swarovski is an upgrade in glass, and tracking.

I have a z3, z6 and z8, there is a pretty good jump from the 3-6 and 6-8 is not much difference in clarity at all. You simply cannot compare them to any Chinese or American made optics imo.

To my eyes, the only scope clearer than a Swarovski is a Schmidt-Bender.

I have one Leupold VX6, and I would trade in a heartbeat for a Schmidt Klassik, even though the S-B is less expensive than the VX6.

You can get a Klassik for a little over a thousand on scopelist . Very tempting.

I’ve got one and love it, eventually going to put one on all my rifles

Yes you can, the eye box on these are not near as good as the zenith, I purchased a klassik from europtic and sent it back because of the eye box,on the zenith your eye literally jumps to it , the klassik it doesn’t. Glass is good though but not what I wanted. Hard to beat the Germans on glass.

To the op, if you’re putting a swaro on your piece you’ve made a great investment and won’t regret it over the Leuy. Good luck with it!!

I'd love to look through a Zenith.

The Z3 is a great scope for the price! Maybe the best. However, it isn’t a Z6 or Z8. The price reflects that as well. I do not believe any of the Leupold III’s are as good as the Z3. I have several of the older Leupold and they pale in comparison to the new optics available.