Hey guys I’ve recently been introduced to the world of high end optics. I got to use a zeiss diavari 56mm scope couple weekends ago and I was impressed to say the least. I currently use a leupold vx3I and have loved it but the zeiss spoiled me. So I’ve been looking at those and also the leupold vx5HD, Swarovski z6. All are 56mm optics. What do yall think about these optics? Thanks!!

As with most things in life, you get what you pay for. Optics are no exception.

$500 binos will smoke any scope in resolving detail in low light.

Naturally $2K binos are better than $500 binos.

If on a budget, good binos are more useful for killing whitetails in a AL than a $1500 scope.

Some very good stuff told here. Both my Swarovski 8x32 bino's and my Vortex 10x42 bino's out do my Schmidt & Bender 2.5x10x56mm with 30mm tube scope in low light as far as resolving detail. In my opinion if you are able to tell detail through bino's and determined to take a shot late you would still be able to handle the shot with your current scope. I am sure there are people who disagree but that just my opinion.

2 eyes are always better than 1.

Another scope line that is really good is the Trijicon Accupoint. They are also reasonably priced. The Leupold VX5HD 3-15x44 is an awesome optic, especially the firedot version.

Swaro z6 will be top of the line over the others mentioned. Anything less than a swaro z6 I’d go with leupold vx5 hd. For the money they’ll do everything you need and more.

My primary rifle has a Leica Magnus 56mm and my back up sports a Swarovski Z6i in 56mm. That said I used my buddy’s rifle that’s topped with a VX5 for one hunt while we were in Texas and I was highly disappointed. I expected so much more after hearing all the hype about them.

I’ve had Zeiss, S&B, Swaro and Leica on my rifles. Currently using Zeiss Victory for binos. Yes they are extremely expensive and not everyone can justify $3-4k on a single piece of glass, but you do get what you pay for. It’s not only about low light capabilities but also the overall resolution of the picture.

If I was staying under $2k I’d be hard pressed now to buy a Zeiss V6 or Swaro Z6 if I wanted new. If that didn’t bother, then I would search the classifieds for a deal on a step higher.

My main hunting rifle has a SWFA 6x scope on it. I can see past legal shooting light with it. I bought it last year during their Black Friday sale for $210. It’s normally $299. Once they get back in stock, I’ll be ordering a few more. Great scopes for the money. You don’t always have to pay alot to get a great scope.

To my eyes, Schmidt-Bender tops everything else.

This is the truth.

I will bet that in the next 3-5 years digital cameras will outperform binos.
I took this picture at the very end of shooting light. It was really cloudy, so it got dark fast. I could see the deer with my binos, but not my naked 55yr old eyes.
This is from my Ultra 23 phone. The Ultra 24 is coming out soon. When you click the picture button, in this light, you have to hold the phone still for 2-3 seconds for it to collect light. I am sure it would have been better on a tripod.

You can tell some of the color of the weeds are off, especially out in the pines.



here is the game cam pic from a few mins before I took the other pic

Possum cop wet dream...

Out to about 300 yards it's hard to beat a Leupold in all areas of quality. Now you want to kill at 500,600,700 yards yes a Nightforce,Schmit & Bender,etc. are the ticket. But WHO can consistently hit a Deer sized target that far unless they have Sniper Training?? Quality Mounts are the most important Component.....

I have the vari x3 before they came out with all of the other models. And I just bought the Swarovski Z3 and to be honest I can't tell much difference at all.

I think it depends on your eyes and the specific equipment examples. My son has a high end set of Meopta binos and a set of Nikon Monarch 5 binos. I have an identical set of Nikons (chicom, $329). He says he can see a distinct low light difference with the Moeoptas besting the Nikons. It borrowed his Meoptas and couldn't tell any advantage in low light over my Nikons. Most likely this is because his eyes are 30 years younger than mine.

Make sure it has a Hawk on it.

The Z3 is a great scope, but it's not on part with any of Swarovski's glass above that price point.

But to the o.p. , in my opinion the V6 Zeiss's will outperform any of the Leupold VX line with comparable objectives.

The only Zeiss V6 scope I've looked through had terrible tunnel effect.

Give me a VX6.

Is the zeiss V6 comparable to the diavari? Haven’t researched into anything zeiss except the diavari

Me and a buddy of mine sat on my porch one night with several different luepolds zeiss, and Swarovski. We had from middle end to high end with all brands. We each kept looking through all of them every few minutes from dusk to dark. After that all I have are luepold 5 and 6s except for one Swarovski on my wife's rifle. I took off Swarovski and traded them for luepolds. My buddy like the Swarovski. But with both agreed it was very little difference in either. Neither of us was impressed with zeiss